About the Founder

Nathaniel Chua earned his master’s degree in counseling from the Alliance Graduate School in Quezon City, Philippines in 2009, and his undergraduate degrees in psychology and marketing management from the De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines in 1988.

He is also the author of

Better People, Better Country: A Psychological Blueprint for a New Philippines,

published under the pen name Starfly Chua.
The pen name was chosen in homage to his grandfather and his ethnic Chinese roots, and reflects a preference for allowing ideas to stand on their own—without emphasis on personal visibility or status.

Here are some reviews by international practitioners about the book:

This book is a fascinating personal exploration and cultural adaptation of contextual behavioral science applied to psychotherapy. It takes you, with great clarity and humility, from the philosophical foundations of functional contextualism all the way to its practical applications in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The way it addresses the challenges of psychological well-being in the Philippines makes it a particularly valuable contribution.

Dr. Matthieu Villatte, PhD, Co-author of Mastering the Clinical Conversation: Language as Intervention

Better People, Better Country offers a transformative shift in perspective, moving from rigid cultural rules that invite moral shaming toward one of contextual understanding. Both deeply personal and extensively practical, Starfly Chua provides a psychosocial blueprint for change and progress at multiple levels of human existence. This book is an invaluable resource for the people of the Philippines because it moves beyond the exhausted cycle of demanding ‘better people’ and instead provides the tools to build ‘better contexts’ — systems that naturally support prosocial values that benefit citizens and country alike.

Lou Lasprugato, MFT
Peer-Reviewed ACT Trainer

For far too long, theories of human behavior and psychology have been relegated to the therapy room, used in private, and often at the individual level. We now have advanced psychological theories that can explain and help foster change at the societal level.
Chua reaches for the same shining star that famed behavior analyst B.F. Skinner once reached for, applying cutting edge behavior change technology to the community at large—not just for the purposes of greater mental health—but for more workable societies. Chua doesn’t just reach for this star, he grasps it firmly. Laid out in this book is a set of common sense reforms that could revolutionize the Philippines and the world at an achievable cost: our own willingness.

Jacob Martinez 
Practicing Counselor
Wisconsin, USA

Nathan spent the first 20 years of his career running a family business with his mom and sisters.

He has been in practice since 2009 and spent the first nine years of his counseling work mainly using psychodynamic and existential psychotherapy.

In 2018, he started adding mindfulness approaches to his work, during which time he discovered one of several models of therapy grouped together under what is called the Third Wave of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

In 2019, Nathan Chua found the effectiveness and efficiency of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a model of therapy developed by Dr. Steven Hayes, worthy of adoption into his practice.  He has attended workshops about ACT and RFT (Relational Frame Theory, the science behind ACT) conducted by Dr. Steven Hayes, Dr. Russ Harris, and Dr. Matthieu Villatte, who he is privileged to have as a consultant!

He also had the privilege of attending one of Dr. Andrew Christensen’s workshops about his approach to couples therapy called, Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy (IBCT), and works with Dr. Blake Evans, a certified IBCT therapist, as a consultant for addressing concerns of couples and families. 

Nathan is an active member of an international organization called, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science or ACBS, where he became the first ever Filipino chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Special Interest Group (DEI-SIG).  This group aims to empower ACT therapists from around the world by affording them opportunities to share and improve their therapeutic insights and skills.  Its advocacies do not just include alleviating human suffering but also empowering people towards pursuing purposeful and worthwhile lives.

On November 17, 2023, Nathan had the privilege of presenting a talk for an international audience of therapists from Low or Middle Income Countries (LMIC) about Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy.  Certificate of Presentation below:

He is also a part-time blogger, podcaster, and YouTube content creator.  He posts his content on his website www.onelifeonly.net to reach as many people as possible with the use of the most effective approaches in therapy.

Nathaniel Chua, MA, Functional Contextualist Therapist – The Philippines’ ACT & IBCT Specialist

Being faithful to the model means therapy isn’t about throwing techniques together like ingredients in a salad.  The “therapy salad” approach mixes bits and pieces without coherence, often leaving clients confused.  An integrative approach, on the other hand, is guided by a unifying framework – methods are chosen and blended with purpose, creating a clear, consistent direction that serves client’s goals.  

In other words, therapy isn’t about randomly mixing different techniques.  That can feel confusing, like tossing ingredients together without a recipe.  An integrative approach means everything fits together with a clear purpose – so the tools and methods used actually connect and support your journey.