Joseph Sing is the newest member of the 3-person team leading the Weeklong for Advanced Focusers. He'll be working with Ceci Burgos of Argentina and René Veugelers to lead the Weeklong in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October 2025. We're grateful to François Roussel for sharing this fascinating interview with him. Enjoy!
By François Roussel
Introduction: Who is Joseph Sing?
François Roussel: Can you tell us about your professional background and your journey before Focusing?
Joseph Sing: I originally trained as a counselor and worked primarily with clients experiencing depression, anxiety, and emotional distress. Early in my career, I leaned towards cognitive-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and hypnosis. However, I started to notice that something was missing.
I wasn’t seeing the depth of change I hoped for in my clients, and I struggled to form a real emotional connection with them. One of my supervisors told me, “Joseph, you need to connect more with your clients, you have to be in touch with them!” That was a wake-up call for me.
This led me to explore Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), developed by Leslie Greenberg. I was particularly drawn to EFT because it helped bridge the gap between cognitive understanding and emotional connection. Around 15-20 years ago, I had the chance to learn directly from Greenberg when he came to Hong Kong for a training. That’s when I first heard about Focusing, although I had no idea what it really was at the time.
François: What role does Focusing play in your work today?
Joseph: Focusing has become the core foundation of my work. Over the years, I’ve seen how deep body awareness and inner attunement can completely transform the way people relate to themselves.
I was previously trained and worked as an electrical engineer, as well as a marketing and sales engineer, for 20 years before transitioning to a career in counseling. Before making this career change, I earned a master's degree in counseling. I am now a registered counselor and clinical supervisor. Currently, I work at Hong Kong Shue Yan University where I provide supervision to undergraduate students in counseling and psychology. I help train students who are preparing for careers in mental health fields. As part of my role, I coordinate their field placements, ensuring they gain hands-on experience in real-world counseling environments while integrating person-centered approaches.
I also practice private counselling mainly working with anxiety and depression clients.
Beyond academia, I also volunteer with Dance with Depression, a nonprofit organization supporting individuals struggling with long-term depression and anxiety. I help facilitate support groups, but this is not in a therapist role—rather, I offer guidance through Focusing-based self-care practices to help individuals navigate their emotions more compassionately.
In addition, I co-founded the Hong Kong Focusing Institute (HKFI) in 2016, with the goal of making Focusing more accessible to therapists, social workers, and the general public. Beyond that, I’ve developed a strong interest in Relational WholeBody Focusing and Children and Focusing, both of which have deeply shaped my perspective as a practitioner.
Discovering Focusing: A Journey from Skepticism to Deep Understanding
François: How did you first discover Focusing?
Joseph: It was actually quite an unexpected journey. As I mentioned, I was learning Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) from Leslie Greenberg when he came to Hong Kong. During the training, someone introduced Focusing as part of the course.
But to be honest, at that time I had no idea what it was. I remember sitting in a class with about twenty people, listening to the instructor talk about Focusing, and—falling asleep! It didn’t make sense to me at all.
However, Greenberg had mentioned that Focusing was important, so even though I didn’t understand it I made a mental note to revisit it later.
François: What changed your mind about Focusing?
Joseph: About a year later, a friend told me that a teacher, Nada Lou, was offering a Classical Focusing training in Hong Kong. This time, it wasn’t mixed with EFT—it was just Focusing alone. I thought, “Okay, let’s enroll and see what it’s about.”
The teaching style was unique. There was no heavy theory—just demonstration after demonstration. Nada Lou worked with each participant one by one.
For the first two days, I still didn’t get it. But then on the third day, it was my turn to be the Focuser. The moment she guided me, I felt something really shifting inside me. That was the first time I truly experienced Focusing, rather than just hearing about it.
François: What made you decide to become a Focusing Trainer?
Joseph: After that training, I followed Nada Lou’s teachings for a while and completed my Proficiency in Focusing Partnership (PFP). At the time, there were about four or five of us who wanted to go further and become Trainers.
We asked our teacher if she could train us, and since she wasn’t always in Hong Kong, we practiced on Skype. We paired up, practiced regularly, and after about two years, we finally took our certification exam.
But even after becoming certified Trainers, something still didn’t feel right. We could practice Focusing, and we could explain what we had learned, but when we tried teaching it, people didn’t seem to understand.
I could feel Focusing working for me, but I struggled to translate that experience into words for others.
Building the Hong Kong Focusing Institute
François: What inspired you to co-found the Hong Kong Focusing Institute?
Joseph: It started out of necessity. At that time, there were only two Coordinators in Hong Kong, both of whom were in their 70s. There was no clear pathway for people in Hong Kong to learn Focusing, except by traveling abroad.
We knew that in Mainland China, Focusing was growing. Teachers like Prof. Akira Ikemi from Japan were being invited to teach there. But in Hong Kong, there was no system in place.
I didn’t want to travel to China or the West to learn—I wanted to bring teachers to Hong Kong. So, I started contacting international trainers, arranging for them to stop in Hong Kong on their way to China. It was more cost-effective and allowed more local Chinese people to learn.
François: Did you expect it to grow into a full institute?
Joseph: Not at all! At first, it was just an informal effort—three of us organizing training courses. We weren’t trying to make money. In fact, we were prepared to take a loss if things didn’t work out.
But to our surprise, the courses were successful, and we actually made a small profit. We discussed what to do with the extra money and decided, “Why not formalize this? Why not create something bigger?”
