Are you wondering how to choose a therapist in Singapore? Finding someone who feels like a good fit can take time and may look different for everyone
In this article, we outline five steps you can consider when searching for a therapist, followed by seven tips to help you feel supported and make the most of therapy in Singapore.
Without further ado, let’s explore the steps and tips to finding a therapist in Singapore, getting the most out of therapy and tips for your first therapy session.
Introduction to TYHO
TYHO provides in-person and online therapy in Singapore. Our platform connects clients to vetted and experienced Psychotherapists, Psychologists, and Counsellors in Singapore. We refer to all our mental health professionals collectively as "Therapists", given the overlap in their scopes of practice. A majority of our Therapists are members of recognised bodies such as the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) and the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS). If you'd like help with selecting someone suitable, WhatsApp us at +65 9831 0005 or email us at [email protected].
How To Find The Right Therapist In Singapore: 5 Key Steps
1) Identify Your Goals for Therapy
Before you start therapy, it’s crucial to identify your therapy goals.
Are you looking to cope with daily challenges like work-related stress, social anxiety and burnout? Do you want to work on improving challenging family relationships that affect you? Or would you like to work on relationship issues with your partner?
In a notebook, list out any daily challenges you face or patterns in your thoughts and emotions that you’d like support with.
Next, note down the changes you wish to see in yourself during or after therapy. Having clear expectations can help you find a therapist in Singapore who feels right for you. Additionally, it can also help you and your counsellor work together effectively.
Remember, it’s completely normal if your goals aren’t fully clear at first. Therapy is a process of exploration, and over time, you may gain greater clarity with the support and guidance of your counsellor in Singapore.
Key Facts About Finding the Right Therapist
A 2022 study indicates that the average person may see three or more therapists before finding the right match.
The survey also shows that 64% of people believe patience is key to managing their mental health, and 70% believe that online counselling platforms make it easier to find the right therapist.
The study also shows that nearly 64% of people believe that finding the right therapist is essential to achieving positive therapy outcomes.
At TYHO, we provide transparent and detailed information about each of our Therapists in Singapore. You can review the complete profiles and even watch short videos of Therapists before making a choice.
2) Review Therapists’ Profiles
When trying to choose a therapist in Singapore, you may come across several profiles on our website.
Here’s how you can navigate and review Therapist profiles on TYHO:
You can visit each TYHO Therapist’s profile to review all their information, including their:
- Academic background and qualifications
- Therapeutic expertise
- Gender
- Languages known
- Cultural background
- Certifications and awards
- Personal hobbies
- Therapy styles and approaches
Firstly, narrow down the type of counselling service you're planning to seek based on your goals. These include:
- Individual counselling
- Couples counselling and marriage therapy
- Family counselling
Based on this, you can look for therapists who provide your desired service.
Finding a therapist in Singapore also involves looking into their therapeutic approaches. Under each Therapist’s profile, you’ll see a section called ’Therapeutic Approaches’. Here, you can review the list of approaches the Therapist may use during sessions. This can give you a better sense of what to expect and support you in making an informed choice.
Your therapist may use different approaches based on their training and experience, and together you can explore what feels most helpful for you. You can also read the therapist’s profile to learn about their cultural background and personal interests. Getting a broader sense of the therapist can support you in deciding if they might be a good fit for your needs and preferences.
If you're looking for a clinical diagnosis, you'll need to review and shortlist clinical psychologists on TYHO.
3) Choose Your Modality
Choosing the right therapist in Singapore also involves choosing a therapy modality that fits your needs.
It’s important to consider how you want to attend your counselling sessions: online or in person. Both types of modalities have their own advantages!
At TYHO, we have Therapists in Singapore who offer both online and in-person therapy sessions.
On the one hand, online therapy in Singapore allows you to access it from anywhere in the world. It's especially helpful if you are busy, cannot travel, or live far away from the therapist’s home or centre.
On the other hand, meeting a therapist face-to-face can help you feel comfortable and safer. Meeting in person can make it easier for your counsellor to notice non-verbal cues, which can help guide and support your sessions.
Therefore, when deciding your modality, think about what makes you comfortable, what kind of help you need, and how you like to talk to people.
4) Interview the Therapist
After choosing your therapy modality, the key to finding the right therapist in Singapore is to interview them.
