While on the surface life in Singapore may appear rosy and full of sunshine, sometimes we all need someone to hear us through all the noise and really listen to us. Luckily, there are some great counselling services, therapy sessions and family resources we can turn to when we need to get our thoughts in order and our minds re-balanced. So whether you are a single mum looking for some guidance, an expat faced with the struggle of deciding between local or international school for your kids, you’re working through financial pressures, marital woes, bereavement, anxiety or are parenting a special needs child, we’ve found some really great family counselling sessions for you to reach out to…
Family SOS
Katy Harris runs Family SOS (Family Support Out of School), and not only does she use a multi-approach method when it comes to helping neurotypical, autistic, shy, non-verbal or ADHD kids, she also supports and guides parents during the therapy journey too. Typically she helps children and teens tackle anti-social behaviour and provides essential support for young people who need to improve self image, self control, communication skills, aggression or anxiety issues. She also provides a non-judgemental and sympathetic ear for children struggling with life traumas including moving country, bereavement, abuse, bullying or feelings of being overwhelmed by home or school, and uses methods including interactive media, role play, cognitive behaviour approaches, counselling, goal setting and play therapy. Katy works with individuals, but also runs group sessions and workshops while maintaining a close association with the family and teachers of the children she helps.
87 Science Park Drive, Oasis #03-01, Singapore 118260, p. 9793 7069, e. katy@family-sos.org; www.family-sos.org
Anoushka Beh
Anoushka Beh is often recommended as a warm, easy-to-talk to therapist – you may have heard her speak at events such as Green is the New Black on the topic of overcoming self-doubt, or followed her Hardwiring Happiness Project. She uses an integrated approach in helping clients by combining her own clinical expertise with various techniques including EFT (Emotional Empowerment Technique), IFS (Internal Family Systems), Guided Visualisation, EET (Emotional Empowerment Technique) and mindfulness-based sessions. She specialises in helping adults, children and families who may be suffering with anxiety, grief, relationship issues, career-related stresses or unresolved childhood traumas.
360 Orchard Road, International Building #10-10, Singapore 238869, p. 9695 2300, anoushka@abehpsych.com, www.abehpsych.com
Serendipity Centre
This multi-practitioner centre is a great pick for any families looking for guidance in a more casual setting. With everything from sand-play therapy to dance therapy, parenting workshops to perinatal psychology, as well as psychotherapy and clinical psychology options. Adults, teenagers, children, toddlers and pregnant women: everyone is welcome.
51 Waterloo street #02-05, Singapore 187969, e. centreserendipity@gmail.com; www.serendipitycentre.com
The Change Group
For anyone looking to make a positive change, then The Change Group could be the answer. Individuals, couples and families can book sessions with international psychologists trained in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), psychodynamics, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Gottman Couple therapy for help in areas including anxiety, depression, abuse, crisis and trauma. Counsellors offer therapy in English, German, French or Dutch and deal with both local and international clients.
Locations in the West (Science Park Drive, Watten Height, Coronation Road West) and in Centre of Singapore (Waterloo Street), p. 9647 1184 (SMS), e. thechangegrouptherapy@gmail.com; www.thechangegroupcounselling.com
Alliance Professional Counselling
This is a popular choice for expats here in Singapore, and Alliance Professional Counselling is often recommended on various Facebook support groups. It offers care, support and guidance through counselling and psychotherapy to children, couples and families who may be struggling with a problem or relationship that requires some professional advice without judgment. The counsellors are multicultural, and amongst them speak English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish Cantonese and Mandarin.
501 Bukit Timah Road, #04-03 Cluny Court, Singapore 259760, p. 6466 8120, e. admin@alliancecounselling.com.sg; www.alliancecounselling.com.sg
International Counselling & Psychology Centre
International Counselling & Psychology Centre’s (ICPC) professional team brings over 40 years collective experience in providing supportive mental health services to the expatriate and local communities. The ICPC’s team provide a great range of family counselling options to help children and adults deal with problems including living overseas and transitioning to a new life, blended family issues, sibling rivalry, self-harm, cross-cultural relationships, divorce and anger management.
