staff profiles

Jane Lopacka, M.A., Director

I first came to Cambodia in 1993 and set up my counselling practice in 1998.  I am British and worked in local authority, voluntary and private social work and management settings.
Qualifications:

  • Master of Counselling (University of New England, Australia),
  • Advanced Diploma in the Management of Psychological Trauma (Nottingham Trent University, England)
  • Diploma of Supervision for Counsellors, Psychotherapists and Related Professions (Cascade Training Consortium, England)

Other training:

  • EMDR therapist and training facilitator
  • Heimler Social Functioning practitioner
  • Solution Focused Brief Therapy Practitioner
  • Mediator
  • Christian Counsellor

Currently training to be an EMDR Trainer.

I have worked in other countries, Pacific Islands (CISD), Ethiopia (Mediation), Laos (Mediation), Thailand (MakingWaves – Tsunami Trauma Programme), Thailand (Missionary Member Care).

Currently involved in:

Facilitating a team of MA in Clinical Psychology students to treat victims of Typhoon Ketsana.
Training MA in Clinical Psychology students – Trauma and Solution Focused Brief Therapy.
I have run workshops on Team Development, Understanding Trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Secondary Traumatic Stress Disorder (vicarious trauma), Mediation, Listening Skills, Cultural Awareness and Orientation Courses, Understanding Abuse , Self Care for CareGivers,  Counselling Skills ......

Richard Jefferson, M.S., Counsellor

I am originally from England, though I have lived and studied in the US.  There I practiced for a short while before moving to Buenos Aires where I had a private practice.  After enjoying South America, I moved out here in 2005 to work here at the Phnom Penh Counselling Centre.  My degree is in Clinical Psychology, and I have experience working with anxiety, depression, addiction, conflict, and trauma in adolescents, adults, couples and family.

Samchet Serey, B.A., Psychologist

I am from Cambodia and have a BA in Psychology from the Royal University of Phnom Penh.  I have worked at PPCC since 2006 following an internship that I did at the counseling centre.
 
I have also trained and work with the Ragamuffin Healing Arts Programme and am currently studying the Advanced Course of Creative Healing Arts and Supervision.

I am an EMDR practitioner (Part 1) and recently participated in an international training in psychotraumatology in Thailand.

I have experience in teaching, training and research and have conducted workshops in counseling related subjects such as Understanding Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, Basic Counseling, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Understanding Children, Listening Skill, Stress Management, Self-Care, Brief Therapy, Group Therapy and Peer Supervision.

As well as providing counseling services I am experienced in providing supervision for counselors, social workers and educators from hospitals and NGOs.   

Kristina Marshall, M.Div., Counsellor

My family and I first moved to Cambodia in 2001 to work with an NGO.  After almost three years we returned to Canada where I began working towards my Masters Degree in Counselling which focused on Marriage and Family Therapy and I am currently working towards becoming a member of the AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists).   I have also completed the level 1 training for EMDR and plan to complete level 2 within the next year.  Since beginning with the Phnom Penh Counselling Centre in August 2008, I have worked with individuals, couples and families helping them deal with all aspects of personal, family, work and cross cultural life.

Mary Haag, M.A., Counselor

I am a Christian counselor holding a Master of Arts in Counseling from George Fox University in the USA. I am an OMF International missionary and have lived in Asia many years since 1989. Since arriving in Cambodia (first arrived in 1996, and began work using Khmer in 2007) I have continued to study Khmer with the intent of working primarily with Cambodians. Valuable personal life experience includes dealing with complicated grief from loss of a beloved sister through murder and coping with an extended time of physical disability. My education includes training in dealing with emotion regulation issues and training in EMDR.

Hema Nhong

Sathya P. Pholy, Ph.D., CAGS, MED, CADAC, Counselor

I am a social scientist, a psychologist, and a scholar in education, mental health, and addiction. My PhD is in Educational Psychology and a Master degree in Counseling Psychology. I also have been recognized with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies and an International Certification of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. As such I am the first Cambodian American to obtain such certificate and recognition. I have taught extensively in the American educational system from K-12 to university level. I have traveled extensively for national and international workshops and conferences in regarding to contemporary social issues as speaker and presenter. Presently, I am a consultant and advisor in education, psychology, and addiction for NGOs and government sectors. I host live weekly national radio programs in Khmer and English with regard to issues in families and communities such as in domestic violence, gambling, parenting, conflict resolution, trauma, education and career development.