It’s perfectly okay to ask your therapist any questions you have! TYHO Therapists are welcoming and will be happy to clarify any doubts you may have.
Asking questions can help you set your expectations and give you a glimpse into what your sessions might look like.
Below are some questions to consider asking your therapist:
- How much experience do you have?
- Have you worked with other clients facing similar challenges?
- What type of therapeutic approach do you use?
- What can I expect during the course of therapy?
- If I feel stuck, what options are available to adjust or explore different approaches?
5) Check Your Comfort Level With the Therapist
When searching for a therapist in Singapore, consider how safe and comfortable you feel with them.
A right therapist will prioritise creating a safe and respectful space, listen attentively, and move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. They will not pressure you to share more than you’re ready for and will work collaboratively with you to understand your experiences over time.
Initially, it’s common and normal to feel hesitant to open up. It can take a few sessions to get a sense of whether a therapist feels like a good fit for you, and this process varies from person to person.
After each therapy session, it can be helpful to reflect on how you felt. You might notice whether you felt heard, emotionally safe, or understood after opening up, as well as whether the session felt meaningful or helpful in some way. However, your reactions may vary from session to session, and feeling uncertain or even uncomfortable at times can also be part of the therapeutic process.
The therapeutic relationship is an key factor for therapy outcomes, but it is not the only one. Progress also depends on factors such as the therapist’s training and approach, your therapy goals, and your own readiness and engagement in the process.
However, try not to worry too much about finding the perfect therapist right away. It’s absolutely okay to change your therapist later if you’re not a great match.
Getting the Most Out Of Therapy In Singapore: 5 Tips For Your First Therapy Session
1) Reflect on What You Want
Why do you want to start therapy? Are you struggling with relationship issues, or maybe you want to regulate your mood?
Whatever the issue, explore different types of therapy and consider which one may be best for you. Below are two common types of therapy in Singapore:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short-term approach that helps helps identify and work with unhelpful or unhelping thought patterns, unlearn coping patterns that may no longer serve you and develop more helpful coping strategies and patterns.
- Psychodynamic therapy can help you explore deep-rooted issues that may be contributing to patterns of coping that may no longer be helpful (eg difficult or adverse childhood experiences, including trauma).
Think about:
- How you are feeling right now
- How do you want to feel eventually
- What do you want to address during therapy
Tip
Journaling or tracking your feelings and mood may also help you build a clearer picture of your experiences, which you can bring to discuss with a therapist in Singapore.
We encourage you to journal — not only before therapy, but also alongside therapy — as a way to support reflection, reduce stress, and help regulate your mood.
2) Set Boundaries
Similar to setting boundaries in your personal life, it’s also important to create healthy boundaries in your therapeutic relationship.
For example:
- Do you find it hard to share your personal information with your therapist?
- What level of communication between sessions feels comfortable or appropriate for you, within the therapist’s professional boundaries?
Once you've considered your preferences, have an honest conversation with your counsellor. A key aim of therapy is often to support you in feeling empowered to explore and manage your concerns in a safe environment.
Some ways to communicate and maintain boundaries in therapy include:
- Letting your therapist know if you are not comfortable with a particular activity, or if you would like to pause or adjust it
- Sharing your preferences around personal space during in-person sessions
- Discussing your therapy goals together to help keep sessions aligned with what feels most relevant for you
- Asking your therapist to slow down or explain a technique more clearly before moving on
- Talking with your therapist about whether a different approach or focus may be more helpful for you (this is usually a collaborative decision)
Eg: You might say you would like to focus more on practical problem-solving rather than emotional exploration, if that better suits your needs.
3) Be Your Authentic Self
Therapy is a collaborative process between you and your therapist, and it often works best when you feel able to be as honest and comfortable as possible, at your own pace.
In this context, authenticity can mean allowing yourself to notice and share your thoughts, feelings, and experiences without feeling the need to present yourself in a certain way during therapy sessions. This can take time to develop. Feeling cautious or holding back at the beginning of therapy is completely normal.
A helpful way to think about authenticity is 'showing up for yourself'. This might include being open about both your strengths and the parts of your life that feel difficult or painful to talk about. It is also okay to acknowledge emotions or experiences you may feel ashamed, confused, or conflicted about. Bringing gentle awareness to these areas can support deeper understanding over time.
