Counselling in Singapore: 13 Questions to Ask Before You Book

Moving to Singapore is exciting, but the upheaval — new job, new school for the kids, new social circle, sometimes a marriage under strain from the relocation itself — can take a toll. If you're considering counselling in Singapore for the first time, you're not alone: demand from the expat community has grown steadily, and there's now a wide range of providers, from solo private practitioners in Novena to large multidisciplinary clinics near Orchard. The tricky part is that "counsellor," "therapist," and "psychologist" aren't interchangeable terms here, and pricing can swing from $80 to $350 a session depending on who you see. This checklist walks you through the questions to ask before you commit, so you don't end up paying premium rates for a mismatch.

Credentials and Scope: Who Are You Actually Seeing?

Singapore doesn't have a single unified licensing body for counsellors the way some countries do, so it pays to ask directly.

1. Are you a counsellor, psychologist, or psychiatrist — and what's the difference?

Why it matters: A counsellor typically holds a postgraduate diploma or master's in counselling and handles talk therapy for stress, relationship issues, and adjustment difficulties. A psychologist (clinical or counselling) has deeper training in assessment and diagnosis. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. If you suspect you need medication alongside therapy, you'll eventually need a psychiatrist, not a counsellor.

Good answer: A clear explanation of their exact qualification and a willingness to refer you to a psychiatrist if needed. Walk away if: They're vague, or claim to