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ASSOCIATION FOR MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, SINGAPORE

Association for Marital and Family Therapy Singapore (AMFTS) seeks to set standards for the practice of Systemic Psychotherapy in Singapore. We do so by working with training providers to ensure their training programmes meet our requirements. At the same time, the Association also seeks to protect the interests of individuals and families who seek help by giving information about practitioners who are recognised by us. Finally, the Association also seeks to educate and increase awareness amongst the public and professionals about Systemic Psychotherapy.

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ABOUT US

AMFTS was inaugurated on 3rd November 1995. It was founded by the late Mr Anthony Yeo, who had been the longest serving president of the association. This association is made up of clinical members who are trained formally in systemic psychotherapy and associate members who are interested in ideas related to systemic psychotherapy and wishes to be part of this vibrant and exciting community. AMFTS is a Professional Association with constitution that was established and approved by the Registrar of Societies. Membership is open to all mental health professionals. For more info, please email us at amft.singapore@gmail.com. If you like to participate in the forums in this website, please join as a member of this website in the members page. However, if you merely want updates about this website, you may subscribe to this website in the link below.

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KEY STRATEGIES

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PUBLIC WORKSHOPS AND WEBINARS

Driving awareness to public and professionals

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ENGAGING TRAINING PROVIDERS

Ensuring Standards and Professionalism

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ENGAGING INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Building relevance

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THE EXCO

About why we love systemic ideas

Our dedicated team of experienced professionals are always on the ball, utilizing their unique skills and passion to move the work of our Non-Profit Organization forward. We’re always pushing ourselves to stay ahead of the curve and striving to perfect our programs. Meet some of our incredible leaders below.

DR CHUA WEI BIN

President

Systemic thinking invites us to see the world in a more enlightened manner. It reminds us to see how we are all inter-connected and there is no way we could "build up walls" and disconnect ourselves from those whom we see as the "other". It encourages us to see complexities within every situation and promote considered responses instead of reacting in vulgar simplicity. It is about being more humane, more real and more compassionate to ourselves and those around us.

DR PATRICIA YAP

Vice President

I love Systemic Psychotherapy for three reasons. Firstly, it allows for paradigm enlargement in my ability to help clients, and it helps enrich my supervisory relationships. Lastly, I love the kindness in Systemic questions.

CHARLOTTE STEPHEN

Secretary

Systemic practice allows a deeper understanding of the client in the context of their environment. When clients learn skills, I am mindful to explore how they feel about the skills, who might notice the skill if they practice it, what might that person say or do. It helps to make my practice attuned to the needs of the client, how people in their environment respond and to plan together for successful outcomes. Systems practice helps me to deepen my practice as I am able to draw from numerous concepts such as ‘Homeostasis’ and how systems will try to restore itself when change is introduced. In my work with women clients, I am drawn to re-read ideas of ‘Invisible loyalty’ and ‘Narrative Attachment’. It does stretch the therapist to see multiple layers, spoken and unspoken conversations and to discern and make meaning in a coordinated manner. A nod to brilliant practitioners before us.

LEE SIN YAN

Treasurer

Sin Yan is an acclaimed social worker in the community setting and a dedicated systemic family therapist with over 10 years of experience.

Home: Meet the Team
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“Listening to both sides of a story will convince you that there is more to a story than both sides.”

Frank Tyger

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Employer's Interview Series

Employer's Interview Series

Employer's Interview Series
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Interview with Chan Lay Lin

Interview with Chan Lay Lin

10:53
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Reflections of Family Therapists

Reflections of Family Therapists

Reflections of Family Therapists
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People & Blogs
Paolo Bertrando (episode 2: Family Therapists: on reflection)

Paolo Bertrando (episode 2: Family Therapists: on reflection)

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Barry Mason (Ep 4. Family Therapists: on reflection)

Barry Mason (Ep 4. Family Therapists: on reflection)

20:21
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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Find out the latest career opportunities with agencies who are looking for clinicians who are systemically trained!

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COUNSELING AND CARE CENTRE

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Barry Mason (1948-2021)

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We at AMFTS bid our dear friend and teacher farewell on his passing on 17th Jan 2021. He will be remembered fondly by many of us here in Singapore.

A Tribute from AMFTS

Home: Testimonials

A Haiku on Barry’s Legacy


Memories of you

Cornerstone of our practice

Build Therapists up

Unassumingly he came

Profoundly, our thinking he flamed

To own your expertise

And sit with safe-uncertainty


Complex ideas shared simply

Take years to master amply

Quirky charisma he does possess

Many lives indeed he blessed

Dr Patricia Yap

Dr Chua Wei Bin

I remember Barry who was soft-spoken, almost shy but crafted his thoughts well. Some of his articles are worked their way into the ‘family therapy lexicon’ and will be remembered and utilised for many years to come ! He served his generation!

