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Clinician Profile: Dr. Sophie Westwood, Clinical Psychologist

2016-06-16 Olivia's Place Comments Off ,
Dr. Sophie Westwood, Clinical Psychologist, LIH Olivia's Place Shanghai

Dr. Sophie Westwood, Clinical Psychologist, LIH Olivia’s Place Shanghai

Dr. Sophie Westwood is a Clinical Psychologist at LIH Olivia’s Place Shanghai.

Dr. Sophie Westwood is a registered Clinical Psychologist with the UK Health & Professions Care Council (HCPC) and a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP) and Child and Young Person’s Faculty. Sophie has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, a post-graduate certificate in evidence-based psychological treatments and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She has worked in a variety of mental health settings with people of all ages. Sophie works at LIH-Olivia’s Place offering psycho-educational and neuropsychological assessments, psychological therapies to children, and their families, and training and workshops to educators and health professionals. She speaks English.

 

How long have you been in China?

I moved to China with my husband in January 2015. We had visited China on holiday 10 years previously and although we enjoyed our vacation enormously, I had never imagined that we would be returning to live and work in China!

 

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

After an initial visit to LIH Olivia’s Place I was very impressed by the child-centered facilities and ethos of the company. I was particularly drawn to the mission of helping children and their families to access therapeutic input regardless of their financial circumstances, and I was welcomed into the role by a team of warm, supportive, and professional colleagues. I have since thoroughly enjoyed meeting children and families from all over the world and feel very privileged to be in a position to listen to their stories and work with them to facilitate change.

 

Why did you choose your field?

I began studying psychology when I was 16 years old and I enjoyed learning about how we can scientifically measure and understand human behavior. At university I volunteered with people with intellectual disability at an evening activities club whilst studying for my Psychology degree. I enjoyed supporting people to engage in games and activities that allowed both volunteers and club members to share their experiences and have fun together. I decided to follow my dad’s advice and choose a job that I would enjoy, and so I chose a career working with people, applying psychological theory help build a life that is meaningful for the individual.

 

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your chosen profession?

This is a really hard question as there are so many to choose from.

 

What’s your favorite thing about living in China and working at LIH Olivia’s Place?

The culture. I love living in a culture that is so different from the UK. Even though Shanghai is a very modern Chinese city, I love to see people eating their xiaolongbao, queueing up for steaming baozi on the street, and watch the washing being hung out from every window and on nearly every road whilst cycling to work.

 

At LIH Olivia’s Place I value being part of a working culture that is accepting of our cultural differences within the staff team and embraces the diverse skills, knowledge, and experience that each of my colleagues brings to the team. I feel very lucky to be working for a company that values evidence-based interventions and is working extremely hard to translate this into offering high-quality health care in China.

 

What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?

One of my life goals is to learn a second language (I’m afraid to say that even after 7 years of French at school I still can’t construct a sentence!) and so I hope that I will either still be living in China or perhaps South America or Spain. One of the most exciting things about being a clinical psychologist is that because there are so many ways in which we can work to support people experiencing a broad range of emotional and psychological difficulties I know that I will always be learning and challenging myself.


Clinician Profile: Occupational Therapist Eva Ma

2016-06-03 Olivia's Place Comments Off , ,

Eva Ma, Occupational Therapist, celebrates Children's Day with Charissa, a former client

Eva Ma, Occupational Therapist, celebrates Children’s Day with Charissa, a former client

Eva Ma is an Occupational Therapist at LIH Olivia’s Place in Beijing.

Eva is an occupational therapist from the US, with more than 20 years of experience in pediatric occupational therapy. She holds a BS in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern California. Her extensive experience covers early childhood education programs for 3-5 year olds and services for pre-kindergarten through middle school children with disabilities. She has provided interventions in home and day care settings, as well as special education and general education classrooms. Eva has dedicated time to projects around the world for equipment fitting and provisions for children with physical disabilities. She speaks English and Cantonese.

 

 

 

How long have you been in China?

I have been in Beijing, China since August of 2015.

 

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

I was looking for a place to work and volunteer in a developing country.

 

Why did you choose your field?

