Academic Staff
Dr Sunny CHAN
Assistant Professor
BSc(OT), MSocSc (Mental health), PgD (Psychology), PhD (Mental health)
- ST502
- +852 2766 4676
- sunny.hw.chan@polyu.edu.hk
ORCID ID
SCOPUS IDBiography
Dr Chan received his undergraduate training in occupational therapy from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Since then, he further pursued a Master degree in mental health and a Postgraduate diploma in psychology at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, respectively. Last year, Dr Chan graduated with a Doctoral Degree specialising in Mental Health at The University of Hong Kong. Dr Chan has many years of clinical experience in the field of mental health working in various public hospitals and non-governmental organizations, including acute psychiatric service, community psychiatric rehabilitation, and psychological intervention for common mental disorders. His work is characterised by his orientation to recovery paradigm, psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy or solution focused therapy, and mindfulness-based intervention. Anchored in his clinical practice and jointly with his colleagues, Dr Chan has developed an illness management programme titled Transforming Relapse and Instilling Program (TRIP) in Hong Kong. This programme was well recognized locally and internationally. It has also been included as one of the chapters in an international handbook of occupational therapy interventions and also adopted as one of the standard occupational therapy programmes in acute mental health care in Hong Kong. Dr Chan’sresearch interests focus on bipolar disorder, coping flexibility, mental health recovery, psychosocial intervention, and mindfulness-based intervention. He has several years of experience in mindfulness practice and conducting mindfulness-based intervention programme. He also has extensive training in mindfulness at Hong Kong, Beijing, Taiwan and USA.
Education and Academic Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Master of Social Science, The University of Hong Kong
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Hong Kong
- Master of Counselling, Monash University
- Bachelor of Science in Occupation Therapy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Professional Qualifications
- Qualified Cognitive Therapist
- Associate Fellow of The Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association
- Registered Occupational Therapist
Research Interests
Research Output
- Chan, S.H.W., & Tse, S. (under review). Coping with amplified emotionality among people with bipolar disorder in the recovery process: A longitudinal study. Journal of Affective Disorders.
- Chan, S.H.W., & Tse, S. (under review). Coping flexibility with Behavioral Approach System activating life events: Comparison between people with and without bipolar disorder. Psychiatry Research.
- Chan, S.H.W., & Tse, S. (under review). The judicious use of coping in emotion regulation for people with bipolar disorder: An exploratory study. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease.
- Chan, S.H.W., Yu, C.K.C., & Li, A.W.O. (in preparation for submission). The role of mindfulness in enhancing the counseling self-efficacy of counseling trainees. Journal of Counseling & Development.
- Lee, S.W.K., & Chan, S.H.W. (2015). Illness management training: Transforming relapse and instilling prosperity (TRIP) in an acute psychiatric ward: A user’s perspective. In I. Söderback (Ed), International handbook of occupational therapy interventions (2nd ed.) (pp. 519-528). New York, NY: Springer.
- Tse, S., Chan, S.H.W., Ng, J.K.L., & Yatham, L. (2014). Meta-analysis of predictors of favorable employment outcomes among people with bipolar disorders. Bipolar Disorders, 16, 217-229.
- Chan, S.H.W. (2009). Illness management training: Transforming relapse and instilling prosperity (TRIP) in an acute psychiatric ward. In I. Söderback (Ed), International handbook of occupational therapy interventions (pp.261-267). New York, NY: Springer.
- Chan, S.H.W., & Yeung, F.K.C. (2008). Path models of quality of life among people with schizophrenia living in the community in Hong Kong. Community Mental Health Journal, 44, 97-112.
- Chan, S.H.W., Lee, S.W.K., & Chan, I.W.M. (2007). TRIP: A psychoeducational programme in Hong Kong for people with schizophrenia. Occupational Therapy International. 14, 86-98.
- Yeung, F.K.C., & Chan, S.H.W. (2006). Clinical characteristics and objective living conditions in relation to quality of life among community-based individuals of schizophrenia in Hong Kong. Quality of life Research, 15, 1459-1469
