why storytelling (narrative)?
Storytelling is therapeutic because it is a process of self-acceptance. Through therapeutic storytelling, you begin to reclaim who you are, construct what kind of work and lifestyle do you want, and generate unique solutions on how to transform emotional turmoil into inner resource so that you can move forward to where you find meaning.
故事是人生的隱喻, 一種發生的可能性.
每個故事都是一條[自我]理解世界的路徑, 幫助我們脫離迷惘狀態, 提供生活建議.
— 麥成輝
故事是人生的隱喻, 一種發生的可能性.
每個故事都是一條[自我]理解世界的路徑, 幫助我們脫離迷惘狀態, 提供生活建議.
— 麥成輝
is change possible?
Making change in your personal or work life often means leaving your comfort zones (e.g., facing unfamiliarity and uncertainty), which can anxiety-provoking. Nevertheless, without fear there cannot be courage (i.e., two sides of the same coin). Through telling your stories of suffering in a supportive therapeutic space, you will move from fear to courage. Counselling does take time and efforts, yet if you persevere with patience and openness you shall see change.
does seeing a psychologist mean I am weak?
This is very much the most common myth about 'seeing a psychologist'. Such myth is probably due to another common myth that 'psychologists tell you the solutions to your problems'. People who hold such myths tend to think “I went and it didn’t work” and end counselling prematurely. The philosophy of counselling psychology is about facilitating people's autonomy and cultivating resilience inside them. "One size fits all" advice-giving, skills teaching, and providing solution right away only perpetuate "perceived weakness" and dependence of people, and imply a lack of trust in people's potential. These approaches actually go on in the opposite direction of what counselling psychology truly is. As a result, you will be guided to take an active role in the counselling process, using your strengths to find answers to your own dilemmas.
why self-awareness matters?
All life-career decisions are personal. Therefore, understanding yourself honestly and holistically is critical in the decision-making process. Individuals are at different levels in terms of self-awareness. Knowing that humans are not perfect, we all have blind-spots and soft-spots. The more you are open to looking within yourself from multiple perspectives, the lesser chance you will make regretful decisions.
will career counselling help me find a job?
InnerSOURCE supports and guides every client in all aspects of his/her career development, ranging from making a career decision to implementing his/her own career/education plan to adjusting to his/her new life/work role(s). After undergoing systematic career exploration, the counselling psychologist would guide the client through the job search process via credible resources. InnerSOURCE is not a job placement agency that links the client with a specific job, yet we can make recommendation/referral. Often time though, many clients gained significant courage and autonomy in career counselling that they expressed readiness to find jobs on their own, and then they may return to seek continuous support in work adjustment issues.
how often do I need to come?
It depends on the nature of your concern and the stage of counselling you are at. After your first appointment, typically, you would begin counselling work by meeting with the psychologist once a week. This is to allow you time between sessions to integrate the insights and healing experienced in the counselling session. If, however, the nature of concern involves crisis (e.g., danger to your life or life of others), then the frequency of counselling may increase accordingly. Generally speaking, when you have experienced significant growth and change, counselling frequency may be decreased (e.g., every other week, every month). As a client, you are welcome to discuss with your psychologist about session frequency and readiness for termination.
how many sessions does career counselling generally take?
Each client's career story is unique, so does the career exploration process. The duration for career counselling varies from client to client. Career counselling may take 5-7 sessions, or as long as 6 months or more. Your openness to self-exploration and commitment to counselling are critical to make therapeutic progress. In most cases, clients would feel ready to move on and can end counselling work when they have reached the therapeutic outcomes.
what should I expect on my first appointment?
The first appointment (70 minutes) is for the psychologist to get to know you, as well as for you to get familiar with the counselling process. The first session would also include discussing why you came for counselling and what you want to get out of it. You will begin your self-exploration journey by narrating your career-life stories.
how confidential is counselling service?
Confidentiality and privacy together is the basis of professional counselling service. Things discussed in counselling will not be released to others without your consent. Before your first appointment, we request that you read and sign an informed consent form (輔導服務同意書), which states what to expect in the counselling process and our confidentiality policy. If you have any questions about the confidentiality policy, you are encouraged to talk to the psychologist before or during the first meeting.
what is counselling psychology?
Counselling Psychology (輔導心理學) is an internationally recognized profession in Applied Psychology; it has been developed for six decades in the United States. Specifically, Vocational Psychology and Counselling is a distinct specialty of Counselling Psychology.
Counselling Psychology is strongly grounded in prevention with developmental approaches to people's well-being. For example, transition between high school and university, role adaptation from being single to being married, “mid-life crisis”, “empty nest”, and transition from worker to retiree can bring distress to people across ages. As a result, counselling psychologists serve the majority of population, and aspire to not pathologizing (病態化) people's life-career difficulties. Counselling psychologists believe that every person has potentials and strengths to find their own ways to solve problems. Furthermore, counselling psychologists espouse diversity and thus advocate psychological and vocational well-being of the minority populations (e.g., ethnic and sexual minorities).
Counselling Psychology is strongly grounded in prevention with developmental approaches to people's well-being. For example, transition between high school and university, role adaptation from being single to being married, “mid-life crisis”, “empty nest”, and transition from worker to retiree can bring distress to people across ages. As a result, counselling psychologists serve the majority of population, and aspire to not pathologizing (病態化) people's life-career difficulties. Counselling psychologists believe that every person has potentials and strengths to find their own ways to solve problems. Furthermore, counselling psychologists espouse diversity and thus advocate psychological and vocational well-being of the minority populations (e.g., ethnic and sexual minorities).
what is the difference between "psychologists" and "psychiatrists"?
A person with an occupational title of “psychologist” (心理學家) should have a doctoral degree in Psychology; while in Hong Kong, “psychologists” also include those received a master degree in Psychology. Psychiatrists (精神科醫生) are medical doctors specializing in psychiatry, who can prescribe psychotropic medications. In a collaborative approach to mental health, psychologists may refer clients to see a psychiatrist for psychiatric evaluation in order to facilitate therapeutic progress in counselling.
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Consultation by Appointment | Referrals are Welcome
Consultation by Appointment | Referrals are Welcome