I was on a student visa studying in America, I needed to study and become a professional, which would allow me to stay in America after graduation. I was inclined to go to a helping profession. I wanted to study in a field that I can help the whole person acros6s the life span. I came across the field of occupational therapy, which was one of the skills in need in America.

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your chose profession? I have worked with many different clients in different settings for almost 27 years. I have volunteered and worked in many developing countries. I am grateful that I have a long list of very rewarding experiences. It is priceless.

  • The ability to help a child with spinal bifida who was not able to walk to get a proper seating and mobility base so that he could sit up and be vertical.
  • A child who used to be scared of movement and looked at me with an attentive gaze as an expression of joy as he slid down a slide.
  • A set of parents reported that they could go out and dine in a restaurant as their child who has ASD tolerated the light and the sound.
  • An older man who could lift his arm actively as he was recovering from a stroke. Helping an older woman who has cerebral palsy to taste some ice cream after not being able to eat by mouth for many years.
  • I have taught seminars in North America. It was so exciting when fellow therapists wrote back and said that they tried what I taught them and it worked.

 

What’s your favorite thing about living in China?

I am learning to speak Mandarin Chinese and to practice writing both simplified and traditional Chinese. I get to emerge in this Chinese culture.

 

What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?

Doing the same thing I am doing… lying on the floor putting together 9-piece puzzle pieces with a 5-year-old kindergartener, pushing through an obstacle course on a scooter board with a 3-year-old preschooler, putting up the pony swing for a 10-year- old….  playing with children and making a good living.


Clinician Profile: ZiLi Wang, Physiotherapist

2016-05-18 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , ,
Zili Wang, Physiotherapist, LIH Olivia's Place Shanghai

Zili Wang, Physiotherapist, LIH Olivia’s Place Shanghai

ZiLi is a physiotherapist from Montreal, Canada, who obtained his Masters in Physical Therapy from McGill University. He has previously worked in a sports and orthopedic environment treating both adults and children, and has worked at Olivia’s Place since 2014. He has experience treating a variety of neurological and orthopedic conditions, including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, spina bifida, and sports injuries. He speaks fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and French

 

How long have you been in China?

I first moved to China in 2013, initially to learn acupuncture and tuina techniques. Since then, I’ve lived in Guangzhou and Beijing, before finally settling in Shanghai.

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

I chose Olivia’s Place because it is pioneering pediatric rehabilitation in China, and gives me a chance to be part of a team that will help bring about evidence based, high quality care in China. Olivia’s Place has also given me opportunities to volunteer my time to help children who otherwise cannot afford therapy, including traveling to remote areas in China and working with orphanages.

Why did you choose your field?

I have always felt that pediatrics was one of the most challenging aspect in physical therapy, but at the same time one of the most rewarding. Especially with early intervention, it has the chance to have some of the biggest impact on a child’s life, improving their function, independence, and quality of life.

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your chose profession?

There are so many! Helping a little girl go from not being able to crawl to running around the room. Helping a child with cerebral palsy transition from using a walker to using crutches. Educating parents and local therapists on different techniques and exercises for children. Every day that I treat a patient or educate a parent feels rewarding to me.

 What’s your favorite thing about living in China & working at LIH Olivia’s Place?

Living in Shanghai, I feel like I get the best of both worlds – I get to connect with my Chinese roots, yet at the same time through the expatriate community feel right at home. Coming from Canada, a country with barely 30 million people, living in Shanghai is definitely a change in pace and scale. Working at LIH Olivia’s Place is also a great joy – when you are surrounded by people who are super passionate about what they do, and who all will give their best for a good cause, it makes you very motivated to come to work every day.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?

I would like to see more work being done in the realm of sports rehabilitation. While developmental pediatrics is still definitely a priority in China’s pediatric rehab world, sports injury treatment and prevention, especially in young athletes, is uncommon (or restricted to very high level competitive sports). I would like to bring my experience working with sports teams to help foster a healthy new generation of young athletes in China, in addition to my work in developmental pediatrics.


