About Us
MLAC stands for Mindfulness, Love, And Compassion.
The MLAC Institute celebrates 5 years of accomplishments.
After four decades of clinical practice, teaching and research as a clinical psychologist; and after mentoring generations of psychology students, I felt the need to form the MLAC Institute for Children and Families (now formally called the MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, Inc.) with my team of psychologists in 2010.
The Institute is founded on our solid belief in the innate truthfulness and honesty and wisdom of children. We strongly advocate for truth-telling.
The main goal of the foundation is to apply the scientific principles of psychology for the well-being of Filipino children and families, especially the poor, the disadvantaged and the traumatized.
I hope you will join us in continuing to accomplish this mission.
Dr. Ma. Lourdes “Honey” A. Carandang
Clinical Psychologist
National Social Scientist (1995)
Meet our Founder
MA. LOURDES “HONEY” A. CARANDANG, PHD, RPSY
She is a Clinical Psychologist with a passion for helping individuals and families thrive. As the founder of the MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, Inc., and the Philippine Association for Child and Play Therapy (PhilPlay), she has dedicated her career to providing essential psychosocial services to those in need.
Throughout her career, she has received numerous accolades, including being named a National Social Scientist by the Philippine Social Science Council in 1995, the Most Outstanding Psychologist by the Psychological Association of the Philippines in 1988, and the 1st ever Outstanding Professional in Psychology by the Professional Regulation Commission in 2014. In addition, she was awarded a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, by the Ateneo de Manila University in 2016.
Our Vision
Our Mission
- To recognize, affirm and nurture the innate truth-telling and wisdom of children.
- To promote a deeper understanding of Filipino family dynamics and the family systems approach.
- To provide healing for special groups through different forms of psychotherapy especially play therapy, expressive arts therapy, trauma therapy, etc.
- To provide in-depth training for psychologists and other professionals in relate fields in the following areas: play therapy, expressive arts therapy, family therapy, grief therapy, psychological assessment, parenting, dealing with family violence, child abuse, OFW families, women and wellness, and burnout prevention.
- To conduct in-depth needs assessment and research on the situation of children and families.
Meet the MLAC Team
The MLAC Team is composed of highly trained psychologists who
are all mentored by Dr. Honey Carandang.
Maria Teresa “Tess” F. Aguilar, MA, CSCLP, RPsy
Tess is a licensed clinical psychologist and a practicing play therapist. She belongs to a team of psychologists from the MLAC Psychological Services for Well-Being, founded and headed by Dr. Honey Carandang. She is actively involved in doing talks, workshops on mental health and aspects of well-being. Tess also advocates for trauma-intervention in aid of families and children.
Tess is also a school psychologist at Saint Pedro Poveda College. She is a member of the Psychological Association of the Philippines. She graduated Cum laude from Miriam College with a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science. She obtained her MA in Counseling Psychology at the Ateneo De Manila University. Her foremost passion is learning from children. Second to this is her love for writing, poetry and the arts.
Christopher Franz “Chris” A. Carandang, PhD, RPsy
Assistant to the Executive Director for Mental Health, MLAC
Chris is a practicing Clinical Psychologist who combines his love for music and psychology in his work. He specializes in Play Therapy, and Music and Expressive Arts Therapy for children and adolescents. He is part of the team of psychologists of Dr. Ma.Lourdes “Honey” A. Carandang at the MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, Inc. As part of Dr. Honey’s team, he conducts and facilitates workshops on topics such as Parenting, Mindfulness, Play Therapy, Music and Expressive Arts Therapy, and Trauma and Recovery.
He finished his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at U.P. Diliman. His dissertation was entitled, “Exploring the Use of Music, Art and Letter-Writing in the Therapeutic Process of Adolescents in Conflict with the Law”. He taught psychology subjects in U.P. Diliman, Miriam College and De La Salle University, Manila. He was also a part-time guidance counselor for college students at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Marie Tessibeth T. Cordova, PhD, RPsy, RPm
Dr. Tessibeth Cordova is a registered psychologist who practices in key areas fundamental and significant to an individual’s life: family, work and community. She obtained her PhD Clinical Psychology and MA Counseling Psychology from the Ateneo de Manila University and BA Psychology from the University of the Philippines (cum laude).
Dr. Tessibeth has been immensely involved in doing psychotherapy for adults and families as well as play therapy for children and adolescents with emotional needs. As a corporate practitioner, she has extensively worked on organizational development and organizational change management. A firm advocate of employee productivity through employee happiness, she has been doing related organizational workshops and programs. Pioneering the integrative approach of Psycho-Community Organizing (Psycho-CO) with Dr. Honey Carandang, groups such as the AMMA (Ama na Magaling Mag-Aruga sa Anak comprising husbands and children left behind by OFW-mothers), survivors of trauma resulting from disasters, gender-based violence and other atrocities, groups and communities in difficult circumstances are strategically and sustainably empowered.
In all that she does, Dr. Tessibeth always aspires to be mindful, aware and awake to the present, touching life deeply in every moment … mindfulness that she practices not only as a matter of psychological technique but as a way of life.
