Pre-Conference Workshops
Friday, 23 October 2026 — InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
Workshop I
Handling Difficult Conversations: Tips For Health Care Professionals
Difficult conversations are an inevitable part of healthcare. Anger, fear, shame, helplessness and misunderstanding can quickly disrupt communication and strain the therapeutic relationship. This interactive workshop explores how healthcare professionals can recognise emotional undercurrents, respond to escalating situations and maintain relational safety—even when conversations become challenging.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 0800–0830 | Registration |
| 0900–0910 | Opening Remarks and Workshop Overview — Dr Johari Khamis |
| 0910–0930 | Case Presentation I: When Conversations Escalate — Dr Farah Nabila |
| 0930–1015 | Insight I: The Inner Emotional Landscape — Dr Suhaila Md Som |
| 1015–1030 | Q and A |
| 1030–1045 | Tea Break |
| 1045–1110 | Case Presentation II: Boundaries, Blame and Repair — Dr Ng Boon Seng |
| 1110–1200 | Insight II: Managing Difficult Conversations — Dr Nusrat Najmin Khan |
| 1200–1230 | Guided Reflection and Take-Home Strategies — All speakers |
The Inner Emotional Landscape
- emotional drivers of escalation, including fear, anger, shame and helplessness
- projection, misattunement and relational triggers
- early warning signs that healthcare professionals may miss
- staying grounded and steady under pressure
Practical De-escalation Strategies
- language that de-escalates and language that escalates
- responding to anger, blame and distress
- setting clear boundaries without rupturing the therapeutic relationship
- practical micro-skills for maintaining relational safety
Why Attend?
Through case presentations, expert insights and interactive discussion, participants will learn how to:
- recognise escalation before it intensifies
- understand what may lie beneath anger or challenging behaviour
- remain calm and effective under pressure
- use language that reduces tension
- set respectful but firm boundaries
- repair strained interactions
- leave difficult conversations with the therapeutic relationship intact
Workshop II
Synaptic Integration in Neuromodulation Therapies: From Principles to Practicality
Building clinical decisions through evidence, technology and experience.
How does neuromodulation work, who may benefit, and how can its scientific principles guide everyday clinical practice?
Interactive Workshop with Hands-on Demonstration of ECT, rTMS and tDCS
Experience live demonstrations of neuromodulation equipment, explore treatment workflows and discuss practical clinical applications with the experts.
Chairperson: Dr Sivenanthini Visvanathan
Speakers: Dr Kenny Ong Kheng Yee,Dr Chhoa Keng Hong,Dr Mohamad Iqbal Mohaini,
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 1400–1430 | Registration |
| 1430–1445 | Introduction: Time Out: Where are we Now? — Dr Sivenanthini Visvanathan |
| 1445–1530 | Optimising Outcomes with ECT — Dr Mohamad Iqbal Mohaini |
| 1530–1630 | rTMS: Mapping Brain Networks into Clinical Practice — Dr Kenny Ong Kheng Yee |
| 1630–1645 | Tea Break |
| 1645–1730 | tDCS: Small Current, Meaningful Change — Dr Chhoa Keng Hong |
| 1730–1745 | Post-Synaptic Summation: Which Modality for which patient? — Dr Kenny Ong Kheng Yee |
| 1745–1800 | Discussion, Key Takeaways and Closing Remarks |
What is it all about?
Neuromodulation therapies—such as TMS, ECT and other brain-stimulation approaches—do more than stimulate one isolated brain area. Their effects depend on:
- how neurons and synapses respond
- how signals travel through connected brain circuits
- how repeated stimulation promotes neuroplasticity
- how treatment parameters are selected
- how scientific principles guide practical clinical decisions
Why do we need to know?
Neuromodulation is not simply “place the device, press a button and stimulate.” Understanding the underlying brain networks helps clinicians:
- select suitable patients
- choose the appropriate treatment
- identify the most relevant stimulation target
- adjust treatment parameters
- understand variable treatment responses
- deliver treatment more safely and effectively
Why Attend the Workshop?
This workshop bridges the gap between neuroscience and everyday clinical practice. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of not only what neuromodulation therapies do, but why, when and how they work.
- participate in guided hands-on demonstrations
- understand the principles underlying different neuromodulation therapies
- connect synaptic and brain-circuit science with clinical outcomes
- learn how treatment targets and stimulation parameters are selected
- consider why patients respond differently to treatment
- improve patient selection and clinical decision-making
- explore practical applications, limitations and safety considerations
- learn directly from clinicians experienced in delivering neuromodulation therapies
Workshop Highlights
- Interactive case-based discussions
- Hands-on demonstrations of ECT, rTMS and tDCS systems
- Practical tips from the experts
- Evidence translated into everyday clinical decision-making
Whether you are new to neuromodulation or already using it in clinical practice, this workshop will help transform complex scientific concepts into clear, practical and clinically relevant knowledge.
Come curious—leave with a better understanding of what happens between pressing the button and seeing the patient improve.