Join us on 28 April 2026, 5 pm (AEDT) for a 90 min, live workshop hosted by the Australian Educational and Developmental Psychology Association. Please note that the session will NOT be recorded and participants are strongly encouraged to attend live.
Working with parents is one of the most important and often most complex parts of psychological practice in educational settings. This session explores how psychologists can build strong partnerships with parents from diverse cultural backgrounds, especially where expectations, communication styles and beliefs about learning or behaviours differ.
Clinical Psychologist Joanna Zhu will discuss common friction points between parents and schools, how to deliver sensitive feedback in culturally attuned ways, and practical strategies for engaging reluctant or overwhelmed parents. The session will also explore how to balance student and parent perspectives, support families through developmental and learning assessments, and strengthen communication within the parent–student–school system.
This workshop is ideal for psychologists, educators, and professionals working with school-age clients or within the education sector seeking confidence, clarity and practical tools for working with families across cultures.
About the presenter
Joanna is a registered Clinical Psychologist and the founder of Melbourne Chinese Psychological Services (MCPS), a practice dedicated to culturally responsive support for Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking families. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and parents across public hospitals, schools, and private practice, with particular expertise in developmental, learning, and cultural-transition challenges.
Joanna is deeply committed to bridging understanding between families and schools. She delivers parenting workshops, professional development for school psychologists, and mentors early-career bilingual clinicians, helping them develop culturally informed, compassionate practice.
Warm, patient, and grounded, Joanna brings a nurturing presence that helps families feel safe and understood while offering clear, practical guidance. She is widely respected for her ability to support parents and students through complex psychological and educational journeys with both professional insight and heartfelt empathy.