Clinician Profile, Tiffany Johnson, Learning Support Specialist

2016-04-11 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , ,
Tiffany Johnson, Learning Support Specialist, Beijing

Tiffany Johnson, Learning Support Specialist, Beijing

Tiffany is an American Learning Support Specialist at LIH Olivia’s Place Beijing. She graduated from Widener University with dual certified in Elementary Education and Special Education in 2013. She has been teaching Pre-Kindergarten to 5th Grade Students for 6 years. She has 4 years of experience working with students with special needs, including students with severe disabilities and behavioral disorders. Tiffany has training in Applied Behavioral Analysis and is knowledgeable about autism spectrum disorders, as well as interventions, tools, assessments, and strategies to accommodate students with a range of abilities. She has experience modifying lessons to create ideal learning opportunities for each student to help them succeed. Tiffany speaks English.

 

 

How long have you been in China?

I have been in China for a little over 2 years.

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

Being licensed in Special Education in China is tough. The awareness and acceptance for students with disabilities is so low that you encounter students who you know need help not get it due to the stigma or lack of knowledge about it. When I found out about LIH Olivia’s place I knew I had to be a part of it. Finally, I thought, there is a place that is spreading the word, a place that is facilitating getting so many students the help, interventions, and tools they need to become successful. I was excited to hear about the upcoming programs and to be able to give input as someone who is on the front-lines in the classroom.

Why did you choose your field?

I knew I wanted to teach after I had one of the best fourth grade teachers. She told me I could do anything, be anything, and gave me hope when the surrounding environment was close to bleak and not so promising. I knew that I wanted to be able to do that for others, to give hope through the value of education. Showing students that being willing to learn about the world and themselves could take them so many places and is a wonderful gift. In regard to special education I fell into the field accidentally and those unique students took hold of my heart. I yearned to learn more about how to help those students be successful in any type of environment regardless of level of ability. I enjoy it and the opportunity it gives me to continue to learn and grow as a professional.

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your profession?

As a teacher I am lucky to have many extremely rewarding experiences. Every time I see a struggling student pass a test, or when I have a high achiever get accepted to a tough program, but I can recall one that will always stay with me.  I worked at an educational institution for students with severe behavioral and physical disabilities. I often took the students on trips in the community and the ratio was 2:1 or 1:1. I was assigned to two 20-year-old young men. They were the epitome of perseverance. They were both classified as dangerous and could severely hurt me if over stimulated or stressed. They never once showed aggression toward me so I asked to always be assigned to them for outings. One day I took them to the store to work through an “Activity of Daily Living goal,” they had to find items on a list. In one of the aisles one of the young men got very excited by a Disney character on a box; he began jumping, clapping, and yelling loudly, which were usually signs of behavior before he would become overstimulated and aggressive. Some of the patrons of the store looked worriedly our way and wanted to get help as my student was very tall and pretty stocky. I began jumping with him as I knew how much he enjoyed Disney characters and hoped to keep the store from calling others to the aisle, which would have negatively impacted him.  I told him that if he completed his goal properly I would get the item with the Disney character for him as a gift; he calmed down and hugged me and picked me up while hugging me. We finished his goal and walked to the counter. The cashier pulled me aside and told me that it was the most amazing thing she has seen. She said that before that point if she would have seen a person like my student she would have stared and walked away quickly but after seeing how I interacted with him and how he is just another person who likes what he likes, she now has an actual experience to refer to rather than an assumption. My students and I thanked her and gave her high fives. I took pride in know that he changed her perception; not someone telling her what she should think but rather getting the opportunity to see it firsthand. I think it is our job as educators to give our students a chance to prove themselves, think for themselves, and discover their own potential, teaching them to become their own mouthpiece while showing them the path so they can facilitate their own success.

What’s your favorite thing about living in China and working at LIH Olivia’s Place?

My favorite thing about working in China is the opportunity to expose more and more people to an African American educator as well as continue to open the minds of so many people who are not aware of the helpfulness and benefits of Special Education and intervention. I hope to contribute toward removing its stigma and getting more people help in an open and accepting environment. In the area I live in Beijing, I have seen no other African Americans. My students have never encountered someone like me nor have their parents. I have been able to educate them about my ethnicity and let them know that I am an educated individual who is here to provide a quality education for their children. It has been a challenge to overcome some of the misconceptions and racism but it pushes me to become better and shows me that what I am doing is very necessary.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?

