Counselling Clients served in 2023
0 +

Professional Guidance You Can Trust

Counselling Sessions held in 2023
0 +

Personalized Care for Your Unique Needs

Number of Counselling clients subsidised in 2023
0 +

Convenient Options to Fit Your Lifestyle

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Individual Counselling

Individual counseling, also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy, is a collaborative process between you and a licensed therapist. It’s designed to help you address personal challenges, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and achieve personal growth.

  • Anger/Stress Management
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Family Dynamics – Parenting Issues, Caregiving Issues & Challenges
  • Relationship, Couple & Marital Counselling
  • Grief and Loss
  • Career Transitions & Job Stress
  • Trauma
  • Personal Developmental Concerns
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

Marriage & Couple Counselling

Relationships are hard work, and when two individuals get together, they each bring their own experiences and perspectives into the relational dance. Couples therapy may sound like a dramatic move, but instead, it can be a very healthy step for a relationship as it concurs that the couple is interested in working on their relationship with commitment and intentionality. In couple therapy, couples work through their challenges, understand their partner, and to develop healthier ways of communicating and building healthier ways of connecting with each other.

CLIENT’S JOURNEY

Ming’s Story

The death of my baby almost drove me to suicide

The physical and emotional agony of an ectopic pregnancy, coupled with a lack of support during recovery, plunged Ming into a deep darkness. Yet, within this despair, she found hope through EMCC counselling.

Cheng’s Story

Breaking the cycle of family depression

Concerned about their children’s depression, Cheng and her husband sought professional help. Recognising their role in the situation, Cheng transformed her parenting with the guidance of EMCC counselling. This created a safe space for the family to heal and rebuild trust.

Connor's Story

Finding my way through family chaos

Consumed by grief and strained family ties after his mother’s passing, Connor found solace in EMCC counselling. By addressing deep-rooted childhood wounds, he cultivated self-compassion and learned to navigate his emotions with newfound strength.

Charlotte's Story

My mother's sudden death revealed my traumas

When Charlotte’s mother died unexpectedly, her world was turned upside down. Amidst her grief, she discovered deep-rooted wounds that had been quietly shaping her life. Through EMCC counselling, Charlotte found a safe haven to express her emotions and begin healing.

Katherine's Story

Embracing vulnerability after years of avoidance

Katherine carried the weight of unspoken emotions for years, believing vulnerability was a weakness. Seeking professional help through EMCC counselling, she courageously delved into her pain, emerging with newfound strength and clarity.

Videos

Discover a Path to Peace and Clarity

Individual counseling, also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy, is a collaborative process between you and a licensed therapist. It’s designed to help you address personal challenges, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and achieve personal growth.

support emcc

Gift Hope to Someone in Mental Distress

subsidise a counselling session for someone in mental distress

About 50% of the cases that EMCC supports yearly are subsidised so that more people can access mental health therapy

Discover a Path to Peace and Clarity

About EMCC

EMCC seeks to help individuals and families manage relational challenges, build emotional resilience, and maintain psychological health and mental wellness through counselling and mediation services, as well as training and education programmes.
EMCC uses evidence-based therapies and methodologies.  We also have expertise in both mediation and psychotherapy to provide a holistic and integrated approach to addressing relational difficulties and disputes.
Established on the belief that Singaporean society at large benefits from emotionally and psychologically resilient individuals, strong marriages and healthy families, EMCC is a registered charity and a full member of the National Council of Social Service

Frequently Asked Questions

questions you might have
01 How do I know if I/ someone needs to see a counsellor?

NAL: In many ways, mental health is similar to physical health. There are usually symptoms if you are not feeling your best. You know someone needs to see a medical doctor if they have a persistent cough, a visible bruise or a broken arm that’s causing a lot of pain. But sometimes there aren’t obvious symptoms.

In the same way, there are signs when someone might benefit from counselling. Some of these are: frequent conflicts in relationships, feeling sad/angry/ anxious or “not yourself”, unable to focus at work or unable to enjoy what you used to like doing.

