SS4707: Counselling and Therapeutic Psychology

16 January 2024
 Wellbeing Statement
Given that the course is about clinical psychology and well-being
issues, the course materials could be potentially stressful to
individuals for different reasons.

As students in the City University of Hong Kong, you are entitled to

free-of-charge counselling and wellbeing consultation/treatment
service at the Student Development Service (SDS). Students are
encouraged to reach out to SDS when there is concern regarding
well-being, or simply when students want to talk to a counsellor.
Details of the SDS service can be offered at their webpage as follows,
https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sds/web/counselling.shtml.

Due to professional requirements and ethical concerns, the teaching

team could not offer psychological services to students.
 Diversity Statement
Respecting Diversity
When you are uncertain on whether there is a diversity
issue (e.g. neurodiversity) affecting your learning
experience, we encourage you to reach SDS, your
academic advisor or any teaching staff you feel
comfortable to talk to and let them help you with your
concern and get the most appropriate support.

We appreciate your suggestion to make this course and

the greater university community more diversity-
friendly.
 About Me

Lawrence Wong (Lawrence)

Role
- Course examiner and instructor (SS4707)
- Assistant Professor (CityU)
- Clinical Psychologist (Hospital Setting)
About SS4707
Course aim: help students to explore the field of
clinical psychology

• Research and academic knowledge

• Career options
• Core services rendered by clinical psychologist
• Current needs of clinical psychology services

X practical skills in counselling or therapy

About SS4707 – Learning Objectives
1.Identify the ethical issues around the professional helping
relationship;

2.Understand the concepts and domains of some of the major

assessment tools and models used by clinical psychologists;

3.Apply the major theories and models of clinical intervention for

creation of effective applications in intervention;

4.Evaluate the status of research in the field of clinical psychology;

5.Appraise Critically the current development of the profession of

clinical psychology and services in Hong Kong.
About You – In-class exercise

https://padlet.com/4ryvzgj5zt/SS4707
Form a group of 3-4 students, discuss

- What is your first impression about clinical

psychology?

- Any particular area in clinical psychology do

you want to learn?

- Any other questions do you have about clinical

psychology / clinical psychologist?
Course Materials
Course textbook

Lee, C. M., & Hunsley, J.

(2018). Introduction to clinical psychology :
an evidence-based approach (Fourth
edition.). Wiley.

And…

Journal articles
Professional guidelines
And other resources

as stated in weekly lecture’s slides

Course Assessments

1. Term Paper – 40%

2. Quiz – 30%

3. Small-group Project – 30%

Term Paper – 40%
Aim: evaluate students’ understanding about clinical
psychology research and critical thinking skills

Task: Critique a specific journal article

1. Provide a brief summary of the article;

2. Discuss the major strengths and limitations; and

3. Make concrete recommendations in response to the limitations.

Word limit: 1800 (excluding reference list)

Deadline: 19 February 2024, 1700

Further details to be announced at Week 2

Quiz – 30%
Aim: Assess students’ abilities in mastering, applying and
synthesizing theories and concepts learnt in the course

Task: A Quiz

- 19 March, 2024, in-class (12nn), in-person quiz

- Covering materials discussed from Week 1 to Week 8
Revise slides is enough, X guest speakers content

- MCQ and short questions

Students are welcome to contribute test items
Small-group Project – 30%
Aim: To enhance students’ awareness of common belief
and misperception about clinical psychology, and use
scholastic materials to promote mental wellbeing

Task: group-based reflection project

1. Identify a common misperception about clinical psychology or clinical

psychologist;

2. Reflect on the potential consequence the misperception can leave to the

public or specific group; and

3. Use scholastic resources (e.g. academic journal, treatment guideline,

practice guideline, consensus statement and etc.) as basis to provide
more accurate/evidence-based point of view of the specific issue which
is being misperceived.
Small-group Project – 30%
Group size:
• 3-4 students, group member list to submit to Canvas
by 29 Jan, 2024, 1700
• Course instructor will help assign students into
groups when needed
• Extenuating circumstances
Format:
a. Pre-recorded presentation/drama (<15 minutes)
b. Written submission, e.g. essay/report (<1500 words)
c. Other creative means à consult course examiner by
week 4

Deadline: 15 April 2024, 1700

Academic Honesty
Plagiarism

Peer evaluation form in group work

Cheating

https://www.cityu.edu.hk/ah/Tutorial/plagiarism
Any Question?
https://padlet.com/4ryvzgj5zt/SS4707
Clinical Psychology: Overview
Chapter 1 & 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
43KBgHupZsk&ab_channel=Depart
mentofPsychologyHKU
What is Clinical Psychology
Definition:
• Application of psychological knowledge to alleviate distress &
promote well-being

Range of activities:
• assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, program
evaluation, administration, research
Who do Clinical Psychologists serve?
A. People with problems coping with difficulties and changes in
life

