A/Prof Frederick P.K. Low ~ Associate Professor Counselling

Dr Frederick Low, a practising counselling psychologist with over 20 years of experience, has a firm belief in the scientist-practitioner model. Frederick’s core research interests revolve around interdisciplinary collaborations in schools, school counselling, and counselling for vulnerable groups (i.e. persons with special needs, individuals affected by child abuse and family violence), and refugees’ education and mental well-being. Frederick is primarily involved in qualitative research but is keen on mixed-methods projects as well.

Dr Low is playing or has played key roles in the following conferences and publications:

• 2022 - Member of Institutional Review Board, Agency for Integrated Care (Singapore)
• 2021 - Co-chair of Editorial Board, Singapore Counselling & Psychotherapy Review
• 2020 - Member of Editorial Board, Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia   
• 2015 - Co-chair of Scientific Committee of Singapore Counselling Symposium
• 2015 - Member of Abstract Review Committee, Community Care Forum, Singapore              
• 2008 - 2010 Member of Editorial Advisory Board, Annals of Psychotherapy and Integrative Health   
• 2009 - Member of Scientific Committee of 19th Asian Conference on Intellectual Disabilities

Ad-Hoc Reviewer for:

• School Psychology International
• Journal of Education & Research
• Counselling & Psychotherapy Research
• Journal for Applied Research on Intellectual Disabilities
• Oxford Research Encyclopaedia: Educational Psychology
• International Journal of School & Educational Psychology

Frederick is also active as a contributor to plenaries and media commentaries on counselling and related areas:

• Keynote presentation ‘Adapting, Leading and Championing Counselors' Competence and Advocacies in the Now Normal Across Setting and Culture’ at 57th Virtual Annual National and International Conference by Philippines Guidance and Counselling Association (May 2022). 
• Plenary 'Counselling and Psychotherapy:  Sharing Perspectives from Around the World’ at Counselling Month events by Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (Apr 2022).
• Keynote presentation ‘Development of Professional Counselling in Singapore: In both religious settings and in secular spaces’ at International Conference on Islamic Guidance and Counselling, Indonesia by Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga, Indonesia (Dec 2021).
• Plenary titled ‘Forging new pathways to enhance resilience and mental health in Singapore’ at the 40th-anniversary conference organized by Care Corner Singapore (Nov 2021).
• Plenary titled ‘Impact of psychosocial interventions - Post Covid-19’ at a forum organised by the National Population and Family Development Board, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, Malaysia (Oct, 2020).
• Plenary titled ‘Rising above Trauma through Supervision of Supervision’ at Supervision of Supervision Conference, organised by Viriya Community Services, Singapore (Sep, 2019)
• Plenary titled ‘Child Protection at Community Level: A Trauma-Informed Approach’, at HEART@Feiyue Child Protection Specialist Centre’s 5th Anniversary Forum, Singapore (July 2018)
• Plenary titled ‘The Future of Counsellor Education and Research’, at Singapore Association for Counselling’s 35th Anniversary Conference, Singapore (Nov, 2017)
• Interview on Chinese Morning News focus story (TV) – Legislation may be needed in the future to regulate the quality of local counsellors (晨光聚焦：未来或可立法提升本地辅导员素质MediaCorp - Singapore (Nov, 2021).
• Interview on Chinese Primetime News (TV) –Counselling and Youth mental health as Singapore forms new inter-agency task force to develop a National strategy for mental health (冠病心理健康工作小组将成跨机构平台 由普杰立医生领导). - Singapore (Aug, 2021).
• Interview on Chinese Primetime News (TV) - Future job prospects for counsellors in light of reports of a surge in enrolment of Postgraduate Counselling programs during the global pandemic (疫情下 私人专业辅导学院硕士课程需求增加). - Singapore (Mar, 2021).
• Guest on Radio talk show on 96.3FM- 健康娜件事 - 疫情下的家暴 “Increased in Family Violence during Covid19 pandemic” Singapore (June, 2020).
• Interview on Chinese Primetime News (TV) - Singapore Association of Counselling’s support for the National Care Hotline set up during Covid19 pandemic (助国人应对焦虑 关爱热线). MediaCorp - Singapore (April, 2020).
• Press interview for an article titled ‘Rise in teen sex, blame it on the Net? say experts’, for The Sunday Times, Home section (Sept, 2009). Singapore
• Guest on Channel 8 Chinese Current Affair TV ‘Live’ talk show《校园开讲》on the subject: ‘Career choices of youths in Singapore today’. MediaCorp, Singapore (July, 2007).