Words are tools and methods of interventions. The many times you share with us your knowledge and practices. So giving in allowing us to watch your practice and always wanting to be better. You introduced me to your book, The Space Between...Working across all these context. We were so privileged to have you teach us, The Msc class of 2008. It was a wonderful journey you took with us. I recall most your sense of humour and dry wit. Key ingredients of a therapists but also important to living a good life. As your journey here ends and another one continues, I wish you all the best.

Joseph John

Your Student Always. Charlotte

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Upcoming Events

  • Time is TBD
    Webinar
    Time is TBD
    Webinar
    Time is TBD
    Webinar
  • Systemic Practice Conference
    Systemic Practice Conference
    Mon, 26 Feb
    Singapore
    26 Feb 2024, 9:00 am – 28 Feb 2024, 5:00 pm
    Singapore, 80 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore 609607
    26 Feb 2024, 9:00 am – 28 Feb 2024, 5:00 pm
    Singapore, 80 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore 609607
    We are delighted to extend a warm invitation towards an engaging and insightful event focused on "be-ing" with neurodivergent individuals and their families and unveil the inaugural Systemic Practice Conference hosted by Hayaa’ Network Pte. Ltd., in collaboration with Counseling and Care Centre.
  • Fri, 29 Dec
    Zoom Meeting
    29 Dec 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Zoom Meeting
    29 Dec 2023, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
    Zoom Meeting
  • Use of Enactment in Marital and Family Work
    Use of Enactment in Marital and Family Work
    Tue, 31 Jan
    Zoom
    31 Jan 2023, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Zoom
    31 Jan 2023, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
    Zoom
    As an observation as well as experimenting with different approaches Systems Approach in family and marital therapy, my interest is piqued in the use of enactment as an alternative assessment and intervention technique in working with couples and families. In the session, there will be a discussion
  • AMFTS AGM 2022
    AMFTS AGM 2022
    Fri, 23 Sept
    Singapore
    23 Sept 2022, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Singapore, Blk 536 Upper Cross Street, #05-241 Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 050536
    23 Sept 2022, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Singapore, Blk 536 Upper Cross Street, #05-241 Hong Lim Complex, Singapore 050536
  • The Myth of Attachment Theory
    The Myth of Attachment Theory
    Wed, 11 May
    ZOOM
    11 May 2022, 10:00 pm SGT
    ZOOM
    11 May 2022, 10:00 pm SGT
    ZOOM
  • Intimate Strangers?
    Intimate Strangers?
    Thu, 14 Apr
    ZOOM, Singapore
    14 Apr 2022, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    ZOOM, Singapore
    14 Apr 2022, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    ZOOM, Singapore
    In this presentation, Dr. Reenee Singh will present an overview of systemic theoretical ideas for couples therapy, with an emphasis on those ideas,techniques and interventions that have particular salience for couples from different cultural, racial and religious backgrounds.
  • Becoming an Asian Family Therapist: Reflections and Explorations on Cultures
    Becoming an Asian Family Therapist: Reflections and Explorations on Cultures
    Thu, 27 Jan
    ZOOM
    27 Jan 2022, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    ZOOM
    27 Jan 2022, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    ZOOM
    Do you consider yourself an Asian family therapist? How do you define it? Let Professor Chao Wentao from National University of Eduation, Taiwan, explain it to you.
  • 25th Annual General Meeting
    25th Annual General Meeting
    Tue, 28 Sept
    25th Annual General Meeting
    28 Sept 2021, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    25th Annual General Meeting
    28 Sept 2021, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    25th Annual General Meeting
  • How to keep your passion and compassion after 40 years
    How to keep your passion and compassion after 40 years
    Wed, 18 Aug
    Zoom
    18 Aug 2021, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Zoom
    18 Aug 2021, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Zoom
    Join Us for an inspiring and candid sharing by former Director of Institute of Family Therapy (London) where she will take us through her career and let us in on the secret of how she stays so positive and nurturing to everyone who she works with.
  • The Future of Family Therapy in Singapore
    The Future of Family Therapy in Singapore
    Tue, 03 Aug
    Zoom
    03 Aug 2021, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Zoom
    03 Aug 2021, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
    Zoom
  • Virtual Open House by Counseling and Care Centre
    Virtual Open House by Counseling and Care Centre
    Wed, 04 Nov
    Online
    04 Nov 2020, 10:00 am – 11:30 pm
    Online
    04 Nov 2020, 10:00 am – 11:30 pm
    Online
    Sign up at bit.ly/cccnov4
  • Journeying through COVID-19 Promoting Community and Family Resilience in Singapore
    Journeying through COVID-19 Promoting Community and Family Resilience in Singapore
    Sat, 30 May
    Online, Webinar
    30 May 2020, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm SGT
    Online, Webinar
    30 May 2020, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm SGT
    Online, Webinar
    What are the possible impacts of COVID-19 on Singaporeans? What can Singaporeans do to rebuild better, as an individual, a family, and a community?
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CONTACT ASSOCIATION FOR MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, SINGAPORE