360 Orchard Road , #06-08 International Building, Singapore 238869, p. 6734 6463, e. connect@intlcounselling.com; www.intlcounselling.com
All In The Family
The clue is in the name, and everyone in the family is welcome to try workshops or counselling services at All In The Family. The centre provides help for individuals and groups on matters including counselling for couples facing infertility issues, marriage crisis guidance, hypnotherapy, parenting workshops and even sleep training advice for exhausted parents of livewire babies and toddlers.
11 Collyer Quay, 17th Floor, The Arcade, Raffles Place MRT, Singapore 049317, p. 9030 7239, e. tammy@allinthefamilycounselling.com; www.allinthefamilycounselling.com
Relationship Matters
Jessica Lamb of Relationship Matters is recommended for her gentle approach and provides a non-judgemental space for individual adults, couples and families. She works with clients to support them through relationship issues including infidelity, trailing spouse anxieties, or other issues such as sexual problems, depression and addictions. Speak to her as a couple or individually to find a way to move forward.
7500A Beach Road, #07-323 The Plaza, Singapore 199591, p. 9789 6991, e. info@relationshipmatters.com.sg; www.relationshipmatters.com.sg
The Blue Pencil
This counselling centre is not only one of the more affordable options, but we also love that it takes a tailor-made approach to each client’s needs. The husband-wife led centre offers understanding and compassionate advice to married couples, youngsters facing emotional struggles in school, families looking to strengthen relationships and to anyone who just needs someone to listen.
19 Tanglin Road, #03-49 Tanglin Shopping Centre, p. 9625 5361, e. info@thebluepencil.sg; www.thebluepencil.sg
SACAC Counselling
Set up initially back in 1973 for the American community in Singapore, but now open to everyone, SACAC Counselling offers a wide range of psychotherapy support to pre-schoolers upwards, and helps individuals, couples and families cope with challenges that may be affecting everyday life. The team is a multicultural one, and between them speak English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Hindi and Bahasa. Anger management, grief counselling, marriage guidance, OCD therapy and emotional or behavioural issues in children are just a few of the problems the friendly therapists are highly-qualified to deal with.
Thong Teck Building, 15 Scotts Road #09-04, Singapore 228218, p. 6733 9249, e. admin@sacac.sg, www.sacac.sg
REACH Family Services Centres
The Ministry of Social & Family Development provide community-based REACH Family Services Centres for families and individuals looking for support, guidance and someone to listen. The four centres are dotted around Singapore, and provide help to all ages, nationalities and religions via a team of social workers and counsellors. Services provided include affair-recovery programmes, marriage guidance, personal growth and healing sessions, and relationship counselling for families. Fees are based on your monthly income, which makes this option affordable for everyone.
Various locations, p. 6252 2566 e. contact@reach.org.sg; www.reach.org.sg
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is the only suicide prevention centre in Singapore, and is a non-profit organisation which provides 24-hour confidential emotional support to people who feel they have nowhere else to turn. As well as the round-the-clock crisis support hotline, manned by trained volunteers, SOS also offer specialist counselling services and bereavement support groups for individuals and families by in-house counsellors, psychologists and social workers.
Block 10 Cantonment Close, #01-01 (HDB Multi-storey car park), Singapore 080010, p. 1800 221 4444, e. pat@sos.org.sg; www.sos.org.sg
PAWSibility – with a therapy dog
If you have a child age between four to 20 years, then talking to a counsellor should feel a whole lot less daunting when conducted through Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Play Therapy sessions. Pawsibility runs individual and group sessions using a professional therapy dog to help engage children and youths during counselling and social emotional development programs.
90 Taman Warna, Holland Village, Singapore 276401, p. 6497 7932, e. enquiries@pawsibility.com.sg; www.pawsibility.com.sg
Kaleidoscope Therapy
If you are looking for support and strategies to help your children with behavioural issues including anger management, anxiety attacks, problems with social and interpersonal skills or low self-esteem, Kaleidoscope Therapy is a dedicated team of professionals committed to help your child reach their full potential through having fun. Kids will love the friendly approach, and the art therapy and creative therapy sessions are especially popular.
#07-05/06, The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, 287994, p. 6468 8991 or 6468 8039 , e. info@kaleidoscope.com.sg; www.kaleidoscope.com.sg
Here’s more resources you might find useful:
How to get your child assessed for learning difficulties, special needs or behavioural issue
Where to find therapy animals in Singapore
How to get a divorce in Singapore
Paediatric physiotherapy centres for kids
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