Akbay Psychology

09/11/2026

Psychologist Arthur de Jesus explains the role of Titos and Titas as culture bearers in Philippine society and diasporic communities, and unpacks concepts such as kapwa, hiya, chismis culture, and marrying the individualistic and collectivist views of our layered identities as Filipino-Australians

🔗🎧https://www.sbs.com.au/language/filipino/en/podcast-episode/a-titas-and-titos-guide-to-how-to-be-a-tito-or-tita/bh5qholnb

04/09/2026

We’re excited to share that Akbay Psychology was part of a new SBS podcast series exploring intergenerational relationships through a Filipino-Australian lens: "A Titas and Titos Guide to How to Be a Tito (Uncle) or Tita (Aunt)".

Special thanks to for this invitation!

The conversations between generations aren’t always easy. They can involve family expectations, cultural traditions, identity, communication, respect, and the pressures of being a “culture bearer” while navigating life in Australia.

At Akbay Psychology, we believe that understanding these experiences is an important part of supporting mental wellbeing. Our work is grounded in kapwa (the idea of shared identity and connection) and recognises that our wellbeing doesn’t exist in isolation.

Our families and communities can be sources of strength, belonging and resilience, while also sometimes being places where intergenerational expectations, unresolved experiences, and cultural pressures are carried forward.

This is why creating spaces for curious, respectful and culturally informed conversations matters. We don’t have to choose between honouring where we come from and making space for how we want to live. Sometimes, healing starts with understanding both.

🎧 The podcast is available here:
https://www.sbs.com.au/language/filipino/en/podcast-episode/a-titas-and-titos-guide-to-how-to-be-a-tito-or-tita/bh5qholnb

Listen to the pilot episode and join us as we unpack some of the complexities of Filipino-Australian intergenerational relationships.

And if these conversations resonate with you, or bring up things you’ve been carrying for a long time, you don’t have to navigate them alone.

Reach out to us below👇🏼

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
📍 In-person and Telehealth options available

In the Pilot episode of “A Titas and Titos Guide To…”, Maridel and John Marc speak with Filipino-Australian psychologist Arthur de Jesus. He explains the role of Titos and Titas as culture bearers in Philippine society and diasporic communities and unpacks concepts such as kapwa, hiya, chismis...

18/08/2026

Hot take: 20 years in Australia and we are still adjusting! By that, we mean we are just appreciating how Filipinos have been integrated into the Australian society and identity, and how representation contributes to strengthening our wellbeing (thanks to ABS census for including the Philippines in the birthplace question). 🇵🇭🇦🇺

At Akbay Psychology, we recognise how changes to one’s environment can deeply affect and disrupt our sense of self. We strive to create a therapeutic space grounded in empathy, mutual respect, cultural humility, and genuine human connection to help clients feel that it’s okay to go through life’s challenges. 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

If you’re looking for culturally informed, trauma-informed psychological support, we’d love to walk alongside you.

Reach out to us below👇🏼

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
📍 In-person and Telehealth options available

04/08/2026

✨Now Offering Clinical Supervision✨

Akbay Psychology is pleased to offer primary and secondary supervision for psychologists seeking a reflective, supportive, and culturally responsive approach to professional development.

Whether you’re early in your career, seeking one-off case consultations, or wanting to strengthen your confidence working with culturally diverse communities, supervision is tailored to your professional goals.

Areas of interest include:
• Cultural responsiveness
• Migration and adjustment
• Trauma-informed practice
• Asian-Australian mental health
• Filipino psychology and collectivist cultures
• Social determinants of health

Available Australia-wide via video online, with in-person appointments available in Melbourne.

Enquiries are now open. We’d love to hear from you. Contact us below👇🏼

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
📍 In-person and Online options available

30/07/2026

Starting therapy can feel like stepping into the unknown.

One of the most common things we hear is:

“What if I don’t know what to say?”

The truth is, you don’t need to have everything figured out before your first appointment.

The initial session is designed to help both you and your psychologist get to know one another, understand what’s been happening, and decide together what support might look like. It isn’t about telling your entire life story or solving every problem in one sitting.

