UO psychologists partnering with Chinese counterparts

John Miller (back, center), clinical director of the Couples and Family Therapy program, with doctoral psychology students from Beijing Normal University

EUGENE, Ore. -- (March 10, 2008) -- Therapists at the University of Oregon are working with Chinese colleagues to help develop a family therapy program at Beijing Normal University (BNU).

"We are being given an unprecedented opportunity to help develop these programs in China," said John Miller, clinical director of the University of Oregon Couples and Family Therapy program. "Family therapy is a fairly new concept there. China does not have a tradition of community-based mental health care like the U.S. model. Instead, mental health patients are treated in hospitals, often far from home."

Miller first met with faculty in Beijing in 2005, when he led a delegation of 24 American professors, therapists and researchers to universities and hospitals in China.

During that initial visit the American and Chinese psychotherapists explored ways to expand mental health care in China's cities and rural communities. One issue they discussed, Miller said, is how to overcome the stigma felt by Chinese citizens when they seek mental health treatment. It is, he said, a significant barrier that must be overcome before real change can occur.

For the past several years Miller has returned as a visiting scholar to teach seminars in Beijing and Shanghai for psychologists, counselors and family therapists. This cross-cultural relationship is beneficial to both universities, he said.

"We have much to learn from each other," Miller said. "China is developing at an amazing pace. We would like to participate in the transformation of mental health care. We also hope to develop a formal exchange program soon between the University of Oregon and Beijing, allowing us to train mental health professionals and to conduct research in both countries.

The collaboration already is resulting in faculty exchanges.

Xiaoyi Fang, head of the doctoral level counseling program at BNU will speak to UO faculty members about "Current Trends on Couples and Family Therapy in China" from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, March 17, in the Knight Library's Browsing Room, 1501 Kincaid St. During his week-long visit, Fang will meet with faculty in the College of Education's department of counseling psychology and human services to observe clinical training strategies and research initiatives.

BNU professor Danhua Lin will be a visiting professor during the UO's fall term. She will teach a class, work on research initiatives and participate in clinical work at the program’s Center for Family Therapy.

Miller will return to Beijing in October to present a series of lectures in collaboration with Chinese colleagues at the 2008 World Congress on Psychotherapy.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Pauline Austin, 541-346-3129, paustin@uoregon.edu

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