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, Singapore, 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 2024 only


  1. Liang, Y. X., Noordin, N. A., & Sim, T. (2024). Structural family therapy with Chinese families in after-violence context. Research on Social Work Practice, 34(6). https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315241251733
  2. Sim, T., & He, M. (2024). Core competencies in disaster management: An integrative review. European Journal of Social Work, 27(1), 83-95. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2022.2092455
  3. Sim, T (2024). Growing cultural competence in counselling and social work. Snippet, 2. National University of Singapore, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Social Service Research Centre. https://fass.nus.edu.sg/ssr/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/06/Snippet-June-Issue-2-2024_SuicideSupport_CulturalCompetenceCouselling.pdf
  4. Sim, T. (Ed.). (2024). COPE Children Disaster Risk Reduction Book Series – Tsunamis. ISBN: 978-988-8658-41-1
  5. Cui, K., Sim, T. (2024). Social work roles in disaster response and recovery in the context of Mainland China. Routledge International Handbook of Social Work and Disaster Practice (Chapter 21).

  6. Sim, T., & Fook, J. (2024). Practice research and transformative Social Work: Evolving concepts and social impact. In J. Fook & D. Jatlow (Eds.). Transformative Social Work: Practices for Academic Settings (pp. 163-183). New York: Columbia University Press.

  1. (Plenary Speaker). Strengths in Numbers: Innovating Systemic Multi-Family Therapy in Asian Contexts. Asian Family Conference. 6 to 7 November 2024, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore.
  2. (Keynote Speaker). Old Wine in New Wineskin: An Integrated AI Platform for Social Work Practicum and Casework Supervision. 4th International Symposium on Social Work Practitioner Research. 7 November 2024 via ZOOM.
  3. (Plenary Speaker). From Promise to Peril? Family Therapy Practice in Singapore. Asian Academy of Family Therapy 9th Annual Conference: Rethinking “Mental Health” in the Context of Radically Changing Familial and Social Norms. 25 to 27 October 2024 at Sheraton Grand Shanghai Putong Hotel, Shanghai, Mainland China.
  4. (Keynote Speaker). Past, Present, and Future of Systemic Family Therapy in Singapore. Systemic Family Therapy Conference: Possibilities or Problems? 16 to 17 October 2024 at SUSS.
  5. (Guest Speaker). Changi General Hospital (CGH) Psychodynamic Conference 2024. Family Dynamics and Psychodynamics: Exploring the Interface on 25 to 26 July 2024 at CGH.
  6. (Guest Speaker). Panel Discussion. PAVE Biennial Research Seminar: Expanding the Depth and Breath of Social Work Practice on 29 February 2024 Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (Novena Campus) Lecture Theatre @ Toh Kian Chui Annex of the Headquarters Building, Level 1.
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 Aftercare Association

Feb 2021 -
Consultant, PAVE

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

Apr 2023 - Mar 2025
New Hope Community Services, Programme and Service Subcommittee

Sep 2024 -
PAVE Programme and Service Subcommittee
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