from the founder:
What inspired Umeed Psychology?
“I was born in New Zealand, raised in Australia, and shaped by my Fijian Indian heritage. Growing up bicultural was both rich and confusing. When I first moved to Australia, I remember my friends talking excitedly about "tea time." I thought, Great! Everyone here loves tea as much as I do! But then I realized "tea" actually meant dinner.
Even after 19 years, this tiny cultural nuance still confuses me.
As I grew older, these small cultural differences started adding up. What once seemed funny became frustrating. At 18, I saw a therapist for the first time. I would go on to see several more in my early twenties. Each experience was the same—well-meaning, highly educated professionals who simply didn’t understand my cultural reality. Their advice, while clinically sound, often felt impractical and disconnected from my lived experience.
This wasn’t just my struggle—it was a common frustration in my community. Just last week, my cousin vented to me:
"Anushka, I cannot express the frustration of spending six out of ten therapy sessions explaining culture-specific problems. I feel like an educator in a space where I’m supposed to be the client."
"They just don’t get it!"
And that’s exactly why I became a psychologist and founded Umeed Psychology.
In Australia, mental health care is largely shaped by a Eurocentric lens, leaving culturally responsive practice as an afterthought. Yet, we tailor mental health services for so many different groups—no one would send a military veteran to a child psychologist.
So why, in a country where nearly half the population is first- or second-generation migrants, do we expect culturally diverse individuals to simply make do with unresponsive mental health care?
At Umeed Psychology, we are changing that. Through therapy, education, and advocacy, we are pushing for a mental health system that truly understands and serves multicultural communities. Through speaking engagements, workshops, and awareness campaigns, I work to destigmatize mental health and promote culturally responsive care.
My hope? That every person—regardless of their background—can access mental health support that makes them feel safe, seen, and understood.”
- Anushka Phal
Our Values
Innovate, Learn, Evolve
We're all about growth here at Umeed Psychology! We believe in embracing change, learning new things, and evolving into our best selves. With passion, persistence, and hope, anything is possible! .
You've got this and we've got you
Collaboration is key at Umeed Psychology. We work together, learn from each other, and support each other every step of the way. Whether you're an employee, stakeholder, or client, we're all in this together. You've got this and we've got you.
Ask don't assume
We believe in putting the community first. That's why we always ask what people need and provide accordingly. By listening and responding to the needs of the community, we can make a real impact and create lasting change.
Go deep with a side of humour
We believe in building real, authentic connections with our clients and employees. We're not afraid to get deep and tackle the tough stuff, but we also know how to have a good laugh along the way.
Progress over Perfection
Mental health is a journey, and we're here to help you every step of the way. We believe in making mistakes, learning from them, and celebrating progress, no matter how small. Self-care is just as important as the cause, and we learn best by doing.
Grounded in Gratitude
Appreciation is the name of the game at Umeed Psychology. We believe in celebrating excellence, fostering humility, and finding hope in even the smallest things.
Impact over Everything
At Umeed Psychology, we're committed to making a real difference in the world. We put impact first in everything we do.
Speak up, Speak often
Communication is key! We value honesty, transparency, and authenticity, and we want to hear from you. Your voice matters, so don't be afraid to speak up and speak often