Don't deal with it on your own – there are plenty of places where you and your children can seek help. Try these top family counsellors in Singapore
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 – especially during this pandemic. Life is hard enough as it is, and our mental health has certainly taken a hit during this global crisis. 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, a parent working through financial pressures, marital woes, bereavement, anxiety, parenting a special needs child or just learning how to survive the pandemic, we’ve found some really great family counselling sessions for you to reach out to, right here in Singapore.
COUNSELLING AND THERAPY FOR FAMILIES IN SINGAPORE
1. 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. She provides essential support for young people who need to improve their 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. This could be moving country, bereavement, abuse, bullying or even feelings of being overwhelmed by home or school. She uses methods including interactive media, role play, cognitive behaviour approaches, counselling, goal setting and play therapy. Katy works with individuals as well as runs group sessions and workshops. All this while maintaining a close association with the family and teachers of the children she helps.
Where: Family SOS, 87 Science Park Drive, Oasis #03-01, Singapore 118260
2. 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. 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. Anyone suffering from anxiety, grief, relationship issues, career-related stresses or unresolved childhood traumas can reach out.
Where: Anoushka Beh, 360 Orchard Road, International Building #10-10, Singapore 238869
3. Serendipity Centre
This multi-practitioner centre is a great pick for any families looking for guidance in a more casual setting. There’s everything from sand-play therapy to dance therapy, parenting workshops, perinatal psychology, as well as psychotherapy and clinical psychology options. Adults, teenagers, children, toddlers or pregnant women: everyone is welcome.
Where: Serendipity Centre, 51 Waterloo street #02-05, Singapore 187969
4. The Change Group
For anyone looking to make a positive change, The Change Group could be the answer. Individuals, couples and families can book sessions with international psychologists trained in psychotherapy. They offer help in areas including anxiety, depression, abuse, trauma and more. Counsellors can speak English, French or Italian and deal with both local and international clients.
Where: The Change Group, locations in the West (Science Park Drive, Ford Avenue)
5. 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 among them speak English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Where: Alliance Professional Counselling, 501 Bukit Timah Road, #04-03 & #03-02 Cluny Court, Singapore 259760
6. 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 Singapore’s expatriate and local communities. The ICPC’s team provides a great range of family counselling options. They aim to help children and adults deal with problems including living overseas and transitioning to a new life, blended family issues, sibling rivalry, self-harm, LGBTQ+ issues, cross-cultural relationships, divorce and anger management.
Where: International Counselling & Psychology Centre, 360 Orchard Road, #06-08 International Building, Singapore 238869
7. All In The Family
The clue is in the name: everyone in the family can try the counselling services at All In The Family. The centre provides help for individuals and groups on all family matters. They offer counselling for couples facing infertility issues, marriage crisis guidance, hypnotherapy and parenting workshops. They even provide sleep training advice for exhausted parents of livewire babies and toddlers.
Where: All In The Family, 105 Cecil Street, #22-00 The Octagon (Suite 2224), Singapore 069534
8. Relationship Matters
First started by Jessica Lamb, Relationship Matters is recommended for its non-judgemental space for individual adults, couples and families. She works with clients to support them through all sorts of relationship issues. Think infidelity, trailing spouse anxieties, or other issues such as sexual problems, depression and addictions. Speak to a therapist as a couple or individually to find a way to move forward.
Where: Relationship Matters, 7500A Beach Road, #07-323 The Plaza, Singapore 199591
9. The Blue Pencil
This counselling centre is one of the more affordable options in Singapore. We also love that it takes a tailor-made approach to each client’s needs. The centre offers understanding and compassionate advice to married couples, youngsters facing emotional struggles in school, families looking to strengthen relationships and anyone who just needs someone to listen.
Where: The Blue Pencil, 19 Tanglin Road, #03-49 Tanglin Shopping Centre, Singapore 247909
10. SACAC Counselling
Established in 1973 for the American community in Singapore, but now open to everyone, SACAC Counselling offers a wide range of psychotherapy support. It 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.
Where: SACAC Counselling, Thong Teck Building, 15 Scotts Road #09-04, Singapore 228218
11. REACH Community Services Society
The Ministry of Social & Family Development is behind the community-based REACH Community Services Society for families and individuals looking for support, guidance and a listening ear. The family service 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.
Where: REACH Community Services Society, various locations
12. Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is the only suicide prevention centre in Singapore. It is a non-profit organisation that 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 specialised counselling services and bereavement support groups for individuals and families by in-house counsellors, psychologists and social workers.
Where: Samaritans of Singapore, 10 Cantonment Close #01-01, Singapore 080010
13. PAWSibility
If you have a child aged between four and 20, 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. This helps engage children and youths during counselling and social-emotional development programmes.
Where: PAWSibility, 90 Taman Warna, Singapore 276401
14. Kaleidoscope Therapy
If you’re 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, speak to Kaleidoscope Therapy. They are 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.
Where: Kaleidoscope Therapy, #07-05/06 The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, Singapore 287994
The first step to feeling better is seeking the help that you need. We hope these resources will be able to assist you.
