SingaporeMotherhood | Parenting
September 2023
Counsellors and Therapists in Singapore who can Help your Child deal with Problems and Stresses from School and Life
At a parenting seminar I attended last weekend, the top answers to the question “what do you wish for your child in the future?” were mostly “be happy” and “happiness”. It’s unsurprising. As parents, we want our offspring to go through life with joy, and do all we can to ensure that they have more reason to smile than to cry. However we cannot shield them from every obstacle – and heads up, it’s better not to because they learn and grow from failure too. Furthermore, they may not be comfortable confiding in us — gasp!
What then, if your child needs a listening ear, a helping hand, or a shoulder to cry on that is not yours? They can turn to friends or other members of the family: an older sibling or cousin, a favourite aunt or uncle, or even their grandparents. Sometimes, however, the problem or the issue requires an expert perspective. That’s when counsellors and therapists can make a difference, and help your child thrive.
(See also: TEACH YOUR CHILD TO OVERCOME THE FEAR OF FAILURE)
Care Corner Counselling Centre
A member of the National Council of Social Services, Care Corner offers affordable social and healthcare services for all stages of life. Here, a wide range of therapies is offered, including play therapy for children aged four to 12 years. Through this, counsellors are able to connect with children who may have difficulties verbalising their thoughts and feelings. The counsellors also work with parents and to share ways to better support their child and improve the parent-child relationship. Sessions can be conducted in-person, over the phone and online via Zoom.
- Where Blk 62B, Lorong 4 Toa Payoh, #02-143, Singapore 312062
- Web www.carecorner.org.sg/
Counselling Perspective
If your child needs help quickly, you’ll be glad to know that Counselling Perspective has a “No Wait Policy” for children. Those aged 18 and under are guaranteed an appointment within 24 hours of contacting them. Therapists here employ a variety of techniques to help children and teens, including psychotherapy (talk therapy), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocressing (EMDR), Anger Management Therapy, play therapy, and art therapy, among others. With five branches (including one on Sentosa), and online therapy available, there’s no need to wait to seek help when it’s needed.
- Where Raffles Place, The Oasis, Dempsey, Katong, and Sentosa
- Web www.counselingperspective.com/
In Focus
School and social related issues such as stress from studies, peer pressure, feelings of loneliness, as well as self-esteem, self-image, self-identity issues, can hit a child hard. Counsellors at In Focus provide them with a safe and non-judgmental environment to talk about their difficulties and concerns, and guide them to become more self-aware, develop greater self-understanding, and learn new and helpful ways of coping and communicating. All therapists here have formal postgraduate education, with at least a Master’s degree in counselling or a related area.
- Call 8725 9303
- Web www.in-focus.com.sg/
Kids Therapy
Kids Therapy is a division of Olive Branch Psychology and Counselling Services. Their integrative therapeutic approach helps children express their feelings and prevent or resolve their psychosocial and behavioural challenges. This process helps a child towards better social integration, growth and development, emotional modulation, and trauma resolution. All therapists have a master’s degree in counselling and experience working with children. They are open seven days of the week from 9am to 10am. No walk-ins; appointments must be booked in advance.
- Where 2 Kallang Avenue, #04-04, CTHub-1, Singapore 339407
- Web https://kidstherapy.sg/
MindfulBear
Specialising only in counselling for children and teens, MindfulBear’s team of therapists and counsellors use a proprietary “4A Method ” to help children with behavioural issues such as academic motivation, anxiety management, device addiction. Their 4A method breaks each stage of therapy into manageable, achievable, components: Awareness, Activation, Adjustment and Advancement, and uses a combination of play therapy, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to help children reach breakthroughs. All sessions are by appointment only.
- Where 2 Kallang Avenue, #11-17, CT Hub, 339407, Singapore
- Web https://mindfulbear.sg/
(See also: HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILDREN RESPECT)
Promises Healthcare
A ‘whole child approach’ guides the direction of sessions here, ensuring that the child’s needs come first. The team uses a holistic approach to develop individualised strategies and therapies for empowering each child. Apart from counselling for problems, Promises also does IQ and academic testing, ADHD testing, and autism testing.
- Where 10 Sinaran Drive, #09-22/23, Novena Medical Center, Singapore 307506.
- Web https://promises.com.sg/
Singapore Counselling Centre (SCC) Children and Youth Counselling
A large team of counsellors ensures that your child will be attended to in good time. Parents and/or guardians are strongly recommended to meet the counsellor for a session without the child first, so that the counsellor can better understand their concerns for the child. Sessions last for 60 minutes, and are available in English, Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Cantonese, Hokkien, Filipino, Thai or French. Video counselling is available as well.
- Where 51 Cuppage Road (behind The Centrepoint), #03-03, SIngapore 229469
- Web https://scc.sg/e/children-youth-counselling/
(See also: DEPRESSION IN CHILDREN: SPOT THE SIGNS AND SEEK HELP NOW)
Think Psychological Services
Think Psychological Services takes a holistic approach to children’s problems. Counsellors work with the child’s family, school, as well as other professional service providers, together with the child. They address common child psychological and behavioural issues, including conduct disorders where the child is consistently uncooperative, hostile and defiant towards authority figures, restrictive eating, anxiety disorders, and sexuality, among others. They also have a Parental Support Hotline where parents can send in concerns regarding their child through a form or live-chat that is manned by mental health professionals.
- Where 123 Penang Road, #03-13 Regency House, Singapore 238465
- Web https://think-psych.com/
Featured image: Courtesy of Kids Therapy
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