Life Coaching

Clinical Case Studies, Treatment Approaches, , , , , , , ,

This young lady approached me around July last year, telling me that she didn’t think she has major psychological problems, but she needed help. When I first saw her, she said she’d like to resit some SPM papers, but really lack the motivation. And it’s been 2-3 years that she didn’t get this done.

I wasn’t used to taking clients/patients who are “well”. Normally my clients score really highly on any depression/anxiety or emotional distress scales. But at that time I thought I’d like a mixture of different clients, so we started to work together, on her problems like procrastination, handling negative emotions like anger and fear, handling worries and negative thoughts, setting up a routine and practice following it through, also some impulsive behaviour issues.

It didn’t take long or many sessions. Most of the therapy goals were achieved. I contacted her recently, she said she’s doing her barista work while waiting for the SPM results.

I realised this is like what I do with many clients towards the end of their treatment (when they are a lot more stable), or when they have been taking medication and are referred to me by the psychiatric consultants (so their symptoms had eased a lot when they first see me). I also think this is what a lot of people need, before they accumulate so many problems that they can’t solve, feeling worse and worse about themselves, and starting to fall into depression or other problems.

So I have decided to write this piece on “life coaching”, as it can work almost like a prevention, using hypnotherapy, mindfulness-based CBT and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy).

Do leave a comment or get in touch (email hello@huibee.com or whatsapp 0172757813) if you’re hoping to achieve some of those:

  • Becoming more confident generally
  • Becoming more confident in a specific area/situation
  • More motivation to study/work
  • Clarifying your goals in life/career/future
  • Tackling procrastination!
  • Solving specific problems in your life
  • Becoming a better problem solver generally
  • Clarifying your life values/directions
  • Starting to take actions towards your goals
  • Becoming more emotional resilient
  • Handling negative emotions and thoughts and worries
  • More focus and better control on your attention (expanding your attention span)
  • Better communication
  • Better expression of emotions and feelings
  • Being accountable to your fitness and diet plans to maintain or lose weight
  • Tackling all sorts of fear (e.g. talking to boss/authority, darkness, height, dating etc)
  • Speaking up your mind & defending your rights
  • …and more

Becoming a Hypnotherapist? (Online Course!)

Treatment Approaches, , ,

Many of you might be aware that I was trained by the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy back in 2012 and have a diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy. There used to be some readers messaging me to ask about taking the same course. And now! It’s launched! The online diploma training is now available!

Click the following link for more information about this Online Hypnotherapy Course.

And you have two options to take this training:

    1. Tutor supported (15 hours)
    2. Self-led

Why do I recommend this and not any other course? Not because I took this or I knew the director/principal/trainer of the College (he doesn’t even know that I’m writing this!), but because this is the only place that provides the most scientific and evidence-based hypnotherapy training, no bullsh*t! The course content is all based on experimental and clinical research, and still, you can become a hypnotherapist after completing the course.

Let me know if you have any questions about it. Or, go to the College’s website to find out more.

ACT Malaysia

Treatment Approaches, , , , ,

Most readers of my blog know my passion on ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), and I’ve always felt quite “lonely” here as when I first came across it, I was in the UK, and when I practice it here in Malaysia, I have no one to talk about it with. So I’ve written this post about 9 months ago, paging for ACT Therapist in Malaysia.

I guess luck is on my side, few months ago Dr Eugene Koh from UPM contacted me. A group of them, who are psychiatric consultants cum ACT practitioners, are forming an ACT group.

So here is the website: https://www.actmalaysia.com/

These are some other ACT therapists in Malaysia: https://www.actmalaysia.com/?page_id=299 (if you would like to join us, please write to actinmalaysia@gmail.com)

That’s me on the website: https://www.actmalaysia.com/?page_id=367

Utterly grateful with their hard work of putting things together and connecting us! Looking forward to this community growing stronger and better together, supporting each other.