At Akbay Psychology, we believe therapy works best when it feels collaborative, respectful, and safe. Building trust takes time, and that’s okay.

If you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, perhaps this gives you a clearer picture of what to expect.

We are currently accepting new referrals for in-person and telehealth appointments.

To book, or arrange a free 15-minute phone consultation, reach out below👇🏼

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
📍 In-person and Telehealth options available

26/06/2026

🇵🇭 What is Kapwa? Growing up, I heard this word a lot “kapwa’t tao”, as my lolo would say. But I understood very little. It took much later for me to realise that I was already living it, being it, and almost every Filipino I encountered was doing the same.

Kapwa is often described as the heart of Filipino psychology. More than simply meaning “others,” it reflects the belief that our humanity is shared, that we are deeply connected through our relationships, communities, and care for one another.

At Akbay Psychology, kapwa is more than a cultural concept; it guides how we practice. We strive to create a therapeutic space grounded in empathy, mutual respect, cultural humility, and genuine human connection. While our practice welcomes people from all backgrounds, we are proud to honour the Filipino values that continue to shape our mission and approach to mental health.

🌿Healing doesn’t happen in isolation: it happens through safe relationships, understanding, and connection.

If you’re looking for culturally informed, trauma-informed psychological support, we’d love to walk alongside you. Contact us below👇🏼

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
📍 In-person and Telehealth options available

12/06/2026

Jumping on the pageantry controversy bandwagon to put my two cents in and advocate for Filipino mental health.

“Internalised racism is the internalisation of beliefs about racism and colonisation that contribute to the acceptance of negative messaging or stereotypical misrepresentations that inform perceptions about worth and ability.” -Sanders, et al. (2024).

A secure cultural identity creates resilience to internalising harmful ideas. Affirming one’s cultural identity and challenging outdated colonial attitudes are ways that Akbay Psychology provides culturally responsive care.

What timing for the 128th Philippines Independence Day! 🇵🇭 Reach out to us below.👇🏼

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
📍 In-person and Telehealth appointments

15/04/2026

📣🥳 HAPPY 1️⃣st BIRTHDAY AKBAY PSYCHOLOGY!!!!! 🎉🎂

Even though we just opened up a new physical space, our practice has been around since April 2025. We’re just so excited to be leading the way in Filipino-Australian mental health - for the community, by the community (kapwa). We started this journey because we believed in culturally responsive care, and we do that by leaning on the strength of our shared language (wika) to heal what was and to thrive in what will be. 🇵🇭🫶🏻

We’re currently still accepting new referrals (for now). So if you have been thinking about starting therapy, we invite you to reach out. To book or arrange a free 15-minute initial phone consult, please reach out below👇🏼 or the links in our bio.☝🏼

P.S. thanks to for publishing this article in their March edition. Head to their profile if you want to have a read! 🎉

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
📍 1/66 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
💻 In-person or Telehealth options
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

25/03/2026

📣 Alright, you asked for it!!!! Okay maybe you didn’t, but here it is anyway - our 1st reel in Tagalog 🇵🇭

Welcome to Akbay Psychology!

We’re proud to be a Filipino-owned private psychology clinic, created with the intention of offering a safe, respectful, and culturally aware space for mental health care. Watch the reels and carousels, like and share, but most importantly, we hope you can learn and reflect on how you embody this information towards relating with yourself and your kapwa (shared identity and community).

We are currently still accepting new referrals. If you have been thinking about starting therapy, we invite you to reach out. To book or arrange a free 15-minute initial phone consult, please reach out below👇🏼 or the links in our bio.☝🏼

📞 03-7003-2144
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.akbaypsychology.com
📍 1/66 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
💻 In-person or Telehealth options
🗓️ Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

18/03/2026

We’re thrilled to be featured in The Philippine Times (Australia), amplifying our mission to prioritise mental health in our communities! Thank you for this incredible opportunity to spread awareness and make a difference 👇🏼

Browse The Philippine Times print edition on our website, or pick up a copy from your local Filipino store or restaurant. For advertising enquiries, email [email protected]. Download the full PDF file of this edition on https://philtimes.com.au/philippine-times-print-edition/