Karel Karsten Himawan, S. Psi., M.Psi., Ph.D., has been a lecturer since 2013 and currently holds the position of Chair of the Psychology Program at Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH). With a focus on Social Psychology, Psychological Ethics, and Abnormal Psychology, Karel is enthusiastic about teaching and sharing his expertise. His research interests span various areas, including unmarried individuals, romantic relationships, gender issues and roles, spirituality, and religiosity, as well as overall well-being. Becoming a lecturer has been Karel’s lifelong aspiration, dating back to his high school days.?

Karel’s educational background includes a bachelor?s degree in psychology from UPH, a master?s degree in clinical psychology from Universitas Tarumanagara, and a Doctorate in Social-Clinical Psychology from The University of Queensland, Australia. In addition to his academic qualifications, Karel is licensed as a clinical psychologist, graphologist, and Prepare/Enrich facilitator, a program designed to equip couples with the tools to navigate the dynamics of marriage.??

Throughout his academic journey, Karel has received numerous accolades, including being recognized as the top graduate of the bachelor?s program in Psychology at UPH in 2011, the top graduate of the postgraduate program in Psychology at Universitas Tarumanegara in 2014, and receiving prestigious scholarships such as the Indonesia Endowment Finds for Education (Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan/LPDP) scholarship for his doctoral program in 2016. He has also been honored with awards such as Best Speaker Presentation at the 2nd ISAQUT Colloquium in Brisbane, Australia in 2017; the Sarlito W Santoso Award from the Scientific Psychology Consortium Nusantara (Konsorsium Psikologi Ilmiah Nusantara) in 2018; and the Emerging Scholar Awards from Common Ground in San Francisco, United States in 2019.?

In addition to his role as a lecturer, Karel is actively engaged in the field of psychology through UPH?s Cornerstone Psychological Centre and Experiencing Life Foundation which he managed, along with several other combined practices he participated in with other practitioners.??

Reflecting on his career path, Karel shares, “From the very beginning, my goal was to become an academic in the field of psychology, while also pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist.” The graduate of UPH Psychology class of 2007 said that he was interested in psychology because he wanted to study the unique nature of human experiences.?

“I am particularly interested in exploring the extent to which individuals reflect on crucial decisions in their lives and how these reflections impact their future,” explains Karel.?

To pursue his passion for psychology, Karel became a lecturer and specifically chose to join UPH. He believes that the Faculty of Psychology at UPH has its strengths as it dares to view humans beyond a merely human-centered approach – students are educated to see and understand the nature of humans about their creator.?

Through his involvement as a lecturer in Psychology, Karel hopes that his contributions in this field will have a positive impact on the development of psychology in Indonesia. “On a smaller scale, I aspire to assist within my capabilities in the practice space,” adds Karel.?

Karel also advises aspiring psychologists not to be motivated solely by financial gain but to have a genuine passion for helping clients. Psychologists must be willing to enter the lives of their clients, empathize with their experiences, and become their companions.?

“In my journey, the most meaningful moments arise when I can practice as a psychologist and witness my clients’ progress within the therapy room. It is immensely rewarding to guide them as they gain insights into their lives and make positive changes,” explains Karel.?

Karel further explained the ongoing evolution of the field of psychology. He acknowledges that there are several challenges faced in practice, particularly in the practice permit system in Indonesia. Despite these challenges, Karel sees them as part of Indonesia’s journey toward improvement. Another hurdle stems from the limited mental health literacy among clients. Many clients approach psychologists with the expectation of having their problems solved, seeking solutions instead of counseling, some even refuse to pay if they do not receive medication during sessions.?

To address these challenges, Karel and his colleagues in various educational and professional psychology associations are developing a program to advocate for a law that would enable individuals with a bachelor’s degree in psychology to practice and obtain a license as a psychologist without necessarily pursuing a master’s degree. Additionally, in the realm of education, particularly at UPH, Karel strives to bridge the gap between classroom discussions and real-world applications.?

“We innovate by integrating institutionally certified programs into elective courses at UPH, allowing students in those courses to participate in the certification process,” explains Karel.?

Furthermore, Karel envisions innovative psychology education in Indonesia, as some educational institutions still teach outdated theories. For example, some psychologists in Indonesia are still using early editions of the Wechsler IQ test from the 1980s, while other countries have already adopted the 4th or 5th edition. Consequently, he hopes to see innovation in teaching methods by psychology lecturers ? not only to pass on the knowledge taught by their predecessors but also to keep up with the latest trend and developments in the field. Through his role as a lecturer and his involvement in various psychology associations, Karel aims to drive change.?

“If we only rely on outdated teachings, Indonesia will eventually fall behind. I hope that psychology in Indonesia can attain the same level of quality as other countries at the international level,” expresses Karel.?

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Psychology Study Program at UPH?

The Psychology Study Program at UPH is committed to producing graduates who understand human thoughts and behaviors and develop skills to apply psychological principles to improve the quality of individuals’ and society’s lives. UPH Psychology graduates are equipped with knowledge of psychology explored from various branches and specializations, such as clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, marriage and family psychology, social psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, and cross-cultural perspectives. Join UPH! For more information, contact the Student Consultant at 0811-1709-901 or register here.?

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