A KIND PLACE PTE. - Key Persons
Dr. Ong Mian Li is a clinical child and adolescent psychologist with over a decade of experience in the United States and currently practicing in Singapore.
Specializing in mood, anxiety, and behavior disorders, Dr. Ong has navigated diverse settings, including, but not limited to: medical and psychiatric hospitals, schools, outpatient settings.
Therapy isn't always perfect because there's another person on the other end of the couch who is a variable. This made me want to be the best therapist I could for my client, but yet, it helped me recognise my limitations because I am human too.
When I started being a therapist, I knew that I needed to do 1 thing, I needed to be genuine, truly care, and listen to the other person on the other side. Working in America helped me a lot because I had kind bosses and kind supervisors. I had support that I never had before. I felt like I could be a good therapist as long as I remained humble and keep learning.
Coming back to Singapore, I did not get any of that. I could not find a job as a therapist and I was repeatedly criticised by various bosses, and even my relatives. This drove me to want to do something different. I wanted to create a working environment where my therapist and staff can feel safe. If people working with me feel safe, I know they will do the best for their clients too.
This is why I started A Kind Place.