Summary of Findings
When we look at the perspectives and practices being offered in this issue, there are seven point that stand out.
- In general, culture plays a part in determining the relationship of therapy. For example, it determines the relationship of a group dynamics. In Singapore and Asia countries, participants are normally quiet and often see the facilitator as a leader and wait for instructions and group meetings are normally carried out in classroom style more psycho education.
- Centres that are funded by the government are known as family service centres. Therapists may find when working with clients there are certain restrictions or there are certain specific goals to achieve. Sometimes therapists are given a certain number of sessions E.g to complete in 8 sessions. The question here is how effective are the sessions? Is it helpful to the clients? For example, therapists need to work on Co-parenting but there is still grief work to be done for the client before able to move on. But Therapists are unable to work on grief due to the limitation of sessions.
- There are not many cultural differences regarding developmental stages. People seem to go through similar stages whether they reside in Western countries or in Asian countries. There is a critical point among all middle-aged women and men as to whether they choose stagnation or generativity. In all cultures, females are not facing major changes in the stages of their development – and are often choosing developmental paths that differ from the path taken by their Husband if they were married. Many of the developmental challenges center on changes in jobs and relationships—regardless of the culture in which one has grown up.
- One interesting sharing that I gained from couple relationships in Singapore was inviting the Mother in law to the Couples session. It is common in Singapore where the in laws especially the Mother of the Husband often seems to be the one who affects the couple’s relationship. It is often heard in Singapore where the Mother in law is unable to get along with the Daughter in law but seldom heard of son in law unable to get along with his Mother In law.
- We all know abuse is damaging. Growing up with abuse is damaging for any Child. When we mentioned abuse. The first thing come to mind is it physical abuse? then we move on to emotional abuse. Sometimes it makes me wonder if purely emotional abuse is it as damaging or cause more damage or less damage to physical abuse. It is difficult to gauge. I personally feel personality disorder abuse. E.g. Raised by a Narcissist Parent seems to be a upgraded version of emotional abuse.
- Treating mental health disorders, emotional issues. Other than traditional ways of medications, Western herbal medicine can be something that may be considered. This is a very new approach where an individual may have concerns whether if it can work. One can feel safe to try this approach because the individual does not have to stop the medication. Western herbal medicine aims to treat the person as a whole. Interesting and new is something like rose is known as the healer. To heal the heart. Something to explore as it is relatively new and may not be supported as much by research.
- Stress originates as a response to acute physical crises that need to be dealt with immediately to ensure survival. For animals, for example, having to walk dozens of miles every day in order to find food or water or may be eaten by a lion. Humans, however, the biggest source of stress is often psychological – stress that we simply conjure up in our own head. Humans also get stressed out about things that might happen in the future. For example, people worry about their mortgage, upcoming job interviews, and their retirement funds. We are more and more aware that stress affects our body health greatly but it seems difficult to stop stress like a switch button. We often have to learn how to manage.
