Mental Health Counselling in Singapore: Types & Benefits
Mental health counselling in Singapore is a key support for those feeling down or emotionally distressed.
Counselling helps you understand your feelings and improve how you cope with daily life issues. Talking to a counsellor might be the right step if everyday tasks feel too hard.
According to 2022 research, nearly 14.1% of Singaporeans have depression, and 15.2% have anxiety. In total, 20% may have symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Many people in Singapore struggle with their mental health but avoid seeking help because of fear of judgement. The good news is things are changing. More people are learning about mental health, and finding help is getting easier.
You can improve your life and relationships through offline or online mental health counselling.
This article briefly discusses the types of counselling and why counselling is good for mental health!
What Is Mental Health Counselling?
Mental health counselling in Singapore is a space for you to understand and manage your emotions.
At Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO), we offer counselling services for various psychological challenges.
Some of the issues we help with include stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and relationship issues (eg being in a relationship with a narcissist).
You may wonder why counselling is good for mental health and how a professional can help you with something so unique to your situation.
During counselling, you may talk to a trained counsellor about your feelings and thoughts. All TYHO counsellors are empathetic and will guide you through personalised strategies for coping and growth.
Hence, regardless of your problem, your counsellor will work with you to reach a state of peace.
The process of mental health counselling in Singapore is collaborative. In other words, your counsellor will work with you to identify goals and develop skills to handle difficult situations.
Mental health counselling can help you navigate a tough period in life, cope with a disorder, or if you would like to understand your emotions better.
Types of Mental Health Counselling in Singapore
At TYHO, we provide different types of mental health counselling in Singapore to diagnose and help improve your overall wellbeing.
In this section, you can find out more about the types of psychotherapy a professional may use during counselling.
The therapeutic plan and approach may vary based on your preferences, your counsellor’s recommendations, and the intensity of your issues.
Hence, try to have an open and honest conversation with your counsellor about what works best for you!
The primary type of counselling used during sessions is psychotherapy.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a type of talk therapy where you may engage in a conversation with a mental health counsellor to address your issues.
Individuals, couples, children, and family members can attend psychotherapy either individually or along with their loved ones.
For example, couples can attend sessions together during couples counselling in Singapore. However, a partner may go for individual counselling if they wish to attend a session alone.
At its core, psychotherapy aims to teach people about the complex relationship between their emotions, thoughts, and actions.
By doing so, the person may gain self-awareness and empower them to view their challenges from a fresh perspective.
During mental health counselling in Singapore, your counsellor may use either one or multiple approaches to suit your unique needs.
Some of the common types among these are cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a type of mental health counselling that may help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and actions influence each other.
Initially, CBT identifies that negative behaviours often originate from counterproductive thoughts. You may learn how to reframe your thoughts to handle difficult situations.
In therapy sessions, your counsellor will guide you through introspective exercises. These activities will help you identify and understand your cognitive biases (ie thinking that everything is your fault).
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
DBT is a structured therapeutic approach that combines tools from CBT and mindfulness practices.
DBT focuses on four key elements. These include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Through DBT techniques, you will learn how to manage stress, control your emotions, and improve relationships.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT is a type of mental health counselling that focuses on accepting emotions and thoughts without struggle.
The main idea of ACT is to ‘make room’ for thoughts without judging them or trying to get rid of them as soon as possible.
ACT helps shift your focus from fighting your feelings to acknowledging and letting them pass.
Therefore, the shift in your perspective can allow you to engage in life more fully and make decisions based on what matters to you.
Why Is Counselling Good for Mental Health?
We may all have wondered why counselling is good for mental health. Why not talk to a friend about it or seek advice from a mentor?
Counselling is different from talking to our loved ones. While your friend may hear you out and offer advice, your counsellor is an expert at recognising patterns and hints from your behaviours and thoughts that you may otherwise have missed.
See: Have No Friends? Here’s How to Thrive
The patterns in your behaviours may, therefore, provide crucial insight into why you feel the way you do and what skills might help you handle your issues better.
Moreover, unconditional validation and support from your counsellor may help you feel understood and less alone.
Below are four important points on why counselling is good for mental health:
- Emotional support: Mental health counselling in Singapore offers a space to express your feelings without fear of judgement or ridicule.
- Coping strategies: Your counsellor will teach you specific and personalised coping methods that you can use to overcome negative emotions. At TYHO, we believe that you are the best judge of your life. Hence, your counsellor will ensure that you are independent and self-reliant. In other words, the skills you learn in therapy can be used long after your sessions end.
- Improved relationships: Through mental health counselling, you can improve your communication skills and the way you interact with your loved ones. When you understand your partner better, you will notice an improvement in your bond and affection!
- Personal growth: Counselling can teach you how to reflect and better understand yourself. Through individual mental health counselling in Singapore, you may learn your strengths and align your life with your values.
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