Teaching

• ED5310: Practicum in Guidance and Counselling (Level 5; SIN)
• ED5311: Reflective Practice Research in Guidance and Counselling (Level 5; SIN)
• ED5862: Foundations of Counselling Theory (Level 5; SIN)

Interests

Professional

• Case Consultation & Review

Research

• School counselling
• Interdisciplinary professional / clinical collaborations
• Counselling for vulnerable groups
• Refugee mental health & education
• Qualitative research

Teaching

• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy / Counselling
• Person-Centred Therapy / Counselling
• Integrative Psychotherapy / Counselling
• Interdisciplinary professional / clinical collaborations
• Counselling for vulnerable groups

Experience

• 2021 to present - Associate Professor of Counselling, James Cook University (Singapore)
• 2019 to present - Co-Chair (Research & Publication Committee), Singapore Association for Counselling
• 2018 to present - Adjunct Associate Professor, Buddhist College of Singapore
• 2016 to 2021 - Executive & Clinical Director, Children's Aid Society
• 2009 to 2011 - Director (Family Service Centre), TRANS Family Services
• 2005 to 2009 - Head (Counselling & Social Work), Association for Persons with Special Needs

Research Disciplines

• Social work (4409)
• Clinical and health psychology (5203)
• Applied and developmental psychology (5201)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Community services (2301)
• Provision of health and support services (2003)
• Teaching and curriculum (1603)

Awards

• 2011 - Graduate School Travel Prize - University of Nottingham
• 2006 - Out-of-the-Ordinary Volunteer - TRANS Family Services

Fellowships

• Associate Fellow of British Psychological Society

Memberships

• Master Trainer - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) - Livingworks Education (Canada)
• Honorary Advisor - Association for Play Therapy (Singapore)
• Registered Social Service Practitioner - Social Work Accreditation and Advisory Board (Singapore)
• Registered Psychologist & Registered Supervisor - Singapore Psychological Society
• Clinical Member - Singapore Association for Counselling
• Chartered Psychologist - British Psychological Society
• Registered Counsellor & Registered Supervisor - Singapore Association for Counselling
• Full Member - Singapore Psychological Society
• Member - Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham, UK

Other

• 2022 - Vice Chairman, Therapeutic Advisory Council - Family Justice Courts (Singapore)
• 2021 - Steering Committee (Panel of Therapeutic Specialists) - Family Justice Courts (Singapore)
• 2017 to 2018 - Expert Panel (Counselling Capabilities for Early Risk Family) - Ministry of Social and Family Development (Singapore)
• 2015 to 2016 - Expert Panel (Family Life Education & Family Specialist Work) - Ministry of Social and Family Development (Singapore)

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Siah P, Low S, Ho K, Lim Y, T’ng S and Low P (2020) Challenges of refugee teachers in Malaysian community-based learning centers. Makara Hubs-Asia, 24 (1). pp. 73-79
• Kok W, Ong A, Pheh K, Low S, Tan C and Low P (2019) Assessing the effectiveness of a mental health literacy programme for refugee teachers in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Medical Science, 26 (6). pp. 120-126

Other research outputs

• Thong E, Tan C and Low P (2018) Launching into late teens & preparing for adulthood in residential care: through advocacy, empowerment & life skills development. [Presented at the 13th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology]. 6-8 August 2018, Kuching, Borneo
• Kiew J, Chan J, Low P and Chua A (2018) Journeying through group art therapy for teenage girls in residential care. [Presented at the 13th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology]. 6-8 August 2018, Kuching, Borneo
• Toh C, Pon A and Low P (2018) Introducing trauma-informed play therapy in residential care setting: a Singapore experience. [Presented at the 13th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology]. 6-8 August 2018, Kuching, Borneo
• Low P, Tan C, Lim A and Chua A (2018) Positive adjustment & growth indicators: beyond academic results & maladaptive behaviors. [Presented at the 13th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology]. 6-8 August 2018, Kuching, Borneo
• Repol C, Saez B and Low P (2013) Effect of The Listening Program® on the improvement of work skills; attention span and rate of work (speed) of students diagnosed with MID under vocational training. [Presented at the 21st Asian Federation on Intellectual Disabilities Conference]. In: AFID 2013: 21st Asian Federation on Intellectual Disabilities Conference, 7-11 October 2011, New Delhi, India

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• The development and validation of a Buddhist religiosity scale using a combined emic and etic approach (PhD , External Advisor)