Statement of Purpose
In contemporary society, the human mind cannot be understood independently of its cultural context. As globalization advances and multicultural societies continue to expand, new perspectives are required for psychological understanding and support.
In response to these challenges, this Society was established by Taka Mochizuki (Ph.D. in Psychology, Kyushu University) and Jiro Ogata (Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology) as a forum for mutual learning. Grounded in the perspective of comparative clinical psychology, the Society focuses on both the commonalities and differences in psychological phenomena and clinical practices across cultures, with the aim of exploring culturally rooted approaches to psychological understanding and support.
Through the reciprocal integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, we seek to contribute to the development of clinical psychology in multicultural societies. At the same time, we promote collaboration between researchers and practitioners, as well as international academic exchange. By advancing culturally responsive practices, integrating knowledge, and fostering new research domains, the Society aims to deepen comparative clinical psychology and contribute to society.
Activities
Regular Research Meetings and Study Sessions
We share theoretical insights from clinical psychology, intercultural psychology, and cultural psychology in Japan and abroad from a comparative perspective. Through case studies and discussions, we examine from multiple angles how these insights can be applied to clinical practice and interpersonal support in multicultural societies.
We also promote interaction between researchers and practitioners, providing a platform for reciprocal learning between theory and practice. Participants have opportunities to present their own research and practice, and through dialogue with individuals from diverse academic fields and cultural backgrounds, they are expected to gain new perspectives and develop emerging research questions.
Journal of Comparative Clinical Psychology
This is an academic journal published twice a year, featuring research articles, practice reports, and theoretical studies by members of the Society.
Articles published in the journal are made available through J-STAGE, CiNii Research, the National Diet Library of Japan, and other platforms, and are widely used by researchers and practitioners both in Japan and abroad.
Online ISSN: 2760-2575
J-STAGE: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/browse/jccpsy/-char/ja
CiNii Research: https://x.gd/7XkWf
National Diet Library Bibliographic ID: 034170783
Ichushi Journal Code: J08057
Promotion of International Exchange and Collaborative Research
We actively promote exchange with researchers and practitioners overseas and strive to build international networks. Specifically, through support for fieldwork, international collaborative research, the sharing of research outcomes, and the translation of academic materials, we aim to foster mutual understanding and the development of knowledge grounded in diverse cultural contexts.
Through these initiatives, we seek to contribute to the enhancement of clinical practice in multicultural societies and the creation of new areas of research.
Practice Sharing Session
This forum provides an opportunity to share support cases involving clients from diverse cultural backgrounds, as well as practical strategies and challenges encountered in professional settings. From the perspective of comparative clinical psychology, which is a distinctive feature of this society, the forum focuses on both commonalities and differences in psychological understanding and support across diverse cultural contexts.
It also examines cultural differences, communication challenges, and the adaptation of support approaches from a practice-oriented and comparative perspective. We welcome reports from a wide range of fields, including universities, healthcare, education, welfare, and community support, and promote interdisciplinary exchange.
Through active discussion and interaction among participants, the forum aims to deepen culturally informed understanding, systematize practical knowledge, and enhance the quality of support in multicultural societies.
Multilingual Psychological Counseling
Operated as an Affiliated Service
Tingling Psychological Counseling Office
(Kazuhiko Nojima: Advisor & Supervisor)
https://www.tinglingcounseling.com/
Kyushu Center for International Cultural and Educational Exchange
https://kcice.crayonsite.com/
About the Organization
| Organization Name | The Society for Comparative Clinical Psychology |
|---|---|
| President | Taka Mochizuki, Ph.D. (Psychology, Kyushu University) Researcher ID: 30884738 |
| Vice President Chair, Certification Committee | Jiro Ogata, Ph.D. (Psychology, Kibi International University) Researcher ID:70962348 |
| Vice President Chair, Editorial Board | Peiling GU. Licensed Psychologist (Japan), Certified Clinical Psychologist Board Member, Japanese Association of Humanistic Psychology |
| Vice President Chair, Research Promotion Committee | Daisuke Motoyoshi, Ph.D.(Kumamoto University) Researcher ID: 30712335 |
| Auditor Chair, International Relations Committee | Xiaodong Wei, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology,Tokyo University of Social Welfare) Researcher ID: 60619419 |
| Date of Establishment | 8 May 2015 |
| Contact Information | soc.sccp@gmail.com |
| Membership｜Administration｜Partners | Skylynn Co., Ltd. |
「Membership Information」
The Society welcomes individuals who are interested in exploring culturally grounded psychological understanding and support from the perspective of comparative clinical psychology. We aim to provide a forum for interaction among researchers and practitioners who are concerned with both the commonalities and differences in psychological phenomena and clinical practices across cultures, and who seek to integrate theory and practice.
