Blog

August 07, 2020

What does the movie “Cast Away” tell us about resilience in the face of the third wave of the pandemic in Hong Kong?

When I think about what Hongkongers are facing in the third wave of the pandemic, the movie, “Cast Away”, popped up in my mind. The movie was launched in 2000. It...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

July 31, 2020

Sooner or later, we may need to go through the COVID-19 test. What psychological impact we may experience? How can we diffuse our worries?

One of my friends had sore throat and cough few days ago. She went to a private hospital for medical treatment. After knowing her symptoms, the staff of the hospital required...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

July 24, 2020

We need an anchor in our lives in the face of all the uncertainty and chaos in the third wave of pandemic

As the reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached record high this week in Hong Kong, there is still no sign of the pandemic being in control. Many people in the workforce...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

July 17, 2020

What are the basic emotions? Why is it important for us to experience these emotions?

As drivers, most of us had experienced a surge of fear when another driver in another lane cut the line and was on the verge of crashing into our cars. Within...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

July 10, 2020

We all need to be grounded in the face of the new national security law

The new national security law tailor-made for Hong Kong took effect on 30 June with the full text of the law being released on the same day. Many Hongkongers worried that...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

July 03, 2020

How long does a course of psychotherapy usually last?

One of my clients with narcissistic personality traits and impulse control problem initiated psychotherapy by himself when he knew his personality issues and frequent temper outbursts affected the well-being of himself...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

June 26, 2020

The anxiety behind school refusal for teenagers and its relation to attachment issue

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schooling was suspended for a few months and students were staying home to study and attend online classes. Some of my teenage clients experienced high level...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

June 19, 2020

A psychological perspective on racism

The death of George Floyd in custody in the USA ignited global demonstrations against police brutality and racism. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic also unleashed racism and xenophobia. It...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

June 12, 2020

Do our perceptions reflect the reality?

One of my clients who is a very successful professional sees himself as a very inadequate person with shame and self doubts. Another client of mine with eating disorder and is...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

June 05, 2020

Psychotherapy for interpersonal trauma in childhood

Interpersonal trauma is one of the most common issues of my clients who come to seek psychological help. Many clinical manifestations, such as clinical perfectionism, attachment issues, poor self-image and self-neglect,...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

May 29, 2020

Narrative reasoning for decision-making and embracing radical uncertainties are of paramount importance in the face of the current environment in this city

Beijing’s announcement of the determination to implement the new national security law in Hong Kong stirred up anxiety in Hongkongers as more uncertainties are expected in Hong Kong’s economic, political and...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

May 22, 2020

The need for independent thinking for our next generation – Identity Foreclosure Vs. Identity Moratorium

An unusual step taken by the Education Bureau last week on suggesting to invalidate a question in the history paper of the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam creates controversy in...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

May 15, 2020

What is psychotherapy? Is it just a chit-chat?

Despite seeking for psychotherapy is becoming more common in Hong Kong, there are still many people who do not understand what psychotherapy is.  Many people had asked questions such as “Why...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

May 08, 2020

Is there an unconscious mechanism influencing our decision making? How to be more conscious in decision making through cultivating mindfulness?

When you go hiking, you may enjoy appreciating the beautiful scenery of the trail and engaging in chatting with you friends. Almost always, we are not aware of how we walk...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

April 29, 2020

Have you questioned your meaning of life recently under the current pandemic?

Our lives have changed a lot in the face of the current pandemic, many people work and study from home, most social gatherings and meetings go virtual, the standard of hygiene...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

April 24, 2020

A reflection on existential isolation in the face of COVID-19

The single-digit increase in newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past one week in Hong Kong is a good sign, despite that we still need to observe for a longer...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

April 17, 2020

How to be a realistic optimist in the face of the current pandemic? A neurological and practical perspective.

No one will disagree that the current COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on various aspects worldwide. People’s daily lives are significantly affected. Because of the uncertainty, many are experiencing...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

April 09, 2020

Are you an introvert or extrovert? There is a neurological difference between the two groups, so as their coping with social distancing.

Many people are staying home for social distancing in recent few weeks due to the pandemic. Some individuals enjoy a lot to stay home as they are happy for engaging solitary...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

April 03, 2020

Between helplessness and hope: a reflection on the movie “The Life of Pi”

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 drastically increased in recent few weeks. Many people may already know someone who is undergoing COVID-19 testing, compulsory quarantine or is confirmed to have...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

March 27, 2020

How can we cope with the uncertainty in the face of the current pandemic?

