Dr. Gregor Lim-Lange

Here’s a five-paragraph framework highlighting the most effective aspects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailored for psychoeducational clarity and emotional resonance: 1. Radical Acceptance as Foundation DBT begins with the paradoxical power of acceptance. Instead of resisting reality or judging emotions, clients learn to radically accept their experience as it is painful, messy, beautiful, incomplete. This isn’t passive surrender; it’s the first courageous step toward change. Acceptance softens shame and builds the emotional safety needed for transformation. 2. Emotion Regulation as Skillful Navigation Rather than suppressing or being overwhelmed by emotions, DBT teaches clients to understand their emotional patterns, reduce vulnerability, and build positive experiences. It reframes emotions as signals not threats and equips clients with tools to respond wisely. This empowers people to move from emotional chaos to grounded clarity. 3. Distress Tolerance as Crisis Survival When life feels unbearable, DBT offers practical, portable tools to survive the moment without making it worse. Techniques like distraction, self-soothing, and reality acceptance help clients ride the wave of distress. These skills don’t erase pain they build resilience, offering a lifeline when logic and language shut down. 4. Interpersonal Effectiveness as Boundary and Bridge DBT teaches how to ask for what you need, say no, and maintain self-respect—all while preserving relationships. It’s a dance between assertiveness and empathy, boundary and connection. Clients learn to communicate with clarity and compassion, transforming conflict into collaboration and isolation into intimacy. 5. Mindfulness as the Thread That Weaves It All Mindfulness is the heartbeat of DBT. It trains attention, fosters presence, and interrupts automatic reactions. Clients learn to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment, creating space between impulse and action. This cultivates self-awareness, emotional regulation, and the capacity to choose rather than react.

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Evidence-based and research-informed practice is one of my core values—and it is also the mission of Mind HK 香港心聆 . As both a practitioner and an administrator, I do not have pressures of academic publication. But I believe in a scientist practitioner model - why is evidence-based practice so important to us? Because data guides us in improving the way we support others. In psychological practice, I often wonder why evidence-based approaches are not more widely adopted or disseminated in the field. Imagine visiting a medical doctor, asking about the rationale behind a prescribed treatment, and being told,“I like this approach.” That would be unsettling, wouldn’t it? You’d want to hear that the treatment is a first-line recommendation, supported by research. Yet, in psychology, this disconnect between evidence and practice often persists. With this in mind, I’m happy to share our latest publication with Hong Kong Baptist Univeristy on low-intensity psychological interventions using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for youth and young adults. This dissemination study shows promising results in reducing psychological distress among young people. What’s more, with a research-informed mindset, we’ve refined the youth protocol and are already collecting initial data—showing significantly improved recovery rates. At Mind HK, we are committed to bridging the gap between research and practice, ensuring that young people receive the best possible care. Full article: https://lnkd.in/g9SdAC6i I would like to thank you for all the contributions from our graduated YWPs, Mind HK’s team, Dr. Hannah Reidy Dr. Hannah Sugarman Dr Esther Wong Rachel Wong, more importantly MINDSET Hong Kong | The Jardine Matheson Group Charity as our strategic partner and sponsor for the very first cohort of iACT (youth) training (formerly called YWP). #mindhk #mentalhealth #steppedcaremodel #evidencebasedpractice #mentalhealthmatters #psychologicalintervention

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Unlock the depths of the Psychiatric disorder with Kaplan Psychiatry Notes. It is a guiding light for understanding, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders. From foundational theories to clinical applications, this resource bridges knowledge with practice. Every page refines your insight into human behavior and cognitive processes. A must read for aspiring psychiatrists and mental health professionals.

