Management
Clinical Director
Clinical Psychologist
Educational Psychologist
- Ph.D. Clin. Psy. (UPM), Malaysia
- M. Clin. Psy. (UKM), Malaysia
Educational Psychologist
- M. Ed.(Ed.Psy.)(UM), Malaysia
Consultant Child, Adult, Couples, & Family Therapy
- Grad. Dip. in Multigenerational Family Therapy (Italy)
- Grad. Cert. Family Therapy (M’sia/Australia)
- Dip. Neuro-dramatic Play (M’sia/UK)
- Cert. Jungian Sand Tray Therapy (M’sia/Texas)
- Cert. Jungian Expressive Arts Therapy (M’sia/USA)
- Cert. Therapeutic Play (PTI UK)
- Cert. Collaborative Practice Training (IACP/MCPG)
- Certs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (M’sia)
- Cert Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (M’sia/USA)
- Cert. Acceptance Commitment Therapy (M’sia/UK)
- Certs. Orton-Gillingham (S’pore)
- Cert. Collaborative Practice for Divorcing Couples (IACP)
Dr. Ding is a registered clinical psychologist with the Malaysian Allied Health Professional Council and a member of the Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology.
A pioneer in the educational psychology field, Dr. Ding has vast experience in assessing dyslexia and learning disorders. Dr. Ding developed the Ding Dyslexia Program in 2008 and continues to upgrade this program that caters from preschoolers to young adults.
Being a pioneer in implementing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as a central approach in her clinical practice in Malaysia, Dr. Ding sees clients of all ages. Beyond the conventional CBT, she expands her toolkit with various modern CBTs such as Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Dr. Ding earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology under the supervision of Professor Dr. Hjh. Firdaus Mukhtar, an internationally renowned professor in the field of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from Asia, as well as Professor Dato’ Lai Munn Sann, a distinctive, international researcher in the field of community health.
She is also trained in multigenerational family and couples therapy, and is a family consultant of collaborative practice for divorcing couples. Her training in family therapy is under the guidance of three esteemed supervisors—Prof. Dr. Maurizio Andolfi, a renowned multigenerational family therapy expert from Italy; David Hong, a qualified systemic family therapy consultant from Australia.
As a family consultant of collaborative practice for divorcing couples, Dr. Ding is a member of the Malaysian Collaborative Practice Group and International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). Collaborative Practice is a voluntary dispute resolution process in which parties settle without resort to litigation.
Since 2007, Dr. Ding has been a trained practitioner in play therapy under Prof. Dr. Monika Jephcott and neuro-dramatic play under Prof. Dr. Sue Jennings, both from the UK. She has also received training in Jungian-based sand therapy and expressive arts therapy from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Diana-Lea Baranovich.
Last but not least, Dr. Ding is not only a practitioner but also a mentor, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with emerging psychologists.
Professional Development
- Multigenerational Family Therapy
- Couple Counselling
- Family Assessment
- Satir Brief Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Acceptance Commitment Therapy
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Mindful Self-Compassion
- Therapeutic Play Therapy
- Expressive Arts Therapy
- Neuro-dramatic Play Therapy
- Orton-Gillingham (Dyslexia & Dyscalculia)
- Ding, W. E., Tan, K.A., Fam, J. Y., Mukhtar, F., Lye, M. S., Awang, H., & Munawar, K. (2021). Psychometric evaluation of the Malay version of the multidimensional Beck Youth Inventories-2 (BYI-2 Malay): Measuring self-concept, anxiety, depression, anger, and disruptive behaviour among adolescents in sheltered homes. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 29(1), March 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.1.15
- Mukhtar, F., Ding, W. E., Lye, M. S., Awang, H., & Munawar, K. (2021). Prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety of adolescents residing in Malay-operated non-government-run sheltered homes in Selangor, Malaysia. Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 29(1), March 2021.https://doi.org/10.47836/pjssh.29.1.16
In submission for publications:
- Ding, W. E., Mukhtar, F., Lye, M.S., & Awang, H. (2021). The effectiveness of group cognitive behavioural therapy on depression and anxiety in adolescents residing at a sheltered home: A Preliminary Study. In submission.
- Ding, W. E., Mukhtar, F., Awang, H., & Lye, M. S. (2021). The effectiveness of group cognitive behavioural therapy on depression, anxiety, negative automatic thoughts, self-esteem and anger in adolescents residing at sheltered homes in Malaysia. In submission.
- Ding, W. E., Mukhtar, F., Lye, M. S., & Awang, H., (2021). The prevalence and associated factors self-esteem and anger in adolescents residing at sheltered homes in Malaysia. In submission.
The following are an oral paper and posters presented in the 9th World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies 2019 on the 17th-20th July 2019 in Berlin, Germany.
- Oral Papers:
- Mukhtar, F., Ding, W. E., Lye, M. S., & Awang, H. (2024, February 28 – March 3). A Randomised Controlled Trial of Effectiveness of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on Depression, Negative Automatic Thoughts, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Anger Among Adolescents in Shelter [Paper Presentation]. The 8th Asian CBT Congress, New Delhi, India.
