Phil is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with 18 years experience supporting individuals aged 16 years and older with addictions, trauma, anger management, veteran issues, ADHD, behavioural regulation, and family violence. His professional interests include workforce mental health, trauma-informed care, prevention and response to family violence, and the development of sustainable wellbeing programs for government and international development agencies.
Phil’s practice is grounded in evidence-based therapeutic approaches including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, solution- focused therapy, and psychodynamic principles, with a strong emphasis on emotional regulation, resilience, recovery, and functional wellbeing. He has delivered mental health services for a range of government and statutory agencies, including the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Enoggera Defence Barracks, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Corrective Services, Queensland Youth Justice, Queensland Child Safety, and Headspace.
Born in Papua New Guinea, Phil brings strong cross-cultural capability to his work. He has a deep understanding of mental health within Melanesian and Pacific contexts, where wellbeing is closely linked to family systems, community structures, spirituality, and cultural leadership. This informs his culturally responsive counselling, training, and program development, particularly for Papua New Guinea communities and institutions.
Phil is recognised for his professional integrity, cultural insight, and sustained commitment to improving mental health outcomes across Australia and Papua New Guinea. He is the founder and director of a charitable initiative supporting under-resourced hospitals in Papua New Guinea through the donation of reusable hospital equipment and consumables. The organisation operates on a voluntary basis without paid staff, with Phil contributing personal funding and collaborating with partner organisations to strengthen healthcare capacity in low-resource settings.
Outside his professional work, Phil enjoys cooking and hunting, activities that reflect his connection to culture, self-sufficiency, mindfulness, and holistic community health.
Medicare eligible: YES
Clinic: Lutwyche and Aspley
Email: philip.onasu@northbrisbanepsychologists.com.au
Phone: 3726 5595