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Post-modern Therapies: Congruence or Dissonance with Islāmic Spirituality DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-72724-5_9 In book: Exploring the Intersection of Islāmic Spirituality and Psychotherapy (2025) Abstract This chapter explores the intersection of post-modern therapies with Islāmic spirituality, examining congruences and dissonances to establish a framework for spiritually and culturally sensitive therapeutic approaches. The chapter begins with an introduction to post-modern therapies, setting the stage for an in-depth analysis of specific therapeutic models. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is examined for its alignment and misalignment with Islāmic beliefs, leading to the proposal of an Islāmic-Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (I-SFBT) that harmonises SFBT principles with Islāmic spirituality. Narrative therapy is similarly analysed—with a focus on its congruence with Islāmic values and areas of conflict—culminating in the development of an Islāmic contemplative-based approach to narrative therapy. The chapter concludes with an overview of hope therapy, emphasising the integration of Islāmic principles to create Islāmic-based hope therapy. This therapy incorporates spirituality, emphasising faith in Allāh and community support, fostering resilience and optimism. By addressing both spiritual and psychological needs, these adapted therapies offer a comprehensive framework for Islāmic psychotherapists. The chapter demonstrates how post-modern therapeutic models can be adapted to respect and integrate Islāmic spirituality, thus providing effective and meaningful support for Muslim clients.

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Exploring the Tripartite Model: A Unified Framework for Psychotherapeutic Transformation This model offers a comprehensive approach to understanding lasting change from a psychoanalytic perspective through three complementary lenses: - Experiential Field Theory (EFT): Focuses on the “felt sense” of the therapeutic moment, emphasizing lived experience and rooted in Interpersonal-Relational traditions and complexity science. - Active Inference Therapy (AIT): Delves into the mechanisms of change, utilizing predictive processing and Bayesian inference to explain how transformation occurs. - Personalized Self State Mapping (PSSM): Maps personality dynamics over time, building on the work of Janet and contemporary trauma/dissociation studies. It maintains flexibility regarding multiplicity and trauma, allowing for a continuum. These three components integrate experience, mechanism, and structure into a cohesive therapeutic framework. For more insights and detail, visit: https://lnkd.in/eG6wApXT #psychoanalysis #psychotherapy #neuroscience #activeinference #experiential

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Modern Therapeutic Interventions Every Psychologist Must Know Because therapy isn’t what it used to be; it’s evolving, just like the human mind. In today’s rapidly shifting psychological landscape, clients are more informed, diverse, and complex than ever. A therapist’s toolkit must expand beyond traditional CBT and talk therapy to stay relevant and effective. Here are modern, evidence-based interventions that every forward-thinking Psychologist should be equipped with: • Polyvagal-Informed Therapy → Understand the nervous system’s role in trauma, regulation, and connection. → Use tools like breathwork, grounding, and safe cues to rewire safety responses. • Internal Family Systems (IFS) → Recognize “parts” within the client: exiles, managers, and firefighters. → Heal from within by fostering Self-leadership and compassion-based change. • Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) → Ideal for clients stuck in shame or harsh self-criticism. → Builds emotional regulation through self-kindness and affiliation systems. • Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) → Especially powerful for refugees, survivors, and complex trauma cases. → Clients structure their trauma into a coherent story — creating meaning and distance. • Mindfulness-Based Somatic Practices → Go beyond traditional mindfulness into embodiment, movement & trauma release. → Techniques: Somatic Experiencing, TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises). • ACT 2.0 (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy - Evolved) → The fusion of mindfulness, values, and committed action. → Especially helpful for those feeling “stuck” despite insight. • Digital Mental Health Integration → AI-driven mental health apps, journaling bots, and real-time mood tracking. → Use tech to augment therapy, not replace it. • Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (Emerging) → With research backing MDMA & Psilocybin for PTSD, depression & existential distress. → Ethical knowledge is a must — even if you’re not practicing it. • Eco-Therapy & Nature-Based Interventions → Acknowledge climate anxiety, digital burnout, and the healing power of nature. → Simple interventions with profound grounding impact. • Biofeedback & Neurofeedback → Real-time insights into brainwaves and physiological states. → Clients learn self-regulation in a data-driven way. Why it matters? Because therapeutic innovation isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. The next generation of psychologists won’t just talk; They’ll decode, rewire, regulate, and co-create healing experiences. Let’s raise the bar. Therapy 3.0 is here. ______________ Salman Khan

