In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning sits down with Dr. Gemma Sharp, clinical psychologist and founding director of the Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders, known as CoRe-ED, an international initiative that brings together researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience.
Together, they explore the complex ways in which appearance, self-worth, and life transitions intertwine, and how these can shape mental health.
They also discuss the work of CoRe-ED, a global consortium uniting researchers, clinicians, people with lived experience, and allies, to create more inclusive and effective responses to eating disorders.
The conversation also highlights digital innovations such as chatbots and mobile apps, weighing the opportunities and risks of AI in healthcare.
To learn more about Dr. Gemma’s work with CoRe-ED, visit www.core-ed.com.au
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning speaks with Dr. Scott Miller, founder of the International Centre for Clinical Excellence and a leading voice in behavioural health services.
They discuss the concept of deliberate practise in psychotherapy and its powerful role in improving therapeutic effectiveness. Scott shares insights from his extensive research, challenging the belief that experience alone leads to better outcomes, and explains how deliberate practise offers a structured path for clinicians to refine their skills.
To learn more about Relate Malaysia and our work visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Lou Cooper, Chair of the Australian Institute of Emotion Focused Therapy and host of the Emotion Focused Podcast.
Navigating our emotional world is rarely straightforward. Lou shares how the way we respond to feelings – whether by suppressing, managing, or exploring them – is shaped not only by our personal histories, but also by our cultural context.
The conversation highlights how easily we can bypass emotional signals, especially in cultures where emotional expression is discouraged or misunderstood.
Lou also invites us to consider what happens when we ignore or avoid our emotions: we lose access to vital information about how we’re really doing, what matters to us, and what we might need to change.
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To learn more about Relate Malaysia and its services visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of Being Human, counsellor and author Sandy Clarke speaks with psychotherapist and author Ben Yalom about Hour of the Heart, a book co-authored with his father, Dr. Irvin Yalom – renowned existential psychotherapist and professor emeritus of psychiatry at Stanford University.
They discuss core themes from the book, including the transformative power of genuine therapist-client relationships, the nuanced role of therapist self-disclosure, and the necessity of authenticity and vulnerability in the work between therapists and their clients.
Whether you're an experienced therapist or just starting out, this illuminating conversation shines a light on the most fundamental qualities of meaningful therapy.
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To learn more about Relate Malaysia and our services visit www.relate.com.my
In this special episode of Being Human, we’re featuring a short talk by Dr. Eugene Tee, an emotions researcher, educator, and author.
Originally delivered as a TEDx presentation aimed at Gen Z, this talk explores the power of character strengths – how recognising and cultivating the qualities within us can lead to a richer, more meaningful life.
While the original context was for a younger audience, the principles of character strengths are universal, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to better understand themselves and their potential.
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To learn more about Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of Being Human, we welcome back Dr. John Wilson, who joins licensed counsellor and mindfulness author Sandy Clarke to explore how our understanding of grief and bereavement has evolved over time.
From Freud’s early theories to the widely known – but often misunderstood – stages of grief, Dr. Wilson discusses how contemporary approaches in bereavement counselling offer more flexible, personalised ways of supporting those in mourning.
The conversation also explores the balance between personal grief and cultural expectations, addressing the challenges people face when navigating loss in a way that feels authentic while honouring tradition.
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To learn more about Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning speaks with Dr. Jonathan Stea, clinical psychologist and adjunct assistant professor at the University of Calgary, about the growing influence of pseudoscience in mental health.
They explore why people – regardless of intelligence – can be vulnerable to misleading health claims, the challenges of holding the wellness industry accountable, and how to critically evaluate mental health treatments.
Dr. Stea shares insights from his new book, Mind the Science, which advocates for scientific literacy in an era of misinformation. He also touches on the limitations of science, the role of cultural beliefs, and practical ways of identifying evidence-based care.
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To learn more about Relate Malaysia and our services visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning welcomes Dr. Isabelle Ong, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and certified EMDR therapist.
Dr. Ong shares her insights into Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, explaining its purpose, applications, and what clients can expect in the therapy room.
She also shares her journey into EMDR and discusses its strengths and limitations in treating various issues, including trauma, loss, and addictions.
To learn more about Dr. Ong and her services visit www.aheapfulofhope.com.
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For more information on Relate Malaysia visit www.relate.com.my
Dr. Chua Sook Ning sits down with Subang Jaya State Assemblywoman Michelle Ng to discuss mental health campaign by Relate Malaysia and the Selangor State Government, shedding light on the critical yet often overlooked issue of women's mental health.
Michelle shares her personal journey as a first-time mother, offering a candid look at the challenges many women face. The conversation explores the importance of breaking down stigmas and encouraging women to seek support when needed, whether from loved ones or mental health professionals.
They also discuss how the collaboration between Relate Malaysia and the Selangor State Government aims to transform attitudes towards mental health and provide vital resources for women in need.
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To find out more about Relate Malaysia and our work, visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of the Being Human podcast, host Dr. Chua Sook Ning sits down with Dr. Joel Low, a clinical psychologist and current president of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology.
Joel shares his personal journey and the experiences that led him to pursue a career in clinical psychology, and provides insights into what it truly means to be a clinical psychologist, shedding light on the rewards and challenges of this demanding yet fulfilling profession.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Chua and Dr. Low discuss the current state of clinical psychology training programs, discussing key issues and areas for improvement. They offer valuable advice for people considering a career in clinical psychology, helping them navigate the decision-making process and determine if this field aligns with their passions and goals.
