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How to find a counsellor.
What to look for, what to ask and how to find the right support for you.
What to think about before you search
Try this checklist:
✓ Think about whether you would like online or in-person counselling.
✓ Ask yourself whether having a therapist who shares a similar background, culture, language or life experience is important.
✓ Consider whether you are looking for support with a specific issue such as anxiety, ADHD, relationships, grief or workplace stress.
✓ Search using terms that match your needs rather than simply searching for "therapist Singapore".
✓ Read a therapist's website carefully to get a sense of their approach, experience and special interests.
✓ Arrange an introductory call if one is offered.
✓ Remember that finding the right fit is often more important than finding the "best" therapist.
How to search
Try using search terms like these in Google or other search tools.
For example:
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ADHD counsellor Singapore
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Marriage counsellor Essex
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Couples counselling Singapore
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Anxiety counselling in person
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Expat counsellor UK
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Online counselling Singapore
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Psychotherapist Online
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Trauma therapist Singapore
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Neuroaffirming therapist
Therapy Directories
There are various directories that can be used to find a suitable therapist.
For example adults in the UK/Singapore could look at the following:
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Psychology Today
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Counselling Directory
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Singapore Association for Counselling
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International Therapist Directory
- Neurodivergent Practitioners
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Google Search
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Google Business Profiles
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SSEW Therapist Directory
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British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Check if the directory you are using has a filter. Use this to help you narrow down the range according to what you are looking for.
How to choose can be especially hard for Expats, who may be unfamiliar with the terminology, qualifications and approaches to therapy in the new country they live in.
Who does what?
Counsellor, Therapist, Psychotherapist or Psychologist? This is one of the most common questions people ask me about looking for support.
The answer can sometimes feel confusing because different countries use these titles in different ways.
For example, in Singapore, many people use the term psychologist to describe someone that provides counselling support. The UK uses “counsellor” or “psychotherapist” depending on a person’s training and therapeutic approach.
Counsellor
Counsellors often help people work through current challenges such as stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, work pressures or life transitions. Some counsellors work in a shorter-term, solution-focused way, while others may also offer deeper exploratory therapy.
Psychotherapist
Psychotherapists are usually trained to work more deeply with emotional patterns, past experiences, relationships and unconscious processes that may be affecting the present. Psychotherapy is often longer-term and focuses on building insight, self-awareness and lasting emotional change.
Psychologist
Psychologists are trained in psychology and assessment. Some provide therapy, while others focus more on testing, diagnosis, educational assessments or clinical reports depending on their area of specialism.
Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists are medical doctors specialising in mental health. They can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication and support more complex psychiatric presentations.
In reality, there can be overlap between these roles, and the most important factor is often finding and reading the About section of the therapist to see whose training, approach and personality feel like the right fit for you.
What Should I Look for
Choosing a Therapist?
Finding the right therapist is not only about qualifications or professional titles. The relationship and trust you build with your therapist is often one of the most important parts of successful therapy.
Different therapists work in very different ways, so it can be helpful to take some time to explore what feels important to you.
Some useful things to consider include:
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Do you feel safe talking to them?
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Do they have experience with the issues you are facing?
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Are they warm, structured, reflective or more solution-focused in their style?
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Do they offer short-term support, longer-term psychotherapy, or both?
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Do they have experience working with ADHD?
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How do they approach working with anxiety?
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How flexible are they in their booking system?
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Does their approach feel practical, exploratory or a balance of both?
A good introductory session can help you get a sense of whether
the therapist feels like someone you could work with comfortably over time.
Different Types of Therapy
There are different approaches to therapy, each therapist may work in a different way depending on their training, experience and personal style.
Some approaches are more practical and structured, while others focus more deeply on emotions, relationships and self-understanding.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences, relationships and unconscious patterns may be affecting your present thoughts, emotions and behaviours. This approach often focuses on building deeper self-awareness and understanding long-standing emotional patterns. Read MORE
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a more structured and goal-focused approach that looks at the relationship between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It often focuses on developing practical strategies for managing anxiety, low mood and unhelpful thinking patterns.
Couples Therapy
Couples therapy helps partners explore communication difficulties, conflict patterns, emotional disconnection and relationship stress. Some therapists may also specialise in ADHD-informed relationship work.
ADHD-Informed Therapy
ADHD-informed therapy combines emotional support with practical understanding of how ADHD can affect focus, emotional regulation, relationships, self-esteem, work and everyday life.
Integrative Therapy
Many therapists use an integrative approach, meaning they combine different therapeutic models depending on the needs of the individual or couple.
No single type of therapy is “best” for everyone. Often the most important factor is finding an approach and a therapist that feels supportive, safe and helpful for your particular situation.
Singapore Q & A
Where can expats find mental health support in Singapore?
Expats in Singapore can find mental health support through a variety of services usually offered by private providers - independent practice such as Rebecca Loan Counselling or larger clinics with multliple counsellors from different countries.
Do I need an Expat counsellor?
An expat counsello may have experience of many of the unique expat issues adults face when setting up new lives in different countries. It is good to think about if that is important to you.
Where can I find ADHD counselling and assessment in Singapore?
In Singapore, alongside experienced ADHD Counsellor Rebecca Loan at Untangle ADHD , there are several large clinics and centers offering Assessments for ADHD and counselling services for both children and adults.
If you would like a list of some recommended assessment providers please pop me a message and I will send some of the recommendations I have received over to you.
