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EVENT SCHEDULE
PANEL DISCUSSION
Panel Session - Challenges and Opportunities for Psychology in Singapore: Past, Present and Future
with Ms Jeslyn Lim (Mind Culture/ Thrive Psychology Clinic/President of APACS)
Mr Stephen Lew (TSPP)
Ms Faridah Ali Chang (Rainbow Centre)
The panel will be discussing topics such as the current job market for psychology undergraduates, and their perspective on the position of psychology as a discipline in the next 10 years. Participants will also be given the opportunity to ask questions. Join us as our distinguished panellists share about their thoughts on psychology in Singapore!
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Ms Jeslyn Lim - Developmental Psychology and Hypnotherapy
Mr Stephen Lew - Positive Psychology
Ms Faridah Ali Chang - Psychology in the Special Needs Education Sector
Event Schedule
TALK OVERVIEW
Talk Overview
TALK DESCRIPTION
SESSION A
A1
Session A1 - The Dyslexia Association of Singapore - What do we do?
by Adelaine Teo
Senior Specialist Psychologist Dyslexia Association Singapore
This talk aims to provide you with an overview of the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) and its services. You will also be introduced to the field of assessment of specific learning differences as well as the role of a psychologist in the DAS.
A2
Session A2 - IN THE ZONE: A Day in the Life of a Sport & Performance Psychologist
by Edgar Tham
Founder/ Chief Sport & Performance Psychologist SportPsych Consulting
Have you ever wondered....
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What does a sport & performance psychologist actually do?
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Which areas or domains are relevant for a sport & performance psychologist to practice in?
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What is the knowledge base required for being a sport & performance psychologist?
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What are the professional skill sets needed for being a full-fledged professional?
In this information-packed session, gain more insight into the exciting world of applied sport & performance psychology! Specifically, learn about:
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The varied and exciting work of a sport and performance psychologist
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University courses that offer sport & performance psychology coursework
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Certification courses that add-value to your professional skills and development
Join us for a time of learning and sharing!
Session A3 - So you want to be a Defence Psychologist?
by Koh Ta Chuia
Deputy Director
Psychological Health Group
Defence Psychology Department
Register for the talk if you are interested to find out more about a fast-pace, fulfilling and challenging career as a Defence Psychologist in the Ministry of Defence / Singapore Armed Forces. The talk will focus on how psychology is applied in the defence context, and the speaker will share his personal experience related to work, training opportunities and research.
A3
Session A4 - Medical Music Therapy - What, When, Where, Who, Why, and How?
by Jonathan Tang
Music Therapist
Association for Music Therapy (Singapore)
What is music therapy? When is music therapy needed? Where can I get music therapy? Who can practise music therapy? Why music therapy? How does music therapy work? These questions will be answered from a medical music therapy perspective through didactic and experiential segments.
A4
A5
Session A5 - Educational Psychology in Ministry of Education
by Ivonne Pang
Educational Psychologist
Ministry of Education
by Melissa Ng
Associate Psychologist
Ministry of Education
During the session, MOE Psychologists will share how they work with schools to support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in mainstream schools. Psychology undergrads will have the opportunity to interact with them to find out more about the work they do in MOE. For more information on the job scope of an MOE educational psychologist, please scan the following QR code.
Session A6 - Work as a Clinical Psychologist in Addictions
by Dr Sandor Heng
Senior Clinical Psychologist
National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)
Dr Sandor will be sharing about his job responsibilities as a Senior Clinical Psychologist at NAMS. At a clinical level, he will be describing the profile of patients he sees and the type of services he provides at NAMS. In addition, he will talking about his clinical role when functioning in a multi- disciplinary team comprised of psychiatrists, nurses, counsellors, medical social workers, occupational therapists, etc. At an administrative level, he will be discussing about the opportunities presented to him at NAMS, which include assuming the role of team lead for the inpatient service. Most importantly, he will be sharing how his psychology studies has equipped him for the challenges at work, and helped developed his passion into a career.
A6
A7
Session A7 - Talk by Singapore Prison Service
by Karam Singh
Deputy Director Psychological Services & Policy Planning Singapore Prison Service
by Troy Jack Thevathasan
Deputy Director Correctional Rehabilitation Service Singapore Prison Service
Throughout modern history, there have been various ideas about how to rehabilitate offenders. And only in the last few decades have there been some idea of what actually works. Similarly, Singapore’s rehabilitation approach has grown, especially in the past decade. Come and hear about what our current understanding of effective rehabilitation is today, and how psychologists and correctional rehabilitation specialists contribute to it in the Singapore Prison Service.