Experiences which may trigger some of the above feelings are loss of someone or something important to you or an unpleasant or traumatic event. Another sign is a change in behaviour such as abusing drugs, alcohol and/or sex to cope.

NAL: The goal of a counsellor is to help their client feel more confident, less distressed and better able to cope with their situation. When you share with your counsellor about your difficulty and how it is bothering you, he/she will be able to assess your situation, identify the underlying issues/ needs, recommend interventions and support you on your journey. The sense of safety and collaboration between clients and counsellors is a big part of the counselling process.

NAL: All our counsellors are trained to help individuals presenting with issues in areas such as stress/anger management, interpersonal conflicts, personal development difficulties, work-related challenges and mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder).

For marital/family conflicts, it is important to have a counsellor who is trained in these areas. If you are seeking help for specific issues (e.g., addiction, domestic violence) or specialised approaches (e.g., hypnotherapy and Gottman Method Couples Therapy), find a counsellor who is trained in these areas and modalities.

The gender of the counsellor usually doesn’t matter unless you/your spouse is uncomfortable with a specific gender, or the situation calls for this to be a consideration. For instance, at EMCC, we would usually assign a female counsellor to work with a female client presenting with abuse concerns.

NAL: It depends on the complexity of the presenting issue, your work schedule, and so on. We have helped clients through one session and others through more than 10 sessions spaced out over a year. The number usually ranges from 4 – 8 sessions.

At your first session, your counsellor and you will discuss your presenting issue and the outcome you hope to get out of counselling. At the start of every session, our counsellor uses a form to help you to rate your well-being. Before the session ends, our counsellor administers a feedback form to find out how the session has been for you. Based on this on-going feedback, you and your counsellor then decide the frequency and progress for the counselling.

NAL: Yes, it will work. Therapy is not about your counsellor trying to take over control of your mind or changing your behaviour against your will. Nor is it a situation where your counsellor is trying to “catch” you doing something. Therapy is also more than just receiving advice from a trained counsellor. It is an experience of feeling safe to share your vulnerable thoughts and feelings, to be heard and validated by your counsellor and/or spouse (if you are in couple counselling), and finally to decide what you can do for yourself/your situation.

NAL: Everything you share with your counsellor is confidential. The notes are kept within the office by your counsellor and only your counsellor has access to them. The files are deleted three years after your counselling has ended.

NAL: In Singapore, there is a wide range of fees depending on whether you go to a private practice, social service agencies or religious organisations. For instance, with the support of donations from our benefactors, EMCC is able to provide subsidies for those in need of financial help. Fees are usually published on the organisation’s website.

If you need financial assistance, don’t hesitate to ask. It is important to get the help you need.   For more information, please refer to https://emcc.org.sg/counselling/what-is-counselling/

Get In Touch

We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about our services, need assistance with scheduling, or want to learn more about our programs, feel free to reach out.

Make an Appointment – General Enquiry/Appointment Form

All information collected through this form will be treated as confidential.

By filling up this form, it will help us expedite the process to meet your request.

You will be contacted within 3 working days. Our Intake Officer will talk with you further about the appointment, fees and other administrative matters that you have queries about.

Enquirer's Particulars
This form is for Individual enquiries
Client's Particulars
Note: First appointment will be fixed during office hours ONLY.
Enquirer's Particulars
This form is for Couple/Family enquiries.
Client's Particulars
Note: First appointment will be fixed during office hours ONLY.
Client's Particulars
Client's Particulars

Ming’s Story

The death of my baby almost drove me to suicide
After suffering an ectopic pregnancy, Ming was consumed by inexplicable grief and pain. Thoughts of suicide crossed her mind as she looked out her room’s window – but at that moment, she miraculously received a message to seek help from EMCC.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what happened.

