Stephanie Chan (student counsellor and support worker in Albury)
Hello everyone! I am Stephanie, I was born in Sydney but moved to Hong Kong shortly after and lived there until I was 14. The academic, peer, and family pressures were overwhelming, making it difficult for me to maintain relationships. I was given an opportunity to return to Australia, hoping to start anew and finally build positive relationships, but the language barrier and cultural differences made me feel out of place.
Traveling between the two countries every year only deepened my sense of not belonging to either community, as I became a blend of both cultures in many things. I felt awkward and sometimes out of place whenever I tried to engage with people. This led me to immerse myself in the fantasy worlds of books, where I felt safe, accepted, and free to be myself. It was a place where I didn’t need to abide by rules or expectations from a certain culture.
After attending the Scots School in Albury for a couple of years, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Japanese Studies, followed by a Master of Publishing based on my interest in reading. After graduation, I ended up working in IT sales for a few years but felt completely lost, knowing I didn't belong in that field either. In 2019, the experience of supporting my friend with bipolar disorder through difficult times inspired me to study counselling, but I wasn’t fully committed at that time as it was only a spark of interest.
As the persistent sense of not belonging continued, it drove me to consider moving to Japan, hoping to find a place to settle down. So, I put the course on hold and became an assistant language teacher at primary and high schools in Japan, which gave me plenty of free time to travel and immerse myself in Japanese culture. However, beyond leisure time, I also had the opportunity to work with children with special needs by tailoring lessons to their requirements and volunteered to support foreigners struggling to live in a foreign country and those who couldn’t easily share their stories with others. The more I worked with them, the more passionate I became about this cause. I realised this was what I wanted to pursue in the future. However, as a foreigner in Japan, I felt I could only contribute so much, so I decided to continue this career path in Australia, where I could learn more and support those who need a hand. So, I am now continuing my studies in counselling as a student of a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
For the longest time, I struggled to find a purpose and a sense of belonging. Though the path led me to several places, without these experiences, I wouldn’t have been able to reach where I am today and learn about the world, others, and myself. Together, we can create a space where, through the form of stories, we can learn about each other, understand who we are, and work towards who we want to become. There are no specific ways or rules of telling a story and only you can decide how your story goes. Let’s create a space where you feel safe, accepted, and free to be yourself!
Available Tuesdays and Wednesdays in Albury, Steph can see clients aged 13 and above, and is offered free sessions. For intake with Steph, please call (02) 6013 9757.