Counselling & therapy FAQs

You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from counselling — many people come simply because something feels heavier than it should, or has done for a while. If a worry, a low mood, a relationship or a loss is taking up a lot of your headspace, affecting your sleep, work or relationships, or you’ve been quietly carrying it alone, those are all good reasons to talk to someone. If you’re unsure, a first session is a no-pressure way to find out whether it helps.

In practice the two overlap a great deal, and our team includes both. Counselling often focuses on a present concern over a shorter span, while psychotherapy tends to go a little deeper into longer-standing patterns. What matters far more than the label is the fit between you and the person you work with — and that’s what we help you find.

Yes. What you share in the room stays in the room, and your records are stored securely and privately under Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (the PDPA). The only exceptions are the rare situations where there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, where we may need to act to keep people safe. We’ll always be clear about those limits with you from the start.

Both work well, so it comes down to what suits your life and helps you open up. In-person at Novena or Tanjong Pagar suits people who value leaving home for a dedicated space; online by secure video suits busy schedules, parents, frequent travellers, or anyone who feels safer talking from home. Many clients blend the two. If we ever feel in-person would serve you better, we’ll say so honestly.

There’s no fixed answer, and you’re never signed up to a set number. Some concerns settle in a handful of focused sessions; others benefit from a longer, ongoing space. We’ll review together how things are going so the work stays useful and never becomes something you feel stuck in. You’re free to pause or stop whenever you choose.

Our fees are published clearly on the Fees page, and they vary by the counsellor’s seniority and the session type. We also offer lower rates with our practicum counsellors — experienced trainees working under supervision — so that support stays within reach. Payment is by PayNow, card or Atome instalments, with no hidden charges.

Yes — we see children from around age seven and teenagers up to eighteen, using approaches suited to their age. Parents are partners in a child’s counselling, with regular check-ins and guidance for home. For teenagers, the room needs to feel genuinely private for them to open up, so we’re clear with everyone about what stays confidential and what we’d always share for safety.

The first session is gentle and there’s nothing to prepare. We’ll spend the hour understanding what’s brought you in, what you’d like to feel different, and a little of your background, then talk about how we might work together. It’s also your chance to get a feel for your counsellor — if the fit isn’t right, there’s no obligation to continue, and we’ll happily help you find someone who suits you better.

No — we’re a counselling and psychotherapy practice, not a medical clinic, and our counsellors don’t diagnose conditions or prescribe medication. We work brilliantly alongside GPs and psychiatrists, and if we feel you’d benefit from medical input we’ll talk with you about a referral. Think of us as the warm, talking-based support that complements, rather than replaces, medical care.