Meet Central Minds' Psychologists, Therapists and Counsellors in Hong Kong and Online
We are a group of professional and experienced clinical psychologists, psychotherapists and counsellors. We offer the most effective, tailor made approaches to help resolve your difficulties. Our clinicians go that extra mile to ensure you receive compassionate, empathetic and effective interventions.
Dr. Sharmeen Shroff - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in getting to the root cause of issues and understanding repetitive patterns in your life and relationships
With over 14 years of experience, Dr Shroff has worked in community mental health centres, private psychology clinics, medical clinics and both outpatient and inpatient units in hospitals in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the USA. She is one of the few clinical psychologists in Hong Kong that have been intensively trained to practice psychotherapy from a psychodynamic depth perspective.
Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Psychologists (HKICP) (#CP00351)
Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS) (DCP534)
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (#PYL37912)
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco
M.A. Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco
MSc. (Hons) Psychoanalytic Development Psychology from University College London in conjunction with the Anna Freud Center, United Kingdom
BSc. (Hons) Psychology from The University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
With over 14 years of experience, Dr Shroff has worked in community mental health centres, private psychology clinics, medical clinics and both outpatient and inpatient units in hospitals in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the USA. She is one of the few clinical psychologists in Hong Kong that have been intensively trained to practice psychotherapy from a psychodynamic depth perspective.
She works to enhance her client’s self-awareness and identify repetitive themes and patterns in client’s lives and relationships. Dr Shroff believes that many of us develop patterns over the years, whether positive or negative, that become ingrained in us. In times of stress, worry, anger, or emotional turmoil, we repeat what is familiar and what feels safe – this can often lead to negative reactions and behaviour in our relationships and cause us to feel stuck. Dr Shroff uses her expertise in psychodynamic therapy to help her clients’ identify important pieces of the puzzle in order to gain insight and create opportunities to facilitate lasting change in their lives.
Dr Shroff’s speciality areas are working with issues related to cultural identity, diversity, life transition issues and individuals who feel that some aspect of themselves or their relationships causes them distress, undermines the quality of their lives or leads them to feel as if they are not making progress in their personal lives and careers. Dr Shroff also has expertise in working with Stress, Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Psychotic Disorders.
Dr Shroff is passionate about conducting corporate training and workshops for multinational corporations to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around issues related to employee mental health. She has assisted numerous organisations to address these issues more effectively and create psychologically healthy workplaces in order to reduce burnout and absenteeism.
Dr Shroff has been fortunate enough to be raised in Hong Kong, and work in both the United Kingdom and the USA, providing her with the invaluable experience of working within a diverse environment and amongst a variety of cultures. She understands first hand what it feels like to be an immigrant and the challenges that come with moving to a new country. It is her own experience of living abroad and moving to various countries that has helped crystallise her desire to work with multi-cultural populations by utilising depth therapy.
Dr Shroff provides individual and group supervision to counsellors, psychologists and other mental health professionals. Additionally, Dr Shroff is a regular contributor to several publications in Hong Kong and acted as an associate profession at City University of Hong Kong where she supervised and taught Doctoral Level Psychology students. She is also a service provider providing pro-bono therapy and Medico-Legal Assessments to refugee and asylum seekers.
Dr Shroff is a registered member of the Division of Clinical psychology (DCP) of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS) and the American Psychological Association.
Dr. Kaili Chen - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in interpersonal relationships and understanding the self to connect better with others
Dr. Chen has worked in the field of psychology since 2010 in several non-profit organizations and community mental health centers. Before settling in Hong Kong, she has lived in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, and the United States, and understands firsthand the stresses expats face living abroad and the intricacies of multicultural lifestyles.
Member of the American Psychological Association (99259747)
Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (388865)
Registered Clinical Psychologist of the New Zealand Psychologists Board (90-06212)
Registered Member of the Hong Kong Association of Doctors in Clinical Psychology (300010954)
PsyD Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, Hong Kong/USA
MA Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, Hong Kong/USA
BA Psychology from the University of San Francisco, USA
Member of the American Psychological Association
Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society
Registered Clinical Psychologist of the New Zealand Psychologists Board
Registered Member of the Hong Kong Association of Doctors in Clinical Psychology
Areas of expertise: Adult Individual Therapy
- Adolescents 14+
- Interpersonal issues
- Identity exploration
- Trauma
- Grief
- Depression
- Anxiety
Dr. Chen has worked in the field of psychology since 2010 in several non-profit organizations and community mental health centers. Before settling in Hong Kong, she has lived in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, and the United States, and understands firsthand the stresses expats face living abroad and the intricacies of multicultural lifestyles.
Before establishing herself as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Chen worked for a major global supply chain management corporation and was subjected to the immense work stress well known for in Hong Kong. This experience greatly highlighted the need for sustainable work-life balance, as it was apparent that the pace of modern-day life subjected humans to an immense amount of stress that can include moving, work, family dynamics, friendships, financial considerations, medical illnesses, worldwide political issues, and even vacations. Reflecting on her own experience, she realized that not only were adults predisposed to high levels of stress but that adolescents in school were similarly struggling with stress as well. Although some can process stressful events easily, others can find it challenging as it may be overwhelming. As a result, self-care is essential to both physical and mental wellbeing.
Dr. Chen strives to provide a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere in the therapy room with all her clients. By utilizing a tailored psychodynamic and schema therapy approach for each client, the emphasis is placed on attaining awareness and insight of past experiences to create more adaptive coping strategies moving forward.
When working with adolescents, Dr. Chen is intentionally mindful of the fact that they are still in the tumultuous mental space of forging their own identities. She, therefore, focuses on building a strong rapport with adolescents as part of the process, with the understanding that trust is essential in creating a safe space for them to speak their truth and uncover the deeper reasons for their behavior.
Dr. Chen is also trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), a treatment primarily used for individuals who have experienced trauma, which is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that can include but is not limited to war, assault, natural disasters, abandonment, neglect, or illness. The treatment works with the brain to begin processing information that may be too traumatic for the brain to process on its own. Once the memory is cleared, the healed brain can associate itself to similar situations without feeling triggered in the same way. As mentioned earlier, everyone processes stressful events differently, yet others may find it challenging to process overwhelming events that can be difficult to articulate. In these cases, EMDR can be a beneficial treatment to be able to reduce these triggers.
Dr. Chen is passionate about her work with her clients and cares deeply about helping them achieve their goals in therapy. It has always been her belief that progress is not necessarily linear, and that success looks different for everybody. An avid traveler, functional fitness athlete, and dog owner, she has recently incorporated these interests into her work and developed a fascination for aviation psychology, sports psychology, and animal-assisted therapy.