Ma. Blesila “Bless” de Guzman-de Asis, MA, CSCLP, RPsy
Bless de Guzman-de Asis is a licensed psychologist. She is also an aspiring photographer and will soon complete her doctoral journey in Psychology, specializing in Health Psychology. Her gradual shift from being a teacher/guidance counselor to joining MLAC was brought about by her desire to assist families and their children and help them learn how to communicate and work through their issues. Together with the team of psychologists and Dr. Honey Carandang’s directorship, she has worked on projects such as parenting and mindfulness practice for parents and employees, OFW families, trauma counseling for the abused, and survivors of disasters. She cherishes her journey as a therapist, not only in the growth of the people she meets in therapy but in their influence on her life. These experiences have taught her to search for the unique spot of grace in anyone she meets and trust the value of simple presence.
Rosalea Cornelia “Uzi” A. de Leon, MA, PhD Cand, RPsy, LPT
“Tita Uzi” is a graduate of Master of Arts in Psychology with concentration in Clinical Counselling Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University and Bachelor of Arts major in Psychology from the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City. She also holds degrees in Graduate Diploma in Special Education and Diploma in Teaching from West Visayas State University. She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professional Teacher. She is a member of the faculty of West Visayas State University, College of Education, Division of Special Education in Iloilo City. As a team member of MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services Inc., her therapeutic interventions focus on mental health issues, trauma and recovery for abused girls, and special needs learners. Her advocacies include reading and literacy, mental health, special needs and inclusive education.
Maria Belinda “Bebeth” Morales, MA, CSCLP, RPsy
Beth, as she is fondly called, acquired her Masters’ Degree in Psychology from the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. Prior to her return to psychotherapy practice, she has had extensive work experience as a Senior HR Executive in various multinational and local corporations such as Vice President for Training, Senior Vice President for Human Resources and Head of Talent Management for Asia Pacific.
After her corporate stint, Beth trained as a Play therapist and Clinical Psychologist under an esteemed mentor, Dr. Ma. Lourdes Carandang for several years, and is currently a member of MLAC institute for Psychosocial Services for Well-being, and a board member of Philippine Association of Child and Play Therapy.
She is a trained Jungian Sandplay Therapist under certified teaching members of International Society of Sandplay Therapists and has attended lectures of international Jungian Archetypal faculty. A practicing Depth Psychologist, she specializes in cases involving depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety disorder and panic attacks.
Beth is a licensed Psychologist with Philippine Regulations Commission and a Certified Specialist in Clinical Psychology with Psychological Association of the Philippines.
She is referred to as Coach Beth because she is also an Executive Coach, Life Coach, and a Professional Coach of International Coach Federation.
Hannah Misha M. Morillo, MA, MSc
Executive Director, MLAC
Ms Hannah Morillo is a psychologist and mental health researcher and consultant. For 12 years, she has led and collaborated on global mental health researches, developed and implemented mental health programs to communities and built meaningful partnerships with government, non-government organizations, and private groups in the Philippines and the UK. She obtained her BA and MA Psychology (Clinical Psychology concentration) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and was awarded Asian Graduate Student Fellowship at the National University of Singapore for her research on indigenous people’s wellbeing. She was one of the first Filipinos to obtain the MSc Global Mental Health at King’s College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Ms Hannah’s clinical background and academic work include trauma and abuse, psychosis, and family interventions. She has published some of her work in the Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology and was reviewer at the British Medical Journal, among others. She is presently a member of the International Council of Psychologists (Decolonizing Psychology Special Interest Group) and the Mental Health Collaboration group at Catalyst 2030 (working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals), and co-leads initiatives on Parenting and Social Entrepreneurship.
Rachel Ann “Richie” R. Parr, PhD, RPsy
Dr. Richie Parr is part of the team of psychologists of the MLAC Institute for Psychosocial Services, Inc. under the supervision and mentorship of Dr. Ma. Lourdes “Honey” A. Carandang. It was under the MLAC Institute where Richie received intense training in research and practice providing psychosocial rehabilitation for Filipino children, adults, and families in difficult circumstances.
Dr. Parr worked as a professor in De La Salle University, Miriam College, and the University of the Philippines. She is currently on leave from teaching and is focused on practice and research.
She has a doctorate degree in Developmental Psychology from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She was division chair for the developmental division from 2011 to 2014; a certified specialist in developmental psychology; and a member of the Psychological Association of the Philippines. She is happily married and a proud mother of two.
Olivia P. Carandang, PhD, RPsy
Dr Olive Carandang is a licensed psychologist with extensive experience in psychotherapy, teaching and research. As a psychotherapist, she is guided by the firm belief that each person is gifted with unique strengths, and that each one has the potential for genuine healing through the sharing of personal narratives and meaning-making. She employs a client-centered and existential approach to therapy.
Dr Olive obtained her PhD in Personality Psychology, minor in Clinical Psychology from UP Diliman. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ateneo de Manila University, where she graduated magna cum laude. At present, she is a professor at Miriam College QC.
Dr Olive’s deepest joy is being with her family, and her advocacy staunchly aligns with the vision and mission of MLAC.
