Questions people often ask before starting counselling.

Yes. Counselling is intended to be a private and respectful space. Information shared in sessions is treated carefully. Like most professional helping relationships, confidentiality has limits where there may be serious safety concerns, legal requirements, or risk to another person. These limits are usually explained clearly at the beginning so you know what to expect.

External reference: Singapore Association for Counselling Code of Ethics

The first session is usually a calm conversation about what brings you to counselling, what has been difficult, and what you hope may change. You do not need to tell everything at once. The aim is to understand your needs and decide together what kind of support may be helpful.

No special preparation is needed. Some people come with notes, questions or examples of situations they want to discuss, while others simply begin with what feels most present that day. Either way is fine.

Counselling may be helpful if you feel overwhelmed, stuck, emotionally tired, uncertain, or if you are repeating patterns that are difficult to change alone. A first conversation can help you decide whether the space feels suitable for you.

External reference: HealthHub MindSG: Seeking Support

Counselling can help you slow down, understand what is contributing to stress, recognise patterns, and develop healthier ways of coping. It can also support clearer boundaries, emotional regulation and decision-making.

Counselling may help you understand triggers, body responses, thought patterns and avoidance habits. Depending on your needs, sessions may include practical grounding strategies, reflection and gradual changes in how you respond to anxious moments.

Counselling can offer a supportive space to explore what has been weighing on you, how your routines and relationships have been affected, and what small steps may help you reconnect with steadiness and support.

Couples counselling can provide a structured space to discuss communication, recurring conflict, trust, expectations and emotional distance. The focus is not on taking sides, but on helping both people understand the pattern between them.

Family counselling or family support can help with communication, transitions, parenting stress, recurring misunderstandings and conflict. The aim is to create a more constructive way of speaking and listening.

Yes, online sessions can be suitable for many people, especially when privacy, travel time or scheduling is a concern. A private space, stable internet connection and a device with audio/video are usually needed.

In-person counselling may be arranged depending on availability. The contact form or WhatsApp enquiry can be used to ask about current appointment options.

Counselling sessions are commonly around 50 to 60 minutes, although the exact arrangement can be confirmed during booking. Longer sessions may sometimes be discussed depending on the situation.

There is no fixed number that applies to everyone. Some people come for a few sessions around a specific issue, while others prefer longer-term support. This can be reviewed together as counselling progresses.

Many people begin weekly or fortnightly, depending on their needs and schedule. The rhythm can be adjusted over time as goals become clearer or support needs change.

Counselling is not usually about telling you what to do. It is more often a collaborative process that helps you understand your situation, clarify choices and build ways of coping that fit your values and life.

That is completely understandable. Many people feel unsure at the beginning. You do not need to force yourself to share everything immediately; sessions can move slowly and gently.

People come for many reasons, including stress, anxiety, burnout, relationship issues, grief, family challenges, confidence, major transitions, emotional overwhelm, identity questions and feeling stuck.

No. Counselling can support people during crisis, but it is also useful for reflection, emotional growth, relationship improvement and early support before issues become heavier.

External reference: MOH Mental Health Services

Counselling focuses on talking therapy, emotional support, coping patterns and personal change. Psychiatry is a medical specialty that can include diagnosis and medication. Some people may benefit from both, depending on their needs.

External reference: MOH Mental Health Services

Counselling is not a replacement for emergency care, medical treatment or psychiatric care where those are needed. If you are already under medical care, counselling may work alongside it as emotional and psychological support.

You can start by describing your concern during an enquiry. If your needs appear more suitable for medical, psychiatric or urgent support, you may be encouraged to contact an appropriate healthcare or crisis service.

External reference: MOH mental health services for the public

If you need immediate mental health support in Singapore, national mindline 1771 provides 24/7 support by phone, WhatsApp and online chat. For crisis support, Samaritans of Singapore also provides 24-hour support. If there is immediate danger, contact emergency services.

External reference: national mindline 1771

national mindline 1771 is a Singapore mental health support service available around the clock. It offers support through phone, WhatsApp and online chat for people seeking mental health guidance or brief support.

External reference: MOH: national mindline 1771 announcement

mindline.sg is a digital mental health platform in Singapore with self-help tools, resources and pathways to support. It can be useful for people looking for guided tools between sessions or before seeking support.

External reference: MOHT: mindline.sg

CHAT is a Singapore youth mental health service for young people aged 16 to 30. It provides confidential mental health assessment and support pathways for eligible young persons living in Singapore.

External reference: CHAT Get Help

The Singapore Association for Counselling is a professional association in Singapore. Its Code of Ethics sets out professional obligations and principles for competent and ethical counselling practice.

External reference: Singapore Association for Counselling

APACS is the Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Singapore. Its standards of ethics and conduct provide guidance on professional behaviour for counsellors and psychotherapists.

External reference: APACS Standards of Ethics & Conduct

Yes. You can send a short enquiry first. Many people prefer to ask about availability, session format or whether their concern is suitable before confirming a first appointment.

Workplace counselling and corporate wellness support may be discussed depending on requirements. This can include employee wellbeing support, stress and burnout-related counselling, or future workplace wellbeing programmes.

You can use the contact form, email hello@counsellingservices.sg, call +65 6685 0890, or send a WhatsApp message to +65 9748 3800. A short message about what you are looking for is enough to start.