I’m 30 and I’m currently working in the healthcare industry. I’ve been feeling low, not like my usual self, for the past five years or so. Recently, I suffered an ectopic pregnancy and had to go through surgery to remove the foetus.
I had just found out that I was pregnant, but merely 20 minutes later the doctor told me that it was an ectopic pregnancy and my life would be in danger if the foetus continued to grow. It was so painful, both emotionally and physically. I cried and grieved a lot.
After the surgery, I experienced immense physical pain and had to stay home to recuperate. Sadly, my supervisors at work weren’t understanding of my situation and gave me a hard time during this break. I expected my family members to be there to support me during this period, but I was wrong.

They complained about needing to help me walk to the bathroom, ate my pre-booked confinement meals, and blamed me for causing more problems in their lives. It was especially hurtful coming from my sister, who had previously experienced an ectopic pregnancy herself. Why couldn’t she understand and support me now when I most needed it?

After a particularly bad fight we had at my grandma’s house where it felt like my whole family was against me, I came home and stared out my room’s window. In that moment of darkness, I thought of suicide.

I typed out my thoughts and posted them on social media; I was just looking for an outlet.
Unexpectedly, I received a reply from an acquaintance I had not spoken to in a long time. She told me to please seek help, and recommended EMCC. I decided to give it one last try.

Were the experiences in your counselling sessions with your EMCC counsellor what you expected?

Ming: No, in fact the sessions were very refreshing. Based on previous experiences, I expected to be asked to re-tell my stories and work through my feelings over and over again, leaving me spent and exhausted from crying after sessions. I couldn’t focus on my work at all after that.

But here was different. My counsellor didn’t focus on sorting through my feelings from the get-go but taught me the skills to regulate my emotional state so that I could continue functioning well on a daily basis. I didn’t know it before, but that was exactly what I needed from counselling at that stage of my life.

The EMCC counsellor shared a concept known as the “Window of Tolerance” and the techniques I could practise to stay in the “window”, like deep breathing. I immediately tried applying it when I was feeling too overwhelmed, and it really helped me get through those moments.

Did you meet with any obstacles along the way?

Ming: It was tough to juggle everything after the surgery, especially financially. I had to fork out upwards of $1800 a month on post-surgery treatments, confinement meals, and Chinese herbal tonics. It took a toll on me emotionally too.
Considering the situation, it would have been a challenge to attend counselling sessions regularly which was worrying as I felt like I really needed the help. Fortunately, I realised that EMCC provides subsidies for counselling sessions, so I could afford the full treatment.

How are you now?

Ming: I’ve told my counsellor that I feel so empowered after the sessions that I finally feel more like myself again, after five years. I’m still beginning to work through many issues, and my external circumstances remain the same, but counselling has really helped me to feel so much better. It’s been a very long journey, but I’ve triumphed, because I’ve emerged stronger and I’m still alive.

What would you like to share with our readers?

Ming: During this experience, I penned some of my reflections down. I think what’s most important is that when you’re feeling low and hopeless, you need to reach out.

You might get hurt along the way, but you need to reach out because that’s the path to healing and recovery. Even though I’ve been hurt in the past, I chose to seek help again and that’s how I managed to find a good counsellor. I would urge everyone to take the chance, it is worth it.

If you feel you need professional help and emotional support, please reach out to EMCC. Our counsellors are here to help and support you.
To ensure that our services remain accessible, subsidised counselling is also provided. For more information, click here.

Cheng’s Story

Breaking the cycle of family depression
Last year, almost in desperation, Cheng* and husband came to EMCC to seek help for her two children. A year later, she sees herself and the world in a completely different way.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what led you on this journey with your EMCC counsellor.

Cheng: I am in my 50s and have two grown children. Last year my husband and I went to EMCC to seek help for our children who were both going through depression. 

But we discovered that we, the parents and especially my husband, were actually part of the problem.  So we started with couple counselling. But then my husband withdrew because he wasn’t comfortable talking about himself.

When your husband withdrew from counselling, what did you do?