In 5 years I hope to be finished with my master’s degree and maybe start a family. I hope to take my experiences through traveling in Asia and maybe elsewhere to the United States to begin exposing American students to the world around them which is also so needed.


Clinician Profile: Dr. RuChi Yang, Psychologist

2016-04-04 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , ,

Dr. Ru Chi Yang earned a Ph. D. from Ganon University (Pennsylvania, US) and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology from State University of New York, Albany. She also holds a B.S. in Nursing from Taiwan. Dr. Yang is a licensed psychologist and US registered play therapist-supervisor. She is also a Taiwan-licensed nurse. Dr. Yang has more than ten years of experience as a psychologist, primarily with children and adolescents who present with learning difficulties, ADHD, ODD, disruptive behaviors, negative attention-seeking behaviors, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, difficulty expressing thoughts/feelings, adjustment issues, grief, parental divorce/separation, low frustration tolerance, anger problems, parenting issues, parent-child relationship problems, trauma, poor decision-making skills, non-compliance behaviors, social skill deficits, relational issues, autism spectrum disorder, and limited coping skills. Dr. Yang provides individual, group, family, and vocational counseling; comprehensive psychological assessments (i.e. cognitive, academic, attention, executive function skills, social, emotional, personality, adaptive, developmental, & behavioral functioning); and crisis intervention/risk assessment. She utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral therapy approaches. She also incorporates child-centered play therapy, cognitive behavioral play therapy, filial therapy, and child parent relationship therapy intervention in treatment. Dr. Yang is a member of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and graduated from the APT Leadership Academy in 2012. She has served on several APT committees and task forces. She has also previously supervised graduate level clinicians. Dr. Yang speaks both English and Mandarin.

 

How long have you been in China?

I arrived in Beijing in 2014.

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

My long term professional goal is to contribute my professional knowledge and skills to Chinese children and adolescents and their families. As a Chinese psychologist, I can make a bigger impact on the lives of others, the development of the field of psychology, and the training of professionals in China. LIH Olivia’s Place provides me with the opportunities to achieve my dream.

Why did you choose your field?

I enjoy being with people and I believe that it’s challenging and satisfying to work with diverse populations. Also, I think that psychologists not only help their clients with their psychological problems, but also facilitate their own growth and self-understanding during their professional development.

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your chose profession?

My most rewarding experiences are when clients and their family members inform me of improvements since receiving therapy, express their appreciation regarding my professional help, and tell me about the impact on the quality of their lives because of treatment. The joy and satisfaction from the difference that I have made in treatment to improve a client’s quality of life is challenging to describe in words.

What’s your favorite thing about living in China and working at LIH Olivia’s Place?

My favorite part of living in China is the opportunity to travel in China, meet different people, and gain cultural experiences to enrich my personal growth. Additionally, my favorite part of working at LIH Olivia’s Place is the support, helpfulness, and friendliness among colleagues from different disciplines in order to overcome challenges to make a difference in the quality of care for children and adolescents and their families in China.

What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?

I hope that I can obtain a deeper understanding of the development of psychology in China, contribute in educating the public about the role of a psychologist and psychological services, offer clinical services to more local Chinese children and adolescents and their families, make professional connections with Chinese psychologists, and provide clinical supervision to train Chinese professionals.

 


Clinician Profile: Beth Rutkowski, PsyD

2015-11-19 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , ,
Beth Rutkowski, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist

Beth Rutkowski, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Beth Rutkowski is a Fully Licensed Psychologist from the United States. She has her Doctorate of Psychology, her Masters of Arts in Psychology, and her Doctoral Certificate of Child and Family Studies from Roosevelt University. Dr. Rutkowski obtained her Bachelors of Science in Biopsychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Michigan. She is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC), and is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Dr. Rutkowski has been a professor at both undergraduate and graduate level college settings, focusing on child and adolescent psychotherapy and basic clinical skills. Dr. Rutkowski has worked with youth, families, and adults in outpatient and inpatient settings, with a focus on utilizing evidence-based treatments. She speaks English.

