Frequently Asked Questions

People come into therapy for many different reasons. Some need support for unexpected changes in their lives, while others might seek self-exploration, greater awareness, personal growth or relational repair. At The Therapy Collective, therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is a process of meeting with a registered mental health professional who is trained to enhance your coping within a confidential, warm and non-judgemental relationship. 

Therapy is entirely focused on your goals, which means you decide what you’d like to get out of our work together. Most client goals are related to feeling well, self- development, improving relationships, and recovering from difficult life events. Whatever your goals are, our aim is to facilitate a relationship where you feel vulnerable, yet safe at the same time. 

If you aren’t sure what your goals for therapy are, that’s ok, it may take a few sessions for us to clarify a direction to go in and during the course of therapy goals may change as well. However, establishing a direction for therapy will help you get the most out of the experience. 

Although most clients report positive outcomes, therapy can be challenging and uncomfortable at times and we recognise the courage and strength that clients display towards their healing and growth. We consider it a privilege to work alongside you on this journey and to be a part of your story.

The Therapy Collective is a supportive environment where you can talk openly with someone who is objective, neutral and nonjudgmental. We help our clients work through emotional pain, achieve personal goals, improve relationships, and grow. 

We believe that this is possible because of the active elements of therapy that we hold to: 

• Exploration of all aspects of a person (thoughts, emotions, awareness, sense of self, body and spirit) through gentle consideration and curiosity;
• A shared, collaborative experience between the empathic and objective perspective of the therapist and the client, who we believe, is the expert on their own experience and is a wealth of strength and resource waiting to be called out and encouraged;
• Strong commitment and active participation. In our experience, the best therapy outcomes are achieved when clients actively participate with us, both inside and outside the therapy room. At times we may decide together on take home tasks between sessions for the purpose of reflection, practice or preparation for the next session. We commit to show up as our best selves ready to support and equip you, together with commitment and active participation from you, we can succeed at change and growth;
• High quality training in various therapeutic approaches and strong commitment to ethical practice informs our belief that therapy is not a “one-size fits all” solution. Rather, we match psychotherapy to each client and their individual uniqueness, tailoring the process to meet their particular needs, preferences and emotional concerns.

Our therapists are empathic, attentive listeners and it can be helpful just to know that someone understands. It can feel like a relief to get things off your chest. Therapy can also provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or help you find creative solutions. We ask you relevant questions to help you clarify your thoughts and feelings, identify and address any unhealthy thought, emotional, behaviour and relational patterns that may be impacting you, and equip you with new skills and strategies to cope with your challenges. Our integrative approach provides you with tools to take care of the whole self: thoughts, emotions, body states and relationships.

In general, the benefits you get from therapy depend on how effectively you engage with the process and put into practice what you learn. 

Some of the more common benefits our clients have experienced include:

• Improved relationship with yourself: better understanding and acceptance of yourself, how to meet your needs and share this openly with others, less self-judgement and criticism, improved self confidence;
• Identify your strengths, inner resources, values, and goals: motivation and support to pursue them, find purpose and meaning;
• Increased awareness of and attentiveness to what is going on in your mind, body and surroundings, change the way your brain and body respond to stress, trauma, or negative emotions, calmer nervous system: reduction of physical and psychological symptoms of stress, stronger neural pathways that support positive emotions, resilience, and well-being;
• Improved connection to, expression and management of emotions, less emotional reactivity and impulsivity;
• Process and understand traumatic or painful experiences, be able to express and release your emotions, and to make sense of what happened and how it impacted you;
• Breaking unhealthy repetitive patterns, becoming unstuck and developing new pathways;
• Authentic and meaningful relationships with others
• Enhanced communication skills: being more effective at listening to others experiences as well as sharing your own;
• Discovering new problem-solving skills and “cope ahead” techniques: communication, assertiveness, problem-solving, decision-making, emotion regulation, mindfulness, relaxation, and self-care – equip you to better navigate previously challenging situations and improve quality of life.

This depends on the individual’s needs and the issues that they are seeking support for. At The Therapy Collective, you and your therapist will collaboratively determine the optimal schedule for your care. Usually, weekly sessions are recommended initially, however, if you are in crisis or extreme distress you may need more than one session per week, at least until the crisis passes. Once you notice some improvement and better coping, sessions can be reduced to fortnightly.

However, we do understand the time and financial investment involved in the therapy process and can work together with you on a specific therapy plan that works for you whilst achieving cumulative progress over the long term, for example, breaking therapy goals down into stages, identifying areas that you may want to prioritise first and leaving other areas for further down the line. Whether you are an individual, a couple, or a family, with our expertise we can develop and customise the most effective therapy plan with and for you.