Cheng: I had found the couple counselling good for me, so I decided to continue alone. Now the sessions were more focused on me. I learnt how to better manage my relationship with my husband and children.  

I learnt to set boundaries. Previously, whatever they asked me to do, even when I was exhausted, I would do it. Things like going out to get food for them late in the evening or taking care of the pets that they had wanted to adopt but later couldn’t look after.

I learnt the importance of self-care. Now when I’m tired, I tell them I can’t help. I have learnt to express my emotions.

I also learnt not to feel guilty about it. Now I feel more in charge of myself.

You and your husband then tried mediation. How did that help? 

Cheng: The mediation sessions were quite tense.  Mediation helped me to know more about my husband and to ask for things I couldn’t do for myself.

Although my husband didn’t talk much during the mediation, he did bring up some points which helped me to understand he had no intention at all to work on the relationship. 

I learnt that if the other party isn’t willing, there’s no point. Even if I were to work very hard at it. It will be a waste of effort. I was disappointed but am learning to accept the situation. I learnt to let go. 

How are your children now and how is your relationship with them?

Cheng: My relationship with my children is fine. My older child became more open to counselling and is no longer on medication for the depression.  Our counselling session together helped us to communicate. I came to know my older child cares about me and respects me. My younger child also understands me better now.

When they were younger, I fell into depression over our marital issues. For many years, I was afraid to show them my sadness, afraid that my emotions would trigger their depression. I learnt through my counselling sessions that sharing emotions can bring my children and me closer together. I also learnt to empathise with them.

My children are learning self-responsibility and to respect others. They learn to give advance notice if they want me to do something for them. They know I can’t be running here and there doing things for them. But I am always here for their emotional support.

What are your hopes now for the future?

Cheng: My hope now is to see my younger child recover, to heal, get back to normal life, live on and carry on with confidence and self-responsibility. For myself, it helps me to know that I’m an example to my two children. I need to stand strong for them.

What would you like to share with our readers?

Cheng: When I was asked by EMCC if I would be willing to share my story, I was more than happy because I want to help others. 

When I was “in the box”, I felt tied up and I couldn’t see a way to help my children. I had no hope.

Counselling helped me to look out of the box and I began to see there were many ways on the outside. Step by step, I learnt about my own ways of self-sabotage and began to embrace my own empowerment. 

If a person is in a situation where they are confused and don’t know what to do, it’s good to go for counselling. Your counsellor can guide and help you to figure out how to get out of the box and find a way forward. 

Never give up. Always look for help to find a way out. Always pursue hope. 

*Cheng is not her real name

Connor's Story

Finding my way through family chaos
Connor* is 60 years old and has two grown children from his first marriage. Last year, when his mother died after an illness, he met his siblings and other family members to discuss arrangements and issues arising from her passing.

“I found the interactions with them challenging. Sometimes I wondered if they were deliberately trying to make me unhappy, lose confidence in myself, and my own sense of identity.

“I decided I needed a “third party” to listen to the different thoughts bouncing around in my head.”

Connor had previously sought counselling from EMCC after his divorce and found it useful. He decided to go with EMCC again.

This time, Connor was looking for advice on the issues he had relating to some of his family members.

“I hoped to muster the courage and confidence to resolve the deep-seated issues. With the help of my EMCC counsellor, I saw that the conversations with my family members were sometimes triggering unhappy childhood memories.”

“The insights helped to untangle the different issues in my mind, allowing me to identify issues worth dealing with and learning to let go of others. I came to realise that to have happiness, joy and meaning in my life, I had to abandon the ideal I had for family harmony.”

“I’ve also learnt how to clear my head, though it is often clouded in emotion (what to do? this concerns family!)”

Speaking to a professional had helped Connor “to see the issues through a different lens.”

“Counselling has helped me to become kinder to myself.  Going forward, I want to continue to raise my self-awareness and be able to find peace and happiness one morsel at a time.”

Over three sessions, Connor was able to process his conflicted feelings and make some decisions on his future contact with certain of his family members.