Dr. Aurélie Comes - Clinical Psychologist & CBT Therapist
Specialises in developing coping skills for challenges with eating disorders, trauma, anxiety, depression and identifying negative thoughts or patterns.
Aurélie is an experienced Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) who trained and worked in the UK’s National Health Service. In addition to her CBT specialty, she also qualified as an Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Practitioner.
Aurélie has extensive experience in private and public health inpatient and outpatient settings and worked in specialist world-renown clinics in the UK with clients experiencing mild to severe difficulties (e.g. depression, anger management, substance misuse, sleep problems, life adjustments, individual relationship difficulties). Her areas of special interest include trauma and eating disorders. She has experience as team lead in NHS to develop high-quality care and contributed to education and supervision of therapists, completed by additional training in evidence-based practices...
PsyD Psychology from California Southern University, US
PgDip Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
Level III EMDR from EMDR Academy, UK
MSc Children and Adolescent Mental Health from University College London, UK
BSc (Hons) Psychology from University of Edinburgh, UK
Aurélie is an experienced Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) who trained and worked in the UK’s National Health Service. In addition to her CBT specialty, she also qualified as an Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Practitioner.
Aurélie has extensive experience in private and public health inpatient and outpatient settings and worked in specialist world-renown clinics in the UK with clients experiencing mild to severe difficulties (e.g. depression, anger management, substance misuse, sleep problems, life adjustments, individual relationship difficulties). Her areas of special interest include trauma and eating disorders. She has experience as team lead in NHS to develop high-quality care and contributed to education and supervision of therapists, completed by additional training in evidence-based practices.
Aurélie also provides therapy with adolescents to help with adjusting to a third-culture kid lifestyle, school issues, bullying and transitioning to university.
She is also highly experienced in working with:
- General Anxiety including work stress
- Panic
- Social anxiety
- Health anxiety
- Phobias
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Low Self-Esteem
- Body dysmorphia
- Perfectionism
Having grown up in Hong Kong, Aurélie recognizes the potential benefits these treatments would have on improving the busy lifestyle of local professionals and students and has decided to bring her expertise in these fields back to her home city. In addition to CBT, she also draws upon evidence-based treatment solutions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Mindfulness-based interventions to promote wellbeing and healing by encouraging people to be compassionate towards themselves to increase self-acceptance. Being trained in multiple models of psychological therapies helps her work creatively with clients to tailor their interventions.
Aurélie also had the opportunity to live abroad, exposing her to different cultural settings. This diverse cultural experience gave her the opportunity to incorporate cultural sensitivity into her practice and take a person-centered approach to evaluate the specific needs of her clients. By identifying the optimum way to approach her client’s treatment, she is also able to adapt their process of acceptance, healing and growth. She aims to provide a safe and compassionate reflective space for her clients to explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviors, providing the clients the opportunity of gaining a new perspective and create lasting changes. She emphasizes on working collaboratively with clients to become empowered, develop coping strategies, boost self-assurance and improve mental wellbeing. She is passionate in supporting clients overcome personal challenges. Through this process, clients are able to gain confidence in mastering these techniques to better cope with whatever challenges arising in the future.
In additional to individual therapy, Aurélie can offer psychoeducational groups on symptoms of anxiety and depression to introduce key coping strategies in work places.
Aurélie has received specialized training in providing supervision to trainee CBT therapists. She has previously managed a team of therapists in the NHS and provided regular clinical supervision.
Aurélie is an accredited member of the British Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Aurélie can provide therapy in both English and French.
Bhavna Bharvani - Clinical Counsellor Relationship Counsellor
Specialises in working with individuals, couples and LGBTQIA+ folks on healing from trauma, improving relationships, building emotional resilience and overcoming self-limiting beliefs
Bhavna is a US-trained Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor, registered with the California Board of Behavioural Sciences (LPCC 10182). She started out practicing in San Francisco, where she worked with individuals, couples, teenagers, and LGBTQIA+ folks with chronic and complex trauma. She worked across a range of settings including community mental health, schools, and..
California Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor (Lic. # LPCC 10182)
Full Member and Registered Counselor, Hong Kong Society for Counselling and Psychology (HKSCP 0183)
MA Clinical Counselling from California School of Professional Psychology, San Francisco
BA Psychology from Georgetown University, Washington DC
EFT Couples Therapy – Certification Track
Gottman Method Couples Therapy – Level 2 Certified
EMDR Basic Training – pursuing EMDRIA Certified Therapist status
Bhavna is a US-trained Licensed Professional Clinical Counsellor, registered with the California Board of Behavioural Sciences (LPCC 10182). She started out practicing in San Francisco, where she worked with individuals, couples, teenagers, and LGBTQIA+ folks with chronic and complex trauma. She worked across a range of settings including community mental health, schools, and residential substance use treatment centers.
Bhavna is passionate about collaborating with adolescents, adults, and couples of all ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender expressions so that they can know themselves deeply and cultivate fulfilling, meaningful lives and relationships.
Couples: There is something undeniably powerful, and healing about being in a secure loving partnership. However, when our important relationships come under stress, they can be completely debilitating. Bhavna provides a safe space for couples to identify negative patterns of interaction, access and communicate their primary needs to each other, cultivate the intimacy they want in their relationships, and work through sexual issues. Bhavna is also polyamory and non-monogamy informed, and kink/BDSM aware. In addition, Bhavna also works with clients who wish to end relationships through an intentional breakup process.
Adults: Conscious and unconscious beliefs, assumptions, and relational patterns can hold people back from living the lives they envision. Bhavna is passionate about helping people move through “stuckness”, manage depression and anxiety, overcome self-doubt, deal with change, learn coping skills for stress, heal shame, shift their inner critical voice and befriend themselves, and develop greater awareness of their feelings, needs, and desires.
Teens: Bhavna helps teens cope with the challenges of adolescence, including the pressures that come with a 24/7 online presence, anxiety around school/exams/friends, depression, feelings of inadequacy, and addictions. Bhavna also provides coaching to teens to unlock their potential, motivation, and self-confidence, and helps bring them in alignment with their goals.
Bhavna’s style is collaborative, warm, relational, and non-judgmental. She believes that trust and connection with the therapist are essential components of successful therapy. Her goal is to provide culturally-sensitive, empathetic, and strength-based psychotherapy through an integrative approach. She is primarily client-centered and combines techniques from acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness principles, attachment theory, narrative therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy and dialectical behavioural therapy to suit the unique needs of each individual client.
