Interests in application of Psychology in Asia has grown rapidly over the last 40 years. There are more practicing psychologist involved with asian clients or societies directly or indirectly. PsychologyaSia is a network of like-minded people "doing psychology" while mindful about cross-cultural issues to promote best east-west integration of psychosocial interventions. We believe in promoting ASK (attitude, skill and knowledge) competencies through active dialogue, exchanges and activities. Active participation is the key as we grow this online community through innovative use of technology for networking and professional development.
On 22 Oct 2022 Malaysia lost a young pioneering Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Ng Wai Sheng. She started her career in MalaysiaCare and went to US for her PsyD. Upon graduation she worked in HELP UNiversity in Malaysia where she was responsible in setting-up and runnng the Clinical Psychology program at a Masters level. This program has nurtuired many new Clinical Psychologist graduates in Malaysia over the years and she is seen as the godmother of the Clinical Psychology. A keen learner with a good heart she ventured into private practice and started the Growing Space Psychology Center in her hometown of Seremban. She also provided counsultancy (http://drngwaisheng.com), training, supervision and was a very popular mental Health advocate in Malaysia.
A sad loss for mental health profession in Malaysia especially for a rare Psychologist who is so well grounded to serving the diverse Malaysian client population.
Dr. Mary Lee Wing-Ming was a practicing Clinical and Industrial/Organizational Psychologist in Hong Kong. She was a past-president of the HK Psychological Society. She lleft us with some profound message of life: "Don’t underestimate the killing power of apathy. Love more, care more, respond more to other’s needs; fill the world with more human warmth and care. I love you All"
Her vision was " to experience life deeply, to live truthfully, to connect meaningfully, to love despite animosity, to die happily & peacefully…" which she did to her last days. RIP.
Robert G. Andry (1923–2014).
It was indeed an honor to know Dr Robery G Andry in Hong Kong. He was interested in my research as I was looking into mother-child relationship in divorced single-parent families. I can vivid recall an incident when he was in tears during an annual memorial day for soldiers who lost their lives - he said he lost lots of buddy/mates in New Guinea during WWII. When he finally retired from HK, he came to live in Sydney. The last time I met him was in Sydney 2005 APS conference. In 2003 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia, for ‘Services to International Forensic and Clinical Psychology. Read about his distinguished and colorful life in this BPS memorial.
Ms Ada Wong "Mother of Counselling Psychology in Asia"
Ms Ada Wong nurtured countless Psychologists and Counsellors with her expertise in counselling/clinical psychology and sensitivity groups training programs. She served as the Director of Personal Development and Counselling Centre (PDCC), HKU until her retirement in 2001. She is best remembered by her caring tireless effort in helping thousands of students@HKU over the 30 years and development of University counselling services. For me I will remember her insightful career advice: "Some 17 (now 27) years ago I acted as a supervisor to Mr. Kang and I can remember thinking that, should he overcome his slight tendency to public reticence, he would become a formidable counselor". Ada's signature is deep in my psyche and I am sure there are many untold stories by the thousands. She left for a better world on August 16, 2011.
"You served your time.
You left silently.
But not without a fight. Thousand came, thousand cried.
Thousand left, thousand joy.
To the end."
Virgilio G. Enriquezis known as the Father of Filipino Psychology "Ama ng Sikolohiyang Pilipino", Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino, (National Organization of Filipino Psychology) a field he established in 1975. He visited Melaka, my hometown in the 80s. His gift to my dad is still hanging our home.
The Rev. Dr. Erik Kvan (1917 – 2003). He was an early pioneer in the development of Psychology in Hong Kong and an inspiration for many of the work he has done.
Remembering Edward Kwong. “Yes, I still enjoy seeing cases, so they have my top priority” and “You see, I am still trying to win the rightful ownership for these two neurotic disorders.” It is here we have a glimpse of this caring and brillant confident clinican who never retired from doing what he loved. His jovial and cynical mix is a refreshing reminder that being authentic matters. We often remember Edward as being the first Clinical Psychologist in Hong Kong. RIP
Good insight into cross-cultural psychology and issues come from living and working in another country. Psychologists should travelas much as possible and learn from each other without age or cultural barriers.
Over the years many people have influence my understanding on cross-cultural psychology in particular Prof D.Y.Howho has written extensively on many topics in psychology, culture, etc. Read his paper "Dialogical Self: Converging East-West Constructions" on where we are today in the psychology of selfhood.
Australian Psychological Society (APS) InPsych Cover feature: Psychology in cross-cultural contexts
Psychologists working in immigration detention
Amanda Gordon
Culturally aware organisational psychology,
Dr Steven Kiely and Professor Alex
Main
Facilitating intercultural interactions to enhance international students’ psychosocial adjustment,
Professor Anita Mak
What can culture add to an understanding of criminal violence?
,Dr Katie Seidler
Effective interviewing of culturally and linguistically diverse clients,
Dr Nigar Khawaja
Glad to see contibutions from a Psychologist (Prof Anita Mak) of asian origin from Hong Kong who did her Clinical Psychology training at the University of Hong Kong. Over the 30 years HKU have been producing graduates in Clinical Psychology for the asian region with cross-cultural relevance.
A good book to understand how Eastern philosophy is shaping practices:
Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit Social Work
An Empirically Based Approach to Assessment and Treatment
In recent years, interest in non-Western curative techniques among
Americans has grown by leaps and bounds. Integrative Body-Mind-Spirit
Social Work is the first book to strongly connect Western therapeutic techniques
with Eastern philosophy and practices, while also providing a comprehensive
and pragmatic agenda for social work, and mental health professionals.
Kabat-Zinn: MBSR Founder
Mark Williams: MCBT founder
Psychologists who developed interventions based on the Eastern practices. Mindfulness and meditation are becoming good therapeutic medium for evidence-based interventions.
Past and Recent Initiatives
YesNO2Suicide
This is a public education initiative to encourage open dialogue by people to talk about suicide. The belief is the topic of suicide need not be a taboo and through active exchanges we can be more open to confront the issue and to produce better interventions program.
OLPdisAbledC
Positive use of technology for development. The OLPdisAbledC (One Laptop per DisAbled Child) inniative empower the growing mind of children in need of an education.
ABC (Attention, Behaviour, Control)
The ABC (Attention, Behaviour and Control) program promote holistic developmental activities and active coaching. This program is now currently active in Hong Kong YMCA leisure and learning outreach.
PsychologyaSia CARE Domain Focus
C ounselling
Helping people (young or old ) cope with stress of modern day living.
A ssessment
Children are assessed to understand their level of functioning. Cross-cultural assesment is critical for the effective appropriate interventions.
R ehabilitation
Helping people with disabilities have a positive life.
Former patients who were in the same spinal injury ward had a reunion after 20 years.
E ducation
Changing educational practices.
Interns are exposed to discussion on educational practices. Here we have a visually impaired teacher from HK sharing his experience with students and teachers from Bhutan and Malaysia.
Teacher trainimg for developing countries. Here a teacher from Bhutan who is involved in the worldwide OLPC project talk about his comitment to enable better educatinal access through use of technology in his country.
