MA students enjoying Singapore study abroad trip

Chris Hudson, Head of Psychological Therapies and Mental Health and Dr John Hills, Senior Lecturer in Psychological Therapies and Mental Health at Leeds Beckett University led the trip to Singapore accompanied by six MA Integrative Counselling students Kate Boardman, Alexis Caught, Sara Cookland, Samantha Fletcher, Helen Slater and Gurchehn Singh. The purpose of the trip was to extend the overseas (and on campus) international experiences for students on the MA Integrative Counselling course by visiting an overseas institution which provides directly comparable courses. 

Helen Slater, Leeds Beckett MA Integrative Counselling student said, 
“As part of the MA Integrative Counselling course student visit to Singapore, our first afternoon was spent with College of Allied Educators (CAE) students and teachers. Starting the trip with a fantastic workshop led by experienced therapist and supervisor, Henry Tan. Henry shared valuable insights from his supervision practice of common challenges trainee counsellors face, before helping us dive deeper into our own personal challenges in the counselling setting. 

Another great session was the processing group facilitated by Richard Lim, combining the cultural diversity of the LBU students and those studying at CAE. Richard noted that homogeneous groups have blind spots given their shared unconscious societal backgrounds. Therefore, it is a fabulous opportunity to experience first-hand how the diversity of groups can improve the processing experience.

A powerful aspect of this session was when one of the CAE students shared something with the group, that they hadn’t shared to date with their module group. Richard acknowledged this could be due to the individual feeling less likely to be identified as an outsider in a more diverse group.”

Gurchehn Singh, another MA student from the study abroad trip, said:
“I feel really privileged to be in Singapore and share my experience on being on the Integrative Counselling course with my peers from College of Allied Educators. Getting off the plane in Singapore was surreal, we have received such a welcome from everyone we have encountered.

The impressive visit started with getting to know the team of specialists from Sunlove Abode care home, and the students from the College of Allied Educators, who participate in therapeutic placements at the care home. We were interested to hear about the different integrated teams working to support residents with their physical and mental health. As a nation the importance of elderly care is important. We visited the wards and engaged with some of the residents, we were impressed with the activities.

One of my favourite sessions was the group therapy, I worked with Charlene from CAE who works with families who have children on the autistic spectrum, we discussed the difficulties that diverse cultures face around shame and being judged by families and friends that may prevent them seeking out support. It was interesting to learn that while the UK and Singapore are far apart, these cultural beliefs are similar.

We discussed how sad it makes us feel, both being from cultural backgrounds, how stigma can overshadow families and delay or stop them from seeking support. We acknowledged that the power of acceptance in diverse cultures could be so beneficial if people were brave enough to share experiences.”