A8
B1
SESSION B
Session B1 - How to become an Educational Psychologist?: A Personal Journey in the Special Education Sector
by Eulisia Er Si Yi
Educational Psychologist
Metta School (Allied Health Department)
Working as an Educational Psychologist in the Special Education sector is a very rewarding career path. Educational Psychologists work closely with children with developmental disabilities from 7 to 21 years of age where the job often entails the assessment and identification of the individual needs of children and the development of appropriate intervention programmes. These includes cognition, adaptive behaviours, social skills training and work skills aptitude assessments. In addition, support through consultation to parents, caregivers, teachers and other school personnel are often provided to enhance the learning and adjustment of the children.
But the question here is: how do you get to be an Educational Psychologist in the first place?
Job opportunities in the field of psychology are becoming increasingly competitive and jobs as educational psychologists are no exception. The session aims to help individuals understand what it takes and what you’re getting into. I will be sharing on my personal journey and also be answering 3 burning questions from the floor. At the end of the session, opportunities for psychology internships will also be presented.
B2
Session B2 - Instilling Hope through Art Therapy Services in Singapore
by Chloé Dunn-Lee
Art Therapist
The Red Pencil Singapore
Join Chloe to discover how art therapy is being used to instill hope in individuals of all ages and backgrounds in Singapore. In this talk you will discover what art therapy is and how it can support the current mental health landscape in Singapore. An overview of its impact on a wide range of clients, including young children with special needs, youths who have experienced trauma and the elderly will be presented. Come discover the transformative power of art therapy.
B3
Session B3 - Psychology in the Community
by Ernest Tan
Senior Educational Psychologist
Community Psychology Hub
by Alva Liow
Senior Clinical Psychologist Community Psychology Hub
What differentiates a Psychologist based in the community is that we work within the community. We step out of the clinic into classrooms and homes to work directly with our clients and their families. We partner Social Service Agencies, public sector agencies and other professionals to identify needs and co-develop solutions for our clients. What this means is a stronger support and a more holistic intervention close to our clients’ homes. Come hear our stories on our personal and professional journey, and what it means to be a Psychologist based in the community.
B4
Session B4 - MSF’s Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service
by Isobel Tan
Clinical Psychologist
Trauma Systems Specialist Unit
Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service
Ministry of Social and Family Development
This sharing will provide an overview of the work involved and career opportunities at Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service (CFPS). CFPS resides within the Rehabilitation and Protection Group (RPG) in the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). We provide psychological services for children, young persons, and families who have experienced abuse and/or display offending behaviours. Isobel will share about the application of clinical and forensic psychology within a family and child welfare setting, as well as challenges faced at her typical day at work.
B5
Session B5 - Gestalt Therapy in Private Practice and Beyond
by Dr Julie Goldstein
Psychologist & Gestalt Therapist
Reconnect (Singapore)
What do you hear or know about Gestalt Therapy? Have you heard of the concepts of phenomenology, contact and contact boundary, dialogue, field, polarities, holism and creative adjustments before? Most likely, you would have heard about 'The Empty Chair' work, but do you know that the empty chair is all but an experiment?
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In our short presentation, we would like to show you the world of Gestalt Therapy, about what we do, how we conduct therapy and some key concepts. We are also happy to share our own process of starting a Gestalt community in Singapore, because eventually, Gestalt is not just a therapy, it is also a way of life.
B6
Session B6 - Psychosocial and Spiritual
Care in Palliative Care : Do We Have What it Takes to Support Them?
by Tan Ching Yee
Head of Psychosocial Services
HCA Hospice Care
Participants will gain an overview of the psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and their families receiving palliative care and the types of support and interventions needed to address their needs. This will allow the participants to appreciate the requirements in terms of knowledge, attitude, skills and qualifications to perform the roles and tasks needed to effectively support patients and their families.
B7
Session B7 - Being a Clinical Psychologist in IMH
by Dr Grace Soo
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Institute of Mental Health, Singapore
Curious about working as a clinical psychologist in the Institute of Mental Health with children, adolescents, and adults who are living with mental health issues? Come and find out what it is like in terms of the joys and challenges you will face, and consider if this might be your calling.
SESSION C
C1
Session C1 - Making a Difference with Psychology
by Porsche Poh
Founder/ Executive Director
Silver Ribbon SIngapore
What’s next after completing your studies? How about making a difference by signing up as an intern, a staff or a volunteer at a mental health organisation?
