FAQ

Psychotherapy is often called "talk therapy", so undoubtedly one wonders how is that different from talking to a friend or loved one. 

It's easier to describe what psychotherapy is not:

• it's not advice giving

• it's not about providing a direct solution

• it's not about telling you what to do

• it's not just about getting relief from offloading

• it's not limited to sorting out thinking process and ideas

And what it often encompasses:

• exploration into what is not clear, unknown, or uncertain

• gaining awareness, insight, and re-invigorating agency for change

• facing difficult emotions in a safe enough environment

• having confidentiality that what is shared remains private and is guarded by professionalism and ethics

• use of non-talk elements such as art, movement, touch (with permission), that engages our other senses

Psychotherapy is generally suited for most persons. There can be challenges involved for persons with special needs or disabilities that affect communication and thus engagement.  Therapy is recommended to complement psychiatric treatments.

If in doubt, do make an enquiry as every situation and person is unique.

The first session will include the collection of relevant history and background, and to hear expectations from all parties involved. The therapist will help to forge clarity in setting goals or a direction that align with the problems faced. This is also a good time to clarify any doubts about therapy.

Subsequent sessions continue to refine and work towards addressing issues with an aim towards the desired goals. The therapist, as a process guide, will help you make steps that support the process of change. 

Once goals are reached, the therapy process can be wound down to a close.

Sessions will be done in person. Although online counselling is convenient and accessible, we believe in the efficacy and value of human contact which is often diminished by technology. 

These are areas of work that I have naturally drawn closer to over the years:

• Working with persons who experienced trauma

Traumatic experiences during a person's formative years can have wide ranging impacts on mental health that pervade adulthood.

• Working with queer persons, i.e., LGBTQIA+ identified persons, and their loved ones

Queer persons face ongoing stressors, often lacking familial and social support.  There is a dearth of open and affirmative spaces. Even within professional settings it is not easy to find queer identified therapists or allies.

• Working with couples and families

Intimate relationships and familial relationships are a significant factor contributing to a person's mental wellness. When instability rocks the home, it can affect multiple parties.

One can see how these aspects often intertwine: self identity, adverse experiences, and close relationships. 

Psychotherapy is time limited and aims to address specific issues and work towards a goal. There is no fixed number of sessions to prescribe but it is recommended to take a few sessions to gain familiarity and evaluate whether it is helpful.

Do provide feedback at any juncture as it is the therapist's responsibility to attend to these and work jointly with you.  

All problems essentially affect our mind and body to different degrees in our thinking, emotion, behaviour, and health. These in turn can contribute to relational problems with loved ones and our social circles.

Psychotherapy focuses more on the mind, but with a view that encompasses the whole human experience.

Psychotherapy services by private practitioners offer some advantages. Having come from working in the social services sector where counselling is sometimes offered "free" (subsidised by taxpayer money and donations),  there are key differences:

• Freedom of choice over therapist. In subsidised programmes, you may be provided with a less experienced therapist due to resource management procedures.

• Greater confidentiality and privacy of personal details. Although data privacy rules are in place, your particulars and session records will be retained on some system within an organisation.

• Dedicated therapist. Larger organisations necessarily prioritise productivity so the therapist may at times be over-worked.

• No red tape. To justify and account to funders/donors, there are administrative procedures for a case to be registered, assessed, and managed. 

Therapy provided online does help make it more accessible, however, in-person therapy is the only mode offered.  

We believe in-person work remains an important factor in:

• building safety and rapport between client and therapist for intense and complex work

• providing immediacy in interactions that help in assessment of issues and interventions

• engaging both the client and therapist holistically, from the cognitive level to the somatic level

If there are any doubts, please enquire through the Contact page.

Any persons in a mutually consenting and valued relationship with each other can seek out relationship counselling. All parties need to be consenting to attend counselling sessions.

Some variations (non exhaustive) of relationships include:

• persons dating or engaged

• persons in CNM arrangement

It is understandable that there can be unforeseen circumstances. Please inform soonest of the need to reschedule.

We regret that there is a penalty of SGD 50 should the request come less than 4 hours  before the appointed time. This is to recover the cost of room reservation.

Please come with any attire that is comfortable for an air-conditioned environment. For friends from the queer community, please feel free to come in your preferred gender expression.

Do note there is a common waiting area at the reception for guests and clients of other therapists. 

It is understandable that starting therapy/counselling with a total stranger can be daunting and brings up many doubts. Please do send in an enquiry through the Contact page and a brief phone call can be requested to address any concerns about starting therapy.