MEMBER STORYTELLING


A Chinese Play Therapist’s Challenges and Joys Throughout the Journey


| RU-CHI YANG, PHD, LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST (US) I


am a bilingual psychologist and play therapist originally from Taiwan who learned play therapy in the US and currently practices


in Beijing, China. My journey has included self-discovery, cultural awareness, adaptation, and educating others about culture and professional roles – both in the US and in China.


Mental health professionals are often misunderstood by the Chinese people, and Chinese society still attaches a negative connotation to   skills to the Chinese culture by providing psychoeducation to the public, clinical services to the Chinese population, and training/supervision to a new generation of mental health professionals.


I am intrigued and delighted by the funnier


exchanges I have had with my child clients in play therapy.


In exploring my professional identity, I have developed compassion, enjoyment, and satisfaction when interacting with children and adolescents. As a professional, my energy, creativity, flexibility, playfulness, and a good sense of humor have enhanced my ability to successfully engage in therapeutic interventions with these age groups. I was introduced to play therapy by a Registered Play Therapist while completing my post-doctoral training at a community mental health center in the US. After acquiring more training and clinical experiences in play therapy, I recognized that it is a good personal and  play therapist, myself.


While practicing in the US, I encountered some parents who questioned my credibility as a therapist based on their perception of me as a mental health professional and my language skills. As a result, I had to work overly hard to establish trust and rapport in the beginning of my psychotherapy practice. As a play therapist from the Chinese culture, it became important for me to understand the basic characteristics of counseling in the US, including the emphasis on the individual, the value of emotional expressiveness, and the nondirective


CLINICAL EDITOR’S COMMENTS:


The author speaks to some of the challenges and lighter moments she’s experienced in play therapy.


ABOUT THE MEMBER


Ru-Chi Yang, PhD, Licensed Psychologist (US), is in transition to a new job. She will be a senior psychologist at the Psychological Health Center at Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics, providing consultation, psychological assessments, psychotherapy, supervision, and training. She also serves on APT’s Ethics & Practices Committee. ruchi72@hotmail.com


communication pattern for a therapist. Consequently, I had to adjust my personal counseling style to meet my clients’ needs.


 in the supervisory relationship. Over time, I took the initiative to inform my supervisor(s) about the social norms and values of my culture that influenced my role as a professional in a therapeutic relationship. As a result, it facilitated mutual communication in the supervisor-supervisee relationship, and I felt better understood by my supervisor(s).


I relocated to China in 2014. In addition to offering clinical services and supervision, I provide psychoeducation to parents and educators  autism spectrum disorders, emotional regulation, anger management,  children’s and young people’s psychological journey.


I am intrigued and delighted by the funnier exchanges I have had with my child clients in play therapy. Here are some of my favorites: A 9-year- old male group therapy client put his hand above my head and told me,          informed him that he had a doctor’s appointment and he asked his  cannot wait to come to see me after being told that he is coming to see  appreciation during the termination session. His mother made a joke about me getting paid for his session. In conclusion, I will continue my journey by believing in my dream while having fun and being playful.


www.a4pt.org | June 2020 | PLAYTHERAPY | 25


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