 

Dr. Rutkowski provides the following services in Shanghai and Beijing:

  • Individual and family psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and parents
  • Educational and neuropsychological assessments
  • Community presentations on understanding diagnoses and crisis management

 

How long have you been in China?

I moved to Shanghai, China in August of 2015. I’m originally from Detroit, Michigan, US.

 

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

The sense of teamwork and support was what initially was so engaging about the LIH Olivia’s Place community. I also love that the mission to improve therapy services for the underserved population of youth in China is the overarching reasoning behind decisions made for the organization.

 

Why did you choose your field?

I love assisting people, parents, and families in figuring out their own skills and strengths. It is wonderful to watch them realize that they have so much good in themselves already, and it’s just a matter of letting it work for them.

 

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your chosen profession?

My favorite times are working with people when they have a “lightbulb” moment- you can tell that they are understanding something in a new and better way because of how you have helped them. This can happen in therapy sessions or when explaining the results of an assessment. It’s a reminder of why this profession exists and that it can be life-changing.

 

What’s your favorite thing about living in China and working at LIH Olivia’s Place?

My favorite thing about living in Shanghai is the fact that it will not get as cold as Michigan in the U.S., where it is often below 0 degrees. I also love the food and all the history. My favorite thing about working at LIH Olivia’s Place is the diversity of the clients we see and the learning opportunities available.

 

*What would you like to be doing in 5 years’ time?

Five years ago I would never have said I desired to live in China, but I am so happy to be here. So the most I can say is that I would like to still be having adventures!


Clinician Profile: Pengsi Shen, BCBA

2015-11-19 Olivia's Place Comments Off , , , , , ,
Pengsi Shen, BCBA, Behavior Analyst

Pengsi Shen, BCBA, Behavior Analyst

Pengsi Shen is a Behavior Analyst with our Behavior and Learning Support team at Beijing LIH Olivia’s Place. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Teachers College, Columbia University (US). She has worked with preschoolers with disabilities in self-contained classrooms, assessing students, selecting evidence-based programs, and implementing intervention and behavioral plans. She has also worked with early elementary students with or without disabilities in inclusive classroom settings, providing interventions for students who lack certain developmental/social skills using scientific protocols, providing group and class-wide instruction, and implementing both individual and class-wide positive behavior plans to facilitate learning and love for learning. Pengsi works with children in both Mandarin and English.

 

How long have you been in China?

I was born here, raised here, and received most of my education here too. I left China three years ago to earn a master’s degree in New York, and came back again to China in July 2015.

 

Why did you choose to work at LIH Olivia’s Place?

I love to work with kids with special needs, and want to learn more about different professionals that also work with the same population.  I would also like to keep up to a te with the latest research and practice from well-trained foreign therapists, but still be able to work with local children. LIH Olivia’s Place is a place where therapists (from all over the world) of all disciplines work closely together for the same goal: help each kid (regardless of their nationality) to reach their full potential.

 

Why did you choose your field?

The truth is by accident! I had never heard about applied behavioral analysis (ABA) before and had little experience working with kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) since there are no ABA degree programs in China yet and most children here with ASD have been excluded from general educational classrooms. However it is the best decision I’ve made so far in my life.

 

What are some of the most rewarding experiences you have had in your chosen profession?

(1) When a child starts looking into my eyes, with affection. It is really hard to get many of the children I work with to make eye contact.

(2) When all of sudden a child runs to me, gives me a hug, and runs away.

(3) When parents tell me that my suggestions have worked so well with their child.

 

What’s your favorite thing about living in China and working at LIH Olivia’s Place?

I can talk to my family without lag time and visit them more often.  I am so excited for this coming Chinese New Year in February, since it will be my first New Year with family after three years.  I love to talk to different therapists at LIH Olivia’s Place, and get to work with children with a variety of needs.

 

What would you like to be doing in 5 years time?

I would still be working with kids with special needs, and working with parents and teachers too. In 5 years, hopefully people will be better educated and can embrace kids of all kinds, acknowledge them, and love them unconditionally through our joint efforts.  Also I hope for a flexible work schedule to enjoy life with my family.

 


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