In addition to her therapeutic work, Bhavna works with Mind HK to reduce the stigma around mental health issues by developing and delivering training on Mental Health First Aid in workplaces. Prior to becoming a therapist, Bhavna worked in investment banking, television journalism, and market research. She has substantial experience relating to people from diverse backgrounds, having worked in Mumbai, New York, London, and San Francisco.
Dr. Karen Wai Liem - Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, and Aviation Psychologist
Specialises in complex trauma, relational issues, persistent mood difficulties and feelings of inadequacy or emptiness
Dr. Liem is a Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, and Aviation Psychologist based in Hong Kong. She provides psychotherapy for adolescents, adults, and couples facing psychological or relational challenges. With over 15 years of clinical experience in Hong Kong and overseas, she has worked in diverse settings, including community mental health centres, psychiatric hospital, psychiatric and medical clinics, rehabilitation centres, the aviation medical department of a global airline, and private practice. She also offers teletherapy for Asian migrants in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Dr. Liem received advanced training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy during her doctoral studies and continued her specialization in Object Relations in her postdoctoral training. Her extensive clinical supervision and vigorous training analysis have enhanced her effectiveness as a therapist....
Registered Clinical Psychologist of the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPCPYL35931)
Registered Clinical Psychologist of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA PSY0002192819)
Registered Counselling Psychologist of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS, #656)
Specialising in Complex Trauma, Relational Issues, Persistent Mood Difficulties, and Feelings of Inadequacy or Emptiness
PsyD Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology
MSSc Counselling Psychology from Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Pg.D Psychology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Her Professional Accreditations and Affiliations:
Registered Clinical Psychologist of the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, #PYL35931)
Registered Clinical Psychologist of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA, #PSY0002192819)
Chartered Clinical Psychologist (CPsychol) and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS)
Registered Counselling Psychologist of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS, #656)
Registered Clinical Psychologist of the EuroPsy European Federation of Psychologists and; Associations (EFPA, #UK-065029-202008)
Accredited Aviation Psychologist of the European Association of Aviation Psychology (EAAP, #AP156) and is listed in the BPS and; Directory of Aviation and Aerospace Psychologists
Dr. Liem is a Clinical Psychologist, Counselling Psychologist, and Aviation Psychologist based in Hong Kong. She provides psychotherapy for adolescents, adults, and couples facing psychological or relational challenges. With over 15 years of clinical experience in Hong Kong and overseas, she has worked in diverse settings, including community mental health centres, psychiatric hospital, psychiatric and medical clinics, rehabilitation centres, the aviation medical department of a global airline, and private practice. She also offers teletherapy for Asian migrants in Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Dr. Liem received advanced training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy during her doctoral studies and continued her specialization in Object Relations in her postdoctoral training. Her extensive clinical supervision and vigorous training analysis have enhanced her effectiveness as a therapist.
Dr Liem aims to create a safe, non-judgemental space for clients to explore their thoughts, feelings, needs, and aspects of themselves of which they may not be fully aware. She understands that each person faces unique challenges shaped by family dynamics, life experiences, and relational traumas. These struggles often show up as psychological symptoms or difficulties in relationships, leaving individuals feeling stuck. These experiences need to be heard and understood. Utilising a psychodynamic approach, she emphasises gaining awareness and insight into the interplay between one’s past and present experiences within a strong and trusting therapeutic relationship. This process is collaborative, where her role is to help clients talk and reflect on their emotions and significant relationships, helping them uncover the root causes of their current challenges. Ultimately, this facilitates lasting change, healing and growth.
In addition to psychodynamic psychotherapy, Dr Liem incorporates various treatment techniques such as Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy when clinically indicated. She is extensively trained and experienced in treating adults and adolescents (16+) who struggle with a wide range of emotional and/or relational difficulties. Over the years, she has developed specialties in
the following areas:
- Complex/childhood trauma and attachment issues
- Chronic depression and anxiety
- Personality challenges and emotional dysregulation
- Life adjustment challenges (e.g., grief, divorce, career, illness)
- Feelings of inadequacy, emptiness or identity concerns
- Relational difficulties
- Eating disorders, psychosomatic issues, and insomnia
Dr. Liem also has significant experience addressing the unique stressors faced by the flight crew, having served as the in-house clinical psychologist for a global airline for years. Her primary role was to offer clinical psychological intervention and mental fitness evaluation for the flight crew. She received specialty training in clinical skills and aviation psychology in Europe and completed the CASA-accredited professional training program for Designated Aviation Medical Examiners in Australia. She is recognized as a HIMS Clinical Psychologist by the FAA.
Dr Liem was born and raised in Hong Kong before moving to Australia. She has since had the opportunity to study, work, and live in various countries before returning to Hong Kong. Throughout her career, she has worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds and is attuned to the challenges posed by multicultural experiences. As someone who considers Hong Kong her hometown, she has a deep understanding of the unique struggles that come with living in this highly competitive and stressful environment, as well as the significant changes and transitions that people often experience here. Dr. Liem recognizes that psychotherapy is an emotional journey and that seeking help can feel daunting. She acknowledges the vulnerability involved and encourages clients to experience the therapeutic process for themselves. ”I look forward to meeting you where you are”; she says.
Dr. Liem provides therapy sessions in English and Cantonese.
Dr Elaine Ching - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in past traumas, depression, anxiety, burnout and adjusting to change
Dr. Ching is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist, offering support to adults with difficulties around anxiety, low mood, stress and burnout, self-esteem, childhood or event specific trauma, interpersonal relationships, and life adjustments (e.g. relocation, grief, chronic physical health, third culture kids). She also has experience with individuals with individuals with emotional
dysregulation and high sensitivity (HSP). Born in Hong Kong and raised in various countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, she uses her personal narratives and experiences of relocation and adjustment to form connections with her clients. She has over ten years of experience working in ……..
United Kingdom’s regulatory body for Clinical Psychology, Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC PYL35139)
British Psychological Society (BPS) – Chartered Clinical psychologist
Member of the Division of Clinical Psychology of Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS DCP636)
Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Psychologists (ICPHK CP00421)
DClinPsy Doctorate in Clinical Psychology – University College London, U.K.
MSc and DIC Masters in International Health Management – Imperial College London, U.K.
BSc (Hons) Bachelor Honours in Psychology – University College London, U.K.
