My Intention & Orientation
About Asa Chen
Asa Chen
LCSW, SEP™
Intention & Orientation
We all have numerous identities which hold different levels of privilege and power. Some of these identities change as time passes, while others stay the same. The intersection of our various identities influences how we inhabit this world, how we are within ourselves, and how others respond to us. For those who have more oppressed intersectionalities, it is a revolutionary act to not only hold our place, but to enjoy doing so and have a deep sense of fulfilment as we walk through each day.
I have learned a lot from those who have walked before me, and see myself as connected to a long lineage of people in the United States and Asia, who have held their place, no matter the costs, thereby making my life possible. My intention in the work I do with others is to continue this legacy. We are connected with one another, and there is power in this.
I am looking forward to meeting you.
Professional Identities
I am a Senior Emergency Mental Health Clinician, somatic trauma psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) who is separately qualified in addictions and domestic violence. My clinical experience goes back to 2005. I worked in various inner cities across the United States prior to moving to New Zealand, where I worked in the Auckland and Wellington regions for 11 years. I recently moved to a neighbouring region of Melbourne.
I have a BA from the University of Virginia, where I studied Spanish Literature and Physical and Biological Sciences. I graduated with a MSW (Master of Clinical Social Work) from the University of Michigan. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW & LICSW) in California and Washington, a Registered Social Worker (RSW) in New Zealand, and an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
I am a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, EMDR and Internal Family Systems® Therapist (Level 2), Integral Somatic Psychology™ Practitioner, Brainspotting Practitioner, and Co-Regulating Touch Practitioner (Somatic Resilience & Regulation and Somatic Skills). I have further training in somatic therapies which include the NeuroAffective Relational Model™. I am trained in Eastern Psychology and traditional talk therapies, including DBT and ACT.
Personal Identities
I am a biracial, Chinese-American who is also ethnically Ukrainian. I hold dual citizenship in New Zealand and the United States. I identify as transgender, and more specifically as genderqueer or androgynous. My pronouns are they/them/their.
I am from Washington, DC and had my upbringing in the Middle East, Asia, and the United States. I recently moved to Victoria from New Zealand. Having lived in eight countries, I have a multi-lingual background, though I practice in English only.
What is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)?
A LCSW is an American clinical credential. LCSWs hold diagnostic, assessment, and therapy privileges, and operate independently or autonomously. LCSWs are granted to holders of a Master of Clinical Social Work (MSW) who have completed a minimum of 3,000 post-graduation hours of intensive supervised clinical practice focused in the areas of diagnostics, assessment, and therapy. These post-graduate hours are a continuation of the training and clinical content covered in the MSW American degree program, which includes intensive supervision and part-time clinical practicum completed over a two year period. Upon passing two Association of Social Work Board (ASWB) clinical examinations, I was granted a LCSW in California.
Modalities
Somatic Experiencing®
Integral Somatic Psychology™
Internal Family Systems®
(Level 2)
EMDR
Brainspotting
Somatic Resilience & Regulation
(not a modality)
Somatic Skills
(not a modality)
Eastern Psychology