锚定技术：如何在极端情绪中让自己平静下来度过它？

Basic & General, Treatment Approaches, ,

这是一个简短的“锚定”(dropping anchor)录音，适用于当您感到强烈的情绪并希望将自己引导到当下、此时此地的情况，并很好的面对／充分利用您所处的情况。（理想情况下，您必须已经和我在会谈中做过这个练习。）

5分钟锚定录音

基本上是以下几个步骤：

  • 注意并承认您的痛苦想法。你在想什么？头脑说些什么？ （“我注意到我在想我不够好，我是失败的人”）
  • 注意并确认您的感受和情绪。您的身体感觉如何？ （沉重的胸口？肩膀绷紧？头痛？麻木？手冰冷？等等）
  • 回到您的身体，坐直／站直，感受脚下的地板在支持着你；将指尖放在一起，舒展一下，呼吸几下。
  • 用您的感官与外部环境建立联系。您能看见什么？你能听到什么？您可以触摸/品尝/闻到什么？（比如：识别您能听到的五个声音？）
  • 行动：既然您已经处于这种情况下了，那么您可以做些什么来更好的利用此时此地呢？

请注意，没有必要完全遵循这些步骤。当我练习时，我并不会跟着步骤进行。有时您可以快速执行，甚至在30秒内重复几次。

重要的是要注意，疼痛并没有消失，但是不管头脑在说什么，您的感觉如何，您仍然可以注意到还有很多其他事情正在发生（痛苦是整个环境中的其中一部分，可以选择不把所有注意力放在痛苦上），并采取有效行动朝着更有意义和充实的生活迈进。

English version of Dropping Anchor

Training/Employment opportunities for Asperger/Autistic Young Adults

Developmental Disorder

I’ve previously written a post introducing intervention programmes for autistic children in Malaysia (see here). Today, I’d like to share a little finding on what young adults, especially (but not limited to) those with better functioning can do.

# Enabling Academy by Gamuda

The academy provides courses that “equip trainees with relevant soft skills and practical job training that are essential for employability”. I have had a client who were first few graduates from there and is now working in the finance industry. It doesn’t just prepare them for employment, but also pairs them with suitable job, and enables them to meet and socialise with people with similar “problems”.

Website: https://gamuda.com.my/sustainability/yayasan-gamuda/enabling-academy/

(Bravos to Gamuda for doing this! And undeniably hoping more and more big companies are doing this!)

 # United Voice 

The United Voice calls itself a “Self-advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities”. It also provides handcraft and baking courses, and counselling services.

Website: https://www.unitedvoice.com.my/

# Hua Ming Autism Society

The society provides “vocational skill training for youth with autism above 16 years old” every Sunday. More details here.

# Bloomers Training House

This is a job training and employment centre, whose mission is “To integrate Young Adults with Special Needs into an inclusive society by providing them with meaningful Training and Employment.” So it’s not just for autism, but also other differently-abled young adults, like ADHD and Down syndrome.

Website: https://www.bloomerstraininghouse.com/

And of course don’t forget about the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM)! From assessment, early intervention, to transition and vocational programmes, all are available.

Website: http://www.nasom.org.my/

These are what I can find at the moment, please do let me know if you’re aware of any other relevant opportunities for them, by commenting below or write to me at hello@huibee.com

On a site note: there is a great award winning Malaysian produced true story based movie on autism “Guang” （光）which is pretty inspiring. Do watch it if you haven’t already.

Spoon-feeding information

Basic & General

Warning: This is a grumbling post. Read and take it seriously but not too seriously.

pm

Friend shared this this morning, I had a laugh followed by a frown. The problem has been there, this culture of “pm” under any and every post. I didn’t know that they even do it over whatsapp now for job application. Hello, you’re in whatsapp, it’s already pm lah. 

Definitely understand the frustration. I received this on my work email the other day:

PNSS

Don’t see any problem? Here is my very kind reply:

responsegmail

How can a group of students working on a project together, and none of them knows the mighty Google? It’s like the first result coming out can answer any question they might have about the scale. And what? “There is not even a single word information about the developer of this tool”

Some other ones I received that I can still remember:

AllInTitle

First of all, I’m not a Sir, but okay, you didn’t know, I accept it. Second, do you know what title is for? Third, where is your content? Fourth, what’s ADCP (expecting me to google myself lah) Fifth, which scale? Sixth, “its” not “it’s”. Seventh, correction “research” 10 times please. This I didn’t bother to reply. Eh but I sort of replied here already.

rudeemail

I don’t know what to say.

Sometimes we can be quite frustrated when patients read too much on the internet, leading to non-compliant of treatment or non-seeking help (just self-diagnose and treat). But I really won’t deny that the internet has provided extensive information so handy that if you have a red eye now late at night, you can roughly read about it online and see what you can do or not do till you see an eye specialist the next morning etc etc.

But I see that people are taking things for granted. It’s good to just ask when you’re unsure, but please ask good questions, and when you do, ask nicely, be clear and casual is okay. I’m not asking for a formal letter (you know what is that?), just a “Hi”, who you are and why you’re writing. Is it that difficult?