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), United Kingdom (PYL35139)
The British Psychological Society (BPS), United Kingdom (Chartered Clinical Psychologist)
Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS), Division of Clinical Psychology, Hong Kong
(DCP636)
Hong Kong Institute of Clinical Psychologist (HKICP), Hong Kong (CP00421)
Dr. Ching is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist, offering support to adults with difficulties around anxiety, low mood, stress and burnout, self-esteem, childhood or event specific trauma, interpersonal relationships, and life adjustments (e.g. relocation, grief, chronic physical health, third culture kids). She also has experience with individuals with emotional dysregulation and high sensitivity (HSP).
Born in Hong Kong and raised in various countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, she uses her personal narratives and experiences of relocation and adjustment to form connections with her clients. She has over ten years of experience working in both the public (NHS) and private mental health sectors in London. Her roles ranged from direct clinical work to supervision with teams from A&E (accident and emergency) acute and crisis teams, community mental health teams, outpatient and inpatient settings. She had worked with individuals and families from different cultures, backgrounds, and languages.
You may find yourself stuck in repeated patterns of thoughts, behaviours and/or relationships. This can look like ‘I am not good enough’, ‘Why is this happening again?’, ‘What’s the point?’. Dr. Ching’s sessions can offer a space to understand and slowly untangle these cycles, building towards a life aligned with your core values and goals. The sessions will be guided by what you feel are important and meaningful to you. The journey will combine your experience together with Dr Ching’s professional knowledge in the area and scientific-based measures and tools.
Drawing on various psychological schools of thoughts, she adopts an integrative approach tailored to individual needs. Specific approaches Dr Ching adopts are not limited to mindfulness, Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), Compassion focused therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Narrative exposure therapy (NET).
Dr. Edward C. K. Lam - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and depression
Edward is a U.S.-trained and licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Massachusetts, now bringing his expertise to Hong Kong. With extensive experience across various settings, Edward has helped clients become stronger, more independent, and resilient in the face of challenges. He creates a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their struggles and engage more fully in life.
Edward’s approach is rooted in "true empathy," understanding that every behavior makes sense within the context of a client's experiences. He believes in creating a safe space where honest feedback is offered with kindness, promoting growth while ensuring clients feel supported....
Massachusetts, USA Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Lic. # PSY10000901)
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Denver, USA
M.A. Clinical Psychology, University of Denver, USA
B.S.c. Psychology, New York University, USA
Massachusetts, USA Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Lic. # PSY10000901)
Edward is a U.S.-trained and licensed Clinical Psychologist in the state of Massachusetts, now bringing his expertise to Hong Kong. With extensive experience across various settings, Edward has helped clients become stronger, more independent, and resilient in the face of challenges. He creates a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients can explore their struggles and engage more fully in life.
Edward’s approach is rooted in “true empathy,” understanding that every behavior makes sense within the context of a client’s experiences. He believes in creating a safe space where honest feedback is offered with kindness, promoting growth while ensuring clients feel supported.
Edward works with teens aged 14 and up and adults, utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Exposure and Response Therapy. He guides clients in managing stress, anxiety, depression, OCD, procrastination, and interpersonal issues, while also helping them develop coping skills and motivation. In particular, ACT empowers clients to break free from patterns of needless struggle, guiding them toward actionable paths that lead to a more fulfilling life. His methods are highly effective, often leading to meaningful change in a relatively short time.
In addition to his clinical work, Edward collaborates closely with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, leading workshops and consultation groups to support local NGOs. This community involvement reflects his commitment to empowering youth and promoting mental well-being in the broader community.
Edward values the courage it takes to engage in therapy and treats every individual with respect and compassion. He sees every opportunity to work with a client as a profound honor and finds great joy in helping others navigate their journey towards a purposeful and connected life.
Dr. Christine Mok-Lammé - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in complex trauma and difficult family dynamics
Dr. Mok-Lammé was born and raised in Hong Kong. After completing her undergraduate degree in the USA, she taught in a secondary school in Hong Kong for two years. She then emigrated to the USA to continue her education and work in several non-governmental organisations in California and western Colorado. She has experience working with immigrants, migrant farm workers, and homeless youth. She also has experience working in community mental health centres, psychiatric hospitals, and crisis services. For the past few years, she has been working in a private practice in western Colorado, serving diverse populations. She is excited to be back in Hong Kong, providing much-needed mental health services in her hometown…
Colorado Licensed Clinical Psychologist (License number: PSY0004039)
Massachusetts Licensed Clinical Psychologist (License number: PSY5000468)
Registered member of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (2015001826)
PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California (Accredited by American Psychological Association)
MA in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, California
BA (summa cum laude) from Whittier College, Whittier, California
Colorado Licensed Clinical Psychologist (License number: PSY0004039)
Massachusetts Licensed Clinical Psychologist (License number: PSY5000468)
EMDR Basic Training—working towards EMDRIA Certified Therapist Status
Registered member of the Hong Kong Psychological Society
Dr. Mok-Lammé was born and raised in Hong Kong. After completing her undergraduate degree in the USA, she taught in a secondary school in Hong Kong for two years. She then emigrated to the USA to continue her education and work in several non-governmental organisations in California and western Colorado. She has experience working with immigrants, migrant farm workers, and homeless youth. She also has experience working in community mental health centres, psychiatric hospitals, and crisis services. For the past few years, she has been working in a private practice in western Colorado, serving diverse populations. She is excited to be back in Hong Kong, providing much-needed mental health services in her hometown.
Dr. Mok-Lammé’s theoretical understanding of individuals’ psychology and development is founded on contemporary psychodynamic theories. She believes it is important to understand how an individual’s relationships with primary caregivers affect the development of their personality. These dynamics are often at play in other relationships, including therapeutic interactions, and it is important to explore how these influence behaviour patterns. Dr. Mok-Lammé offers a warm and safe space for clients to explore with her the connections between their past and present experiences and to internalize transformed dynamics they can apply in their day-to-day lives.
While her understanding of psychology is built upon psychodynamic theories, Dr. Mok-Lammé utilizes a variety of treatment approaches to meet the unique needs of each individual. Individuals come to therapy in search of relief from difficult emotions and/or symptoms of mental health disorders. Clients struggling with life challenges and relationships find various techniques to be very effective and helpful. The approaches Dr. Mok-Lammé utilizes include, but are not limited to, cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, motivational interviewing, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition of helping clients discover insights about themselves, Dr. Mok-Lammé works with individuals to help them develop practical coping strategies to improve and expand their lives.
Dr. Mok-Lammé is fluent in English and Cantonese. She has personal and professional experience with individuals from various cultures and ethnic backgrounds, and she is skilled at navigating cross-cultural relationships. She currently works with adults experiencing depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, dissociation, relationship problems, cultural and identity issues, career difficulties, parenting problems, or life-adjustment issues. She is especially gifted in working with individuals who have suffered complex trauma throughout their lives, who grew up in complicated family systems, and/or who are interested in depth therapy.
