PROGRAMME OUTLINE
Schedule of Activities
Keynote Speech
by Dr Majeed Khader
Director / Senior Consultant Psychologist
Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre
In his keynote address, Dr Majeed will be providing a general overview on the Psychology scene in Singapore. He will also detail share the opportunities and challenges faced in his work on Forensic, Criminal and Legal Psychology in Singapore.
Panel Session: Venturing Forth Into Psychology
with Dr Hanita Assudani (IMH)
Dr Reena Dabas (SIM-GE / SUSS)
Ms Silma Sulaiman (MSF)
Ms Geraldine Tan-Ho (NTU)
Have your burning queries related to all things Psychology answered in this panel session! Join us for an exchange of ideas with four distinguished professionals with extensive experience in their chosen specialisations. Speakers will be sharing about their personal experiences in their respective fields, and dispensing relevant advice for those interested in pursuing specific careers. Participants will be given the opportunity to personally ask speakers their questions.
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Dr Hanita Assudani - Clinical Psychology
Dr Reena Dabas - Developmental Psychology
Ms Silma Sulaiman - Forensic Psychology
Ms Geraldine Tan-Ho - Community Psychology
Overview of Talks
Description of Talks
Session A
Session A1
Introducing Think Psychological Services and Think Kids Services
by Vyda S Chai
Director / Clinical Psychologist
Think Psychological Services
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by Dr Vaani Gunaseelan
Clinical Psychologist
Think Psychological Services
In this session, Vyda and Dr Vaani will introduce Think Psychological Services and Think Kids Services, and the counselling services that they offer. They will be discussing a few cases that they have encountered, as well as share about the therapies and interventions practiced.
Session A2
SOS and its Role in Suicide Prevention
by Ryan Tan
Executive (Communication, Outreach and Fundraising)
Samaritans of Singapore
Participants at this sharing session will gain basic knowledge on the topic of suicide and hear insights about how the work at SOS makes a difference for those who are experiencing a crisis, thinking about suicide, or affected by suicide. Ryan will also share about his experience on being a fresh graduate with psychology degree in the social service sector.
Session A3
Behavioural Sciences Research for the Home Team
by Neo Loo Seng
Principal Behavioural Sciences Research Analyst
Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre
(Extremism and Terrorism Psychology Branch)
Loo Seng will share the various research that the Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre (HTBSC) conducts, as well as the personal experience and growth that he has had as a research analyst for the past 12 years.
Session A4
Psychology in Singapore: A Path to Nowhere?
by Dr Jessie Chua
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Resilienz Clinic
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by Conrad Mark Lim
Psychotherapist
Resilienz Clinic
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.
Session A5
Psychology in the Correctional Setting
by Priyathanaa D/O Kalyanasundram
Clinical Psychologist
Singapore Prison Service
(Psychological and Correctional Rehabilitation Division)
Priyathanaa will share about the myths of correctional work, application of psychology in prison as well as professional development efforts of the Specialists (Correctional Rehabilitation Specialists and Psychologists) in the Singapore Prison Services.
Session A6
Pursuing A Career in Clinical Psychology
by Muhammad Haikal Bin Jamil
Founder / Clinical Psychologist
ImPossible Psychological Services
What does a clinical psychologist actually do? How does one become a clinical psychologist? This talk provides an insight in to the life of a clinical psychologist and the challenges commonly faced. You will also learn if you have the essential skills to be an effective clinical psychologist to help evaluate if this field is the right one for you, or even to help you to start preparing for it. Having been exposed to the social service and hospital settings before entering private practice, Haikal will also share the various career paths that a clinical psychologist can venture into.
Session A7
Arts Therapy: A Gentle Yet Powerful Therapeutic Approach
by Laurence Vandenborre
Founder / Managing Director / Arts Therapist
The Red Pencil
Join Laurence to understand and experience through theory and a hands-on directive how arts therapy can help the children and families in natural disasters and conflict areas, to express the unspeakable they have been through, find release and relief, discover new resources, feel self-confident and empowered towards a happier and more hopeful future.
Session A8
Caregivers Alliance Limited - Empowering Hidden Heroes
Tim Lee
Executive Director
Caregivers Alliance Limited
​In this session, Tim will be introducing Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL). He will be sharing on what drives the committee at CAL, the vision that motivates them, as well as psychologists' perspectives of what it is like working at CAL.
Session A9
Educational Psychology in Ministry of Education
by Ang Bee Tze
Educational Psychologist
Ministry of Education
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by Soh Lin Ken
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 A10
A Voice for Them: The Role of the Psychologist Working with Individuals with Intellectual Disability
by Chen Yingyi
Psychologist
Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS)
Have you ever wondered what psychologists do when they work with individuals with intellectual disability? Or have you ever pondered about the challenges psychologists face and what keeps them going in this sector? Uncover the role of the psychologist and challenges on the job as Yingyi shares her experiences and insights as a Psychologist in the sector.
Session B
Session B1
PSYCHED!: How to Build Your Professional Brand and Expertise as a Practicing Psychologist
by Edgar Tham
Chief Sport & Performance Psychologist
SportPsych Consulting
Have you ever wondered....