- Mukhtar, F., Ding, W. E., Lye, M. S., & Awang, H. (2024, February 28 – March 3). Predictors of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on Depression and Anxiety in Malaysian Adolescents [Paper Presentation]. in the 8th Asian CBT Congress, New Delhi, India. February-March 2024.
- Posters:
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- Mukhtar, F., Ding, W. E., Awang, H., & Lye, M. S. (2019, July Prevalence and associated factors of depression and anxiety of adolescents living in sheltered homes. Poster presentation in the World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, Berlin, Germany. September 2019.
- Ding, W. E., Tan, K. A., Fam, J. Y., Mukhtar, F., Lye, M. S., & Awang, H. Factor structure of Beck Youth Inventory-2. Poster presentation in the World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, Berlin, Germany. September 2019.
- Ding, W. E., Mukhtar, F., Lye, M. S., & Awang, H. (2019). The effectiveness of group cognitive behavioural therapy on depression and anxiety in adolescents living in the sheltered homes. Paper presentation in the World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, Berlin, Germany. September 2019.
The following are the articles that are published in a conference proceeding:
- Ding, W. E. & Chinapan, B. (2024). Filial Piety and Patriarchal Norms in a Modern Malaysian Chinese Family. In …. (Eds.), Rethinking Mental Health in the Context of Radically Changing Familial and Social Norms. (pp.). Asian Family Therapy Conference 25th-27th October 2024, Shanghai, China. Publisher. DOI
- Ding, W. E. & Hong, B. (2024). Andolfi’s Multigenerational Family Therapy – What Do Those Intergenerational “Sad and Worry Germs” Mean to This Emotionally Disconnected Family?. In …. (Eds.), Rethinking Mental Health in the Context of Radically Changing Familial and Social Norms. (pp.). Asian Family Therapy Conference 25th-27th October 2024, Shanghai, China. Publisher. DOI
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (UPM), Malaysia
Prior to joining Sunzen Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (“Sunzen Corporation”), Dr. Teo Kim Lai held the position of field veterinarian in Federal Flour Mill Berhad from 1989 to 1990, Operational Manager in Oriental Feedmill, which under the wings of Robert Kuok’s Group in Liaoning, China from 1991 to 1992, Poultry Team Leader in Pfizer from 1993 to 1994, General Manager in Mallinckrodt Inc of China and Hong Kong in 1995, and General Team Leader and National Sales Manager in Pfizer from 1996 to 1998.
In 1998, Dr. Teo together with the existing management of Pfizer in Malaysia, established Sunzen Corporation to undertake a management buy-out of Pfizer’s local distribution and marketing operations. Dr. Teo was then appointed as a Director of Sunzen Corporation after its inception. Dr. Teo was the Vice President of the Malaysia Association of Food Animal from 2000 to 2001 and the Vice President of the Veterinary Alumni of UPM from 2003 to 2004. Dr. Teo was also a volunteer veterinary officer of the National Virus Eradication Campaign of the Department of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture in 1999 and later became an adviser on the Technical Advisory Committee of Federation of Farmers Association Malaysia in 2000. Dr. Teo was an Honorary Secretary of World Poultry Science Association Malaysia Branch in 2008. He was the Honorary Secretary of Malaysia Iran Business Council from 2009 to 2010.
After his retirement, Dr. Teo joined Ding Psychology Centre as the Chief Executive Officer, overseeing Financial, Administration, and Human Resources operations. Passionate about mental health, he is dedicated to contributing to the community by enhancing mental health services and support.
Associates / Therapists
- M. Clin. Psy.(HELP Uni.), Malaysia
- B. Psy. (Hons.) (HELP Uni. Col.), Malaysia
Grace is a registered clinical psychologist with the Malaysian Allied Health Professional Council and a member of Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology.
Grace seeks to create a space where clients feel safe to share their vulnerabilities and pain. Her primary therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and she also incorporates other evidence-based techniques aligned with the clients’ needs. Throughout her work, she has worked with adults with a varying range of complaints and conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, relational issues and many more; she also offers services in assessing and diagnosing mental disorders. Prior to that, she has worked with children with special needs, and volunteered in various community and outreach missions. Grace was a behavioural consultant and lead interventionist in the field of special education, who believes that mental health services should be made available to all who need it.
- B.Sc. (Uni. of Melb.), Australia
- M. Speech Pathology (Uni. of Melb.), Australia
Kelly is a qualified Speech Language Pathologist who graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Master of Speech Pathology. As part of her clinical training, Kelly gained a diverse range of paediatric clinical experiences working at early intervention centres, paediatric hospitals, and specialist schools.
Kelly worked for several years as a Speech Language Pathologist at a private paediatric practice in Singapore. She later returned home to Malaysia and was part of a founding team that set up a centre providing early intervention services and centre-based outpatient therapy. Kelly has experience working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders, global developmental delays, Down’s Syndrome, developmental language disorders, speech sound disorders, literacy difficulties, and social communication difficulties.
