How to Find a Therapist in Singapore

If you're looking for a therapist in Singapore, you're in luck! This diverse and vibrant city-state offers a wealth of mental health professionals to help you.

Our guide simplifies finding a therapist in Singapore by breaking it down into six manageable steps. It will guide you through each phase, ensuring clarity and ease in your search. Let's get started.

Singapore Therapists - Finding One the Right Way

• Step 1: Clarify your Goals for Therapy
• Step 2: Pick the Right Kind of Therapist
• Step 3: Choose your Preferred Setting
• Step 4: Find Singapore Therapists
• Step 5: Vett the Therapist
• Step 6: Reach out!

Step One: Clarify your Goals for Therapy

The first thing to do is clarify why you want to see a therapist. While all therapists are experts in human behaviour, that’s a big subject, so each type of therapist has their own focus, approach, and skill set. If you clarify why you want to see one, choosing the best professional for your needs becomes easier.

How to Identify/Clarify Your Goals for Therapy

If you know why you need to see a therapist, e.g., to treat depression or get marriage counselling, skip to step two.

Don’t worry if you do not know your goals; feeling lost could be why you want to see a therapist. For many people, all they know is that they want to feel better. And that's fine, too; still, follow these suggestions; they might help you identify and define your issues clearly.

• Reflect on your feelings and behaviour: Ask yourself what is troubling you. Is it something about you, your child, your relationship, or your family? Are you experiencing complicated feelings like anxiety, sadness, anger, or despair? Are you concerned about your behaviour?
• Consider your goals: What do you hope to accomplish by seeing a therapist? Is it symptom reduction? Does your child need an educational assessment? Would you like to improve your marriage? Do you want to be a better person?
• Look at your life circumstances: Have life events contributed to your struggles? Are you experiencing a significant change, such as moving, trauma, grief, a job loss, or the end of a relationship? Or does this have more to do with your past?

Reasons People See Therapists in Singapore

Knowing why other people see therapists can also help you know why you want therapy. Here are some of the most common reasons why people in Singapore see therapists:

• Stress and anxiety: Singapore is a fast-paced and competitive city, and many people experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Therapists can help people to manage their stress and anxiety levels, develop coping skills, and improve their overall well-being.
• Relationship problems: Relationship problems are another common reason why people in Singapore seek therapy. Therapists can help couples and individuals communicate better, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships.
• Depression: Depression is a serious mental health condition that can have a significant impact on a person's life. Therapists can help people with depression to understand their condition, develop coping skills, and manage their symptoms.
• Trauma: Trauma is a common experience in Singapore, as many people have experienced some form of trauma, such as bullying, violence, or abuse. Therapists can help people to process their trauma and heal from its effects.
• Work-related stress: Singapore is a highly competitive work environment, and many people experience high levels of work-related stress. Therapists can help people manage their work stress, develop coping skills, and improve their work-life balance.

In addition to these general reasons, some unique cultural factors may contribute to people in Singapore seeking therapy. Singapore is a collectivist culture; people place a high value on the needs of the group over the needs of the individual. People can feel pressured to conform and suppress their needs and emotions. Therapy can help people understand these emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and assert themselves healthily and culturally appropriately.

Another unique cultural factor that may contribute to seeking therapy is the progress in addressing the stigma associated with mental illness. In the past, mental illness was often seen as a sign of weakness or shame. However, awareness of mental health issues and the importance of seeking help is growing. Consequently, more people can reach out, and therapy is more popular.

Step Two: Decide on the Kind of Therapist

Once you have clarified your reasons, it's time to choose the most appropriate type of therapist to meet your needs . This is a list of the main types of therapists available in Singapore and what they do. Of course, every professional brings a unique background, and some will have broader skills.

Psychiatrists: They're especially helpful if you're dealing with severe mental health issues like major depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia, as they can manage complex medication regimes.

Registered Psychologists: Ideal for those who need help managing life transitions, coping with trauma, or improving mental health through talk therapy without the need for medication.

Registered Psychotherapists: Best suited for exploring deeper emotional issues or long-term patterns, such as childhood trauma or persistent anxiety and depression.

