New association set up to promote psychotherapy as a profession
The Macau Society of Registered Psychotherapists (MSRP) plans to conduct professional training, Henry Lao, director-general of the newly-inaugurated group, has stated.
“At our inauguration ceremony we have invited professionals from the four places across the Strait to give lectures,” Lao said, adding that these professionals have shared their frontline clinical experiences at the lecture.
Previously, the group has also held a discussion on interpersonal psychotherapy, which is encouraged by the WHO. It was attended by members of the public and industry professionals to examine how psychotherapy theories can be put into practice and localized.
“We are also open to using the mass media to promote mental health,” Lao added.
Previously, Prof. Brian Hall, academic of global public health at the New York University Shanghai, told that Times that the local government has acted wisely in codifying the Master’s in Clinical Psychology as the threshold for psychotherapist registration in Macau. However, he pointed out that no institution in Macau is now offering a Master’s program in the field.
Questioned about this discrepancy, Lao said that the association is more than willing to facilitate the introduction of these courses, for “it will not only train local talents, but also localize the mode of psychotherapy.”
He said that the association will request the government to help with the opening of a Master’s program.
More importantly, he stressed that it is not simply a question of the level of education, but the accreditation of the program is also essential. New programs should comply with certain international standards.
When asked to discuss what standard should be adopted, whether it be the American Psychological Association (APA) or another framework, Lao reminded the public to “bear in mind that in America the minimum threshold for practice is doctorate level.” He admitted that Macau will not have sufficient supply of psychotherapists. He hinted that a standard from mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan may be adopted.
For two years the University of Macau offered a Master’s program, but it has since been withdrawn.
The group’s aims include promoting the development of psychotherapy as a profession and improving its quality of service. Only Macau registered psychotherapists will be accepted for membership.
Lao explained that immediately after the establishment of the association in 2019, the city went into Covid-19 lockdown. The management thus decided to postpone the inauguration ceremony to a more suitable date.