Kelly is dedicated to her role and strives to help children reach their full potential. She values the importance of providing client- and family-centred therapy that is tailored to the unique needs of each family and child. Kelly also believes in lifelong learning and continuously seeks to enhance her own professional development.
Kelly is a member of the Malaysian Association of Speech-Language & Hearing. She is also registered with the Allied Health Professions Council in Singapore.
- B.Sc.(Hon.) Occup. Thrpy (Oxford Brookes Uni.), UK
Ms. Fany Yim obtained her Bachelors with Honours in Occupational Therapy, from the UK. She has been and is still actively practicing as an Occupational Therapist, since 2001. She is the founder and principal Occupational Therapist of PaedOTskill Services, which provides Occupational Therapy services to special needs children. The center is located in Damansara Uptown, Petaling Jaya; where she conducts 1-to-1 therapy sessions, and group sessions respectively.
Her passion is to help and train as many special needs children to access education; and to give hope to parents when hope seems far fetched. She coaches parents to learn how to handle their children’s tantrums and behaviour; guiding the parents in the different stages of their child’s development; and teaching parents how to be teachers and leaders to their own children. The positive outcomes of her students’ progress has given her a lot of satisfaction and excitement. She finds it a privilege and a joy as an Occupational Therapist to be able to witness the child’s progress, the parent’s willingness to change, the commitment the parents stick through the hard and rough times, and the patience of both parents and therapist to establish the child’s foundation, during the course of therapy.
- B. Occup. Thrpy (Hons.) (UiTM), Malaysia
Ms. Siti Nor Aishah graduated from UiTM with a Bachelor Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is a practicing Occupational Therapist, in PaedOTskill Services, located in Uptown Damansara, Petaling Jaya. She has been providing Occupational Therapy treatment to children with special needs for the last 10 years. She conducts 1-to-1 therapy sessions, and group sessions respectively.
Ms. Aishah is very passionate about being an Occupational Therapist, working with special needs children and their families. She enjoys seeing the development in her students, as they come for therapy. She feels that as she sees her students’ progress, she also grows alongside them in the therapy journey.
- B. Ed.(Hons) Spe. Ed. (Segi Uni.), Malaysia
- Prepare own teaching materials
- Alliances with parents to give feedback
- Teach English, Math and Science
- Teach phonics and reading
- Increase child’s cognitive skills
- Prepare for School Readiness
Special Needs Therapists
Special Needs Therapist
- B.Sc. (First Class Hons.) Psychology (Applied) (Uni. West of England), UK
Siang Qi hopes to enhance children’s learning experiences and empower them through education, enabling them to realize their full potential. She values the transformative power of learning and is dedicated to fostering an environment where every student can thrive. Her involvement in delivering lessons according to the individual’s pace promotes effective learning.
Siang Qi also firmly believes in the inclusivity of education, where every student, irrespective of his or her conditions, has a rightful place in the world of knowledge.
Special Needs Therapist
- B. Psy. (Hons.) KUIM, Malaysia
- M. Ed. Guidance & Counseling (UKM), Malaysia
- Cert. Sand Therapy
Ain has remarkable patience and strong motivation, which enable her to work independently as well as in a team. She is always willing to accept the consequences of her actions as a learning process.
In the classroom, Ain values the life stories of her students and strives to provide a safe space for them. Her goal is to help students achieve and retain their skills. Besides that, she is committed to supporting her students in their academic journey and personal growth.
Additionally, Ain uses sand therapy to gain a deeper understanding of individuals.
Admin & Customer Services
Customer Services Executive
- B. Computer Sc. (Hons) (UiTM), Malaysia
Ida is an accomplished Senior Administrative and Customer Services Executive with proven ability to streamline administrative functions, and enhance customer care. A good communicator who fosters collaborative environments among colleagues and clients. She is efficient in managing office operations, including scheduling appointments and meetings, handling correspondence, organising files, and maintaining records. She ensures smooth workflow, supports executive functions, and improves efficiency. Her key responsibilities also include coordinating office day-to-day matters and providing support to staff and management to enhance overall productivity.
“Families work like systems, with structures that shape how members interact. Problems arise when these structures are too strict or too messy. I focus on spotting these patterns—how family members relate and where boundaries are too loose or too tight—and helping to adjust them for healthier relationships. Real change happens when families try new ways of interacting, not just by talking but by actively shifting roles. A strong family is not one without conflict, but one that handles it in a way that brings growth and connection.” ~ Prof. Dr. Salvador Minuchin
“Families work like systems, with structures that shape how members interact. Problems arise when these structures are too strict or too messy. I focus on spotting these patterns—how family members relate and where boundaries are too loose or too tight—and helping to adjust them for healthier relationships. Real change happens when families try new ways of interacting, not just by talking but by actively shifting roles. A strong family is not one without conflict, but one that handles it in a way that brings growth and connection.” ~ Prof. Dr. Salvador Minuchin
DING PSYCHOLOGY CENTRE
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