Connor’s advice for anyone thinking of getting help from a professional therapist or counsellor:

“At some juncture in our lives, we will face issues which even friends and family with their best intentions cannot help you resolve. Working hand-in-hand with a professional counsellor helps you find and open that little door in your mind which helps you see things very clearly. With that clarity, you can then build yourself a plan to get you on the path to peace and happiness.”

*not his real name

Charlotte's Story

My mother's sudden death revealed my traumas
*Charlotte is a 29-year-old journalist seeking counselling support for family conflict and the sudden loss of her mother.
Can you share what initially brought you to seek counselling? 

I began attending counselling in school due to family conflict issues and continued seeing a counsellor through university and into my working life. At one point, I saw a clinical psychologist and was on medication. As I worked through my family issues, I shifted my focus to self-development. However, things took a turn recently with the sudden death of my mother. 

How did the sudden death of your mother affect you? 

She was diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer, and everything progressed very quickly from there. Within a few months, she was gone. The experience was extremely traumatic, and coping with the grief and loss has been very challenging. 

What role did counselling play in helping you through this challenging time? 

Counselling played a crucial role in helping me cope with the sudden loss of my mother. My counsellor has been a great support as I work on managing my grief and escaping the cycle of grief. She also guided me to become more self-aware, to understand my responses to trauma, such as fight, flight, and fawn.  

After talking to my counsellor, I realise now that past traumas had a deeper impact on me than I initially thought. But through counselling, I learnt to unpack my insecurities, normalise my feelings, and recognise that it’s normal to have scars from previous experiences. Importantly, I also learned how to regulate my emotions effectively. 

Can you share a specific moment when you felt that counselling was particularly helpful? 

One particularly helpful moment during counselling was when I realised how much easier it is to open up to a counsellor compared to someone I know, like a family member or friend. They have no preconceived notions about my family and listen without judgment. The counselling room itself felt like a safe space where I could discuss family conflicts freely. Being able to express myself without fear of judgment made a significant difference in addressing and understanding these issues and my emotions.

How do you feel about your progress so far in counselling? 

I feel like therapy has never been a straight line to recovery. From my experience over the years, I often feel like I’m making progress, but then something happens in my personal life that makes it seem like I’m back at the starting point. Compared to four years ago, it’s tougher now, especially after experiencing significant losses, which have undone a lot of my progress. It’s not as bad as during my university days when I needed medication, but there are times I wish I were better.  

What gives you hope on your journey to getting better? 

Even with counselling, real life throws unexpected challenges that make you feel like you’re back at zero. However, my counsellor helps me get back on track, so I’m not completely starting over. It’s like running a long marathon, falling into a deep hole, and having to start running again. But with counselling, I’m not back in the pit; I’m still making progress, even if it’s not where I want to be. 

What would you say to someone considering counselling for the first time? 

I always recommend counselling if you can manage it, but I understand financial barriers make it difficult. I’m fortunate because my company covers my counselling expenses, and my income allows me to afford it without financial strain. Many of my friends rely on more affordable public services, like at polyclinics or schools, but some of them have had bad experiences. This is one reason I chose a private counselling centre — they often have more resources and better-trained counsellors who can tailor their methods to individual needs. 

I think counselling is relevant and helpful at all stages of life. Even if, or when, I address my current issues, I’ll still continue to attend counselling, as there are always stressors in life, and I’ll have other challenges to navigate.

  

If you feel you need professional help and emotional support, please reach out to EMCC. Our counsellors are here to help and support you.
To ensure that our services remain accessible, subsidised counselling is also provided. For more information, click here.
 
*not her real name

Katherine's Story

Embracing vulnerability after years of avoidance
“I’m so, so happy now. I should have done this sooner.” Katherine spent most of her life telling herself that nothing was wrong and that there was no need to seek help. But as she sought to help others, she also found healing along the way. This is her story."
Tell us about yourself and your mental health journey. 