Dr. Natalie Loong - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in helping clients heal from past experiences and trauma and uncover patterns that limit growth and new possibilities
Dr. Natalie Loong is a California licensed clinical psychologist with years of experiences working in community mental health, outpatient, residential, and private practice settings in Hong Kong and the United States. As a bilingual psychologist, Dr. Loong provides services in both English and Cantonese and has extensive experiences working with adults, adolescents, and children from diverse cultural and…
California Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Lic. # PSY 29694)
Member of the American Psychological Association
Registered Member of the Hong Kong Association of Doctors in Clinical Psychology
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology
M.A. Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology
B.S.S. Psychology, University of Hong Kong
California Licensed Clinical Psychologist (Lic. # PSY 29694)
Member of the American Psychological Association
Registered Member of the Hong Kong Association of Doctors in Clinical Psychology
Dr. Natalie Loong is a California licensed clinical psychologist with years of experiences working in community mental health, outpatient, residential, and private practice settings in Hong Kong and the United States. As a bilingual psychologist, Dr. Loong provides services in both English and Cantonese and has extensive experiences working with adults, adolescents, and children from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Trained in Psychodynamic and Existential-Humanistic traditions of psychotherapy, Dr. Loong specialises in providing psychotherapy that is in-depth and insight-oriented with the goal of creating lasting changes in clients’ lives. Dr. Loong works closely with clients to explore and work through unconscious aspects of their experiences, recurring themes and patterns in their lives, and underlying functions of their difficulties. Through the experiential and intellectual learning that takes place in the process, clients develop deeper understanding and appreciation of themselves, discover new ways of being and relating and are empowered to liberate from old symptoms, behaviours, and patterns.
Dr. Loong is also experienced in providing play therapy – a developmentally appropriate psychotherapy approach for children that uses play as a medium for communication. The symbolic function of play allows children to comfortably and safely express troubling events and experiences. Utilising play, Dr. Loong attempts to experience, understand, and work on difficulties interactively with child clients, empowering them to consider new solutions to their problems, learn adaptive ways of coping, and change the way they think or feel in the process.
Over the years, Dr. Loong has worked with a broad spectrum of clinical and non-clinical issues across the lifespan including stress-related or adjustment difficulties, interpersonal relationship problems, struggles with meaning and purpose in life, difficulties with parenting, depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, gambling disorder, school refusal, aggressive behaviours, oppositional and defiant behaviors, enuresis, separation anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), selective mutism, and self-harm. Despite so, Dr. Loong sees each client as a unique individual beyond his/her problems and is committed to empowering and accompanying her clients through their own journey of suffering, discovery and growth.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Loong is an adjunct faculty at the California School of Professional Psychology – Hong Kong, Alliant International University. She currently chairs students on their doctoral dissertations and has taught courses on multicultural and social justice psychology, research methods and designs, as well as psychometrics and statistics in the past.
Josanna Lai - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in challenging relationships, depression, anxiety, cultural issues and personal growth obstacles
Born and raised in Hong Kong, being fluent in English and Cantonese, Josanna has worked as a clinical psychologist for over twenty-six years in Hong Kong and Australia in diverse clinical settings including child assessment center, inpatient PTSD wards, outpatient psychiatric center, university counseling service, NGO for special education needs and certainly private practice.
Josanna finds Narrative Therapy and mindfulness particularly attractive in addressing psychological issues that are associated with modern hectic lifestyle.
Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS)(DCP026)
M.A. Clinical Psychology from University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
B.A. (Hons) from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA
Post Graduate Diploma in Narrative Therapy from Dulwich Center, Adelaide, Australia
Born and raised in Hong Kong, being fluent in English and Cantonese, Josanna has worked as a clinical psychologist for over twenty-six years in Hong Kong and Australia in diverse clinical settings including child assessment center, inpatient PTSD wards, outpatient psychiatric center, university counseling service, NGO for special education needs and certainly private practice.
Josanna finds Narrative Therapy and mindfulness particularly attractive in addressing psychological issues that are associated with modern hectic lifestyle. Whether in depression, different manifestations of anxiety, complicated bereavement, substance abuse, relationship issues, work stress, parenting difficulties, or personal growth obstacles, we are invariably bogged down by powerful negative emotions and beliefs with debilitating implications for our sense of self. Narrative Therapy is to assist us in making sense of our psychological and interpersonal difficulties and what they try to tell us. Also, through the art of “externalizing” the problems, unpacking the discourses which powerfully affect our motives and values, our sense of agency and curiosity are resurrected in tackling the problems at hand. Its catchphrase: “the person is NOT the problem, the problem is the problem” means when our sense of self is resurrected from self-blame, guilt and all sorts of negative labels, we will have the sense of agency and life skills to address the psychological issues.
In couples work, the thrust is to address the core issues that split them emotionally and psychologically while removing the role of the blame and guilt which invariably further burdens the relationship as well as hindering each party taking up their fair share of responsibility. The goal of couples’ work is to help each other make sense and sort out the core issues as well as making an informed consent about the direction of the relationship which might also include the option of separation or divorce in a harmonious manner as much as possible. It is not uncommon that in couples work, subsequent individual therapy is indicated.
Other than direct clinical work, Josanna is the honorary clinical supervisor for an NGO as well as for the master’s program in Clinical Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Furthermore, she is also active in teaching Narrative Therapy for caring professionals.
Dr. Melissa Chan - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in depression, anxiety, grief and underlying issues such as low self-worth, perfectionism, self-criticism, shame & guilt
Dr. Chan is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist, who has worked in the field of mental health taking up clinical and research roles in the community and academic settings for ten years. She is experienced in treating people with symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders (e.g. social anxiety, bipolar tendencies etc). She also works with people who are struggling with low self-esteem, stress, grief and bereavement, adjustment difficulties and those…
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (PYL38663)
HK’s accreditation register (HKICP) as a Clinical Psychologist. (#CP00269)
DClinPsy. Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the University of Manchester, UK
MSW Masters of Social Work from the University of Hong Kong
MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention from the University of Oxford, UK
BA (Hon) Psychology and Economics from the University of Virginia, USA
Dr. Chan is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist, who has worked in the field of mental health taking up clinical and research roles in the community and academic settings for ten years. She is experienced in treating people with symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders, who specialises in working with people who are highly self-critical and have highly sensitive traits. She also works with people who are struggling with low self-esteem, stress, grief and bereavement, adjustment difficulties and those affected by developmental trauma.
