Don't deal with it on your own – there are plenty of places where you can seek help...
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.
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.
Family SOS, 87 Science Park Drive, Oasis #03-01, Singapore 118260, p. 9793 7069, e. [email protected]
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 who may be suffering from anxiety, grief, relationship issues, career-related stresses or unresolved childhood traumas.
Anoushka Beh, 360 Orchard Road, International Building #10-10, Singapore 238869, p. 9695 2300, [email protected]
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.
Serendipity Centre, 51 Waterloo street #02-05, Singapore 187969, e. [email protected]
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 psychotherapy for help in areas including anxiety, depression, abuse, trauma and more. Counsellors offer therapy in English, French or Italian and deal with both local and international clients.
The Change Group, locations in the West (Science Park Drive, Coronation Road West, Ford Avenue) and in Centre of Singapore (Waterloo Street), p. 9247 9732 or 9655 4424 (SMS), e. [email protected]
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.
Alliance Professional Counselling, 501 Bukit Timah Road, #04-03 Cluny Court, Singapore 259760, p. 6466 8120, e. [email protected]
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, LGBT+ issues, cross-cultural relationships, divorce and anger management.
International Counselling & Psychology Centre, 360 Orchard Road , #06-08 International Building, Singapore 238869, p. 6734 6463, e. [email protected]
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.
All In The Family, 11 Collyer Quay, 17th Floor, The Arcade, Raffles Place MRT, Singapore 049317, p. 9030 7239, e. [email protected]
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 relationship issues including 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.
Relationship Matters, 7500A Beach Road, #07-323 The Plaza, Singapore 199591, p. 9789 6991, e. [email protected]
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 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.
The Blue Pencil, 19 Tanglin Road, #03-49 Tanglin Shopping Centre, p. 9625 5361, e. [email protected]
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 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.
SACAC Counselling, Thong Teck Building, 15 Scotts Road #09-04, Singapore 228218, p. 6733 9249, e. [email protected]
REACH Family Services Centres
The Ministry of Social & Family Development provides community-based REACH Family Services Centres for families and individuals looking for support, guidance and someone to listen. The seven 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.
REACH Family Services Centre, various locations, p. 6252 2566, e. [email protected]
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) is the only suicide prevention centre in Singapore, and 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.
Samaritans of Singapore, Block 10 Cantonment Close, #01-01 (HDB Multi-storey car park), Singapore 080010, p. 1800 221 4444, e. [email protected]
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 to help engage children and youths during counselling and social-emotional development programs.
PAWSibility, 90 Taman Warna, Holland Village, Singapore 276401, p. 6497 7932, e. [email protected]
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.
Kaleidoscope Therapy, #07-05/06, The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, 287994, p. 6468 8991, e. [email protected]