That’s how we founded the Hong Kong Focusing Institute (HKFI) in 2016 as a nonprofit organization. Our mission was simple: make Focusing more accessible to therapists, social workers, and anyone interested.
The Evolution and Challenges of
the Hong Kong Focusing Institute
François: How has the Institute evolved over the years?
Joseph: At first, things were going really well. We had international trainers visiting regularly. We provided in-person practice groups and a space for people to come together and learn.
But then COVID hit. Everything stopped. No one could travel, and our biggest training—Relational WholeBody Focusing with Dr. Karen Whalen—was put on hold. After a year, we had to switch to Zoom training just to complete what we promised.
That was a turning point. Many students were frustrated because online training didn’t feel the same. Then, we noticed that more and more Western teachers were offering pre-recorded courses on their websites.
At that moment, we asked ourselves: Do we still have a role? If people can just buy an online course in English, do they really need us anymore? Besides, we don’t have a registration role here as certification goes through TIFI.
François: So what is the future of the Hong Kong Focusing Institute?
Joseph: Right now, we’re in a period of reflection.
We still offer free practice sessions at our office, but attendance is low. People seem to prefer practicing with their own partners rather than meeting new ones. The cost of maintaining the space is high, and we’re wondering if we still need a dedicated location.
At this point, our role might be more about maintaining a Focusing community in Hong Kong rather than running major training programs. But what our future will be is still an open question.
Focusing & the Global Community
François: How connected is the Hong Kong Focusing community with the global Focusing world?
Joseph: To be honest, not very connected. I might be one of the few people in Hong Kong who regularly engages with The International Focusing Institute (TIFI).
Language is a big barrier. Most of the global Focusing community communicates in English or Spanish, while many people in Hong Kong are more comfortable in Cantonese (even if English is widely spoken here).
Time zones are another issue. A lot of online events happen at midnight Hong Kong time, which makes it difficult for people here to participate.
François: Is there also a cultural difference that affects participation?
Joseph: Yes. I think Chinese culture tends to be more reserved. Many people hesitate to join global events because they don’t feel they have anything valuable to contribute.
When I was first invited to be part of the Weeklong team, my initial reaction was, “Why me? What do I have to offer?” It took me a while to realize that my role could be as a bridge between the East and the West—to help bring more Asian voices into the conversation.
That also helped me realize that there might be potential to integrate Focusing into some traditional Chinese cultural things.
Focusing with Children and Relational WholeBody Focusing
François: How did you become involved in Children and Focusing?
Joseph: My interest in Children and Focusing started when I trained with René Veugelers, a specialist in Focusing with children. I attended his workshops multiple times over several years which deepened my understanding of how to apply Focusing in child-centered therapy.
Although I don’t personally work with child clients, I’ve studied play therapy and how Focusing can integrate into it. I’ve noticed that many play therapy approaches rely heavily on structured techniques—things like labeling a child’s emotions or describing their actions.
But when play therapists don’t have a strong felt sense themselves, their interactions can feel mechanical. They may follow the correct steps but lack true emotional attunement with the child. Focusing fills this gap by training therapists to tune into their own inner experience, which allows them to authentically connect with the child.
François: How does Relational WholeBody Focusing differ from classic Focusing?
Joseph: Relational WholeBody Focusing is… hard to describe in words. It’s something you really have to experience.
In classic Focusing, we have six steps and certain milestones—like finding a felt sense, checking if something resonates, or discovering a handle.
Relational WholeBody Focusing doesn’t follow those rules. There are no fixed steps, no specific structure—you just attune to your body, and whatever happens, happens.
Half the time, nothing happens—and that’s okay. It’s a different kind of practice. It’s not about trying to achieve something—it’s about trusting your body’s wisdom and letting it unfold naturally.
Dance with Depression: Supporting Mental Well-Being
François: Can you tell us more about your involvement in Dance with Depression in Hong Kong?
Joseph: Dance with Depression is a nonprofit organization that provides long-term support for people experiencing chronic depression and anxiety. I’ve been a volunteer there for many years, leading 26-week closed-group support programs for individuals navigating deep emotional struggles.
I also teach Focusing practices to group members—not as a formal skill, but as an attitude towards self-kindness.
Many people with depression have an inner voice of self-criticism. They don’t like themselves—some even hate themselves. My role is to help them develop a different way of relating to themselves—to become their own companion, rather than their own enemy.
François: What advice would you give to therapists working with clients struggling with depression?
Joseph: First, I want to clarify that I have limited experience and my perspective comes from my work in nonprofit organizations.
That being said, one of the most important things I’ve observed is that people with depression move at their own pace, might be self-absorbed, and sometimes it feels like nothing is happening while we guide them. But just by staying with them with empathy and understanding, you create a sense of safety.
Second, don’t treat Focusing as just a technique—it’s an attitude. If we, as facilitators or practitioners, embody self-attunement and presence, the people we work with feel that. They don’t need to be taught Focusing like a step-by-step method—they need to experience it through us.
Final Thoughts
François: What advice would you give to someone new to Focusing?
Joseph: <Laughs> Don’t try to understand it!
François Roussel is particularly interested in how stories shape our experience and understanding of the world. He explores different approaches to listening and the emergence of meaning, including Focusing, NonViolent Communication, Coaching, Maieusthesia and TAE to facilitate expression and inner transformation.