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"How can I stand out from the crowd in my psychology-job application when I graduate?"
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"What are some ways to strengthen my professional experience so that I can be the best psychologist that I can be?"
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"How can I raise my branding so that I can attract more clients to my psychology business?"
In this information-packed session, pick up practical tips and pro-grade hacks to grow your professional brand and expertise for a brighter future! Specifically, learn how to:
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Get a head start even before you graduate!
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Gain professional grade level experience to be more effective
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Leverage on the use of social media to build a strong online brand
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Grow your professional expertise ethically
Join us for a time of learning and sharing!
Session B2
So You Want to Be an Educational Psychologist?: A Personal Journey in the Special Education (SPED) Sector
by Eulisia Er Si Yi
Psychologist
Metta School (Allied Health Department)
Working as an Educational Psychologist in the SPED 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 you understand what it takes and what you’re getting into. Eulisia will be sharing on her personal journey and also be answering as many of your questions as possible to becoming an Educational Psychologist in the SPED sector.
Session B3
Making a Difference with Psychology
by Porsche Poh
Founder / Executive Director
Silver Ribbon (Singapore)
Is Psychology simply about the study of mind and behaviour? And, what’s next after completing your studies? Join Porsche at this talk and then explore how you could move on and make a difference in the social sector.
Session B4
'On the Journey of Life, I Choose the Psycho Path'
by Dr Julia Lam
Consultant Forensic Psychologist
Forensic Psych Services
Forensic Psychology is a field that deals with both psychology and the law. Forensic psychologists can perform many roles and it is definitely not “CSI” (Crime Scene Investigation). Forensic psychologists are involved in different contexts of law, e.g. criminal (offenders with mental conditions), civil (psychological injury) and family (custody of children of divorce family, parental fitness). Boarder application also includes offender profiling, police or criminal justice personnel selection, terrorism, sex offending, violence and risk assessment, offender assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, expert testimony.
Some of the functions typically performed within forensic psychology include:
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Competency evaluations
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Child custody evaluations
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Sentencing recommendations
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Evaluations of the risk of reoffending
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Testimony as an expert witness
Julia will share with you why and how she became a Forensic Psychologist. She will also tell you some interesting stories of the clients / patients / offenders she has encountered so far.
Session B5
Psychology in the Correctional Setting
by Marlene Chua
Lead Specialist
Singapore Prison Service (Community Corrections Command)
Marlene will share about the myths of correctional work, application of psychology in prison as well as professional development efforts of the Specialists (Correctional Rehabilitation Specialists and Psychologists) in the Singapore Prison Services.
Session B6
Journey of Psychologists Working With Children and Families
by Dr Cheryl Seah
Senior Advisor / Senior Psychologist
Centre for Evidence and Implementation / TLC Speech & Language Clinic
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by Noraini Veragoo
Research Assistant
Centre for Evidence and Implementation
This talk will provide you with a snapshot of what psychologists do when they work closely with young children and their parents, in the clinical and research setting. We are a team of psychologists working with vulnerable families and children with disabilities. We will share with you our journey from being an undergraduate to where we are now, and the fun things we do with children’s toys.
Session B7
Introduction to Investigative and Forensic Psychology
by Whistine Chai
Assistant Director / Senior Psychologist
Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre
(Crime, Investigation and Forensic Psychology Branch)
Whistine will be sharing about the work of her branch as well as her role as a forensic psychologist working in the Home Team Behavioural Sciences Centre.
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Various applications of psychology in law investigation and intelligence work will be shared at the presentation. In particular, she will also be discussing two key of areas that psychology can be of value specific to crime and investigation, as well as the challenges forensic psychologists face in the Home Team.
Session B8
Self-Care for Mental Health Practitioners (originally titled 'Sharing by Aspire Counselling on Self-Care')
by Maria Gamble Luedeke
Counsellor / Psychotherapist / Coach
Aspire Counselling
As Mental Health Practioners you will constantly give of yourself, minister to your patients and clients needs, be required to stay focused, diligent and compassionate. But how can you ensure that you won't burn out? How can you make sure you are able to give the best of yourself professionally without sacrificing yourself personally? The answer lies in understanding Self-Care. Self-care is not something you can afford to to neglect. As therapists you have an ethical duty to ensure you are competent to do your work and part of this competency means attending to your own physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual self-care. Come hear how you can develop a lifelong Self-Care plan that will keep you balanced, energized and able to be the best possible mental health care professional you aspire to be!
Session B9
Equine-Assisted Therapy: It's More Than
Just A Ride!
by Jessamine Ihrcke Dorsey
Theris
In our modern world today, great emphasis is placed on the use of words. We expect others to be able to express their feelings, their intentions, their thoughts and who they are through words. But what if we can't find the words to convey our message, if we do not know words, if the words have no meaning? How can someone help another change if they are unable to tell them with words?
Horses communicate with us without words. They communicate their wants, their needs through non-verbal communication using their entire body and soul. They communicate through trust, friendship and understanding. And if we listen, we find a safe place to explore our emotions, our fears, our hopes and our dreams; without even speaking a word!
