Through interviews provide appropriate cases counseling service users , to help them overcome the difficulties encountered in all aspects of debt distress caused by gambling , emotions, relationships, family , school, health , etc., and when there is a need for them to turn referral and other professional services

• Registered Consultant Lawyer
• Counselling Psychologist
• Clinical Psychologist
• Registered Social Worker (RSW) & Registered Counsellors
• Certified Gambling Counsellors (CGC) & Certified Gambling Trainers (CGT)

Teammates

YIM, Ho-yu Jeffery

Centre-in-Charge

Qualifications
Dip.(Hons) in Counselling and Psychology
M.COUN., The University of New England (Australia)
Registered Counsellor (ACA Level 4 Member)

e-mail
jyim@zss.org.hk

Heartfelt Sharing
Gambling has been around throughout history.  Generally perceived as normal entertainment or social activities, gambling has only been considered since this century as a potential problem that warrants psychological interventions.  When one considers problem gambling, the general focus is on the behaviours per se and the resultant debt problems while the underlying causes and the psychosocial impacts of gambling addiction and relapses are usually neglected.  As gambling counsellors, we are not magicians who can help one quit gambling with just a couple of chit-chats.  Nevertheless, counselling shall bring true hope of recovery as long as you are determined to change.  So don’t despair no matter how dire the situation you are in.

YIM, Ting-Ling Augusta

Registered Counselling Psychologist (HKPS)

Qualifications
Master in Counselling Psychology
Bachelor (Hons) in Counselling and Psychology
HKPS Graduate Member

e-mail
ay@zss.org.hk

Heartfelt Sharing

Hello everyone, I am Augusta, one of the counseling psychologists at Zion Social Service Yuk Lai Hing Counselling Centre.

For me, gambling is so close, yet so far.  Although I do not participate in any gambling activity, making decisions throughout life is actually like a series of gambling, for which we are not completely sure whether the decisions we make are right or not.  And yet it often takes courage to make choices and decisions, to step out of our own comfort zones.  For those who have gambling addiction, just how much have their choices and decisions been fettered by gambling?  Is it a must, or is it really their desires, for their life choices and decisions to be fettered by gambling?  Indeed, are they aware of how gambling has been affecting their lives?

It is hoped that those with gambling addiction may rethink the above questions during the counseling process.  The process of gaining more self-awareness, stepping out of the comfort zone and making the choice to change is no doubt a precious part of the counseling journey.

Ip, Ka-fai Godfrey

Counsellor

Qualifications
M.Soc.Sc. in Counselling
Clinical Hypnotherapist
B.Com./ LL.B

e-mail
kfip@zss.org.hk

Heartfelt Sharing

“Our lives are strings of Todays.  In these Todays, we are taking first steps, again and again … Although there may be things blocking our way, they are not the way itself.  No matter how dark along the way, the hand always knows the way to the mouth … The current of life requires us to stand up, again and again … Our strength will continue if we allow ourselves to feel scared, weak, and vulnerable, for then we accept ourselves as we are …” (thoughts extracted from The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo).

If not now, when?  Today may I be your companion along the way!

CHU, Ho Ming David

Counsellor

Qualifications
M.Soc.Sc. in Social Work
Registered Social Worker

e-mail
ming@zss.org.hk

Heartfelt Sharing

Many people think that gambling is a way to enhance wealth, pay back loans, build up self-confidence and gain recognition.  Additionally, many people believe that gambling would alleviate pressure; and hence they regard gambling as entertainment.  In fact, these concepts are absolutely wrong.  Gambling will not only lead to bankruptcy and aggravate pressure, but also affect personal well-being, implicate family members and undermine friendships.  Undoubtedly, gambling is absolutely harmful without any benefit.  Gamblers would certainly become losers.

Certainly, gambling cessation counselling is a long-term solution.  I wish to help gamblers and their family members by mean of individual and group counselling, activities and community education.  During the process, I will accompany gamblers and their family members to face and overcome all adversities, difficulties and obstacles.

Most importantly, cutting off from gambling friends and gambling information as well as nurture of healthy lifestyle, proper financial management, appropriate hobbies, and proper values of work and life are the most effective prevention from pathological gambling.

CHAN, Siu-hoi

Counsellor

Qualifications
Master of Social Work
B. Soc. Sc. (Hons)
Registered Social Worker

e-mail
hoi@zss.org.hk

Heartfelt Sharing

Gambling has a long history in China.  Chinese people’s general gambling habits are unique.  For one, they prefer gambling with other people to gambling against machines.  Mahjong, Sic Bo (Tai-Sai), and Baccarat, being most popular among Chinese, require more than one person to play.  Chinese traditionally enjoy lively atmosphere in gatherings and see gambling as a social activity and entertainment within family and among friends.  This traditional attitude contributes to the deep-rootedness of gambling in the Chinese society.  This in turn leads to high prevalence of problem gamblers among Chinese, as compared to ethnic groups in the Western world.

On the other hand, Hong Kong sees a growing trend in its younger generations being drawn to gaming machines, which many game arcades have installed in recent years.  The mixing of gambling with fun in such machines has normalised gambling for children and teenagers.  Once they become indulged in these gaming machines, they may neglect their studies and start having gambling problems.

It is hoped that teenagers and adults with social gambling habits or gambling problems would seek help from gambling counseling centres.  Get rid of gambling addiction, give yourself a chance.  Call us for help.

TAM, Tsz-ho Jelly

Registered Counselling Psychologist (HKPS)

Qualifications
Master in Counselling Psychology
Bachelor (Hons) in Criminology and Psychology (2nd Major)

e-mail
tth@zss.org.hk

Heartfelt Sharing

Through my experience in gambling counselling, I have come to realise that changing a person is no easy feat ── only you, and no one else, can have you changed!  In my counselling work, I would like to create a warm and safe environment with you so that your inner power can be nurtured naturally.  In the right soil, together we gently plant the seed.  Being mindful of each moment, the seed grows into a shoot amidst understanding and love.  Hand in hand we can weather thunders and storms.  From the soil fertilised by trials in life, the shoot slowly grows into a fruitful tree, one which may one day serve as a haven for others.

Once a client asked me at the end of a session, “How do you see counseling?  For you, is counselling just a job or something else?”  To which I replied, “Helping others to attain well-being and happiness is my beginner’s mind for being a counsellor!  I would be content if you are nourished through our encounters.”  During the counselling process, I believe in leading by example.  Hence, I endeavour to practise what I have learned from my counseling studies and recent academic researches.  Through these practices I have become a happier and healthier person, and I am confident that together we can find a way to well-being!

Lately, I have come to understand that well-being is a choice.  Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.  From this understanding I have attained a sense of satisfaction in life, and I hope you can too.  Lastly, I wish I can be free from troubles and be well and at peace.  I wish you too can be free from troubles and be well and at peace!