3 Tips to Help a Loved One Find the Right Therapist in Singapore

Ever had a gut feeling that your friend isn’t quite themselves lately? Or, perhaps your sibling has been avoiding having conversations or meet-ups with you.  

Sometimes, we all have phases when we want to be left alone. Other times, we could be struggling with a mental health issue.  

How do you even find the difference?  

Here’s our tip: Observe your loved ones for a couple of days. If the signs persist, you may need to help them find a therapist in Singapore.  

All a person needs to feel better is 8 minutes of your time. If you’ve heard Simon Sinek talk about this, you’d know how powerful a text message can be.  

But even after all that, it can get awkward to bring up therapy. ‘You need help’ can either mean ‘I care about you and want the best for you’ or ‘Your behaviour is vexing me.’ 

We’re here to make sure you handle these conversations in a way that conveys your care and affection for your loved ones. At the end, find answers to some burning questions you may have about starting therapy in Singapore.  

Signs Someone Needs to Talk to a Therapist in Singapore

The truth is that not everyone who needs therapy will admit to it. Sometimes, people don’t even know they’re struggling in the first place.  

When you’re knee-deep into a problem, you start perceiving it as the ‘normal reality.’ This is why it’s important to have conversations about mental health.  

With psycho-education, you begin to identify the difference between ‘It’s just one of those days’ and ‘Oh, this is something I genuinely need help with.’ 

When you learn the difference, you will also know what to look out for when someone else needs to talk to a therapist in Singapore.  

Below are some signs to give you clarity on when your loved ones need help: 

• Persistent sadness or anxiety for more than a week
• Withdrawal from social interactions, events, and situations
• Loss of interest in the things that your loved ones used to enjoy
• Significant and concerning changes in appetite or sleep habits
• Difficulty concentrating or making small decisions
• Talking negatively about themselves, the world, and the future 

3 Ways to Encourage Your Loved Ones to Seek Therapy

Now, we get to the crux of it all. How do you gently suggest a therapist in Singapore to someone without making them uncomfortable?  

Here are three practical and realistic ways to do it.  

1) Choose the Right Moment

Timing is everything. You wouldn’t want to bring up the topic of therapy with someone who is busy at work or scrolling through social media.  

High-energy activities release the dopamine that we all crave. Interrupting someone at this time could snap them out of their good mood and make things worse.  

Look for a moment when your loved one is not: 

• On the phone
• Working
• Engaging in any intense activities like playing a video game
• Socialising with other people
• Feeling too emotional 

And a moment when they’re: 

• Feeling calm and relaxed
• Alone or surrounded by people they trust and feel comfortable with 

Grab hold of that moment and initiate a conversation. Nothing has to be dramatic, intense, or detailed. Try something casual – almost like testing the waters.  

For example, use this dialogue: 

‘Hey, I’ve noticed you don’t talk about your thoughts as much as you used to. I just want to check in and see how you’re doing.’ 

If they open up even a little, you can gently suggest: 

‘You know, therapy really helped when I was feeling anxious. Have you ever thought about seeing a therapist in Singapore?’ 

If they shut the conversation down, that’s okay. Let them know you’re here whenever they feel ready. Sometimes, planting the seed is good enough. 

2) Offer Help to Find a Therapist

Once your loved one gives you the green light, you can start looking for a therapist in Singapore.  

This is where your contributions will have the most impact.  

Try saying: 

‘There are so many types of therapists out there. Want me to help you look up a few options?’ 

You can go a step further and: 

• Research therapists who specialise in what your loved one is experiencing (eg social anxiety, work burnout, grief)
• Review therapist profiles on Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO) by watching introductory videos and reading client feedback
• Help them understand what to expect from a first session
• Offer to walk them through how to book an appointment 

All TYHO Therapists in Singapore are well-qualified and vetted and provide high-quality support.  