The latest mental health study led by Institute of Mental Health reported on 11 Dec 2018 reported that one in seven people in Singapore have experienced a mental disorder such as bipolar disorder or alcohol abuse in their lifetime, an increase from roughly one in eight several years ago. Stigma that surrounds mental illness often prevents people from seeking treatment and the consequences of untreated mental illness can be shattering, leading to unnecessary disability, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration and even suicide. Exactly what is stigma? Stigma means a mark or sign of shame, disgrace of disapproval, of being shunned or rejected by others. It emerges when people feel uneasy or embarrassed to talk about behaviour they perceive as different. Discrimination and misconceptions remain among the most significant barriers to people with mental illness being able to actively participate in the community and gaining access to the services they need. Also, it is not only people with mental illness who experience discriminations and stigma. Rejection of people with mental illness inevitably spills over to the caregivers and family members.
Therefore, since its inception in 2006, Silver Ribbon (Singapore) organises mental health events regularly and commemorates World Mental Health Day annually, collaborating with local & overseas mental health organizations, consumers, caregivers, government agencies, grassroots organizations, religious groups, school institutions, voluntary welfare organizations and media to reach out to the community of all age groups through innovative means.
C2
by Dr Jessie Chua
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Resilienz Clinic
Session C2 - Psychology in Singapore : A path to nowhere?
The talk will focus on the aspects of life post-graduation, the relevance of psychology in Singapore, and future developments of the field. It provides a glimpse into the various job scopes for mental health practitioners in Singapore.
C3
Session C3 - The Future of Positive Psychologists
by Stephen Lew
Founder/ Executive Director
The School of Positive Psychology
How do we carve a meaningful life and career using Positive Psychology? In this talk, we will discuss the importance of using the wellbeing model instead of the disease model when it comes to assessing people’s potential for wellbeing. Through strengths identification, resilience tools, gratitude, and mindfulness, Positive Psychology aims to create a thriving community and society where every individual flourishes.
C4
Session C4 - My Job as an Educational Psychologist in Rainbow Centre (RC)
by Geoffrey Goh
Senior Psychologist
Rainbow Centre, Singapore
Geoffrey will be speaking about his role as an Educational Psychologist at Rainbow Centre. He will be sharing about assessing the learning needs of students with disabilities, preparing graduating students for transition to future placement, supervising junior psychologists and collaborating with other Allied Professionals. He will also be sharing his personal journey in the disability sector, as well as the qualifications to become an educational psychologist in this sector.
C5
Session C5 - Applications of Developmental Psychology in Psychology Clinics
by Jeslyn Lim
Managing Director of Mind Culture
Co-founder of Thrive Psychology Clinic
President of Association of Psychotherapy and Counsellors Singapore
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by Keren Lee
Psychotherapist/ Behavioural Therapist/ Clinical Hypnotherapist
Mind Culture/ Thrive Psychology Clinic
Meet Ms Jeslyn Lim (Developmental/Educational Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist) and Ms Keren Lee (Psychotherapist/Behavioural Therapist and Clinical Hypnotherapist) as they share more about their expertise in their field of work, as well as the therapies and services that they provide.
Discover more about the applications of developmental psychology in a psychological clinic environment and the type of clientele they meet – from the young to the elderly, from children with typical development, to children with special needs.
Explore the cognitive, behavioural, social, and emotional elements when dealing with different clientele.
Get hands-on experience as the pair gives participants a practical demonstration with their brain training programmes using neurotechnology.
C6
by Neo Loo Seng
Principal Behavioural Sciences Research Analyst
Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre
(Extremism and Terrorism Psychology Branch)
Session C6 - Behind the Violent Extremist: Insights from Psychology
Loo Seng will share about psychological research conducted by the Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre (HTBSC) in the area of violent extremism, and my own personal reflections and experiences in conducting research in this domain for the past 12 years.
C7
Session C7 - Building a career in I/O Psychology
by Dr Paul Englert
Founder/ Director
OPRA Psychology Group
Academic coursework in psychology introduces many theories and concepts related to individual thinking and behaviour in the workplace. Like any other field of applied psychology, topics in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, such as leadership, motivation, personnel selection, and performance measurement, are more challenging to apply in the real world than it is to grasp conceptually. What are the realistic constraints that face the I/O practice, and how do we differ from general HR consultants? In this session, Dr Paul Englert will share his professional and academic experience as an I/O psychologist, the opportunities and challenges faced by our profession, and on a more personal note, how he has built an I/O consulting business over the past 20 years.
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