Your unique circumstances, lived experiences, personality and therapy goals can greatly impact the number of sessions you may need and makes it difficult to predict in advance of starting the process. Some people prefer and benefit from short-term therapy while others will find forming a lasting long term connection more helpful. Also, some challenges are more complex and have developed over time and hence may take longer to work through. 

Usually, the first few sessions with your therapist will be an explorative period during which you can discuss your goals and expectations and establish together the estimated course of therapy for you. This a also a good question raise with your therapist during the free 15 minute alignment call, especially if you have concerns around time and financial investment as well.

At The Therapy Collective we welcome conversation around the decision to end therapy as well. Determining a date for termination collaboratively also helps you and your therapist plan effectively towards it, with specific strategies to extend your therapy gains for the long term.

Send us a WhatsApp, call or email, or book your free 15 min alignment call with us and we can discuss scheduling your first appointment.

We understand that attending a first therapy session may be met with anxiety and hope that the initial alignment call with your therapist helps to relieve some of the nervousness. However, we recognise that the first session is still a big step and our aim is to help you feel as comfortable and at ease.

The first session is about getting to know each other. Your therapist will ask more about what brought you in and what you are wanting to work on. They will attentively listen to your experiences, gently ask questions to help you make sense of your thoughts and feelings. This is not an assessment or evaluation, rather our goal is to ensure that you feel safe, heard and seen. You are welcome to prepare for the session with these points in mind, but this is not expected, and your therapist will facilitate the conversation. 

This session is also the start of building a collaborative therapeutic relationship so you will also discuss what the course of therapy might look like for you going forward, for example, recommended therapy modalities, frequency of sessions and also address any questions you have. It is important for you to share your opinion about the suggestions, a good fit between client and therapist is imperative for therapy to be effective. 

If time permits, your therapist may also discuss initial strategies and suggestions that you could start to work on. After the first session, most clients feel like a burden has been lifted, it is reassuring to know that there is someone who understands and is invested in supporting and equipping you.

Please refer to the clinic registration and client consent form that you completed prior to your first session for detailed practice policies in this regard.

In general, if you’re unable to make it to a session, you must cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours in advance, via email or WhatsApp. If you cancel with less than the required notice period, you will be responsible for the full cost of the session as the time has been reserved for you. We do understand that life emergencies happen and we will be as flexible as possible to accommodate for this.

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication as part of treatment. In contrast, psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors do not prescribe medication and instead work through therapeutic approaches and counselling tools. While these roles differ in training and scope, they do overlap in practice.

At The Therapy Collective, our psychologists are required to have a registration/licence with a relevant professional governing body to ensure credibility and a high standard of quality and ethical care.

Psychologists

Psychologists typically complete an undergraduate degree in psychology followed by postgraduate honours and a master’s or doctoral degree. In many countries, they are also required to complete supervised clinical practicum/internship and sit for a professional board examination before being registered. It is a combination of rigorous training and clinical internship that distinguishes psychologists from other health care mental health providers. Those with doctoral degrees (PhD or PsyD) are not medical doctors but have advanced training in psychological science or clinical practice. 

Many psychologists specialize in  psychotherapy as part of their clinical work, have extensive expertise in several evidence-based therapy modalities and offer therapeutic interventions and treatments for a wide range of mental health issues such as life and relationship challenges, exploring underlying patterns in thought, emotion,  behaviour and relationships, dealing with current and past trauma, as well as various mental health conditions.  In addition, psychologists are trained  to  conduct psychological assessments, diagnose mental health conditions, and formal testing and evaluation, which psychotherapists and counsellors do not do. Hence psychologists have a wider scope of practice.  

Psychotherapists

Psychotherapists are mental health professionals trained specifically in psychotherapy, which involves helping clients explore emotional patterns, relational dynamics, trauma, identity, and deeper psychological concerns through evidence-based therapeutic modalities.

At The Therapy Collective, all psychotherapists are required to have a master’s level qualification in psychotherapy or counselling, accredited by the Singapore Association for Counselling and including supervised clinical practicum. Psychotherapy typically focuses on longer-term work, deeper emotional processes, and complex or longstanding issues.

Counsellors

Counsellors tend to work with shorter-term, structured and goal-oriented concerns. They may focus on specific areas such as stress, life transitions, relationships, or emotional regulation. Counselling is often more present-focused and skills-based, though counsellors may also work with deeper issues depending on their training.

How to choose the right professional

At The Therapy Collective, we believe that beyond professional titles, what matters most is fit, rapport, and finding a therapist with expertise in the issues you are facing. Even among psychologists and psychotherapists, each therapist brings a unique personality, style, and blend of modalities — which can make the therapeutic experience feel very different from one practitioner to another.

To support this process, we offer all prospective clients a free 15-minute alignment call. This gives you an opportunity to get a feel for the therapist, understand their approach, and ask any questions about their experience and training before scheduling a full session.

