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Areas of expertise
ADHD
I have extensive experience working with those who have ADHD as well as those who have a combination of ADHD and comorbidities such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although society is more aware of ADHD now, it often remains unnoticed until you find the right avenues for treatment. As a result, you may have experienced difficulties in various aspects of your life including work, social interactions, and personal well-being. These difficulties can occur either directly from symptoms of ADHD or its accompanying conditions. With proper treatment, individuals often feel much better and symptoms are improved.
In some cases, you might become aware that you have ADHD because a relative has received a diagnosis. Perhaps you have read about it online or have a friend recently diagnosed and you experience similar symptoms. Or maybe, you experience repeated challenges in various aspects of your life and you reach out to talk to someone about them and they suggest an ADHD assessment. I take a person-centric and recovery based approach to ADHD assessment and treatment. This is because each case is unique and doesn’t stop after diagnosis. The struggles you face will be different to others and post-diagnosis, your personal recovery journey will begin. Together, we will identify your problem areas and your goals, and create a comprehensive treatment plan that you are happy with.
Cross-Cultural Psychiatry
I have extensive experience working with people from different cultural backgrounds and I am particularly interested in the effect of culture on illness. Cross-cultural psychiatry focuses on understanding the impact of cultural differences on mental health and psychological well-being. I come from a multicultural background and have practiced as a psychiatrist in Hong Kong for over 20 years before coming to the United Kingdom so I understand the struggles and obstacles you may be facing when moving away from home to a different country.
Sometimes the stress of moving to another country is overwhelming and you may need some support. You might have noticed that your symptoms have been getting worse since you arrived. Maybe you have a psychiatrist in your home country, but now you are looking for a specialist here. Or you’re a university student, and you want to continue the treatment you started back home. Whatever the case, I’m here to lend a hand. When it comes to your struggles, I’m here with a caring and understanding approach. I will listen to your story, your cultural background, and what really matters to you as an individual. Together we will identify the obstacles you are facing, and work to understand why they exist. Then, step by step we will work on overcoming each of them.
Providing Second Opinions
If you’re unsure about your current diagnosis or treatment plan, you can ask for a second opinion. I can review your current diagnosis or treatment plan and provide a fresh perspective. Sometimes, having a second opinion can make all the difference. Perhaps you don’t understand what your treatment plan covers or what it means for you. I’ll take the time to go through it with you step by step, making sure you understand the prognosis, the treatment process and how you can maintain your well-being moving forward. I will make sure that your questions are answered and that you feel comfortable, empowered and supported as you start your journey to recovery through treatment.
I understand that in some cases, the relationship with your current psychiatrist or healthcare professionals might not be the best fit. If that is true, don’t worry, I am here to help. I will review your treatment plan and see whether the suggested plan may be helpful for you. When we work together, I will take a fresh look at your situation, considering your past psychiatric history, previous treatments and diagnosis. Occasionally, I might find that the diagnosis given to you is different to the one I am making, and this could make a big difference to your treatment path. If my perspective differs from your earlier diagnosis, I will communicate with your previous psychiatrist to discuss the benefits of a new approach. If it makes sense, we’ll start a new treatment plan together and closely monitor its effects on alleviating your symptoms. Throughout this journey, I’ll be right by your side on the way to recovery.
My approach to treatment
I understand that seeing a new psychiatrist can bring feelings of anxiety, nervousness and overwhelm. It's natural to experience these emotions when meeting someone for the first time, especially when opening up to discuss your personal issues. It is important to remember that I’m here to support you. My goal is to create a comforting and empathetic space, and together we can take things step by step, to address your concerns and find the most suitable path for your recovery.
My approach to treatment is centred around you. I’m here to listen to your troubles and help you provide the information I need for assessment. During the first consultation, I will ask you more about your condition and symptoms to gain a deeper understanding of your day to day struggles. If you are apprehensive, I will give you enough time to sit and get comfortable with me. I will explain the process from start to finish, and any challenges or hurdles we might encounter along the way. If you are nervous or unsure about this, don’t worry, it’s completely normal.
