ABOUT US
Sombok Psychology is a psychology practice based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Sombok in Khmer means nest and it signifies a safe space where growth takes place.
Sombok Psychology provides effective evidenced-based psychological treatment for children, young people and families presenting with a variety of difficulties. Our qualified team of Cambodian and expatriate psychologists share a desire to support each other and their clients, and to have a positive and lasting impact in their local community. Sombok Psychology also provides a range of psychoeducational assessment, training, consulting and supervision services.
OUR STORY
Sombok Psychology was founded in 2022 by Australian Clinical Psychologist Dr Liz Schilpzand. Liz discovered a love for Cambodia on her first visit in 2018 and she moved to Phnom Penh in early 2020 to volunteer with an international anti-trafficking NGO. During her first few years in Cambodia, Liz discovered the immense needs in the mental health system and she decided to use her skills and training as a psychologist to provide services to a range of expatriate and Cambodian clients. Liz worked as the Clinical Director of another psychology practice before launching Sombok Psychology in September 2022. In 2023, the Sombok Psychology team expanded to bring on new staff and create two additional therapy rooms.
OUR PURPOSE
Sombok Psychology’s purpose is to bring growth and restoration to people in Cambodia through quality psychological services.
Our desire is to create a psychology practice that would give people in Cambodia a safe space to grow and heal so that they can flourish and live connected lives that impacts future generations. We are passionate about contributing to the psychology profession in Cambodia and providing opportunities for Cambodian psychologists to develop and flourish in the profession.
We do this through:
Providing quality psychology services suited to the Cambodian context and culture
Contributing to the psychology profession in Cambodia through investment in staff professional development and supervision, implementation of professional standards and ethical guidelines, and feedback-informed practice.
Raising awareness about mental health to combat stigma and discrimination.
Our Approach
At Sombok Psychology we seek to:
Provide a welcoming and relationally safe space for people to work towards healing and growth
Create meaningful and purposeful therapeutic relationships
Hold space for people to safely explore, understand, express and heal themselves
Provide professional and evidence-based services that are still approachable and compassionate
Our Values
Care – we have genuine care and compassion for our clients and desire the best outcomes for them. The wellbeing of our staff and their families takes priority.
Trust – we have the skills, capacity, knowledge and resources to provide them with quality care, and our clients feel confident in our competence. Our clients and staff feel relationally and emotionally safe.
Connection – we foster meaningful relationships between our staff and clients. We desire for people to feel understood, seen and heard.
Creative – we are creative in our approach and method to ensure clients receive individualised services unique to them.
Hopeful – we always hold hope that people can heal and change their lives, even in the midst of hopeless circumstances. We hold hope for others when they don’t have any.
Who We Work With
We believe that therapy is for everyone. Sombok Psychology is a safe space for people of all ages, racial and cultural backgrounds, sexual and gender identities, faith backgrounds, and lifestyles. We work with both the Cambodian and expatriate communities in Cambodia.
People access therapy for issues big and small. People may access therapy related to anxiety, stress, depression, grief, relationship concerns, identity, self-esteem, transitions, parenting, trauma, or simply to connect with a therapist to maintain and protect positive mental health.
