Counselling Services

Michelle started out her professional journey not as a counsellor but as an engineering officer in RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force). She discovered her passion in counselling when she volunteered as a paracounsellor with the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces). Her post-graduate qualifications include Master in Social Science (Counselling) with Edith Cowan University and Master of Science in Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health with King’s College London. She is a registered counsellor and clinical supervisor with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC).

Michelle has almost two decades of counselling experience in the military, academic institutions and various private organisations. She worked with a range of presenting issues like adjustment in the military, career concerns, depression and anxiety, peer/friendship issues, bullying, marital problems, conflicts between parent-child, self-harm behaviours, problematic eating behaviours, problematic device use, academic stress and so on.

Michelle is a well sought-after speaker and has presented at TedxYouth@Singapore, several radio programmes, local and overseas conferences, and various mental health-related events. She also conducts workshops for students, parents, couples and working professionals.

Michelle has extensive training in various therapeutic modalities but her inclination would be to work with clients using emotion-focused, experiential, expressive and mindfulness approaches. Her approach is very flexible and eclectic because she believes that every individual is unique and it would be impossible to expect that there is a fixed formula for any problems encountered.

Haslinda is a counsellor with a keen interest in youth mental health and addictions, and has served in diverse settings including NGOs, government hospitals (both inpatient and outpatient) and educational institutions. She holds a Masters Degree in Counselling from Monash University and applies different modalities or approaches with each individual that she journeys with.  Haslinda is also a Certified Clinical Supervisor and a Certified Gambling Addiction Counsellor, accredited by the International Consortium & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) and the Association of Professional Substance Abuse Therapists (APSAC). She applies a holistic and integrative approach in her counselling sessions, as she journeys with individuals with various emotional and mental health concerns and across various age groups. 

Apart from clinical experience, Haslinda has been involved in sector development work, with a focus on community mental health programmes. Throughout her professional journey, she also conducts mental health talks and trainings and clinical supervision, both locally and overseas. 

Mou Nyee graduated from National University of Singapore with a degree in Social Work and Sociology and started off his career in a Family Service Centre. He completed his Master's in counselling from Edith Cowan University and also did a postgraduate Diploma in Solution Focused Brief Therapy co-awarded by Brief Family Therapy Institute (Milwaukee, USA) and Academy of Human Development Pte Ltd (Singapore). Over the course of his career, Mou Nyee went on to acquire multiple different counselling modalities. He is also an accredited Coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).  

In his career of 26 years, he has been involved in helping and developing people. Mou Nyee has more than 16 years of direct counselling experience. Mou Nyee also has about 8 years of experience in supervisory or managerial position. Mou Nyee’s extensive career in the helping profession allows him to work with different groups of people. He had extensive experience working with individuals who have mental health and behavioural issues, self-esteem, existential challenges, relationship, parenting issues etc. He worked with couples and managed cases referred by the courts for family/spousal violence as well as mandatory counselling for couples going through divorce. Mou Nyee has experience facilitating group programmes for children, youth, couples and parents. 

Elsie started out her career in the engineering industry where she worked as an engineering assistant and eventually advanced into regional sales roles, where she served customers across Southeast Asia. During her career in the corporate world, she had the privilege to work with people from all walks of life and different cultures. This helped her to discover her skill in listening and she wanted to pursue a deeper meaning in helping people to cope with their mental health and make healthy changes in their lives.

As a midlife career change, Elsie pursued her bachelor’s degree in counselling with School of Social Sciences, followed by her master’s in counselling with University of Swinburne. While she was pursuing her degree in counselling, she volunteered as a counsellor with various organisations, and eventually started her counselling career with NTU as a student care manager and progressing to be a counsellor.

Elsie works around various modalities, including Emotion Focused Therapy and Transactional Analysis. She believes in creativity and flexibility in therapy, using eclectic methods to help clients feel comfortable and safe. She aims to help clients build awareness and gain insights about themselves and work towards empowering them to achieve version of themselves they desire.

Isabelle is a registered counsellor with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC). She holds a Master’s in Counselling from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Nanyang Technological University. 

Being genuine, caring and non-judgmental are the core values in her practice. Isabelle believes that a therapeutic alliance is strongest when built on a foundation of trust and empathy, allowing clients to embark on a journey of healing and self-recovery in a space that honors their true selves. Her methodological approach predominantly features Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Client-Centered Therapy. Isabelle uses eclectic mix to tailor interventions to the unique needs of each individual, promoting personal growth and psychological flexibility. 

Before joining SMU, Isabelle’s therapeutic practice was inclusive, extending support to individuals across various life stages, whether they were grappling with mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, OCD, psychosis, or navigating the complexities of stress and interpersonal relationship dynamics. Furthermore, Isabelle also had experience in working with people recovering from drug addiction. 

Jodie is a graduate of Appalachian State University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA) program, and has been a board-certified music therapist (CBMT) since 2018. During her work as a music therapist and counsellor in various clinical settings, Jodie discovered her passion in mental health advocacy, outreach, and increasing mental health awareness within local communities. Jodie is also committed to supporting youths with diverse identities through the use of culturally-responsive approaches. 