For other options, you can also look into: 

• Counsellors available through public hospitals
• Community mental health services
• University centres
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at your loved one’s workplace 

The goal is to make the entire process less intimidating and more comfortable. All the cards are with your loved one; you’re merely helping them play the right game.  

3) Prepare Your Arguments

Resistance will happen, and that’s completely normal. It’s best to be prepared for it.  

Even before initiating the conversation, come up with a few compelling reasons why the person may need therapy.  

Here’s how you could frame it: 

‘I know therapy sounds intense, but it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It just gives you space to figure things out with someone who’s trained to listen.’ 

Or: 

‘You don’t have to commit long-term. Even one session might help you feel better.’ 

Use examples they might relate to. If they love fitness, you can say: 

‘Just like we go to a trainer for our bodies, seeing a therapist in Singapore can help you look after your mind.’ 

You’re most likely to hear them say something like, ‘What if it doesn’t work?’ But this is where you can be the support they need and validate their feelings. Provide a counter-point by saying, ‘If it doesn’t work, what do you lose other than a few bucks? But what if it does work and you start feeling better?’ 

Ultimately, your efforts may not directly result in an action. But it sends the message that the individual is not alone and someone cares about them.  

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What if my loved one refuses to go to therapy?

While you cannot force anyone to start therapy, you can still encourage them in a positive way.  

Here are some tips to deal with the resistance: 

• Have you been to therapy before? If yes, talk about your experience. Share, in specific, what helped you cope better, how you observed your life-changing, and the lessons you took away from therapy sessions.
• Have you already talked to the person about their problems? Sometimes, people may feel like they’re too broken to seek help. But that’s not true. Research shows that even individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can heal through effective therapy. Let the person know that healing is possible for them.
• Do you know the benefits of therapy? If yes, talk to the person about it. Do the hard part (ie research) to take the pressure off their plate. Share a summary of points you think would benefit them the most.  

If your loved one still hesitates, know that you’ve done all you could. The rest depends on their willingness to explore therapy.  

2) What if a loved one needs inpatient care?

If your loved one is showing signs of severe distress, like suicidal thoughts or self-harm, it may be time to involve a medical professional urgently. In Singapore, you can: 

• Call a mental health crisis helpline (eg Samaritans of Singapore: 1767)
• Bring them to the emergency department of IMH (Institute of Mental Health)
• Contact their GP or a trusted doctor 

In such situations, the priority should be protecting the person’s life and well-being, even if that means intervening. 

3) How do most people find their therapist?

Many people usually start with recommendations they receive from their friends or family.  

At TYHO, we provide a comprehensive outlook of Therapist profiles to help you make the right choice.  

Before finding a good therapist in Singapore, we urge you to: 

• Review their educational background
• Look into their past clinical experiences
• Watch their introductory videos
• Read their full descriptions
• Go through client reviews  

From here, you can filter Therapists based on their specialisations, fees, locations, and availability.  

We offer online video and audio sessions globally, as well as in-person therapy in Singapore.  

4) How to find a therapist for depression?

Look for a TYHO Therapist in Singapore who specialises in mood swings or depression. This could be a clinical psychologist, counsellor, or psychotherapist. 

On our platform, you do not have to worry too much about labels. All professionals at TYHO are collectively referred to as ‘Therapists’.  

However, if you’re specifically looking to receive a diagnosis, a psychologist in Singapore can help you.  

5) How to find a therapist in Singapore for the first time?

If it’s your first time trying therapy, try to: 

• Understand the types of therapy (eg, CBT, person-centred, EMDR)
• Identify whether you prefer in-person or online
• Shortlist a few options and read the Therapist bios
• Reach out via email or booking forms 

You can always try few sessions to gauge whether the Therapist is the right fit. If you feel like you're comfortable or not able to open up, you always have the option of switching professionals.  

Note: Give therapy and the Therapist enough time (eg a couple of weeks) before deciding to book with someone else. If you need to find a Therapist, reach out to us at [email protected].