We will start our conversation by discussing as much or as little about the issues you are facing. If you share with me the things you are finding difficult, we can choose one and start there. If there is something sensitive that you don’t want to discuss yet, we can note it down and come back to it in the future when you are feeling more comfortable. Recovery is not a race and I want you to take it all in your own time. All of our time together will be in a relaxed environment. During this process, I’ll guide you through a comprehensive assessment of your symptoms. This will cover your current issues and challenges, family history, personal history, personality, past experiences with medication, and your medical and psychiatric history. Sometimes, with your consent, it can be helpful to speak with your family, partner or relatives to better understand the same problem, but from a different angle. This approach can be valuable in piecing together a holistic understanding of the problem. Once I have determined the diagnosis, together we’ll decide on the best treatment approach and I will begin to create your personalised treatment plan.
Personalised treatment plans
Every treatment plan is designed uniquely for you because your experiences and circumstances are one of a kind. Your family background, medical history, childhood experiences, and personal interpretation of the problems you are facing are different to anyone else. Therefore, all of these factors need to be considered when creating a treatment plan for you. Every detail you share during our sessions, adds a layer of personalisation to your treatment plan. This also means that you have a plan that is tailored to you, one you feel comfortable with.
In every treatment journey, psychoeducation is always the first step. I’ll provide you with information that explains your diagnosis, symptoms and treatments. This will help you to be fully informed and understand the pathways available to you. For psychiatric treatment, I’ll explain the different options of treatment as well as the benefits and side effects of each. If psychological treatment is needed, a clinical psychologist may be part of your plan. I also believe that your lifestyle is crucial to your well-being. Eating and sleeping well, along with extensive social support are essential parts of your treatment. In order to provide a complete holistic approach, I work with different disciplines like dietitians, doctors from other specialities, physicians, and therapists. I liaise with them when I think you might benefit from their speciality and this will help you in a multidisciplinary way, a whole-body approach. Then by collaborating with you, your family if you wish, and professionals from other disciplines, I will create a comprehensive personalised treatment plan that resonates with you and your cultural background. Once you are comfortable and happy with the plan, we will begin treatment. I will closely monitor your symptoms and any side effects, as well as watch for improvements.
Medication
I view medication as one of the many valuable tools to help mental health conditions. I believe that the combination of medications, psychotherapy and other personalised approaches will give you the best chance of long-term recovery. When discussing medication, I always prioritise open and honest communication with you throughout this process and it is my goal to ensure you remain informed and empowered to make the best decision for you. It is important for you to understand the different medications available, the potential advantages, side effects and long-term effects of these, and the duration in which you may need to take them. I always follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines when recommending medication as a treatment.
My goal is to reduce the medication once you are feeling stable and as soon as it is safe. When the time comes, I will support and assist you in titrating the medications, and together we will monitor your condition and any possible side effects so that you can reduce the medication safely and remain stable and healthy.
Education & Training
Currently, I’m an Adult Psychiatrist at the London Psychiatry Clinic and I run my private psychiatry practice in Hong Kong. I’m registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Medical Council of Hong Kong. I am a fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and a member of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine. I completed my specialist psychiatry training in 2003 and also received a Masters in Medical Science from the University of Hong Kong.
I have run my private practice in Hong Kong for the past 20 years and previous to this, I worked as a private psychiatrist in both outpatient and inpatient settings in Hong Kong. Alongside this, I have worked as a volunteer for many years visiting young people in schools with the support of social workers. I enjoy this work as it gives me the opportunity to connect with the students and offer support. It also inspires me to continue making a positive impact in people’s lives.
Personal interests
Alongside running my private practice in Hong Kong, I have always enjoyed listening to the rhythms of Cantonese music. I also have a keen interest in fashion and I spend time exploring and appreciating the latest trends and styles.