Jodie strongly believes in the importance of therapeutic relationships and the collaborative process of creating space where individuals may feel supported, safe, and brave to explore one's growth and development in order to foster positive changes. Jodie primarily utilises gestalt, strengths-based, and mindfulness approaches in sessions, but is also flexible in integrating other approaches and modalities to encourage alternative forms of self-expressions, such as music and expressive arts.

Marilyn is a dedicated professional registered with the Singapore Association of Counselling (SAC), holds a Master of Counselling from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Murdoch University. Prior to embarking on her counselling journey, Marilyn demonstrated her commitment to education by serving as a MOE-trained teacher in a primary school. 

Marilyn's counselling career began as a rehabilitation counsellor, providing employment support to individuals grappling with mental illness, a role that attests to her compassionate approach and desire to empower those in need. Her journey continued at Temasek Polytechnic, where she established a peer support interest group as their student advisor. She advocates for active listening, validation, and harnessing collective wisdom, fostering an environment where individuals openly share their paths and collaboratively pursue personal growth and healing. 

With a decade-long background in both non-profit organizations and academic institutions, Marilyn has honed her expertise across a spectrum of presenting issues, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, academic stress, and relationship issues. Marilyn's approach blends Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, anchored in mindfulness. Marilyn embodies a dynamic skill set, dedicated to nurturing a culture of healing, growth, and resilience in her counselling journey. 

Chin Boon chose to enter the field of counselling with the belief that therapy should be accessible and normalised in society. He is inclined towards helping individuals discover their own potential while empowering them to work towards self-actualisation.

Chin Boon believes that counselling is a collaborative process where the client is the expert in their own lives and change occurs within a strong and genuine therapeutic alliance. In sessions, Chin Boon adopts a flexible and eclectic approach to addressing the needs of every client that steps into his counselling room. Building on a person-centered approach, he adapts facets of Psychodynamics, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy based on client's needs.

Aside from therapy work, Chin Boon also has an interest in understanding the various factors, beyond the individual, that contribute to overall mental well-being. Chin Boon actively engages various stakeholders beyond the counselling room in conversations in a bid to influence greater systemic changes. He has also conducted talks, awareness briefs and workshops to develop knowledge and skills in the area of mental well-being.

Timothy has been a counsellor in educational settings since 2016. He has extensive experience in inter-agency case management, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement. Situations Timothy has supported young people through include: family and relationship crises, adjustment challenges, academic motivation issues, self-harm and suicide risk, abuse and neglect, and self-esteem issues. 

In addition to a Master of Social Science in Professional Counselling (Swinburne University), Timothy also has a university certificate in Advanced Interventions in Family Therapy, and has completed trainings in grief and loss, family violence, multicultural counselling practices, cyber-wellness, and psychological first aid, among others. He is currently completing a programme in trauma-focussed cognitive behavioural therapy. Undergirding these formal clinical competencies is Timothy’s dedication to his clients and work. He adopts a person-centred, welcoming, and inclusive attitude towards clients of any background and identity. 

Prior to embarking on his professional counselling journey, Timothy graduated with a Diploma from LASALLE College of the Arts. He also has a Bachelor’s in Communications (Magna cum Laude) from the University of Buffalo at New York. 

Winnie’s intentional immersion into the helping profession was seen in her choice to work at different levels of the sector to equip herself at an all-rounded level. The organisations she had worked at range from schools, family service centres, National Council of Social Service and Singapore Prison Service. During the over 10-years period, she had worked with students, the economically-disadvantaged, people with disabilities, and ex-offenders along with their families toward progress in their circumstances. 

Winnie is a certified practitioner in Choice Theory Reality Therapy (CTRT). She is also an accredited facilitator in Prepare-Enrich Couple Assessment, and Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis (TJTA)

In her work with clients, Winnie primarily adopts a person-centred and strengths-based approach. Apart from being guided by CTRT and trauma-informed frameworks, she also draws on other therapeutic approaches such as expressive art and psychodrama therapies. 

It is Winnie’s belief that every individual is unique and significant in their own ways regardless of their issues. She considers it a privilege to collaborate with her clients in their journey to build their self-awareness and inner resilience to improve their emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships.

Peggy has been in the Education sector (Institute of Higher Learning) since 2001.  Her passion is in working with young adults and children. Her desire to help young adults and children has led to a successful completion of the Master of Counselling in 2019. She is now a Provisional Clinical Member of SAC. 

Peggy is the Assistant Dean (Administration) in SMU – School of Accountancy.  She volunteers as a counsellor with a small caseload at SMU Student Wellness Centre. Peggy also volunteers with Touch Community Services as a counsellor (during weekends), working with families whose children have gone through trauma and are placed under Child Protection Services. 

Peggy is a respectful and compassionate counsellor. She adopts a person-centred approach to working with clients guided by Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. Peggy is actively learning and she believes that counselling should be a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental experience where clients can learn to be empowered and grow in emotional well-being.