According to experts, the next two weeks are critical for the spread of the COVID-19 in Hong Kong as many Hongknogers came back from abroad before 19 March 2020.  The number...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

March 20, 2020

Social connection is important in the face of the Coronavirus outbreak, according to neuroscience

In the face of the Coronavirus outbreak, everyone of us is trying our best to minimise social contact with others to prevent being infected. It is inevitable that we will feel...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

March 13, 2020

A reflection on minimalism in the face of the Coronavirus outbreak

I used to wear light makeup everyday in the past many years. For me, wearing makeup to work was like putting on my clothes. Since the Coronavirus outbreak, due to the...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

March 06, 2020

I washed my hands many many times each day during the Coronavirus outbreak. Do I have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

As suggested by microbiologist and infection control experts, we need to wash our hand vigorously and frequently to prevent being infected by the new Coronavirus. It is also advisable that we...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

February 28, 2020

Why people engage in panic buying in the face of the Coronavirus outbreak? How to manage our panic?

As a Honghonger, it is the first time I experienced the enormous impact of a disease outbreak on people’s buying behaviour. For a duration of more than few weeks, I cannot...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

February 21, 2020

Why people addicted to love? A reflection of the brain mechanism of romantic love after Valentine’s Day.

On Valentine’s Day, I went to have a celebration with my husband in a causal restaurant full of young lovers. In a corner table, I observed a young man was playing...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

February 14, 2020

How to be more resilient in the face of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak?

The outbreak of the Wuhan Coronavirus is causing the general public a lot of anxiety and stress. People are panicky in searching for facemasks and sanitiser. Many families are avoiding going...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

February 03, 2020

How to cope with the psychological impact of the Coronavirus outbreak?

The Coronavirus outbreak from the mainland China is still not under control. There are more new cases confirmed each day and the number of death cases is increasing. Since the cure...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

January 31, 2020

What happens to the brain when a person has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? (Part 2)

Last week, I talked about symptoms of post-traumatic stress occur when a person cannot release his or her sympathetic response (fight-or-flight response) at the material time of the event. In this...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

January 24, 2020

What happens to the brain when a person has Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? (Part 1)

In the blog of last week, I mentioned about people with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) frequently experience feared responses as if he or she is re-experiencing the trauma. What happens to...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

January 17, 2020

Some people are having Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Hong Kong due to the social unrest. What are their experiences?

A recent survey conducted by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong revealed that one in every five adults in Hong Kong suffer from either depression or Post-traumatic...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

January 10, 2020

Hongkongers need more self-compassion in the face of the current social unrest

The Hong Kong College of Psychiatry presented a survey result on 3rd January revealing that about 60% of the young people in Hong Kong suffer from moderate to severe depression in...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

January 03, 2020

Are we addicted to the self in our New Year planning?

One teenage client of mine told me recently that he had no plan for 2020 as he did not have any motivation to work on anything. With deep inquiry, I found...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

December 27, 2019

Everyone needs more love in this city in 2020

2019 is a volatile year for Hong Kong. In the past six months, Hong Kong is going through a turmoil that everyone in this city is affected. In this year end,...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

December 20, 2019

How to create a safe conversation in disagreement?

The creative team of an advertising company worked overnight to complete a project proposal because there will be a meeting with the CEO coming from abroad the next day. However, the...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

December 13, 2019

Are you feeling trapped when being in an argument with loved ones?

A husband initiated to go for a movie after returning home from work. His wife was not motivated to go out and said she just want to stay home.  The husband...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

December 06, 2019

How to enjoy coffee without being addicted? It also applies to other addiction too……

Many people nowadays drink many cups of coffee daily without really tasting or appreciating their drinks. One of my friends drinks up to five cups of coffee each day. One day,...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

November 29, 2019

Do you have inner critics?

One day, a client of mine went to a coffee shop. After she ordered a cup of cappuccino, she saw a lady beside her handed in a coffee mug to the...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

November 22, 2019

Are you distressed by your negative thoughts related to the current social unrest?

“I am useless as I did not go to the frontline of the protest to help”…… “I am a hypocrite because I went for a trip with family in Tokyo during...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

November 15, 2019

Embracing our sadness, anxiety, anger or frustration in the face of current turmoil in this city

A few weeks ago, I hurt my back due to intensive exercising. During the week throughout my injury, I can feel the pain whenever I move my back even for very...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

November 01, 2019

Can my failure be attributed to a single cause?

It is quite common for my clients to blame themselves for failure in their lives.  For instance, a student blames himself for failing an exam, a sales executive blames herself for...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

October 25, 2019

The trap of causal thinking in aversive situations

Imagined an incident in which you are being crashed by a stranger in the street.  If you interpreted that the stranger crashed you accidentally while he was scrolling his mobile phone,...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

October 18, 2019

The hatred behind some violence

In polarised situation such us the current social unrest in Hong Kong, people in the two poles of the spectrum tended to overgeneralise in perceiving members of the other group.  When...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多

October 11, 2019

The primal thinking behind exhibition of violence

No one will deny, what had happened in the past few months in Hong Kong was depressing, anxiety inducing and anger-provoking.  Hong Kong people are facing a chaotic situation that most...

Read article 閱讀更多 閱讀更多