Timothy Sim

Associate Professor Timothy Sim

Head of Programme, Master of Counselling

S R Nathan School of Human Development

Tel: +65 6248 6109

Educational Qualifications

1999 - 2005
Ph.D. in Family Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

1996 - 1997
MSc in Family Therapy, King's College London, University of London, United Kingdom

1993 - 1994
Postgraduate Diploma in Family Therapy, Counselling and Care Centre and Institute of Family Therapy, United Kingdom

1987 - 1991
B.A. (Hons), National University of Singapore, Singapore

Academic and Professional Experience

Full time:

2021- Present
Associate Professor, S R Nathan School of Human Development, Singapore University of Social Sciences

2012 - 2021
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

2008 - 2012
Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

2006 - 2008
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore

2005 - 2006
Visiting Fellow, Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore

2002 - 2005
Lecturer, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong

1998 - 1999
Training Manager, National Council of Social Service

1997 - 1998
Senior Family Therapist/Clinical Director, Care Corner Mandarin Counselling Centre

1995 - 1996
Executive Director, Care Corner Mandarin Counselling Centre

1994 - 1996
National Director, Care Corner Singapore

1994
Executive Director, Care Corner Family Service Centre (Toa Payoh)

1993 - 1994
Counsellor, Care Corner Mandarin Counselling Centre

1991 - 1993
Social Worker, Care Corner Family Service Centre (Toa Payoh)

Publications in SCI/SSCI Journals in 2022-2023 only

  1. Sim, T., & He, M. (2023).
    Core competencies in disaster management for social workers in China: A modified e-Delphi study. Journal of Social Work, 23(4), 656-676. https://doi.org/10.1177/14680173231162536

  2. Joubert, L., Webber, M., Uggerhøj, L., Julkunen, I., Yliruka, L., Hampson, R., Simpson, G., Sim, T., Manguy, A. M., & Austin, M. J. (2023).
    The Melbourne Statement on Practice Research in Social Work: Practice Meets Research, 33(4), 367-374. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315221139835

  3. Sim, T., He, M. Y., Chen, H. C., & Yang, W. Q. (2023).
    Roles and tasks of Chinese social workers in disaster management. British Journal of Social Work, 53(1), 471-489. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac110

  4. Ho, H.C., Sim, T., Guo, C. (2022).
    Association between awareness of vulnerability and disaster preparedness in an infrastructure-resilient city: a population-based study. Public Health, 209, 23–29. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2022.05.011

  5. Leung, A. Y. M., Parial, L. L., Tobaling, M. C., Sim, T., Mo, P., Okan, O., & Dadaczynski, K. (2022).
    Sense of coherence mediates the relationship between digital health literacy and anxiety about the future in aging population during the COVID-19 pandemic: A path analysis. Aging and Mental Health, 26(3). 544-553. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1870206.

  6. Yu, J., Sim, T., & Qi, W. H. (2022).
    Informal social support and disaster preparedness: Mediating roles of perceived collective efficacy and self-efficacy. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 68, 102734. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102734

  7. Sim, T., He, M., Dominelli, L. (2022).
    Social work core competencies in disaster management practice: An integrative review. Research on Social Work Practice, 32(3), 310–321.
    doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315211055427

  8. Sim, T., He, M. (2022).
    Social work competence in disaster management: an integrative review. European Journal of Social Work, 27(1), 83-95. doi:10.1080/13691457.2022.2092455

2023

(Guest Speaker). Hong Kong Marriage and Family Therapy Association (HKMFTA). Intergenerational issues in clinical practice and research in Singapore on 17 December 2023 via Webinar.

(Keynote Speaker). Promoting Wellness in School Settings Using A Systemic Approach. Bandung International Conference in Guidance and Counseling on 12 Dec 2023 organised by The University of Education, Indonesia.

(Organising Committee Member). Social Work Practice Research Seminar. Organised by Singapore Association of Social Workers on 30 November 2023, SUSS.

(Keynote Speaker). Couple and Family Therapy: A Calling. Counselling and Care Centre Graduation Ceremony on 23 July 2023, YWCA, Singapore.

(Plenary Speaker). 2023 Webinar Series: Counselling in Southeast Asian Context, Closing Ceremony, 19 to 23 September 2023.


2022

(Keynote Speaker). Supporting ‘family support’: Reintegration Challenges for Family Members of Returning Ex-Offenders. In Conference on Recovery & Desistance from Substance Abuse - Amplified Voices: Persons in Recovery by Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) on Thursday 29 September 2022, SIM Campus, Singapore.

(Keynote Speaker). Promoting family resilience and family psychosocial well-being: Working with families that experienced violence during COVID-19 in Singapore. In International Conference 2022 The Changing Landscape of Family and Family Interventions in the Midst of Adversity by The University of Hong Kong on 18 to 20 August 2022 via ZOOM.

(Keynote Speaker). Igniting connections and empowering families – Appraising the reintegration challenges of family members for returning ex-offenders. In CARE Network Summit 2022 by Singapore Prison Service on Monday 18 July 2022 in Suntec City, Singapore.

(Plenary Speaker). Safe-certainty in social work practice as COVID-19 emerges. In Post-Pandemic Challenges and Planning for Social Services by
National University of Singapore Social Service Research Centre Conference 2022 on 15 March 2022.

(Keynote Speaker). Three pillars of making Social Work ‘WOKE’. Making Social Work WOKE: Policy, Practice and Possibilities by PAVE in celebration of International Social Work Day on 15 March 2022 in Grassroots’ Club, Singapore.

Since 2023
Vice President, Asian Academy of Family Therapy

Since 2023
Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Since 2021
Reviewer, Research Grants Council, Hong Kong SAR, China

Since 2015
Associate Editor, Journal of Family Therapy

Since 2008
International Advisory Board Member, International Community for Practice Research in Social Work
  • Family therapy theory and methods
  • Couple and family therapy
  • Person of the Therapist
  • Sensitivity training
  • Qualitative research methods
  • Practice research
  • Treatment in correctional and drug rehabilitation settings
  • Human development and the social environment
  • Critical issues in adolescent development
  • Mental health in disaster situations
  • Cultural competence and diversity in social services
  • Family therapy development and application in Asia (particularly multi-family therapy)
  • Addiction problems and family relationships in Asia (particularly drug abuse, video game addiction)
  • Multi-problem families (e.g., conduct problems, crime & delinquency, poverty, divorce, violence)
  • Practice research development and application
  • Disaster management (particularly disaster risk reduction, social work core competency, disaster mental health & psychosocial support, resilience, culture, and children)
  • Cultural competence and diversity in counselling
Mar 2023 -
Member
Singapore Prison Service (SPS) Correctional Science Research Network (CSRN)

Jan 2023 -
Member
Home Detention Advisory Committee (HDAC)

Feb 2023 - Jun 2025
Consultant
Family Justice Courts Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
Consultant
Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA)

Jan 2022 - Dec 2022
Consultant
Singapore Aftercare Association

Feb 2022 - Apr 2023
Member
Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Member, Fei Yue Community Services, Child Protection Specialist Centre - HEART@Fei Yue

Feb 2021 -
Consultant
PAVE

2021 -
Assistant Secretary
Singapore Association of Aftercare (SACA) Executive Committee


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