Who Am I?

Introduction

Dr. Alicia Pon completed her graduate education at the University of Hong Kong. Her research for her dissertation was on play therapy with terminally ill adults. In addition to the general psychology courses, she also received specialized training in play therapy, sand play therapy, art facilitation, thanatology, grief therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT).

For the past 17 years, Dr. Alicia Pon has worked as a clinical therapist, management consultant, lecturer and researcher in the Asia-Pacific region, focusing mainly on Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China.

In her previous role as a management consultant for a global consulting firm, Dr. Alicia Pon specialized in assessment and development of managers and executives, helping them to make behavioral and cognitive changes. She has worked with a range of Fortune 500 firms in providing training, assessment, development planning, multi-rater feedback, and personal coaching.

Currently in private practice, Dr. Alicia Pon provides psychotherapy for individuals and families with social, psychological and emotional difficulties. She has a long standing interest and experience in working with individuals and families dealing with grief and loss, learning difficulties, adoption and attachment, trauma, problematic behaviors and parent-child issues.

In the university, Dr. Alicia Pon serves as a Honorary Lecturer and Research Fellow with the University of Hong Kong, Department of Social Work and Social Administration. She lectures on topics such as Counseling in Different Context, Introduction to Play Therapy, Psycho-Social Oncology, Hospice & Palliative Care, Play Therapy in Counseling, and Children and Adolescent Mental Health. As a researcher, Dr. Pon has publications on play therapy with adults with terminal illness, palliative care and play therapy with children. She has also delivered a number of conference presentations on a variety of topics, around the Asia Pacific region. In addition, she conducts workshops and training  for mental health professionals on specialized topics such as clinical skills in art and play facilitation, counseling and psychotherapy, children and adolescent health, and grief and loss.

Dr. Alicia Pon is based in Hong Kong, and frequently travels to Mainland China and Singapore to lecture, conduct training and provide clinical consultation. She is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Professional Membership

Registered Play Therapist (CPT: 201010744)
Play Therapy International (UK)
The International Society for Child and Play Therapy

Approved APT Trainer / Provider (APT Provider:10-270)
Registered Play Therapist (RPT: T1359)
Association for Play Therapy, United States of America

Certified Thanatology (CT)
Association for Death Education and Counseling

Registered Social Worker (RSW: 12311)
Hong Kong Social Workers Registration Board

Hong Kong Professional Counselor Association

The Hong Kong Psychological Society, Hong Kong (2004000427)

Presentations / Workshops by Dr. Alicia Pon

  • Foundations of Play Therapy, Bridging Talents, Singapore,  Jun 20-21, 2011
  • Advanced Training in Expressive Arts for Teachers in Sichuan, Robert Ho Project, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China, Jun 3-6, 2011
  • Adaptation and Application of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Educational Bureau, Hong Kong, May 17, 2011
  • Developmental Needs of Adoptive Children, Mother’s Choice, Hong Kong, Jan 14, 2011
  • Use of Expressive Art in Supervision , National University of Singapore, Singapore, Oct 26 – Nov 2, 2010
  • Working with Bereaved Children and Adolescents, Hong Kong Social Worker Association, Hong Kong, Sept 7, 2010
  • Advanced Training in Expressive Arts for Teachers in Sichuan, Robert Ho Project, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China, Aug 23-25, 2010
  • Supporting Children and Adolescent in Grief , Club Rainbow, Singapore, Aug 4, 2010
  • Bereavement, Anticipatory and Complicated Grief , Assissi Hospice and Lien Foundation, Singapore,  Jul 26-30, 2010
  • Working with Children and Adolescents with Life Threatening Illness, Children Cancer Foundation, Singapore, Jul 23-24, 2010
  • Introduction to Play Therapy, XiaMen, People’s Republic of China, Jan 7-9, 2010
  • Counseling Grieving Children through Play Therapy, Hong Kong Social Worker Association, Hong Kong, Dec 16, 2009
  • The Use of Therapeutic Play with Bereaved Children, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Aug 26-28, 2008
  • Topics on Child Development, Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, Hong Kong, Nov 25 & Dec 2, 2005