John Obalum, AASW
7 years in practice
John Obalum helps people facing family conflict, trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, parenting stress and difficulties with anger.
License and registration
- AASW
- 679972 · expires June 2026
- Years in practice
- 7
- Languages
- English, Igbo
Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check the registration with the body that granted it.
About John
John Obalum helps people facing family conflict, trauma and abuse, intimacy concerns, parenting stress and difficulties with anger. He greets enquiries with a calm and direct approach. He aims to make first contacts straightforward and non-intimidating for a worried parent or adult seeking change.
John uses a conversational style in sessions. He listens without judgement and reflects what he hears. He encourages people to speak plainly about what hurts and what they want to be different.
Background and approach
He blends Existential therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centred listening. This mix supports people to name their values, accept difficult feelings, and make small, practical changes. Mindfulness techniques are used when helpful to manage intense feelings in the moment.
John has seven years of professional experience and holds AASW, which is the Australian Association of Social Workers credential. His background includes work in mental health and child protection, and he has supported young people struggling with identity concerns. Sessions are practical and down-to-earth.
Conversations focus on what can change now and what meaning people make of their situation. He aims to help parents and individuals feel heard, clearer about choices, and better able to manage heated moments at home. John offers sessions in English and Igbo, and works with people in Australia.
He is focused on steady progress rather than quick fixes, and he supports people taking the first steps towards a more manageable, more purposeful life.
Focus areas and approaches
Everything John lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches John names
- Existential Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.
Online support
Therapeutic approaches and online support
John uses Existential therapy to help people explore meaning, responsibility and life direction when things feel uncertain. This approach is useful for questions about life purpose, isolation and midlife crossroads. He also draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps people notice painful thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that match their values. ACT is often chosen for anxiety, trauma aftermath and problems with motivation.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. John listens to what matters to each person and suggests paths to try. He checks in and adapts methods so sessions stay relevant to the client's goals and preferences in a collaborative way.
Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to give practical flexibility. Video calls let you see facial cues and hold longer sessions, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and messaging suit shorter check-ins, written reflection or times when being on camera is not wanted. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, childcare and other daily demands while keeping the focus on steady progress.
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Questions people ask
What concerns does John commonly help with?
He works with family issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related problems, parenting stress and anger. He also supports people facing attachment, abandonment, body image and money worries.
What is his therapeutic style like?
Sessions are conversational and non-judgemental with active listening. He aims for clear, practical steps and space to talk about difficult feelings.
How long has he been practising?
He has seven years of professional experience, including roles in mental health and child protection settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
He holds AASW, the Australian Association of Social Workers credential, and practices in Australia.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Igbo.
What session formats are offered?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How are costs handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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