Some ways to explore authenticity in therapy include:
- Reflecting on times you have felt most like yourself. What helped you feel that way?
- Noticing what feels difficult to say in therapy, and considering whether you want to explore that over time
- Observing whether there are differences between what you feel internally and what you tend to express outwardly, and bringing this up if it feels relevant
- Letting your therapist know if being open or 'authentic' feels challenging or overwhelming
If the idea of authenticity feels overwhelming or challenging, tell your therapist in Singapore. Honest communication in therapy can help your therapist understand your experience more clearly and support you in a way that feels appropriate for your needs.
4) Be Proactive and Patient
Therapy can involve emotional reflection and effort, which may feel challenging at times.
Positive change may often develops gradually and may not always feel linear. It is normal to feel frustrated at times. If these feelings arise, discussing them with your therapist may be helpful, as they are part of the therapeutic process.
It may also help to approach sessions with openness and curiosity, as much as you are able to, while recognising that this may vary from session to session.
To support a more active role in therapy, you can:
- Jot down thoughts, feelings, or questions before sessions
- Engage in between-session reflections or practices encouraged by your therapist (if applicable)
- Ask questions when something is unclear or when you would like more understanding
- Bring up topics you feel were not fully explored or would like to revisit
Patience is also an important part of the therapeutic process. At times, you may notice meaningful progress early on, while at other times progress may feel slower or less noticeable. This is a common experience in therapy.
This can happen for many reasons, including working on different layers of concerns, changes in focus over time, or difficulty noticing gradual internal shifts.
Continuing to engage with the process and applying insights outside of sessions (when relevant) can support longer-term change).
5) Apply Your Learnings in Real Life
Getting the most out of therapy is not only about what happens during sessions, but also about how you may choose to apply insights outside of them, in ways that feel realistic and sustainable for you.
You might reflect on:
- Whether you are able to use skills discussed in therapy in everyday situations
- How you respond when you try emotion regulation techniques
- Whether certain self-care strategies feel helpful or need adjustment
It can also be helpful to keep a simple list of tools, insights, or reflections from therapy in Singapore. Revisiting this occasionally may help you remember strategies that feel useful over time.
As you begin to apply therapy learnings in daily life, you may notice gradual shifts in how you respond to stress or interpret difficult situations. These changes can be subtle and may develop over time, and noticing them can feel encouraging or meaningful in your process.
Key Takeaways: Ready to Choose A Therapist in Singapore?
Finding a therapist in Singapore and making the most of therapy can involve reflecting on your needs, developing realistic expectations, setting boundaries, building authenticity over time, and engaging with the process at a pace that feels manageable for you.
When choosing a therapist at TYHO, you might start by identifying your goals, reviewing therapist profiles based on your preferences, exploring different therapy approaches, and having an initial conversation to get a sense of fit.
Over time, you can reflect on whether you feel comfortable, respected, and understood within the therapeutic relationship. The therapeutic relationship is an important factor in therapy outcomes. Feeling safe, supported, and able to communicate openly with your therapist can play a meaningful role in your experience.
These steps can help guide you as you explore therapy and find an approach that aligns with your needs and preferences. If you’re considering starting therapy, you may wish to explore available options at TYHO and take the first step when you feel ready!
About the Reviewer
Glennamarie MeenachiClinical Psychologist
Glennamarie is a clinical psychologist practising since July 2020, registered with the Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council (MAHPC (CP) 00265) and a Full International Member of the Singapore Psychological Society (FM023020M). She works with mood instability, work-related stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADHD and PTSD, conducts psychological assessments for neurodevelopmental conditions (ADHD, ASD, SLD), and previously served as a Crisis Support Officer in vulnerable communities. She reviews TYHO articles for clinical accuracy.
Read more about our editorial process.
View full profile- Master of Clinical Psychology (MClinPsych), University of Cyberjaya (Malaysia)
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology (BSc Psychology), Centro Escolar University (Philippines)
- Standard Mental Health First Aider
- Certified Crisis Support Officer (WAO)
- Malaysian Allied Health Professions Council, Registered Allied Health Practitioner (MAHPC (CP) 00265)
- Singapore Psychological Society, International Full Member (SPS: FM023020M)
- Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology, Full Member (MSCP: CP1-0350)
- American Psychological Association, International Affiliate (APA: C2405020803)
