Professional Experience

Lilyan works with adolescents (13+), young adults, and adults. She provides neuro-affirming support for ADHD and autism, and has a special interest in life transitions, friendship or relational difficulties, identity exploration, and cultural issues. She also provides interventions for a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, OCD, work-related stress, body image, addictions, grief and loss, health-related concerns, and LGBTQ+ issues.

She is particularly interested in supporting clients to build confidence, self-esteem, and self-compassion, and to navigate the balance between cultural and personal identities. As a second-generation Asian-Australian, she has personal experience of living in the “in-between” of different cultures and expectations, and the unique challenges and opportunities this may bring.

Lilyan has published research papers on anxiety and body image, and worked as a research assistant at Deakin University and the University of Sydney. She developed her clinical skills in university clinics, the Macquarie Centre of Emotional Health, GambleAware, and in private practice. Her early career roles (as a support worker for children with autism and ADHD, youth mentor, and mental health telephone support worker) shaped her understanding that effective clinical work begins with a steady, authentic presence.

Lilyan has a warm, collaborative approach to therapy. She provides a safe, non-judgemental space where clients can find their voice, process difficult emotions, and explore the nuanced parts of life. Early sessions focus on understanding what’s happening beneath surface-level issues, helping lay the foundation for lasting change. By fostering a strong, trusting relationship, she supports clients to unpack what’s keeping them stuck, clarify their goals, and take practical steps toward a life that feels more aligned and fulfilling.

Lilyan aims to build long-term therapeutic relationships, taking the time to understand each person’s story — not just the challenges they face today, but the experiences that have shaped them. She strives to create a space where clients feel safe to share their inner world, develop insight and clarity, and move toward meaningful change.

She believes lasting change is fostered when individuals experience genuine safety and understanding, allowing them the freedom to explore and try new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating. She views the therapeutic relationship as a “secure base” — a steady foundation that supports corrective experiences, helping clients navigate difficult emotions, thoughts, and behaviours, and discover new ways of being.

Lilyan believes our experiences are deeply human and interconnected, and that we are shaped by, and influence, the world around us. She sees therapy as a space to notice and understand thoughts and emotions, and to cultivate compassion and acceptance for oneself and one’s experiences. This helps lay the groundwork for lasting change and growth.

Lilyan finds it deeply rewarding to see clients gain insight, courage, and a deeper understanding of themselves. Small wins — like noticing unhelpful patterns, showing self-compassion, setting a boundary, or acting more authentically — can create meaningful change. Being part of that process and supporting clients to discover their own strength is what makes this work truly fulfilling.

One of the key things Lilyan has come to appreciate in her work is the brain’s remarkable capacity for change. Through neuroplasticity, people can learn new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding, even when patterns feel deeply set. This means that with awareness, practice, and support, genuine change is possible over time.

Lilyan draws from a range of evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to help clients notice patterns, manage difficult thoughts and emotions, and take steps toward living a more meaningful life. She also integrates elements of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Schema Therapy, and compassion- and mindfulness-based approaches, tailoring tools to clients’ needs to support self-awareness, self-compassion, emotion regulation, and resilience.

Outside of work, Lilyan recharges by being creative, exploring local markets or cafes, and staying active at the gym. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends, and the simple joys of unwinding with a good book or show.