Workshop Review | Mental Health for Leaders at SENIA Conference

We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to SENIA on a profoundly impactful conference 2025. Thank you for gathering so many talented minds and creating a vibrant community dedicated to learning and connection. It was our honor to present at this year’s conference.

Following the resounding success of our workshop at the SENIA Conference 2025 in Beijing, we are thrilled to share a glimpse into the unique experiential learning model that defines a Candlex session.

On 28^th Nov 2025, the workshop presenter, Xiaojie Qin, Psychotherapist and Director and CandleX, together with around 25 senior leaders from across the education sector gathered for a 75-minute journey into Mental Health for Leaders, at Keystone Academy Beijing.

The Candlex Difference: No Two Workshops Are Alike

Without a single PowerPoint slide, the room was transformed into a dynamic space for authentic connection and profound reflection.

"I couldn't even if I tried!" Xiaojie joked.

While many workshops focus on delivering pre-packaged content, our approach is fundamentally different. Each workshop is unique, and no two are the same, even when we deliver on the same topic. We began not with a theory, but with stories and reflection, immediately drawing participants into a personal and shared exploration of the leadership experience.

As Xiaojie shared two true stories from the front lines of leadership, key themes emerged organically. These were captured in real-time on the board, creating a living mind-map of the group's collective wisdom. The focus was on self-awareness and self-management of the very traits that make leaders effective, yet can also lead to burnout if left unexamined.

Building Trust in a Shared Space

Despite most participants being strangers, the carefully crafted environment of psychological safety and the power of shared experience fostered incredible openness. Xiaojie has a decade of experiences working with groups, including mental health peer support groups, abuse survivors therapy groups, workshops groups with parents and teens group therapy, which contributes to our inch of cultivating a environment that fosters openness.   The discussions were not just theoretical; they became a conduit for leaders to connect on a human level, sharing their challenges and insights with remarkable strength. It was a powerful reminder that community is a core component of well-being.

Key Features of CandleX Workshop

This workshop exemplifies what Candlex brings to organizations/companies/embassies:

• Adaptive & Spontaneous: We tailor the session in real-time to the needs of the people in the room, ensuring maximum relevance and impact. It’s a norm that we do not have PPTs for most sessions. The content is co-created by the participants and the presenter.

• Experiential & Discussion-Based: We move beyond lectures to create genuine "aha" moments through guided reflection and peer learning.

• Safe & Confidential: We specialize in building containers of trust where authentic, and sometimes vulnerable, sharing can occur, leading to deeper learning and connection.

• Focused on the Human Element: Our goal is to equip leaders with the self-awareness to sustain their energy and well-being, which in turn enhances their leadership capacity.

• The feedback was clear: Leaders left feeling seen, refreshed, and equipped with practical perspectives for their personal and professional lives. They didn't just learn about mental health; they actively engaged with their own.

  
  

If you are looking for a workshop that goes beyond check-the-box training to foster genuine growth, connection, and sustainable leadership practices, we invite you to connect with us.

CandleX also runs a profound non-profit sector, offering extensive psychosocial support activities, online education, and public awareness campaigns. Explore our resources below to learn more.