Dr. Chan uses primarily compassionate based approaches such as Compassion Focused Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy to support you in healing your emotional wounds. Depending on your struggles, she adopts a variety of cognitive behavioural approaches (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and draws skills from the schema approach for more complex and longer term struggles.
Born and bred in Hong Kong, Dr. Chan understands the immense stress people experience studying and working in HK, having to meet all sorts of high standards and expectations from others and ourselves. Prior to returning to HK, she had the humble opportunity to live and work in the US and UK for ten years. She is a strong believer in the need for more self-care and self-compassion for each individual, and she hopes to promote a more compassionate culture in the society at large. In addition to her practice at Central Minds, Dr Chan has also worked in the University and specialised hospital settings, supporting the vulnerable in the community.
In therapy sessions, Dr Chan aims to provide a safe space for clients to reflect, process their feelings and thoughts, and to identify factors that keep your struggles ongoing. Dr Chan will support you with ways to break the vicious cycles and work through the barriers that may arise. She will also facilitate the connection with your inner feelings, which often serves as the guide to what your needs are. Dr Chan works in a collaborative manner with clients to set goals and decide what support the client may need together.
Dr. Chan is registered with the UK’s regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and HK’s accreditation register (HKICP) as a Clinical Psychologist. She is a graduate member of the Hong Kong Psychological Society.
Michael Beckham - Clinical Counsellor
Specialises in assisting individuals to manage their anxiety, build self esteem, explore intimacy/ relationship dynamics and enhance communication skills
Michael Beckham is a US-trained and licensed Clinical Counsellor with over 19 years of experience. He assists his clients to understand how they see themselves, to understand how they see the world, and to understand how they see themselves in the world. Michael approaches therapy without judgement of his clients. He creates a safe, confidential, objective environment in which the client can feel secure to express themselves in ways they may have never approached before…
Master of Science in Professional Counselling from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas, USA
Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Marketing from Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
Licensed Professional Counsellor, Texas, USA – Current
Licensed Professional Counsellor of Mental Health, Delaware, USA – Current
Michael Beckham is a US-trained and licensed Clinical Counsellor with over 19 years of experience. He assists his clients to understand how they see themselves, to understand how they see the world, and to understand how they see themselves in the world. Michael approaches therapy without judgement of his clients. He creates a safe, confidential, objective environment in which the client can feel secure to express themselves in ways they may have never approached before.
Michael works with clients 18 years old and older (individuals, couples, LGBTQ+) focused on addressing issues of anxiety, depression, relationships (with themselves and with others), self-esteem/self-worth, frustration, stress, as well as many others. Michael is very supportive of his clients and is known to challenge his clients’ belief system when it is beneficial to the progress towards the goals set by the client.
Michael draws from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Attachment Theory and can become quite Existential should the client benefit from this exploration. He customizes his approach for each client to meet the client where they currently are emotionally. Michael is considered very client centered and pro female empowerment.
Michael’s broad experience assists him to relate to his clients’ goals. He has worked in the Counseling Center of a large university, held the position of business consultant using Business Psychology, supported survivors of abuse while working with a women’s center and at a rape crisis center. Michael understands the complex pressures of the work environment from serving as director for a large mental health organization. Michael has also worked with severe and persistent mentally ill clients as well as utilising crisis intervention skills to assist the homeless.
Teresa Chan - Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist
Specialises in anxiety disorders (including OCD, phobias, social anxiety, PTSD) & strengths-based psychology
Teresa is a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist who has over 10 years of experience working in the field of clinical mental health. She has a background in Psychology at both an undergraduate and master’s level and completed her training in the UK, where she specialised in the field of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy…
PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) from Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
Masters of Research in Psychological Methods from University of Sussex, UK
PgCert Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment from University of Reading, UK
BSc (Hons) Psychology from University of Hertfordshire, UK
Teresa is an accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist with over 10 years of experience working in the field of clinical mental health. She has a background in Psychology at both an undergraduate and master’s level and completed her training in the UK, where she specialised in the field of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Being originally from the UK, Teresa is a native English speaker, but can also communicate in Cantonese.
Prior to moving to Hong Kong in 2018, Teresa worked within several leading psychological therapy services within the National Health Service (NHS) across London, Surrey and Hampshire in the UK. Through working in primary care, Teresa gained extensive experience working with individuals affected by a wide range of issues including:
- Depression / Low Mood
- Low Self-Esteem / Low Self-Confidence
- Anxiety & Stress
- Panic Attacks / Health Anxiety
- Social & Performance Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (excessive worry)
- Phobias
- Sleep Problems / Insomnia
- Anger management
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
She works with individuals aged 18 & above and regularly supports individuals struggling with academic or work stress, burnout, confidence issues or those who may be struggling with a change/transition.
She also supports those who may be seeking personal development, those wanting to build their communication skills and self-esteem, or individuals who might want to ‘fine tune’ aspects of their lives, such as those who wish to clarify personal or career goals or are seeking to improve their overall mental and physical health.
Although Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is her specialism, she likes to use an integrated approach to adapt her way of working with each client, tailoring therapy to the specific needs of each individual by drawing on evidence-based therapies including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT).
She has developed a special interest in working with anxiety disorders and also has expertise in offering trauma-focused CBT (TF-CBT).
Teresa hopes that her collaborative approach can equip individuals with the skills and confidence to be able to self-reflect and self-manage difficulties as they arise. Focus is therefore placed on both the attainment of practical coping skills, together with addressing the root causes of a problem where necessary. Teresa’s calm and welcoming approach aims to put clients at ease, whilst offering a confidential and non-judgemental space to explore what it is that has brought them to therapy.
In addition to offering one-on-one therapy, Teresa also has experience as a group facilitator conducting psycho-educational workshops for individuals wanting an introduction in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Stephanie Rose - Counselling Trainee
Stephanie Rose is a Supervised Counselling Trainee. Stephanie takes a person-centered approach to counselling; helping clients to explore and connect with their values, personal goals and strengths to navigate challenges and work towards positive changes in their lives. With a professional background in corporate settings, having previously worked at Nissan and Deloitte, Stephanie has a good understanding of work-related issues and pressures that impact wellbeing.
MSc in Psychology (City U) Hong Kong
MSc in Mental Health Counselling (HKU) Hong Kong
Stephanie Rose is a Supervised Counselling Trainee. Stephanie takes a person-centered approach to counselling; helping clients to explore and connect with their values, personal goals and strengths to navigate challenges and work towards positive changes in their lives.