We particularly welcome those with the following interests and backgrounds:
Clinical psychologists and licensed practitioners interested in multicultural adaptation and intercultural psychology
Practitioners in education, welfare, and healthcare engaged in psychological support for international students, migrants, and culturally diverse populations
Researchers with experience in clinical practice or fieldwork overseas
Scholars specializing in comparative culture, cultural psychology, and related fields
How to Apply
Please contact us through the “Contact” form with a brief self-introduction and your motivation for joining. If you have a recommendation from an existing member, please indicate this in your message. The secretariat will review your application and respond accordingly.
Membership Fees (subject to change)
Admission fee: JPY 9,000
Annual fee: JPY 3,000
What is Comparative Clinical Psychology?
Comparative Clinical Psychology is an interdisciplinary field that aims to clarify both the universality and cultural specificity of psychological support by relativizing and systematically comparing the theories, practices, professional systems, and ethical frameworks of clinical psychology as they have developed across diverse cultural, social, and historical contexts.
A defining feature of this field lies in its critical examination of assumptions that have been taken for granted within particular cultural contexts. By situating these assumptions in cross-cultural comparison, it repositions and reinterprets fundamental questions such as: What constitutes a psychological problem? What does it mean to provide support? How are therapeutic relationships constructed?
Furthermore, the field focuses on how psychological distress and processes of recovery are co-constructed within cultural and institutional contexts. Through comparative analyses of clinical practices across countries and regions, it promotes the critical re-examination and reconstruction of existing clinical theories, while also seeking to develop intervention models suited to multicultural societies.
In addition, it critically addresses issues such as ethics in intercultural psychological support, professional training, and systems of institutionalization, incorporating perspectives that question epistemic asymmetries and cultural biases. In doing so, it contributes to the global development of clinical psychology and aims to establish more inclusive and context-sensitive forms of psychological support.
[Explanation of the Definition]
Comparative Clinical Psychology does not merely introduce or translate clinical psychology from different countries. Rather, it compares key components—such as the construction of psychological problems, frameworks of support, therapist–client relationships, and systems of professional training and institutionalization—to make visible the underlying cultural assumptions, institutional conditions, and value structures.
Such comparisons relativize what has been regarded as universal within a given culture, revealing its limitations and underlying premises. At the same time, by connecting insights across cultures, the field enables the development of new theoretical frameworks and practical models. In recent years, it has also increasingly engaged with multicultural clinical practice, cultural competence, decolonial psychology, and global mental health.
[Key Research Themes in Comparative Clinical Psychology]
Comparative Clinical Psychology seeks to develop new theoretical frameworks and practical models by relativizing and comparing various components of clinical psychology within their cultural and institutional contexts. Major research themes include the following:
1. International Comparison of Professional Training and Certification Systems
Examines training processes, certification systems, and professional norms to clarify how expertise is constructed within different cultural and institutional contexts.
2.Cultural Adaptation and Reconstruction of Psychotherapy
Explores how psychotherapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dohsa-hou are translated, transformed, and reconstituted across cultures.
3.Cultural Variations in the Expression and Classification of Psychological Distress
Compares how conditions such as depression, trauma, and anxiety are expressed, interpreted, and categorized across cultures, questioning the cultural assumptions of diagnostic systems.
4. Comparative Studies of Values and Ethics in Psychological Support
Analyzes how ethical considerations—such as individualism vs. collectivism, family involvement, confidentiality, and duty to report—vary across cultural contexts.
5.Cultural Differences in Communication Styles in Clinical Interviews
Investigates the cultural meanings and practical implications of silence, eye contact, emotional expression, and self-disclosure in therapeutic interactions.
6. Psychological Support for Individuals in Transnational Contexts
Addresses issues faced by migrants, international students, and intercultural families, including multilingual counseling, interpreter use, and mental health support during cultural transitions.
7. Postcolonial Critiques and Reconstruction of Clinical Psychology
Critically examines the assumed universality of Western-centered theories and practices, promoting the re-evaluation of local knowledge and the reconstruction of clinical frameworks.
Contact Email✉️
soc.sccp@gmail.com