Couples Counselling Singapore
Relationships require ongoing effort and attention. When communication falters or conflicts become repetitive, what was once a source of comfort can become a source of stress.
Finding Connection Again In Your Relationship
For many couples in Singapore, the decision to seek counselling is a big step. You may find yourselves caught in the same arguments and it feels like you’re stuck in a loop, having the same fight over and over again.
​
When your relationship isn't functioning as it should, both partners often feel unheard and misunderstood. You might look at your partner and wonder how you have drifted so far from the connection you once shared.
​
Some couples come to therapy wondering if there is anything left to salvage. Others recognize early warning signs and seek help before crisis points.
Whether you are questioning if love remains or simply wanting to break free from destructive patterns, couples counselling can provide clarity and practical tools to move forward: either together, with a stronger connection, or separately, with mutual respect.
Taking this step is making a conscious choice you are making to address issues, rather than letting them erode your relationship further.
What is Couples Counselling?
Couples counselling (also called couples therapy or marital counselling) is a form of psychotherapy designed to help partners resolve conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen relationship. Unlike individual therapy, couples counselling focuses on the relationship itself, with both partners working together toward shared goals.
In couples counselling, you will have a safe, neutral space to express your feelings and concerns with the guidance of a trained professional. Your therapist acts as an objective third party to help you identify negative patterns, facilitate meaningful conversation, and teach you skills to enhance your relationship and communication.
​
Successful couples aren’t those who never fight – they are couples who know how to repair and reconnect even during disagreements. The healthiest relationships are those with partners who can navigate differences while maintaining respect and fondness for each other.
​
Through our therapeutic work, I can help you rediscover and strengthen that essential bond.
Couples Therapy in Singapore: Our Process
At our practice, we understand that seeking counselling is a big step and we want to make this process as comfortable and effective as possible for Singapore couples. I am trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and incorporate principles from Emotion-Focused Therapy to help you work through relationship challenges.
​
Gottman Method combines therapeutic interventions with a research-backed approach developed from studying thousands of couples over five decades. This method focuses on building friendship, managing conflict constructively, and creating shared meaning – all important elements for nurturing a strong, lasting relationship.
With Emotion Focused Couples Therapy, I help couples understand the emotional undercurrents driving their interactions. This approach highlights how our attachment needs shape our responses in relationships, helping partners recognize when they are caught in negative patterns because of deeper emotional needs for love and connection.
​
Both approaches are evidence-based and have shown remarkable effectiveness in helping couples strengthen their relationships. During your initial session, we will work with you to determine which techniques and exercises will best address your specific situation.
Common Issues Addressed in Couples Therapy
Communication Breakdown
When conversations consistently turn into arguments or when one or both partners feel chronically misunderstood, communication problems are often at the root. I help couples learn how to listen actively, express needs clearly, and navigate difficult conversations in a productive manner.
Life Transitions
Major life changes such as career shifts, immigration, becoming parents, or caring for ageing parents can put significant strain on relationships. I help couples adapt to these changes while maintaining their connection.
Intimacy and Sexual Concerns
Physical and emotional intimacy can decline due to stress or unresolved conflicts. I help couples reconnect intimately by addressing underlying issues, improving communication about desires and needs, and rekindling the emotional connection that supports physical intimacy.
Cheating and Infidelity
​Rebuilding trust after infidelity or other breaches of trust is challenging but possible with the right support. I provide a structured approach to help the hurt partner process their emotions, support the partner who breached trust in making amends, and guide both partners in rebuilding a foundation of trust and security.
Cultural and Value Differences
In Singapore’s diverse society, couples often navigate differences in cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, or core values. I help couples understand and respect these differences while finding common ground to build their shared life.
Pre-marital Counselling
For couples preparing for marriage, especially in Singapore where many couples apply for BTO flat together years before their wedding, pre-marital counselling helps establish a good foundation by addressing potential conflict before they become problems.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Couples Therapy in Singapore
As a proud provider of LGBTQ affirming therapy in Singapore, I offer specialized couples counselling that addresses the challenges faced by LGBTQ couples in our local context. My practice is built on a foundation of respect, understanding, and celebration of all relationships, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
​
LGBTQ couples in Singapore navigate unique complexities beyond typical relationship issues, from family acceptance and societal attitudes to minority stress and legal considerations. Through my extensive work with the LGBTQ community in Singapore, I developed a deep understanding of the challenges you face and how they can impact relationship dynamics.
​
My approach to LGBTQ+ couples therapy is grounded in:
-
Cultural competence: Understanding cultural and legal context of LGBTQ relationships in Singapore
-
Identity-affirming practices: Honouring each partner's unique journey with sexual orientation and gender identity
-
Family of origin work: Navigate complex family relationships, building chosen family connections
-
Intersectionality: Address how multiple identities (ethnicity, religion, nationality) interact with LGBTQ identity in Singapore’s diverse society
Whether you are navigating coming out together, building a family, managing family expectations, or simply working through relationship communication challenges, I provide a safe and judgment-free space where your relationship is respected and validated.