Registered Counsellors: They're a great choice for managing everyday stresses, relationship problems, grief, or other personal issues in a more short-term, solution-focused way.

Educational Psychologists: Perfect for students with special educational needs, learning disabilities, or social-emotional challenges in school settings.

Occupational Therapists: They're invaluable for anyone recovering from injuries, dealing with chronic illnesses, or facing age-related challenges affecting their daily functioning.

Social Workers: Essential for navigating complex social situations like family dynamics, accessing community resources, or dealing with systemic challenges like poverty or discrimination.

Art Therapists: Particularly effective for those who find traditional talk therapy intimidating and prefer expressing themselves through creative mediums like painting or sculpting.

Music Therapists: They offer a unique approach that's particularly engaging for children, individuals with autism, or those who connect deeply with music as a form of therapy.

After considering each option, ask which aligns most with your concern; that’s the kind of therapist you must search for. As mentioned, overlap and variation exist, and some therapists have studied to broaden their scope. However, all things equal, looking for the kind whose initial skill set matches your needs is best.

Step Three: Choose your Preferred Setting

So far, you have clarified your issue and identified the kind of therapists to look for. Before you set out to do that, you must decide on your preferred setting (online or in person) and location (local, national, or international). Not all therapists work online, and not all work in person. Knowing your preference (or what is likely best for you) helps.

Online or In-Person

There is a reason you want to find a therapist, and you want the process to be as effective as possible. So, setting up your sessions to achieve this outcome should guide your decision. While holding your first meeting online is possible, some matters require in-person sessions. Psychometric assessments, play therapy, intense emotion or risk management, and in-depth therapy are good examples.

There are exceptions, of course, e.g., you might be too afraid to meet in person and will only meet in person after growing comfortable with online work. In this case, starting online is the only way to achieve your goals. It is the same if online is the only way to access a service, e.g., you need a therapist who speaks an otherwise unavailable language or lives deep in the Karoo.

If your situation allows you to choose between online or in-person sessions, take the decision seriously. Yes, online meetings can bring convenience, improve access, enable you to meet in the comfort of wherever and obliterate travel time. But there are also downsides, especially for therapies that require a deep emotional connection or exposure (if you fear leaving home, getting out may be an essential part of treatment).

In-person sessions have their advantages, too. Sitting in a room with someone you have grown to trust is helpful even before the power of therapy. Plus, time to process your thoughts while travelling to and from sessions allows you to gather, consolidate, and reflect. Sometimes, having somewhere to go and planning to get there can help you through the most challenging times.

Important: Some insurance providers (medical aid) have rules and exclusions for online sessions or sessions with people in other countries. Check with yours for more details.

Location - Proximity

We think there is no contest when choosing between local therapists or looking further into the field.

You could have heard of especially great therapists in a specific city even though you live in a different one. And yes, therapists differ in talent, and some are more specialised. But decades have taught us that no psychologist holds a magic bullet.

Singapore therapists are well-trained, and the relationship you build together will count more than a PhD or popularity. So, the therapists near your home or work are likely best unless you need something locally unavailable.

Choosing local has other advantages, too. The therapy becomes easier to sustain by reducing travel time and cost. Scheduling sessions to fit your routine is more straightforward, and traffic congestion becomes less of a worry. As a result, you cancel less, avoid late cancellation fees, and have more opportunities to benefit.

Step Four: Find Therapists

At last, the search begins. But before you start, remember this: if therapy is what you are after, your goal is to find someone highly skilled whom you can form a connection with and who you believe might get and accept you. Keep this in mind every step of the way.

But how do you find nearby therapists in Singapore? Follow the steps below and keep a list of favourites (you may need to approach more than one) as you proceed.

Visit online directories: Therapist directories are the most convenient way to find therapists. TherapyRoute.com is one option. Not only will you find many mental health professionals, but its features will also speed up and smooth the process. For example, the homepage instantly displays the closest therapists (and other therapists) and shows which have availability.

If you need to look elsewhere, you can use the search box to search by location. This is helpful, as therapists typically practice in affluent suburbs, so there may be more choices near your office than your home.