She provides therapy in English and can work with clients experiencing a range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, imposter syndrome, work stress, burnout and interpersonal relationship issues.
Erica Stein - iACT® Wellbeing Practitioner (WP)
Specialises in mild to moderate anxiety and depression
Erica is an iACT® Wellbeing Practitioner (WP) whose career has been dedicated to helping create a happier, healthier, more inclusive world. She believes in helping people cultivate better mental health and overall wellbeing by providing them with the information, tools, and support most aligned to their needs.
She has 11 years of professional experience grounded in psychology and spanning the fields of healthcare communications, wellbeing consulting, and mental health in both Hong Kong and the United States.
BA Psychology from Emory University
Erica is an iACT® Wellbeing Practitioner (WP) whose career has been dedicated to helping create a happier, healthier, more inclusive world. She believes in helping people cultivate better mental health and overall wellbeing by providing them with the information, tools, and support most aligned to their needs.
She has 11 years of professional experience grounded in psychology and spanning the fields of healthcare communications, wellbeing consulting, and mental health in both Hong Kong and the United States. In addition to her role as an iACT® WP, she is also a wellbeing consultant helping create healthier workforces by advising companies on their employee wellbeing strategies.
Her prior experience in Hong Kong includes leading market- and region-wide strategic communications activities for multinational healthcare, corporate, and education clients at a global firm. After launching the company’s internal mental health initiative, she was inspired to turn her focus to fostering healthier and happier workplaces full-time.
Erica began her career working on social marketing campaigns in the United States that leveraged communications and behavior change strategies to inspire public health in areas such as heart disease, breast cancer in young women, and teen dating.
Her values of empathy, connection, and curiosity guide how she supports and creates space for others both professionally and in her day-to-day life.
Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Emory University in the United States, where she also studied Sociology and Media Studies. Erica also serves as a Mind Hong Kong Ambassador and is certified in Mental Health First Aid.
Online Therapy
Not everyone can attend weekly therapy sessions in an office environment, for various reasons. Research suggests that online therapy is just as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy. At Central Minds, we have a group of therapists who work predominantly online. If you think online therapy may be the better fit for you, please contact us about one of our therapists listed below.
Simon Westcott - Counsellor
Specialises in psychodynamic psychotherapy, CBT and anxiety, depression
Simon Westcott is an English-speaking Counsellor educated in the UK, US, Australia and Hong Kong. Simon believes in the benefits of both short-term, goal-oriented counselling and longer-term, ‘in-depth’ psychoanalytic psychotherapy. He has experience working with adolescents and adults with issues ranging from low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, relationship problems, adoption, men’s mental health, life transitions, LGBTQ identity and sexuality, trauma, addiction, teen resilience and mood disorders…
M.A. Counselling from Monash University Four-Year Study Program at the Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis (ongoing)
Simon Westcott is an English-speaking Counsellor educated in the UK, US, Australia and Hong Kong. Simon believes in the benefits of both short-term, goal-oriented counselling and longer-term, ‘in-depth’ psychoanalytic psychotherapy. He has experience working with adolescents and adults with issues ranging from low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, relationship problems, adoption, men’s mental health, life transitions, LGBTQ identity and sexuality, trauma, addiction, teen resilience and mood disorders.
Simon uses a variety of evidence-based modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Mindfulness techniques, as well as the psychodynamic approach of more traditional ‘talk therapy’. In any mode, he is interested in ‘the life examined’, and the concrete steps that effect change for the individual.
Simon enjoyed a 25-year corporate, entrepreneurial and NGO career before entering the mental health field. He understands the challenges of high-performance environments, both academically and professionally, and also the importance of creativity and play, through his experience as an amateur musician and his passion for the Arts. Simon has lived in and migrated to several cultures and is an inveterate traveller. He has been both outsider and insider and has a keen understanding of diversity and cross-cultural issues. He is also an avid reader, seasoned meditator, and serial owner of springer spaniels.
Simon Westcott is a member of the Australian Counselling Association and the Hong Kong Society of Counselling and Psychology.
Please note that Simon is currently fully booked and not taking new clients.
Dr. Elizabeth Howl - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in CBT, EMDR and somatic & functional neurological symptoms
Dr Howl trained as a Clinical Psychologist in the UK. She has over 10 years’ experience working with individuals, couples and families in distress. Dr Howl has worked across a wide range of settings from acute medical hospitals to outpatient clinics, as well as community work supporting those in their homes. She works with a wide range of issues, including depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, stress, and…
PiDip. Clinical Neuropsychology from University of Glasgow, UK (in progress)
DClinPsy. Clinical Psychology from Hertfordshire University, UK
MRes. Masters of Research from Loughborough University, UK
BSc. (Hons) Psychology from Loughborough University, UK
Dr Howl trained as a Clinical Psychologist in the UK. She has over 10 years’ experience working with individuals, couples and families in distress. Dr Howl has worked across a wide range of settings from acute medical hospitals to outpatient clinics, as well as community work supporting those in their homes. She works with a wide range of issues, including depression, low self-esteem, anxiety, stress, and adjustment difficulties, as well as emotional distress experienced due to physical difficulties, such as acquired brain injury, neurological diagnosis and unexplained physical symptoms.
Dr Howl is a compassionate and experienced Clinical Psychologist who looks to provide you with a confidential and non-judgemental space to talk openly about the difficulties or distress you are experiencing. She will spend time helping you to understand the patterns of behaviour that may be contributing to your distress. She will work in collaboration with you to develop new skills and techniques so that you can manage your emotional wellbeing and move towards the things you value in life.
Dr Howl primarily uses Acceptance and Commitment Based Therapy when working with her clients but draws on a range of evidenced-based therapeutic models, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, EMDR and Systemic and Narrative approaches. This enables her to adapt and tailor her sessions to your specific needs and situation.
Additionally, Dr Howl can provide neuropsychological assessment (including psychometric testing) for those with cognitive difficulties, acquired brain injury, and neurological diagnoses. She can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses within your cognitive profile. She works with you, your family and professionals to support them to understand your difficulties and help you to live the life you want.
Dr Howl is registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council in the UK and The British Psychological Society.
Please note Dr. Howl is currently fully booked and not taking new clients.
