Relate Malaysia

02/12/2025

As we head toward a New Year, conversations around goals and resolutions will be heard as often as a Mariah Carey Christmas classic.

But what actually makes motivation stick?

In this throwback episode of Being Human, motivation expert Prof. Richard Koestner joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning to discuss the important distinction between doing something because we feel we have to, and setting goals we personally want to achieve.

Listen to the full conversation: https://ow.ly/ceFQ50XvI6q

28/11/2025

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh shared an important announcement this week: the launch of a new guide to help people spot early signs of su***de risk will be released by the end of the year.

It’s being created so that the public, caregivers, and employers feel better equipped to notice distress and offer early support when someone may be struggling.

The guide is in its final stages after input from youth, mental-health professionals, government partners, and NGOs. Our founder, Dr Chua Sook Ning, stood alongside Hannah Yeoh as this announcement was made.

Watch here:

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh announced on Wednesday (Nov 26) that a quick guide for early intervention in suspected su***de cases is expected to be ...

27/11/2025

Empathy isn’t always soft or “nice.” Sometimes, support feels like a hug 🤗 and other times it’s simply offering respect and space 🙏

Genuine empathy is about attuning to what someone truly needs in the moment. One person may crave closeness ❤️ while another feels safer with a steady presence 💪

The same gesture can heal or harm depending on how it’s received. Remember: empathy is responsive, not fixed.

25/11/2025

Therapy invites us to show up as we are, not how we think we should be.

Be as open as you can, even if it feels messy. Tell your therapist what’s working (and what isn’t). Some sessions will feel deep and others slow – both are part of the process ⏳

Real growth often happens between sessions, as you apply the insights to the relationship with yourself and others. You don’t need to do therapy “right” – just stay open, be curious, and let it naturally unfold.

If you need someone to talk to, we're here for you, in person or online: https://relate.com.my/relate-therapy-centre/

20/11/2025

One for therapists: How do you tell if a case is truly beyond your scope, or if it’s self-doubt talking? 🤔

In this reel, Dr. Chua Sook Ning shares her thoughts on how therapists can navigate those moments of uncertainty.

She reflects on the role of supervision, continued training, and honest self-reflection in building confidence and competence 🌱

A timely reminder that therapy is a lifelong journey, and we’re all still learning along the way.

Read more Therapists' Corner insights from Dr. Chua: https://relate.com.my/therapist-corner/

13/11/2025

We’re flooded with health claims, “facts,” and warnings every day, but not all of them are true.

Some are emotional, misleading, or shared so often they start to feel believable. Misinformation isn’t just harmless noise, it shapes how we think, trust, and make decisions. 🤔

Check out our latest article as we unpack why misinformation spreads so easily and how to protect yourself without becoming cynical:

Every day we scroll past dozens of claims about health, politics, psychology, or lifestyle “hacks”. Some are useful, some are harmless, and some are completely untrue yet still shared thousands of times. Misinformation isn’t just “fake news” in the dramatic sense. It can be any claim that ...

04/11/2025

Feeling down on occasion is part of being human – but how do you know when it’s more than that?

Clinical psychologist Sarah Zehan shares how to tell the difference between low mood and depression.

She explains how factors like time, intensity, and daily impact help us recognise when feeling low might indicate a deeper struggle.

04/11/2025

Our relationship with our body can shape how we see ourselves, and it often changes across different stages of life.

In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Gemma Sharp joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning to talk about body image, eating concerns, and why stigma is difficult to overcome.

They also discuss how appearance gets tied to self-worth, how life transitions impact our bodies, and how collective voices and accounts of lived experience are crucial to better understanding, recovery, and healing.

Listen to the full conversation: https://ow.ly/P7IQ50XflZc

30/10/2025

We all have moments when self-doubt and self-criticism creep in.

A healthy dose of self-doubt can keep us grounded and focused, but when it becomes excessive and constant, it often carries voices that aren’t really ours. They're messages we’ve absorbed from authority figures and people of influence in our lives.

When that harsh voice takes over, it rarely feels helpful. Think about what you say to yourself at your lowest – would you ever speak to a close friend that way? Most of us wouldn’t. And yet, we forget that the same compassion, patience, and encouragement we’d freely offer others can be extended inward.

Self-criticism isn’t something we chose, it’s something shaped by conditioning.

As a result, we often lose sight of our strengths, capabilities, and qualities that others can see in us, even when we struggle to see them ourselves. With that in mind, we invite you to pause and notice those good points, to allow yourself – even in small ways – to be on your own side.

Encouraging yourself isn’t arrogance or indulgence, it’s self-respect. It’s about treating yourself as someone worthy of kindness and someone who deserves support.

If you’d like to hear more about befriending your emotions and inner dialogue, tune into our first episode of Being Human with Prof. Jeanne Watson, co-developer of Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), who shares her invaluable wisdom on this important topic.

Listen to the episode here: https://ow.ly/UMkR50WKTJL

23/10/2025

Part of a therapist's job is to witness and be with their clients' emotions...but how can therapists deal with strong emotions in session that arise within themselves?

Here, Dr. Chua Sook Ning shares her thoughts on this common experience among therapists, reminding us that we're all humans first, regardless of our jobs, and what matters is how we manage our inner experiences.

Check out some additional insights here: https://ow.ly/rlvc50WZSIS

23/10/2025

"While parents play a central role, they cannot and should not be expected to carry this responsibility alone. Many are working long hours, lack digital literacy, or feel outpaced by constantly evolving technology.

"They need clear guidance, accessible tools, and a supportive community to help them set boundaries, supervise use, and rebuild connection at home."

As tragedy impacts Malaysian youth, we examine how social media and smartphone usage affects our young, and how parents, schools, and society should intervene.

16/10/2025

Silence in therapy 🤫 can feel strange at first, but it often serves an important purpose.

In everyday life, we rarely pause long enough to notice our thoughts and feelings. A therapist’s silence allows space for emotions to surface, for thoughts to form, and for insights to emerge ✨

In those quiet moments, patterns can become clearer, and self-understanding grows 🌱

Sometimes, the most meaningful parts of therapy arise in the spaces between what’s said…

Schedule an appointment with us today: https://relate.com.my/relate-therapy-centre/