The counselling team at SIS

The counselling team at SIS consists:

• Our two school counsellors, Ms. Tara Chiang & Ms Doreen Jowharsha

• Our two school social workers, Ms. Kamy Yeung, and Ms. Stephanie Wan

Our counsellors and social workers are all professionally trained in counselling. They offer friendly and confidential support to students who needs someone to talk to.

Want to learn more about each of them? Scroll down to learn more!

Tara is a kind, empathic and perceptive counsellor. Her primary focus is to establish a safe and non-judgmental environment where students can truly feel seen, heard, and supported. With a deep belief in the power of self-reflection, Tara encourages her clients to explore their inner selves and harness their strengths to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Tara has experience providing counselling across a wide range of issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, OCD, ASD, self-esteem, bullying, relationship issues with peers and family, and self-harm. She embraces a person-centred approach to counselling, tailoring her counselling to meet the unique needs of each individual. Tara incorporates various therapeutic modalities such as strength-based approaches, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) into her practice.

Tara is a member of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA). She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Birmingham and further pursued her passion by obtaining a Masters of Counselling at Monash University.

Prior to joining South Island School, Tara had the privilege to work as a research assistant in the Integrated Body-Mind-Sprit team at the Social Work and Social Administration Department at the University of Hong Kong. In this role, she gained valuable field research experience and delivered psychoeducation, contributing to the advancement of her field. Additionally, Tara has gained invaluable counselling experience in diverse international and local school settings.

Having been raised in both Hong Kong and the UK, Tara understands the importance of cultural sensitivity and the intricacies of multicultural lifestyles. This background allows her to connect with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and provide a nuanced approach that respects and embraces diversity.

Ms. Doreen Jowharsha, holds a Masters in Social Sciences (Counselling) from Hong Kong University (HKU). She is an experienced Mindfulness Teacher for children and adolescents having taught in school and in private settings in Hong Kong since 2013 and is the mother of two teenage boys.

Previously she trained as a Speech and Language Therapist and worked for the National Health Service and an Adult Education Centre before moving to Hong Kong with her family in 2011. She has also worked in Portugal and Australia and has over 25 years’ experience of working with the families of children and adolescents with a variety of learning and developmental needs, in addition to adults who stammer. Until 2017 she worked as a part-time Assistant Lecturer and Clinical Supervisor at Hong Kong University in the Speech and Hearing Division.

Doreen has an eclectic approach in her work with clients using Mindfulness based interventions, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy, Non-Violent Communication and Positive Psychology.

Her professional background and own meditation practice bring a deep understanding of the importance of listening and communicating to her clients with non-judgment and compassion. She has a warm and flexible approach which puts her clients at ease. She has a belief that all people have an inner wisdom which can be tapped into through the cultivation of self-awareness and self-knowledge which can lead to significant changes in their life.

Her interests lie with: depression and self-worth; anxiety and stress; emotion regulation; teenage issues; parenting issues ; and communication skills

Ms. Kamy enjoys working with adolescents and believes that everyone has the strength to grow. She also believes that “the problem is not a problem but the coping is” (from Virginia Satir), and hopes to work together with people to find more choices in their lives. 

Apart from counselling, she also offers her help in group programmes, such as Anti-Drug Force Group, Awesome Girls’ Social training group, Greater Good: Mental Wellness project, Zentangle & Mindfulness courses, Mental Health First Aid course, to strengthen the growth and development of students.

Ms. Stephanie is dedicated to serving teenagers and enjoys listening to their life stories. She believes that everyone possesses the expertise to lead their own lives and she hopes to assist students to open up their lives to various possibilities. 

Apart from counselling, she runs the We Serve Community Service Team and organises different social and developmental programmes like Buddy Up, a social skills training group at South Island School.