Jill Carroll - Psychotherapist & EMDR Practitioner
Specialises in psychotherapy, grief & EMDR
Jill is currently not taking on new clients
Jill is a UK trained Psychotherapist who has run her own successful private practice in London and worked part-time as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist within an NHS service based in South West London. Jill works with individuals and has experience facilitating process groups for people struggling with grief and loss…
MSc Psychotherapy, Middlesex University, UK
EMDR Practitioner, EMDR Association of Hong Kong
Certified Transactional Analyst (Psychotherapy), The Berne, UK
PgDip British Sign Language/English Interpreting, University of Central Lancashire, UK
B.A.(Hons) Deaf Studies and Psychology, University of Wolverhampton, UK
Diploma in Relationship Counselling, Relate Institute, UK
Jill is a UK trained Psychotherapist who ran her own successful private practice in London and worked part-time as a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist within an NHS service in London. Jill is also qualified as an Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Practitioner.
Jill is an empathic, warm, and compassionate Psychotherapist. She works with clients to explore the underlying aspects of themselves that they may not be aware of, to understand how they see themselves, how they deal with others and see the world. She helps clients to understand why they keep behaving or thinking in a particular way, or why certain things keep happening to them (for example repetitive patterns in relationships). Jill works with clients to understand the influence their past experiences in life can have upon them in the present day as she believes that when a client has awareness of this, they can move towards changing these patterns of behaviour.
Jill has experience working with clients with a range of presenting issues. Her areas of expertise include working with traumatic events, both cumulative and single events, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, stress, lack of confidence, struggling with decision making, grief, relationship issues, transitions.
As well as psychodynamic therapy, Jill integrates EMDR, Eye-Movement Desensitization Processing into her work with clients.
“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched, effective psychotherapy method proven to help people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders” (EMDRIA.ORG). Jill is an approved therapist of the EMDR Association of Hong Kong.
Groups: Jill developed and independently ran process groups in the NHS for individuals who were struggling with bereavement and grief. Jill recognizes how isolating grief can be and the impact this has upon people and their relationships with others.
Jill is a native English speaker and can also work with clients who are Deaf and use British Sign Language.
Jill is a member of:
The Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association
Psychotherapy Society of Hong Kong
EMDR Association of Hong Kong
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
UK Association for Transactional Analysis
UK Council for Psychotherapy
Dr. Hannnah Sugarman - Clinical Psychologist
Specialises in ACT, CBT, health anxiety and OCD
Dr. Sugarman is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the field of mental health for over 15 years. She is experienced in treating a range of different mental health problems, with expertise in various issues from depression to anxiety and OCD. Her background in physical health settings has led to a particular interest and specialism in problems relating to the interaction between physical and mental health, such as health anxiety or persistent physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation...
DClinPsy. Clinical Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
MSc Cognitive Neuroscience from University College London, UK
BSC. (Hons) Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience from University of Nottingham, UK
Dr. Sugarman is a UK trained Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the field of mental health for over 15 years. She is experienced in treating a range of different mental health problems, with expertise in various issues from depression to anxiety and OCD. Her background in physical health settings has led to a particular interest and specialism in problems relating to the interaction between physical and mental health, such as health anxiety or persistent physical symptoms without a clear medical explanation.
Dr. Sugarman lived and worked in Hong Kong for 6 years, during which time, she had the opportunity to work with hundreds of people trying to juggle fast-paced city life with high-pressure jobs and family/social responsibilities. Her time in the city gave her a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges that come with expat life, and she is passionate about helping people to foster the skills they need to navigate bumps in the road and reach their full potential.
Dr. Sugarman is trained in a range of different therapies. Work in sessions may focus on building skills to cope with more recently emerging problems using approaches such as ACT and CBT. Alternatively, it may focus more on the more long-term contexts which led to the emergence of the difficulties, utilising evidence-based approaches such as EMDR. Most of Dr. Sugarman’s work involves a combination of different approaches, with the work being tailored to the needs and goals of the individual. Dr. Sugarman’s primary aim in sessions is to build a therapeutic relationship with you that will allow you to get maximum benefit from the therapeutic tools you go through together. She aims to offer a warm, professional and friendly space, sitting beside you as you make sense of your problems and helping you to find different ways of managing them.
During her time in Hong Kong, Dr. Sugarman also worked as a clinical advisor for Mind Hong Kong, the well-known mental health NGO. Her role involved leading on the development and delivery of training and services targeting mental health awareness and plugging gaps in the healthcare system. This role only served to enhance Dr. Sugarman’s passion for removing barriers to mental health support, whether via providing information and skills or by supporting people one-to-one in therapy. She believes that there is still a long way to go in challenging the stigma around mental health, and wants to do her part in helping people to access the information and support they need as early as possible, so that they can get their lives back on track.
Dr. Sugarman is registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council, the UK regulatory body for practising psychologists. She is based in the UK and offers sessions online via Zoom.
Psychotherapy FAQ
What is Psychotherapy?
Some people refer to psychotherapy as “talking treatment” because it is generally based on an individual talking to a therapist. However, psychotherapy is much more than talking about your problems. A trained psychotherapist will help you to tackle a specific or general problem by giving you the tools to be able to cope more effectively. In psychotherapy, therapists apply scientifically validated procedures to help people develop healthier, more effective habits. There are many different professionals that practice psychotherapy such as; clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, marriage and family therapists and social workers.
Psychotherapy is a professional relationship between a therapist and a client. Psychotherapists are trained to understand what you say and how you say it. They pay close attention to body language, voice tone and content to fully understand what you are trying to say.
While family or friends can help you feel better or even provide good advice for change, this is not psychotherapy. You can tell therapists things without having to worry about your information being told to others or in any way affecting your job, family or relationships.
What is the Difference Between a Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
A psychologist and a psychiatrist are often confused as having the same meaning. While both study the brain, emotions, feelings and thoughts, there is a distinct difference between the two fields of study.
Psychiatrists begin their careers in medical school and then go on to four years of residency training typically at a hospital’s psychiatric department.
Psychologists go through five to seven years of academic graduate study and hands-on clinical training, culminating in a doctorate degree.
As medical doctors, psychiatrists can prescribe drugs, whilst psychologists cannot.
How Does Psychotherapy Work?
Psychotherapy provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who is objective, neutral and nonjudgmental. You and your therapist will work together to identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best.
By the time you’re done, you will not only have solved the problem that brought you in, but you will have learned new skills so you can better cope with whatever challenges arise in the future.
The way in which our psychologists and counsellors will work with you will depend in part on what you seek from psychotherapy, how you understand your difficulties, available support, and any time-constraints you have. We believe that the relationship between the therapist and the client should be a collaborative one, in which we both work together to come to an agreement on the goals and focus of therapy.
Psychology & Counselling Services
We recognise the courage it takes to seek professional support. If you have questions and would like to know more about working with us, please reach out and our administrative team will be happy to help you.
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