B. Sufferers of chronic disease and illness

C. Sufferers of brain damage and physical disabilities

D. Sufferers of chronic sleep disturbances, anxiety and phobias,

depression or eating disorders

E. Sufferers of psychiatric problems

F. Those with delinquent behaviour, drug/alcohol abuse, child

abuse, domestic violence or pathological gambling behaviours

As a group select 1 from A-F, discuss

what a clinical psychologist can help…
Where do Clinical Psychologists work?
• Hospital/clinics

• Social service (e.g. Social Welfare Department, non-profit

making organization)

• Correctional institution

• Government Staff Service (Hong Kong Police Force, Fire Service,

Immigration Service)

• Tertiary institution

• Private Practice
Clinical Psychologists - Hospital Authority
• General Admission, Psychiatric Departments & Outpatient wards

Main duties
• Help to treat and alleviate emotional distress across life span.
• E.g. family problems, excess stress at work, emotional,
behavioural and cognitive disturbances, anxiety, phobia,
depression, eating disorder, under-development, personality
disturbances, early psychosis, drug abuse, distress triggered
by chronic illnesses and maladjustment.

Accessing service
• Requires referral from treating doctor

https://kec.ha.org.hk/uch/en/Our-
Team/Allied-Health-Services/Clinical-
Psychology-Department.html
Clinical Psychologists – Department of Health

• Child Assessment Service, Student Health Service, Family Health

Service,

Main duties
• Child Assessment Service: evaluate cognitive function of
children, assess children with neurodevelopmental problems and
provide interim guidance and support to parents

• Student Health Service and Family Health Service promotes

wellbeing of youth, children and parenting issues

Accessing service
• Requires referral from treating doctor
Clinical Psychologists – Social Welfare Department
and Family Services at non-profit organization
Main duties
• Target problems are marital and family problems, youth
behavioural problems, minor criminal offences, child abuse
cases, maladjustment to abrupt changes in life
Who to serve
• People in the community with emotional, thought or behavioural
problems. Consultation service also offer to NGO

Accessing service
• Self-referral at Integrated Family Service Centre (23432255)
• Referred by attending social worker
Clinical Psychologists – Rehabilitation Services
• Hospital authority or NGO rehab service

Main duties
• Assessment of the abilities of those suffering from mental
disabilities; assist the management of learning and emotional
problems triggered by physical or brain damage. The
rehabilitation services aim at promoting the quality of life and
coping skills of those suffering from mental disabilities.

Accessing service
• Referred by attending medical professional or social worker
Clinical Psychologists – Correctional Services
• Correctional institutions

Main duties
• Psychological evaluation is provided for the court and review
boards to facilitate their decision making.

• Counselling services to inmates with emotional and behavioural

problems.

• Structured programmes conducted include treatment

programme for sex offenders and offenders with substance
abuse problems, preventive programmes for long term adult
offenders and behaviour programme for young offenders.
Clinical Psychologists – Correctional Services
• Correctional institutions

Main duties
• The parent-inmate programme is also conducted to enhance the
involvement of the offenders' families in the rehabilitation
process.

• Research projects are conducted to better understand the

psychological make-up of offenders and to improve programme
effectiveness.

Who to service
• Inmates, Staff and family

Accessing service
• Referred by court, staff, or self-approach
Clinical Psychologists – Service for government staff
• Hong Kong Correctional Services, Fire, Immigration, Police
Force, Department of Health

Main duties
• Provide professional counseling and educational services to staff
members
• Psychological support after emergencies and stress management
training.
• Also conduct research and provide counselling to family
members of the Force.

Who to service
• Staff and family of government staff

Accessing service
• Self-referred
Clinical Psychologists – Higher Academic Institution
• Universities or higher academic institution counselling center

Main duties
• counselling to students on emotional problems and learning issues.
• Personal growth workshop and events
• Some of the institutions may also provide psychological service to
the staff.
• Some of the institutions also work for diversity-related support
issues

Accessing service
• Self-referral
Clinical Psychologists – Private Practice

Accessing service
• Self-referral

To date, there is no legislation in Hong Kong to govern the licensing

of Clinical Psychologists. It is, therefore, important to exercise
caution when seeking help from Clinical Psychologists in private
practice. The following are a few things that would be helpful to
look out for, consider if:

He/she is eligible for membership of DCP

He/she is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the HKPS
He/she is qualified to exercise psychological assessments and
treatments

The list of registered Psychologist in Hong Kong

Clinical Psychologists – Academic Research
• Universities or higher academic institution

Main duties
• Conduct academic research for enhance understanding of mental
health and other clinical psychology related topics;

• Deliver teaching and supervision for psychology and clinical

psychology students;

• Collaborate with local and international community partners on

academic and service projects to enhance mental wellbeing
Clinical Psychologists – HK versus AU/UK/USA

• HK: clinical psychologist may perform duties of

• Clinical Neuropsychologist
• Psychometrist
• Forensic Psychologist
• Health Psychologist

• AU: general psychologist versus clinical/educational

psychologist

• UK: psychological wellbeing practitioner. Assistant clinical

psychologist
Questions, Comments, Feedbacks

You are welcome to email me

Lawrence.wong@cityu.edu.hk

or use the class Padlet

https://padlet.com/4ryvzgj5zt
/SS4707