Session B10
Going Private
by Shirley Woon
Founder / Psychotherapist / Counsellor
The Blue Pencil
What do you do when after sending out your CV and no one calls? Do you keep waiting or you step out and do something? Is private practice for me? What does it involve? How do I manage my clinic? How do I take care of myself? Shirley shares her journey running her own private practice.
Session C
Session C2
Experiment with Your Future (or How to Have Fun with Facts)
by Dr Denise Dillon
Associate Dean of Research and Research Education
James Cook University Singapore
Experiments characterise fundamental or basic research that is often portrayed in stereotypes such as the ‘mad scientist’ in a lab coat and glasses, with hair gone wild. What happens on the long road from basic research to when it becomes applied and, if all goes well, translates into improved societal outcomes? What are experiments? Who does them? And why should we want to?
Session C3
Introduction to Positive Psychology and Well-being
by Tara Schofield
Positive Psychology Practitioner / Founder of Positive Education Network
The School of Positive Psychology
A mother asked her young son, “If there are 6 frogs sitting on a log, and 4 decide to jump off, how many frogs remain on the log?” The boy did some quick calculation and confidently replied, “Two!” The mother smiled and said, “There are still 6 frogs on the log. The 4 decided to jump off, but there is a big difference between deciding and doing”.
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Are you curious about what motivates a person to go from deciding to taking action? Are you interested to discover what the difference between surviving and thriving in life is? These are some of the many topics addressed by researchers in Positive Psychology, one of the fastest growing branches of psychology today. With application at individual, relational, professional, academic and community levels, Positive Psychology rigorously examines and seeks to better understand what is ‘right’ in life.
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To find out more about positive psychology, come and join Tara Schofield from The School of Positive Psychology, where she will share some of the fascinating research that has been done and offer you practical techniques that can be applied in your daily life. Take the leap off that log!
Session C4
Applied Cinematherapy: The Patient-Audience Relationship
by Dr Ruth Manasseh
Founder / Psychoanalyst
Dr Ruth Manasseh Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Services
Can our love affair with Film, TV and Video help with our mental health? Dr Ruth Manasseh, a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist who has been in practice for more than 20 years, presents her pioneering research which explores the effects of using film extracts as a supplement to analytic work with traumatised patients who remain in an impasse, despite their having undergone previous pharmaceutical, cognitive or psychodynamic interventions. She originally trained and worked as a film maker and the main innovation, which she calls Applied Cinematherapy©, is the controlled way in which film extracts are introduced into a traditional psychotherapy setting governed by established psychoanalytic psychotherapy practices.
Session C5
A Career with the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
by Voon Yen Sing
Assistant Director (Clinical Services)
Singapore Association for Mental Health
Students often take up psychology as they are intrigued by human behaviours. The module on abnormal psychology would have helped them develop a deeper understanding on the aetiology and symptoms of different mental disorders. Some may be inspired to pursue a career to assist those living on the periphery upon graduation, but are concerned that they do not have the necessary skill set to venture into the social service sector.
This talk will highlight the overview of services provided by the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH), and the career prospects for psychology graduates offered by the Association.
Session C6
Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist
by Evonne Lek
Founder / Family Therapist / Systemic Psychotherapist
Reconnect Child and Family Therapy
Evonne will talk about her journey to become a Marriage and Family Therapist and her experiences working at IMH and in private practice. Find out about the challenges therapists face and if you have the qualities needed to deal with family conflict and arguing couples. Gain an insight into family therapy and discover why it is a rewarding career.
Session C7
The Psychology of Education
by Dr Reena Dabas
Associate Lecturer
Singapore Institute of Management /
Singapore University of Social Sciences
In this session, Dr Reena will:
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Discuss the importance of psychology in education.
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Enable students establish a link between their studies and applied psychology in societal settings, specifically in the area of education and special needs.
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Expose students to a possible career as educational psychologist.
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Discuss important issues in education psychology, professional training, the job scope of educational psychologist.
Session C8
My Job Explained: Clinical Psychology in a
Tertiary Mental Health Hospital
by Dr Hanita Assudani
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Institute of Mental Health (Department of Psychology)
Hanita will talk about life as a clinical psychologist, working in a tertiary mental health hospital, and the unique rewards and challenges she faces. She will discuss how and why to pursue a career in clinical psychology, and the differences between clinical psychologists and other mental health professions.
Session C9
Gone Too Soon: Journeying with Terminally-ill Young Patients and Their Families
by Geraldine Tan-Ho
Senior Counsellor / Honorary Mentor
Nanyang Technological University / Star PALS, HCA Hospice Care
In this session, psychology undergraduates will learn about the experiences and needs of terminally-ill young patients and their families, and the implications of these on the psychology, social service and healthcare professions in the community. Geraldine will also share real life cases as well as personal challenges she encountered as a young worker in the field of palliative care, and how she cultivated resilience in order to thrive in a dynamic and intense life-and-death environment on a daily basis.
Session C10
MSF's Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service
by Silma Sulaiman
Senior Forensic Psychologist
Ministry of Social and Family Development
(Clinical and Forensic Psychology Service)
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 people, and families who have experienced abuse and/or display offending behaviours. Silma 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.
