2 Hours workshop: Cultural Adaptation in psychotherapy for Collectivistic culture

Beatrice Ng-Kessler, HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist and Certified Advance Schema Therapist, Supervisor/Trainer,  certified mindfulness trainer from Canada, shares real-world insights from her extensive work with clients in private practice, as well as her own bicultural identities.  Drawing from lived clinical examples, the session explores how core concepts—like emotional needs, modes, and limited reparenting—can be meaningfully adapted to fit collectivistic cultural frameworks.   

Date: 4 Feb 2026 (Wednesday)

Time: London (BST) 9-11am / Netherlands 10-12noon / Hong Kong 5-7pm / Sydney 8-10 pm

Languages: English

Venue: on Zoom

1. Describe 3 key cultural values in collectivistic contexts and how they influence emotional expression, identity, and family relationships.

2. Identify common schema and behavioural patterns and client responses that may be shaped by collectivist cultural norms.

3. Critically evaluate the limitations of Western-centric schema concepts (e.g., autonomy, boundaries) in cross-cultural therapy settings.

4. Apply 2-way process to tactfully handle the conflicted needs within clients from collectivistic culture. 

5. Enhance cultural humility in clinical work by reflecting on their own therapeutic stance and assumptions.

Course Outline:

１ Cultural Context: Working with Clients from collectivistic culture 
- Key values: filial piety, emotional restraint, “face”
- How collectivism and Confucian values shape self-concept
- Therapist cultural assumptions: Western individualism vs. relational self

2 Clinical Applications Adjustment
- Pathology redefined, when the norm crushed with the theory
- Ease the tension between autonomy and family harmony by two-way process 
- Adaptations in experiential interventions:: Video demonstration

3 Case Example / Reflections
- Brief anonymised clinical vignette (can be your own)
- Group reflection or journaling prompt
“What assumptions do I bring to therapy about emotional expression or family roles?”

4. Q&A

*CPD certificate provided only to people who can join in Live session.**

Remarks for Participants from Hong Kong: This program is accredited by HKAEP, HKICP.

Applying accreditation from HK College of Physicians, College of Psychiatrists, HKPS (DCP, DEP, DCOP).

Trainer: Beatrice Ng-Kessler, Registered Clinical Psychologist from UK and HK, a Certified Mindfulness Trainer from Canada, and ISST accredited Advance Certified Schema Therapist (Individual), Supervisor/Trainer.   She authored the first-ever Chinese Schema Therapy book 「基模治療」to address the needs of cultural adaptation.  

Target participants:  Mental health professionals, doctors, psychologists, therapists, counsellors, social workers and Schema Therapy practitioners.

Early bird rate (payment made before 2026): £60 (individual) / £45 (Group of 3+ applicants or Beatrice's supervisee, either group or individual)

Rate (payment made from 1 Jan 2026: £80 / £60 (group of 3+ or Beatrice’s supervisee, either group or individual) 

An official invoice can be provided if payment is made through an organization or institution

Please check the link below:
https://forms.gle/sNGbpqx7YShn8BNb6