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To find out more about Relate Malaysia's services and work, visit www.relate.com.my
In this enlightening episode, Dr Chuan Sook Ning and Dr Frederick Philippe explore the intricate ways our memories shape our current reality and mental health. They also discuss how the accumulation of past events influences our perceptions, functioning, and overall well-being.
Dr Philippe shares his insights the process of encoding and reconstructing memories, highlighting the importance of satisfying our fundamental needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. He explains how aggregating events can lead to networks of failure, or conversely, networks of resilience, depending on our approach to past experiences.
Dr. Philippe also introduces the concept of free energy, a fascinating principle that helps the brain navigate new experiences and make predictions about future events. While beneficial in the short term, this predictive mechanism can sometimes hinder our long-term mental health.
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To learn more about Relate Malaysia visit www.relate.com.my
In this fascinating episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua hosts author and therapist, Jon Frederickson, to discuss the process of therapy and the challenges we face in relating to ourselves and others.
Jon teaches, practices and supervises in Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and is an international author of several books including 'Co-creating Change', 'The Lies We Tell Ourselves', and 'Healing Through Relating.'
He also maintains a popular Facebook Page, 'Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy' where he shares his insights on a wide range of questions about the therapy process.
To find out more about Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
Grief is something we'll all come to experience at different stages in life, whether it be coping with the death of a loved one, or any significant loss such as the end of a marriage, the death of a pet, being made redundant, and so on.
And yet, despite the universality of grief, it's a topic of conversation that's often avoided as we prefer to look on the "bright side" of things or "look ahead" rather than deal with uncomfortable or devastating realities.
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning talks to Dr. John Wilson - Director of the Bereavement Service at the Communities Centre, York St. John University. John has specialised in bereavement counselling for over 25 years and shares his insights into grief, the process of grieving, and how we can support others through their bereavement.
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For more information on Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
We often hear about the importance of mental health literacy and how it can improve our ability to take care of our mental health...but what does it mean, exactly?
Exploring this question, licensed counsellor and author, Sandy Clarke, is joined by Prof. Alvin Ng of Sunway University to get his thoughts on the importance of mental health literacy.
Alvin is Associate Dean for Sunway's School of Medical and Life Sciences and he was the founding president of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology.
He's also a prominent voice of mental health advocacy in Malaysia, and shares his knowledge and valuable insights on this important topic.
To learn more about Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of Being Human, mindfulness author and Star columnist Sandy Clarke discusses the concept of acceptance with Ajahn Brahmali - a Buddhist monk from Bodhinyana monastery, Perth.
They discuss why acceptance can be difficult to work toward and how to overcome the obstacles that get in our way.
Ajahn Brahmali also shares his thoughts on the value of self-compassion as part of acceptance, and how it can help us foster compassion for and understanding toward others.
For more information on Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
As 'Being Human' marks its 50th episode, Dr. Chua Sook Ning invited the podcast's first ever guest, Prof. Jeanne Watson, for this special episode.
Jeanne is a professor at the University of Toronto and was a co-developer of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) alongside Profs. Leslie Greenberg and Robert Elliott. In recent years, she has been a supervisor and mentor to Dr. Chua who received support and guidance from Jeanne in her journey toward being a fully-certified EFT practitioner and supervisor.
In this episode, Jeanne talks about her beginnings as a fresh psychologist, under the wing of Dr. Laura Rice - former colleague of Carl Rogers - and how EFT has evolved since its early days.
She and Dr. Chua also share an illuminating conversation on the process of therapy and how it can guide people to create and navigate their process of life and living.
For more information on Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
From an award-winning music star, to radio announcer and TV host, Sarimah Ibrahim's journey is nothing short of inspiring.
In this episode of Being Human, she joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning and opens up about her life and struggles with peripartum depression - a crucial issue in women's mental health in Malaysia.
A passionate mental health advocate, Sarimah shares her personal experiences, shedding light on the pressing need for greater awareness and intervention for the 1 in 8 mothers facing peripartum depression in the country today.
She also shares her thoughts in advocating for change in Malaysia's healthcare system, where less than 30% of maternity providers screen for peripartum depression.
For more information on Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning hosts Dr. Laura Dietz - a a leading expert in Family Based Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depressed preadolescents aged 8-12 years.
They discuss what makes IPT effective in treating mental health problems in young people, and how it can also help to enable families to improve communication and strengthen their bonds.
For more information on Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
Would you say you lived life in pursuit of existential perfection? Are you the kind of person who might dwell and ruminate on mistakes made in the past as proof that you're a bad or unworthy person?
If these questions stir something deep inside, then this enlightening podcast episode is for you!
Dr. Chua Sook Ning hosts Dr. Robert Leahy - psychologist and author whose book, If Only...Finding Freedom From Regret, helps us to develop what he calls "adaptive humility" that helps us accept our imperfections and humans who always have the capacity to learn and grow.
Robert is the author of numberous books that guides people to gain valuable insights into who they are and how to move away from idealism and toward living a life that's authentic and real.
For more information on Relate Malaysia and our services, visit www.relate.com.my
In this episode of the Being Human podcast, Dr. Chua Sook Ning sits down with Syed Saddiq, a prominent Malaysian politician and the founding member of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA).
As a young and dynamic leader, Saddiq has been actively involved in youth empowerment and has a deep passion for addressing the mental health struggles faced by young people in Malaysia. Dr. Chua and Saddiq delve into various topics, including his journey into public service, the challenges he faced as a young MP, and his thoughts on youth mental health in Malaysia.
Saddiq also shares insights into how he takes care of himself physically and mentally, offering valuable advice for listeners who might be hesitant to seek help.
For more information on Relate Malaysia and its services, visit www.relate.com.my
