Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU), in collaboration with the Division of Counselling Psychology of the Hong Kong Psychological Society, hosted a two-day international conference titled “Mental Well-Being for All: The Conference on Strength-Based and Preventive Interventions in Hong Kong and Chinese Communities” on campus from 6 to 7 November. The conference aimed to foster dialogue between Western psychology and Chinese cultural traditions while advancing the development of local psychological practice and research.
This year’s conference carried added significance as it showcased the transmission of knowledge across generations of scholars. Dr Isaac Yu Chun-yeung, a registered counselling psychologist and Assistant Professor in HKSYU’s Department of Counselling and Psychology, organised the conference and reflected on his academic connection with Professor Catherine Sun Tien-lun, HKSYU’s Senior Vice President. Their relationship began when Isaac was an undergraduate student in the University’s Counselling and Psychology programme. After completing his bachelor’s degree, he continued his studies at Shue Yan by pursuing a master’s degree, deepening their teacher-student relationship into one of mentorship.
Having recently completed his doctoral studies in Scotland, Isaac was delighted to reach this milestone as a Shue Yan alumnus. His mentor, Professor Sun, not only served as Honorary Chair of the conference but also delivered the keynote address. In her presentation, titled “Reimagining Counselling Psychology through Cultural Grounding, Decolonisation, and Professional Becoming”, she drew on findings from Isaac’s doctoral thesis. For Isaac, witnessing this intergenerational exchange of knowledge was particularly meaningful and reflected a unique mentor-mentee bond that is difficult to put into words.
Professor Sun also shared insights from her forthcoming book on Daoist Psychotherapy, exploring how traditional Chinese philosophy can offer new conceptual frameworks for contemporary psychotherapeutic practice.
Reflecting on his undergraduate years at HKSYU, Isaac recalled that Chinese Psychology, taught by Professor Sun, was one of the courses he most looked forward to attending. He was particularly inspired by her use of Freudian psychoanalysis to interpret “Journey to the West” in class. The experience left a lasting impression on him and prompted him to reflect deeply on the relationship between traditional Chinese culture and psychology.
