YWCA Counselling Services ✓ ACRA Verified

YWCA Counselling Services lists its pricing in the mid-range ($$) but does not publish a specific per-session rate publicly. In Singapore, counselling sessions typically run S$80–180 per 50-minute session at private or non-profit centres, with subsidised or sliding-scale rates sometimes available based on household income. YWCA-affiliated services have historically offered more accessible pricing than fully private practices, so it is worth asking directly about concession rates. Confirm also whether an initial intake or assessment session is charged differently, whether packages of sessions are available at a reduced rate, and what the cancellation or no-show policy is. Some insurers and employee assistance programmes (EAPs) cover counselling sessions — check whether YWCA Counselling Services accepts any such schemes before booking. See the full counselling cost guide for Singapore →

No GP referral is required to book a counselling session at YWCA Counselling Services — most clients self-refer by phone or through the enquiry form. The first session typically serves as an intake or assessment appointment, during which the counsellor gathers background on the presenting concern, personal history, and goals, and confirms whether the service is the right fit for the client's needs. If you have a diagnosed mental health condition (such as clinical depression, an anxiety disorder, or PTSD), a GP or psychiatrist referral is not mandatory but can be helpful for insurance claims or for coordinating care with a prescribing doctor. Clients with complex psychiatric presentations may be referred to a clinical psychologist or Institute of Mental Health if the need falls outside the scope of counselling. Bring any relevant background information — previous diagnoses, medication lists, or prior therapy notes — to the first session to help the counsellor understand your situation fully.

Counselling in Singapore is not yet a statutorily regulated profession in the same way as physiotherapy or TCM, meaning there is no single mandatory government licence for counsellors. However, the key voluntary credentialling bodies are the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) and the Singapore Register of Counsellors (SRC) — membership and registration with these bodies indicates that a counsellor meets defined training and supervised practice standards. For clinical psychologists, registration with the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) or listing on the SPS Register of Psychologists is the relevant credential. If a psychiatrist is involved, they should hold a valid licence with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC). YWCA Counselling Services does not currently list specific regulatory licences on its KakiList profile. Before your first session, ask the centre to confirm the professional memberships and credentials of the counsellor assigned to you, and verify those details against the relevant register — SAC at singaporecounselling.org.sg or the SPS register at singaporepsychologicalsociety.org.