-
How do I know if I need professional help?Often it is difficult to recognize that we have problems and make the decision to get outside help from a qualified professional. Yet many people take that courageous step every year. If you're experiencing any of the following problems that don't seem to improve despite your own efforts and support from loved ones, it may be time to seek professional help from a therapist. You are feeling exhausted, stuck, and unhappy. You worry excessively all the time. You are overwhelmed by a deep sense of sadness and helplessness. You struggle to feel like yourself for a while now. School or workplace stress is burning you out. You are facing problems in your relationship with your family or partner. You experienced a traumatic incident that you are unable to process. You are going through a major life transition right now. This isn't an exhaustive list – problems don't have to be severe to warrant professional help from a therapist. Sometimes, speaking to someone who is not directly involved, non-judgmental, empathetic, and qualified to ensure you receive the level of professional care needed can mean a world of difference.
-
What is the difference between therapy and counselling?Counselling is typically short-term and focuses on resolving specific problems you might be facing. It helps you address immediate issues, providing quick strategies for managing them. Psychotherapy (or 'therapy') is a longer-term, in-depth process that aims to explore and resolve deeper emotional, behavioural, or psychological issues. Therapists and clients work together to understand and change problems by improving areas of life where there is dissatisfaction. It delves into an individual’s thoughts, feelings, relationships, and past experiences to understand the root causes of their problems and develop coping mechanisms for long-lasting change. Both are designed to support your mental well-being, with the main difference being in depth and duration.
-
Are our sessions confidential?Yes, yes, and yes – confidentiality is taken extremely seriously in therapy. Everything you share with me stays 100% private and confidential. I won't divulge any details about you, your sessions, or what we discuss to anyone – not friends, family, your employer, absolutely no one without your explicit consent. The only rare exceptions are if you reveal plans to seriously harm yourself or someone else, or if I'm court-ordered to provide records. But those situations are very uncommon. You can speak openly and candidly, knowing our conversations are completely confidential. Building this safe, judgment-free space for you to share freely is a top priority.
-
How long does therapy take?Therapy is a highly unique and personalized process, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer. How long therapy lasts depends on what you're dealing with. For some people, a few sessions of counselling are enough to get through a specific life challenge – this is what is known as brief treatment. For others working on deeper deep-seated issues, therapy may take several months or even years, to work through more complex psychological challenges or ingrained patterns. It is important to remember you can stop at any time, and you’re always welcome to return in the future. The length depends on your personal situation - how serious the problem is, how committed you are to working on it, how frequent you attend therapy, previous life experiences (e.g. trauma, quality of relationships), and your goals for therapy. Remember, the goal is to get you the help you need, as long as it is helping you. You have the power to heal and grow at your own pace.
-
How often will we meet?How often we meet really depends on your needs and what you can afford. In the beginning, it is recommended to attend sessions more frequently to build momentum and make steady progress at the start, e.g. around 3 times a month. Research done on therapy session frequency (Erekson et al., 2015) has shown that people who participated in weekly therapy sessions achieved clinically significant improvements in their mental well-being faster in comparison with people who received less frequent sessions. As you start implementing coping strategies and seeing improvement, we can space out the sessions to 2 sessions a month to save you some money. And once your primary issues are resolved and you've developed sustainable skills, we’ll likely just need a check-in session once a month to keep you on track. This can help reinforce what you’ve learnt and provide ongoing support. We'll work together to find a schedule that gives you the support you need while also fitting your budget. More frequent sessions at first, then transitioning to a lighter schedule as you make progress and start feeling better. The pace is flexible based on your situation.
-
How long will it take before I begin to see results?The timeline for seeing results from therapy can vary considerably from person to person. A lot depends on your circumstances, the specific issues you're working through, how consistently you engage with the therapeutic process between appointments. Building self-awareness, developing new coping strategies, and ultimately creating lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. However, most clients begin to experience some positive shifts in six to eight sessions, even if it's simply feeling heard, acquiring new perspectives, or taking initial steps out of old patterns. The key is committing fully to the work and having patience with yourself.
-
How much does each session cost, and what are the terms of payment?Please check out the cost of each session here. Appointments can be scheduled via our online booking system. Payment for therapy services is due at the time of booking. We accept various payment methods, such as PayNow, GrabPay, and credit card.
-
Can I use insurance to pay for my counselling sessions?While I cannot file insurance claims on your behalf, I can provide detailed invoices for your sessions. You can then submit these invoices to your insurance company for reimbursement if your policy covers mental health services. Some insurance providers in Singapore offer mental health coverage, for e.g: AIA Aviva NTUC Income You may also be able to claim reimbursement through your employer's group benefits insurance plan. Coverage details and claim procedures may vary depending on your specific policy. It's best to check with your insurance provider or your company's HR directly to understand your coverage and reimbursement for mental health services.