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Conference: Japanese Association of Health Psychology (JAHP) I was delighted to give a conference paper and also a keynote on 20th September 2025 at the recent JAHP conference. The conference theme was: The Future of Well-Being: The Potential of Positive Approaches in Health Psychology. The paper I gave was titled: The development of coaching psychology as an academic and professional psychological discipline: An international perspective. The keynote was titled: The theory, research and practice of wellbeing and health coaching and the possible development of health coaching psychology Keynote abstract: Over the past 25 years health coaching has become well-established health intervention in many countries. Research has demonstrated that health coaching is effective for addressing a wide range of health-related issues. Could the fields of counselling, positive, coaching and health psychology bring a deeper understanding of the psychological factors that influence health behaviours, such as motivation, stress, and coping mechanisms? This could deliver a more comprehensive personalised approach to health coaching practice, addressing not only the behavioural aspects but also the underlying psychological factors that may impact a client's ability to achieve their health goals. This paper will provide an overview of the theories, research, and practices in wellbeing and health coaching. It will also explore how psychologists can apply their knowledge and skills to the emerging field of health coaching psychology. As I was already on a pre-booked holiday in Cornwall and not in Japan, I had to Zoom into the conference, as seen in the photo below! A huge thank you to the supportive conference team including Prof Yoriko Matsuda-Chapman, Dr Rie Ishikawa, Maiko Yoshioka and also the other helpers involved. #coaching #coachingpsychology #positivepsychology #healthpsychology #healthcoaching #wellbeingcoaching #positivehealth Conference website: https://lnkd.in/e-kDkdAe

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Therapists can and should show up on social media without carrying constant fear, as long as the intention is clear. Speak from your training, your observations, and your understanding of patterns, not from client stories. Share psychoeducation, not diagnoses. When the focus is on reducing confusion, normalising help-seeking actions and offering language for what people already feel, content stays ethical. Social media then becomes a space for clarity and responsibility, not performance or overexposure.

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How to Bring CBT Into Sessions 🧠 CBT is widely recognized for helping clients explore the link between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors—but applying it effectively in real sessions can be challenging. Experienced psychologists often rely on structured, practical methods to make cognitive and behavioral strategies accessible, relevant, and actionable for each client. In practice, this means guiding clients to notice patterns, reflect on automatic thoughts, and gradually experiment with new ways of thinking and acting. Tools like daily thought logs, quick reframing techniques, and collaborative goal-setting are often woven into sessions, making complex concepts tangible and manageable. Exposure strategies or behavioral experiments may be introduced thoughtfully, always paced to the client’s readiness. The key is a collaborative, tailored approach. By integrating evidence-based techniques with therapist insights and session-specific guidance, psychologists create a clear, structured framework while allowing clients to take an active role. This CBT Cheat Sheet is used by 1,000+ therapists worldwide to bring clarity and structure into their sessions. 📥 Download Now - https://lnkd.in/eJKyv3TB #CBT #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #TherapistTools #MentalHealthProfessionals #EvidenceBasedTherapy #PsychologyResources #MentalWellness #ClientEngagement #TherapyTips #CounselingTools

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In a 2014 editorial, the editors-in-chief of Psychodynamic Psychiatry enumerated seven ways contemporary psychodynamic psychiatry differs from psychoanalysis. They are: 1. Modern psychodynamic psychiatry has a positive attitude toward neuroscience and psychobiology. 2. Psychodynamic psychiatry has a positive attitude toward research. 3. Psychodynamic psychiatry has a positive attitude toward academic psychology and psychiatry. 4. Psychodynamic psychiatry takes a critical view of Freud's contributions. 5. Psychodynamic psychiatry has a positive attitude toward psychopharmacology. 6. Psychodynamic psychiatry has a positive attitude toward descriptive psychiatry. 7. Psychodynamic psychiatry emphasizes diagnostic assessment more than any specific type of treatment. The authors are particularly critical of what they call the "postmodern frame of reference commonly espoused by psychoanalysts today," writing that psychoanalytic ideas "are not privileged beyond the evidence base that supports them." These are the ideas that guide much of my own thinking about the need for pluralism in psychiatry and psychotherapy. See: https://lnkd.in/emjmkZMp

