Psychologist Adrian Toh shares his quiet moments of truth
In this episode we meet the multi-talented clinical psychologist Adrian Toh, who is driving positive change for Singapore on several fronts.As President of the Singapore Psychological Society, Adrian is advocating for regulation to set quality standards that will protect the public and elevate trust in the profession. As Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore, he’s helping to champion curiosity, compassion and cultural sensitivity among the next generation of psychologists. And as a clinical psychologist at The Other Clinic, Adrian goes to great lengths to ensure each individual client receives his full attention and expertise.Adrian has enjoyed a varied and fascinating career that has included spells working in hospital, prison, education, clinics and more. In the podcast, he shares some moving recollections of working with clients, such as one who was struggling with chronic pain, and another who was battling OCD. Adrian describes some his motivations, strategies and breakthrough moments. And he explains how standardised assessments benefit clinicians and clients alike.The breadth of his experience over the past two decades has given Adrian a bird’s eye view of how Singaporean attitudes have changed towards mental health. So, in this episode, he reflects on the bigger picture, considering where the profession has come from and where it’s headed next.(And for any younger psychologists listening, Adrian has some comforting advice to help you get through difficult phases of your career.)Subscribe to Pearson’s Moments in Mind podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.Find out more about The Other Clinic.Find out more about the National University of Singapore.Find out more about Singapore Psychological Society.Timestamps:00:04:00 Adrian’s early career dilemma and how “a quiet, honest moment of clarity” made him choose psychology00:06:00 Changing attitudes towards mental health in Singapore00:08:00 Adrian’s breakthrough moments with a client who was struggling with chronic pain00:12:00 How Adrian overcame moments of self-doubt and difficulty in his early career00:14:00 Adrian’s moments of curiosity, inspiration and joy when teaching students00:16:00 Working in a busy clinic with many clients, Adrian explains how he maintains a clear focus on each and every individual00:17:30 Adrian’s breakthrough moments with a client who was struggling with OCD00:20:20 How Adrian draws upon standardised assessments to provide clarity, structure and objectivity00:22:30 How clinical assessments are helping to maintain high standards in psychological practice in Singapore00:24:20 Adrian’s ambition to shape the future of psychology to benefit Singaporeans and clinicians alikeDisclaimerClient details and narratives presented in this podcast have been altered or omitted to protect confidentiality and privacy. Any similarities to actual individuals, events, or circumstances are entirely coincidental. Each client interaction is unique, and the outcomes or breakthroughs described are specific to the individuals involved. These examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as guarantees or promises of similar results for others.Pearson Clinical AssessmentsShop allShop training