FAQ

Counselling is a form of “talk therapy”, where goal-directed conversations are held to discuss and explore certain topics in one’s life. 

It would involve clients discussing any issues and/or any difficult feelings they encounter in a safe, confidential environment.

You can make an appointment via our booking link . Alternatively, you can email (counselling@smu.edu.sg) or call (6828 0786) for an appointment.

Counselling is free for all presently enrolled SMU students.

All current SMU students, regardless of mode of study, are eligible to utilise the counselling services offered by SMU without charge.

For students in their final semester, counselling services will be available up to 5 weeks after exam results are released. Thereafter, should follow up sessions be required, counsellors can assist in referring students to external services for continuity of care.

Counselling appointments can be arranged only during office hours and the centre is not open on weekends and public holidays. 

Operating hours: Mon to Fri: 9:00am to 5:00pm, last appointment at 4pm. 
(Closed on Weekends and Public Holidays)

You may wish to check out the "Support and Helplines" tab for more resources and support.

If you have made an appointment via the booking system, you can change or cancel your appointment via the booking system or the link sent to your email address. You can also email (counselling@smu.edu.sg) or call (6828 0786) the centre to cancel the appointment.

When you miss an appointment without providing adequate notice it results in the loss of service to another student who may have otherwise been seen during that time. Hence, if you are unable to make it, please notify us at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment.

Please give us a call or visit our counselling centre during operating hours.
Tel: 6828 0786
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri: 9:00am to 5:00pm, last appointment at 4pm.
(Closed on Weekends and Public Holidays)
Location: Mrs Wong Kwok Leong Student Wellness Centre
Li Ka Shing Library, 70 Stamford Road #B1-44, Singapore 178901

For support after office hours, please reach out to:
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1-767 (24-hour hotline) / 9151 1767 (24-hour WhatsApp)
- IMH Mental Health Helpline: 6389 2222 (24-hour hotline)

You will be assigned to one of the counsellors based on their availability when you make an appointment via the booking system. Rest assured that all our counsellors are trained to provide professional support to students.

Apart from helping students who are experiencing various mental health conditions, counselling is also a learning process which facilitates self-exploration and personal growth. Counselling can help to address other concerns such as university adjustment, esteem issues, relationship issues etc. The counsellor will assess your needs and discuss whether you will need follow-up counselling sessions, need to be connected with our SMU Peer Helpers or require referral to other resources.

Students requiring documentation to support a request for academic consideration or accommodation on compassionate grounds should discuss the particulars of their situation with their counsellor. The requested documentation will be provided at the discretion of the counsellor.

All information shared within sessions is confidential. Counsellors will not disclose any personal information or matters discussed within the counselling context without the student's knowledge and consent. However, in exceptional cases where the student's safety and well-being, or that of others, is at risk, disclosure is necessary.

The counsellor will adopt a non-judgmental stance during sessions and help students to reflect deeper on their actions, thoughts and emotions. The counsellor will also encourage students to take personal responsibility for their actions and work with students on actionable steps to take towards reaching their goals.

Accommodations are adjustments that are necessary to create access, and they do not alter any essential requirements of a course or program. They are granted to students with certified specific needs.

The Disability Support Services (DSS) team works with students with a broad range of sensory, physical, learning, developmental, medical, or psychological conditions. All current SMU students, local or exchange, undergraduates or postgraduates, can apply for access arrangements. If you are unsure if your condition qualifies for any accommodations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to dss@smu.edu.sg.

You can find out more about the application for access arrangements here. Alternatively, you can email dss@smu.edu.sg to request for support. All accommodation requests will be reviewed and are subject to approval.

To ensure there is adequate time to process applications for accommodation, please submit your application as early as possible. Please take note that for final examination accommodation, your application must be submitted by Week 8.

No, your access arrangements or condition(s) will not be indicated in your academic transcripts.

Each application will be assessed holistically based on the student’s condition, unique needs, specialist recommendations, and SMU’s standing guidelines. You may not receive the same accommodations as you had at a previous institution as each institution has their own processes and guidelines. However, please do supplement your application with any previous access arrangement documents you have at the point of application.

Exam accommodations can be applied to in-class timed assessments such as tests and exams but will not apply to assignments or projects. For course assignments and projects, you may wish to consult your relevant instructors for a discussion.

If you wish to enquire on attendance related matters, kindly approach your school managers or instructors.

If you wish to consider applying for I-grade, kindly refer to the information on Registrar’s Office grading policies here.