TherapyRoute also helps you find your best-fit therapists by providing filters like professional type, language, issue, client group, and identity, e.g., black, male, female, LGBTQ, and more. So, all you need to do is visit TherapyRoute.com, use the dropdowns, open the profiles you like best, and read them to see which ones resonate most.

Ask for recommendations: While it does mean exposing yourself a bit more, this is another popular approach. Turn to people you trust, especially those you know who have seen therapists before, and ask if they know anyone to recommend.

It is usually best to see a therapist without connections to your social circle. Good boundaries help enable you to be more honest and open. So, even if you don’t see their therapists, their therapists could link you with another suitable, trusted colleague.

Asking your Doctor is another popular strategy since they often have referral relationships with local therapists. Ask for a referral to someone they can vouch for and who they know helped their other patients.

When it comes to family and children, schools are often a good port of call. Schools frequently call upon therapists, and the teachers see which ones benefit their scholars. Ask your child’s teacher if they have someone to recommend based on their observations.

Whichever approach you choose, once you have a list of therapists to choose from, the next step is to vet them for any red flags. We will tell you how to do this next.

Step Five: Vetting the Therapists

Call us paranoid, but the world isn't known for its lack of scammers. Taking a moment to confirm someone's credentials and peeking at their online footprint is a good idea.

Start by visiting the appropriate regulating bodies' websites. Many include accessible databases that allow you to search for a professional and confirm their standing. The point of checking is to see their status, note judgments or offences, and confirm the information corresponds with their self-description.

Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC): SAC is responsible for accrediting and overseeing the practice of counselling professionals in Singapore. They set standards, provide training and certification, and ensure ethical and professional conduct within the counselling profession.

Singapore Psychological Society (SPS): The SPS is the professional association for psychologists in Singapore. It regulates the professional conduct and ethics of its members.

College of Psychiatrists, Singapore (CPS) : The CPS is the professional association for psychiatrists in Singapore. It regulates the professional conduct and ethics of its members.

Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) : The AHPC is a statutory board under the Ministry of Health that regulates and governs the professional conduct and ethics of registered allied health professionals in Singapore, including occupational therapists.

Singapore Association of Social Workers (SASW) : The SASW is the professional association for social workers in Singapore. It regulates the professional conduct and ethics of its members.

Once satisfied that each therapist is in good standing, the next step is to Google their name. Stalking is a bad idea (better stick with their professional selves), but do look out for red flags. Do you see a pattern of negative reviews? Do worrisome news articles appear? Does their online footprint look like a professional's should, e.g., are they mentioned on relevant websites?

If all still seems promising, it is time to reach out.

Step Six: Contact the Therapist

Hooray, finally! It's time to reach out. Your initial contact is another opportunity to learn more about the therapist's approach and to see if they are the right one for you.

Aims to find out if they have availability that suits you, whether they think they can help with your concern, and clarify their process and requirements. Also, if you have deal breakers (e.g., the therapists must be trans-affirming), now is the time to ask about them.

There is no one way to reach out, so don’t take our pointers too seriously. Think about them and ask yourself if we missed something vital to you. Then, once you know what you want to say, draft a text and send it.

Preparing a text can also help you through the jitters if you phone them instead.

That is it from us; all the best on your journey towards better mental health and a more fulfilling life!

Additional Mental Health Resources in Singapore

Non-profit Counselling and Therapy Services

Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH): Provides confidential and affordable counselling services to people with mental health problems and their families.

Silver Ribbon (Singapore) : Provides support and services to people with mental health conditions, including counselling, self-help groups, and professional training.

Aware Singapore Association of Women for Action and Research : Provides support and services to women affected by violence and sexual abuse, including counselling, legal advice, and education.

Touch Community Services : Provides various social services to the community, including counselling, family support, and eldercare.

TOUCHCare Lifeline : Provides confidential and anonymous counselling and support services to distressed people.

Bigger Organisations

Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) : Responsible for developing and implementing social and family policies in Singapore, including mental health services.

Institute of Mental Health (IMH) : A leading provider of mental health services in Singapore, including inpatient and outpatient treatment, research, and training.

Health Promotion Board (HPB) : Leads national efforts to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease, including mental health problems.