I live with my family – my husband, two children, and three dogs – and I work in the hospitality industry. In the past, I always felt like nothing was wrong; I wasn’t facing any major issues, and nothing needed to change. There didn’t seem to be a need to seek help or talk about my insignificant struggles. I know now that we all face problems, but I was too afraid to confront my own emotions back then. I didn’t want to appear weak, so I put up a brave front to others. And yet, inside, I was already crumbling. Years went by with me avoiding my problems.

Recently, I embarked on a Masters programme in Psychotherapy and Counselling in order to equip myself with the skills to expand my scope in my volunteering activities. As part of our personal development, we were required to attend professional counselling and I was recommended to EMCC. Through this, I found healing and change in my life.

What has changed for you after attending regular counselling sessions? 

I feel so, so happy now. I thought to myself that I really should have started on this journey sooner. My counsellor has been really helpful in my journey to healing. Previously, all I could see about my situation and struggles were the negatives; my thoughts constantly circled around the bad. But my counsellor helped me to shift my perspective and understand that I could look at the situation from a positive angle as well. It took practice, but I also found it easier to consider the positive side of the new situations or difficulties I encounter now.

While it took time to build a stronger therapeutic relationship with my counsellor, I feel assured and supported knowing that someone is there for me. It’s not always easy to share my burdens with family or friends, perhaps due to their familiarity or the innate fear of being judged, but now whenever I encounter difficulties, I know that that I’ll have someone to talk to and work through my problems with. Just having this knowledge alone is very reassuring.

My lifestyle has also changed. I’ll have more conversations about mental health with my family, and I now always make time for self-care activities even amidst my busy schedule.

Sometimes it can be tough, people around me question why I’m attending counselling and if there’s a “problem” with me. I feel sad that there’s still such a strong stigma regarding mental health. But I try not to let it get to me as I know I’m happier now.

How has your family supported your mental health journey?

My children, who are 17 and 21 years old, are growing up in an era where mental health conversations are so much easier to have, and they have a wealth of knowledge gleaned from the Internet or from school. In my time, we don’t talk about such things at all. After I learnt more about counselling from my Masters programme and from my own sessions at EMCC, I’m able to share about mental well-being with them as well. It’s enjoyable and we often learn new things from each other. I will also have regular check-ins with them to know how they’re doing and recommend them some self-care activities, but of course, it really depends on what they prefer to do too.

What kind of self-care activities do you prefer? 

I like spending time alone walking, gardening, reading, and playing with my dogs. I need that time every weekend to be with myself and recalibrate, otherwise I will feel like I didn’t get any rest. Of course, spending time with my friends is very important to me too.  I also enjoy volunteering at a pet therapy centre with my dogs. Even when I’m busy, this is something that I try hard to make time for. It makes me feel very fulfilled to be able to contribute to my community.

Do you have a message for our readers?

To those who are considering seeking help, don’t be afraid. We all have problems, and it’s nothing to be ashamed about. I spent so long avoiding it, but I understand now that the first step is acknowledging our emotions, and then looking for sources of support. The journey might be difficult, but we are not alone. Help doesn’t need to come in the form of counselling, the solution depends on each individual. But I hope that you will take the step and find happiness, like I did.

How you can donate

Gift Hope to Someone in Mental Distress

To donate by Cheque, please:

Make your cheque payable to “Eagles Mediation & Counselling Centre Ltd”
Mail your cheque to EMCC, 100 Victoria Street, #11-02 National Library Building, S188064

To donate at please click here on our Giving.sg page.

To donate by PayNow, please scan the following QR code. Alternatively, you may also enter our company UEN number: 201904577Z

Donations of $50 and above are eligible for 250% tax deduction, if you require a Tax-Deduction Receipt, please email your full name (as per NRIC) and your tax reference number (e.g. NRIC/FIN/UEN) to Donate@emcc.org.sg. If you are making a donation on behalf of your company, please email your company name and UEN number to Donate@emcc.org.sg.