MBBS, M.Med (Psychiatry), FAMS (Psychiatry)
Background and Credentials
Dr Alvin Liew Hwee Sen is a Singapore Psychiatrist who is trained and credentialed in both Adult & Child/ Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr Alvin Liew has clinical interests, across various age-groups, in anxiety conditions, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, bipolar disorder, depression, and psychotic disorders.
He obtained his medical degree (M.B.,B.S.) followed by his postgraduate specialist degree of Master in Medicine (M.Med) in Psychiatry from National University of Singapore (NUS), for which he is affirmed as a Specialist in Adult / General Psychiatry. Dr Liew also has interests in Child / Adolescent Psychiatry. He was subsequently awarded the Ministry of Health’s HMDP Psychiatry Fellowship at the world-renown Yale University, USA and was also Visiting Scholar at the Vermont Centre for Children, Youth and Families, USA.
He has served as Clinical Lecturer with Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS, as lecturer for the Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and as supervisor for the psychiatry residency programme which trains doctors to be psychiatrists. Having gained recognition in the specialist field of psychiatry, he is appointed as Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore (FAMS).
Positions & Appointments
Prior to entering private practice, Dr Alvin Liew was Consultant Psychiatrist at Institute of Mental Health (IMH). He concurrently held the appointment as Head, Inpatient Services, with the Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (IMH) helming Singapore’s main tertiary child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient services. He was also Consultant Psychiatrist with the neuro-behavioural clinic services.
Awards & Recognitions
Dr Alvin Liew has received several distinguished awards & recognitions in the clinical, teaching and medical service domains.
These awards/recognitions include Emeritus Consultant Dr Ang Ah Ling Psychiatry Award, National Healthcare Group Teaching Excellence Award, Sayang Award, Long Service Award, Ministry of Social & Family Development (MSF, previously known as MCYS) Family Violence Dialogue Group Award and has been conferred Certificate of Commendation by the Minister of Health, Singapore.
Clinical Interests, Research & Expertise
Dr Alvin Liew has clinical interests, across various age-groups, in anxiety conditions, attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, bipolar disorder, depression, and psychotic disorders.
He has been involved in several areas of research in psychiatry. These include in autism, psychosis and pharmacological treatment modalities in children, adolescents & adults. He has served as Principal Investigator for an international research study in the advancement of treatment in autism using medication Memantine.
From his research, he has several research publications, including publications in international peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Journal of Psychopharmacology, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, Australia and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, and etc. He has also co-authored a book chapter on “Pharmacological Therapy in Individuals with Special Needs” under Rainbow Dreams, A Holistic Approach in Helping Children with Special Needs, 3rd Edition.
He has served as reviewer for Singapore Medical Journal and an invited speaker/trainer for several psychiatry programmes for healthcare professionals and the public.
He believes treatment options can include psychological therapy and/or medications – in addition to using the evidence-based medication for treatment, non-medication treatment such as psychological therapy will be recommended for suitabe patients. He is also certified and experienced in administering Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which are widely accepted as one of the key assessments for evaluating autism.
With his experience gained in Singapore and the USA, Dr Alvin Liew is well-versed in managing the various psychological/psychiatry issues faced by the local and expatriate community. He speaks fluent English, Chinese/Mandarin and Hokkien dialect.
As Head, Inpatient Services previously, he has led multi-disciplinary services integrating various healthcare professionals in providing a comprehensive and holistic treatment plan that is tailored to his patients’ unique needs. Dr Alvin Liew is widely & best known as a psychiatrist with a patient, friendly and reassuring approach in his consultations. These qualities empower his patients to be jointly involved in their care using the latest evidence-based treatment modalities to help them attain psychological wellness, resiliency and recovery.
Practice Address
Adult & Child Psychological Wellness Clinic
9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza, #08-06, Singapore 228210