Insurance Note

If you are claiming reimbursement through medical insurance, check whether your provider covers the specific type of mental health professional you intend to see. Most insurers accept both psychologists and psychotherapists registered with recognised governing bodies, though policies may differ

At The Therapy Collective we hold highly to the professional code of ethics that guides our practice, as outlined by the governing bodies that we have affiliations with (HSPCA, SPS and SAC). Confidentiality and release of information are two such aspects of this code. You can also refer to our clinic registration and informed consent form, data and privacy policies for more details in this regard.

In summary, all information disclosed within sessions and the written records pertaining to those sessions are confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your (the client’s) written permission, except where disclosure is required by law. All records are kept and maintained in accordance with Singapore Data Protection Act, 2012.

In accordance with the Act, the only situations under which client confidentiality may be breached under the law are:

• If there are perceived risks to self (suicide), others or property;
• If there is information on the abuse of vulnerable persons (children or adults);
• Where the client is gravely disabled;
• If personal information is needed for a medical or psychological emergency;
• If required by a court order.

Other circumstances where disclosure may be required:

• Therapists are required to report admitted prenatal exposure to controlled substances that are potentially harmful;
• If the client discloses that he or she has broken the law, the information will have to be reported to the relevant people and authorities. If a written request comes from the legal body, the information will also have to be released to them.

Your therapist will inform you if any such situation arises before making any disclosure. If you are concerned about any aspects of confidentiality do discuss this during the free alignment call or at your first session. 

There are also situations where you may choose to give your therapist permission in writing to release any or specific information about you to any person or agency you designate, for example a treating doctor. Permission will be obtained from you in writing by the completion of the practice Release of Information form prior to any such disclosure.

Our rates for individual therapy vary from $275 to $350 per 60 minute session for individual therapy depending on the choice of therapist, their qualifications and years of experience. Longer sessions (90 minutes) are available if preferred and is charged at $412.50 – $525 per session. Typically couple and family therapy sessions do benefit from the longer 90 minute session, however we will work with you within your preferred session duration.

You will receive an invoice with payment instructions and options, which will be sent to the email address provided by you on the Registration Form. We also have a card payment terminal in practice for ease of payment at your session using all major debit and credit card circuits.

If your plan has provision for mental health support, we can assist with insurance compliant receipts so that you can claim back your payments. Some insurance companies require a doctor’s referral letter and/or a motivation memo from your therapist. Do check with your particular insurance scheme what the requirements are and we will gladly provide any documentation needed to assist you in this regard.

No, we do not prescribe medication. In Singapore, only doctors and medical specialists such as psychiatrist are able to prescribe medication. However, if at any stage of your therapy you decide that you would like to explore the option of medication, or we decide that medication might be appropriate to supplement therapy, we are able to refer you to psychiatrists that we collaborate with.

No, we do not provide psychological reports, expert opinions, or written statements for use in court, legal proceedings, or lawyer requests, unless instructed by a judge in the court of law. Our therapeutic work is focused on emotional support and wellbeing rather than forensic or medico-legal assessment.

We are able to provide an attendance report upon request. This includes only the number of sessions attended and the dates/duration of those sessions. It does not include clinical details, summaries, diagnoses, or therapeutic content.

Research has shown that in general there is no difference in the effectiveness between online and in-person therapy. At The Therapy Collective our quality of care remains the same regardless of the mode of attendance you choose. Online therapy is a popular alternative and has been shown to be effective in helping with many psychosocial difficulties. It has many advantages including convenience, flexibility, being more time effective, and it makes getting professional assistance more easily accessible, in the surroundings of your choice. 

However, we do find that online therapy has limitations if not conducted through video conferencing. It is also not an appropriate medium if you are severely depressed, have serious substance dependence, or you are experiencing intense suicidal or homicidal thoughts. Other treatment options or seeing a mental health professional face-to-face might be more appropriate in these situations. 

Do consider your personal circumstances, personality and the challenges that you are seeking support for in making your decision between online and in-person therapy. If you are uncertain, you can also discuss this during a free 15 min alignment call with us.

No, you do not have to meet with your therapist  in person prior to your first online session, however this completely dependent on your preference if you wish to do so. At The Therapy Collective we will facilitate the process in whichever way feels most comfortable for you.

We offer online therapy through Google Meet, Zoom, or Plato, depending on your preference and the nature of the session. All three platforms allow for secure, private video calls, and we will confirm the platform with you when scheduling your appointment.

We take confidentiality seriously and use platforms that support secure communication. However, as with any online interaction, clients are encouraged to join sessions from a private space and use personal devices where possible to help maintain privacy.

Integrated care means that we work as a team with other medical and allied health professionals that are involved in your care, with your written consent. We find that this collaboration  ensures you get the best overall care for your needs. If you have any concerns or would like further details in this regard do feel free to discuss this during your initial alignment call or at your first session.