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🔄 How do we really embed PACE in Trauma-Informed Practice? Some clinical reflections.. 🌱 The PACE model (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) provides more than a therapeutic stance — it offers a framework for relational repair. Developed by Dan Hughes, PACE is a cornerstone of Dyadic Developmental Practice, and has become a widely adopted approach in foster care, adoption, residential settings, and therapeutic parenting models. Its emphasis on emotional safety and connection aligns with what we know from neuroscience and attachment theory: healing happens in the context of attuned, trusting relationships. ⸻ 🧠 Why PACE Matters in Trauma Recovery: Those with trauma histories often present with mistrust, shame-based defences, or defensive aggression. PACE helps adults remain emotionally available and regulating, even in the face of behaviour that challenges. It prioritises: • Relational over behavioural responses • Connection over correction • Curiosity over confrontation PACE helps professionals and carers support the development of narrative coherence, identity, and affect regulation. ⸻ ⚠️ Common Pitfalls in Practice: Even the most experienced carers and professionals can struggle to hold a PACEful stance, particularly when: ❌ Using Curiosity like an interrogation (“Why did you do that?!”) ❌ Mistaking Acceptance for permissiveness ❌ Offering Playfulness when the child is dysregulated ❌ Empathy is hard to access when professionals are experiencing vicarious trauma or burnout. These challenges can be significant but are not signs of incompetence—they highlight the emotional complexity of relational work how trauma impacts everyone in a system. Most importantly they highlight the need for staff/carer support. Support to pause, reflect and regulate their own nervous system responses. 🧩 As professionals, we must be honest about how difficult it can be to stay PACEful in systems under pressure. Holding space for both compassion and complexity is how we move from trauma-aware to trauma-responsive. 📣 How do you support the use of PACE in your setting? What helps teams to deepen rather than dilute the model in real-world contexts? What have you found most challenging — and most rewarding? #ChildhoodTrauma #PACEModel #TraumaInformed #Attachment #TherapeuticParenting #ClinicalPsychology #LookedAfterChildren #FosterCare #AdoptionSupport #RelationalPractice #CoRegulation #creativeclinicalpsychologist

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Ever wondered what your psychologist might actually be saying when they mention things like ‘That’s interesting’ or ‘How does that feel?’ This guide breaks down some common phrases therapists use & their deeper meanings. From encouraging self-reflection to prompting emotional exploration, these subtle cues can help you gain a better understanding of your thought patterns and behaviors. Next time you hear these statements, take a moment to reflect, there might be more to uncover than you think! 🤎 • • #consciouspsychology #therapy #therapyworks #psychologist #psychology #heal #trauma #love #human

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6 Types of Guilt We Encounter in Therapy In clinical practice, guilt often shows up in ways that clients can’t easily name—but it deeply affects their emotions, relationships, and self-worth. Here are six common types of guilt psychologists identify: — Persecutory Guilt – Clients punishing themselves for breaking moral or social rules. — Reparative Guilt – Heartfelt remorse for hurting loved ones. — Existential Guilt – Struggles with freedom, responsibility, or not living up to one’s potential. — Survivor Guilt – The emotional weight of surviving a trauma when others did not. — Collective Guilt – Feeling responsible for the wrongs of one’s group or community. — Moral Defense Guilt – When children internalize blame for hostile parental behavior. Why this matters in therapy: • Naming the type of guilt helps clients separate what is theirs to own from what is misplaced. • It creates space for healing—whether through self-forgiveness, reparative actions, or cognitive reframing. • It helps professionals guide clients away from destructive guilt and toward growth-oriented reflection. As therapists, coaches, and counselors, recognizing these distinctions allows us to meet clients where they are—with greater precision and empathy. Reflection for practitioners: How often do you help clients reframe guilt from a burden into a tool for insight and repair? #Therapy #Counseling #MentalHealthAwareness #Healing #Psychotherapy

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