Our Story
Serving With A Shared Purpose
Tiang Shu Hui
Clinical Psychologist
Published on 12/04/23
Tiang Shu Hui is a Clinical Psychologist at AMKFSC Community Services, Psychological Service Unit. She conducts psychoeducational assessments for children, provides psychotherapy sessions to children and adolescents, and conducts training for colleagues. She is a Social Service Scholar and holds a Master in Psychology (Clinical) from NUS.
Scholar Tiang Shu Hui have chosen to make a difference by impacting lives through the work that they do. They form part of the social service sector in Singapore which employs more than 16,000 professionals who have a passion for helping people in need.
Shu Hui is a Clinical Psychologist with AMKFSC Community Services. We sat down with them to discuss their career journeys in social service, and how the Social Service Scholarship has paved the way for them to pursue their passion to work in social service.
What inspired you to join the Social Service?
Having worked in schools as a teacher and as an Associate Psychologist, the opportunities to interact with children and youths challenged me to think deeply about how to build resilience among the younger population and to give a voice to the struggles they are facing.
Why did you choose the Social Service Scholarship?
After setting my mind on pursuing my postgraduate studies in clinical psychology, I chanced upon the Social Service Scholarship. Everything kind of fell into place at that moment. I could see myself working in the community setting, building awareness surrounding mental health and providing direct services that support mental health care.
How have you applied what you learnt in university to your current roles?
As a Clinical Psychologist working in the community, the clinical skills gleaned from the clinical psychology programme were applicable and transferable, ranging from psychological assessment skills to therapeutic approaches and research skills.
Could you tell us more about your key roles and responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
As a Clinical Psychologist, I see children and adolescents from 5 to 18 years old for psychotherapy and psychological assessments. A typical day consists of case conferences, psychotherapy and/or assessment sessions, feedback and discussion sessions with caregivers, and of course, recording case notes and completing psychological reports. Our team of psychologists also conduct internal and external trainings and workshops.
What do you think are important skills to possess in your line of work?
Listening actively with empathy and an open mind is key, so that our clients feel safe, heard, and supported. It is also important to reflect on one’s practice, to ensure that we are providing the best care we can that is tailored to the client’s needs.
What are some challenges that you often face in your job and how do you overcome them?
Some of the challenges faced by clients can be very entrenched to the extent that they feel helpless and hopeless. These feelings can be infectious in the sense that as a therapist, one can begin to experience our client’s helplessness as well. Identifying and reflecting on such moments is crucial for me. By pacing with clients, helping them to recognise what is within their realm of control, and highlighting their efforts and strengths can often be empowering.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Witnessing insight, growth, and positive change in my clients, however small they may be, brings me immense joy and keeps me going.
Lastly, what makes the social service special to you?
I count myself to be extremely fortunate to be in an organisation that strives to build an ecosystem of care with and for the families we serve, and to work with colleagues who share a similar vision and mission. As a psychological service unit within the organisation, there are ample opportunities for cross-learning and cross-pollination to birth fresh initiatives and ideas on how best to support the families we serve.
To find out more about scholarships, please click here [insert link: https://www.ncss.gov.sg/social-service-careers/scholarship-and-awards]
This article was first published in BrightSparks February 2023 magazine. Reproduced with permission from CareerBuilder (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Scholar Tiang Shu Hui have chosen to make a difference by impacting lives through the work that they do. They form part of the social service sector in Singapore which employs more than 16,000 professionals who have a passion for helping people in need.
Shu Hui is a Clinical Psychologist with AMKFSC Community Services. We sat down with them to discuss their career journeys in social service, and how the Social Service Scholarship has paved the way for them to pursue their passion to work in social service.
What inspired you to join the Social Service?
Having worked in schools as a teacher and as an Associate Psychologist, the opportunities to interact with children and youths challenged me to think deeply about how to build resilience among the younger population and to give a voice to the struggles they are facing.
Why did you choose the Social Service Scholarship?
After setting my mind on pursuing my postgraduate studies in clinical psychology, I chanced upon the Social Service Scholarship. Everything kind of fell into place at that moment. I could see myself working in the community setting, building awareness surrounding mental health and providing direct services that support mental health care.
How have you applied what you learnt in university to your current roles?
As a Clinical Psychologist working in the community, the clinical skills gleaned from the clinical psychology programme were applicable and transferable, ranging from psychological assessment skills to therapeutic approaches and research skills.
Could you tell us more about your key roles and responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
As a Clinical Psychologist, I see children and adolescents from 5 to 18 years old for psychotherapy and psychological assessments. A typical day consists of case conferences, psychotherapy and/or assessment sessions, feedback and discussion sessions with caregivers, and of course, recording case notes and completing psychological reports. Our team of psychologists also conduct internal and external trainings and workshops.
What do you think are important skills to possess in your line of work?
Listening actively with empathy and an open mind is key, so that our clients feel safe, heard, and supported. It is also important to reflect on one’s practice, to ensure that we are providing the best care we can that is tailored to the client’s needs.
What are some challenges that you often face in your job and how do you overcome them?
Some of the challenges faced by clients can be very entrenched to the extent that they feel helpless and hopeless. These feelings can be infectious in the sense that as a therapist, one can begin to experience our client’s helplessness as well. Identifying and reflecting on such moments is crucial for me. By pacing with clients, helping them to recognise what is within their realm of control, and highlighting their efforts and strengths can often be empowering.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Witnessing insight, growth, and positive change in my clients, however small they may be, brings me immense joy and keeps me going.
Lastly, what makes the social service special to you?
I count myself to be extremely fortunate to be in an organisation that strives to build an ecosystem of care with and for the families we serve, and to work with colleagues who share a similar vision and mission. As a psychological service unit within the organisation, there are ample opportunities for cross-learning and cross-pollination to birth fresh initiatives and ideas on how best to support the families we serve.
To find out more about scholarships, please click here [insert link: https://www.ncss.gov.sg/social-service-careers/scholarship-and-awards]
This article was first published in BrightSparks February 2023 magazine. Reproduced with permission from CareerBuilder (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Social Service Scholar Tiang Shu Hui is committed to building a caring and inclusive society for all through their work in the social service.