-
OK, I think I’m ready. How can I best prepare for therapy?While you don't need to prepare anything specific, you might find it helpful to think about what brings you to counselling and what you are hoping to gain from our sessions. Some people find it useful to jot down their thoughts as a good reference point for our discussion. It also helps if you can come up with a schedule for your sessions and attend them. It's the same idea with, for example, if you're picking up a new language, you attend classes at the same time on the same day every week consistently to make good progress. It's completely normal to feel a bit nervous about your first session – it is a natural reaction to any new experience. Remember, your therapist is there to support you, not to judge. Simply arrive as yourself😊
-
Can I bring a friend to my therapy session for support?We understand feeling nervous about your first session. However, we generally don't allow friends or family members to sit in on sessions. This is to create a safe space where you can speak openly. The presence of another person may make you hesitant to discuss certain topics or emotions fully. We get that you may still feel very anxious about attending alone. In exceptional cases, we may allow a support person to accompany you for the first few minutes of your session to help you get settled, and they can wait right outside the office during therapy. Your support person will be there to meet you again once your session is over.
-
Is online therapy as effective as traditional, in-person therapy?Yes, studies have shown that online therapy is as effective as traditional face-to-face sessions for various mental health concerns (Varker et al., 2018; Pierce et al., 2020; Sampaio et al., 2021). Through video conferencing, you can access a safe and confidential virtual environment to discuss issues with a qualified professional, while enjoying the convenience and comfort of connecting from your own home.
-
How much notice is required if I can’t make it for my appointment?If you need to reschedule your appointment, please give us at least 24 hours’ advance notice. This allows us to open up that time slot for other clients waiting to schedule. Any late cancellations without providing the required 24-hour notice will be subject to our cancellation policy. This cancellation applies even if missing the appointment was unintentional. This is a standard practice across counselling clinics and centres in Singapore. Please read more about our booking policy below.
-
I find therapy fees expensive. Can you explain?I totally get it - therapy can feel like a big expense. Let me break it down a bit. My fees are actually aligned with what is charged by other trained and qualified therapists in Singapore. In fact, I offer a more affordable rate compared to many private practices. Here’s the thing: I'm not funded by any governmental or social agencies. I'm an independent professional running my own practice. That means the fees cover not just our sessions, but also all the behind-the-scene stuff like office rent, admin costs, and keeping up with professional requirements. What you’re paying for is years of specialized training and dedication in my skills to provide the best care possible. The cost reflects the personalized attention and ethical practices I bring to each of our session. I encourage you to view it as an act of self-care rather than an expense. Your well-being is precious, and you deserve support from a professional in their field. Prioritizing your mental health allows you to show up as your best self in all other areas of life. The positive impact on your relationships, productivity and overall well-being can be a valuable self-care investment.
-
I understand your fees, but they're still not affordable for me. What now?I hear you. It's tough when you want help but the cost feels out of reach. Your mental health is important, and I don't want financial constraints to stop you from getting support. If you find my fees outside your budget, there are definitely other options out there. Our SG public healthcare system offers subsidised mental health services, such as polyclinics, family service centres, public hospitals, voluntary welfare organisations, or university counselling centres. The wait times may be longer (several months' wait), less appointment frequency due to high demand, but they can really help. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength. I encourage you to explore these alternatives rather than forgoing mental health support altogether. Your well-being matters, regardless of where you receive care.
Couples Counselling Services in Singapore
Located conveniently in the East side of Singapore near Eunos, Joo Chiat and Katong area, my practice offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate busy Singapore lifestyle. Understanding the demands of work-life balance, I provide evening weekday appointments and weekend sessions for couples who can't attend during business hours.
​
My comprehensive couples therapy services in Singapore include:
-
Couples counselling sessions (1 hour 20 mins)
-
Marriage counselling for long-term relationships
-
Pre-marital counselling packages for engaged couples
-
Online therapy options for those unable to attend in person
-
Bilingual counselling services (mix of English and Mandarin)
-
One of the most affordable couples therapy options in Singapore
​
Whether you are facing communication breakdowns, infidelity recovery, intimacy issues, or simply want to strengthen your relationship foundation, my evidence-based approaches and culturally sensitive counselling can help you create a stronger and more satisfying relationship among our local multicultural context.
​
Contact our Singapore couples counselling practice today to schedule a consultation.
Specialty/Areas
-
​Anger Management Therapy
-
Anxiety Therapy
-
Depression Therapy
-
Grief Therapy
-
LGBTQ Affirming Therapy
-
Relationship / Couples Therapy
-
Trauma Therapy
