Counselling is about providing an educated yet unbiased perspective of a client’s situation, thus providing the space to explore and discuss plans towards their goals.

It is not about making judgement or giving advice. Therefore, sessions should never feel forceful or scary to attend.

However, everyone is also allowed to define counselling differently, so pick the therapist who’s definition resonates best with you!

They are synonymous. Historically, each word had different origns: to treat, to heal, and to advice. But as humans developed, so did the helping industry. In essence, professionals who aim to provide any of these services aim to support you in your journey.

All 3 of these professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide therapy. While there are overlaps, the knowledge base differs, thus impacting the approaches towards therapy. What these professions have in common are that the therapy modalities are all based on research. However, if we put them on a scale from quantitatively focused to qualitatively focused, the background knowledge psychiatrists hold tend to lean towards the former, whereas counsellors are likely to be better equipped with with the latter. Psychologists (clinical or counselling) are more in the middle.

Counselling is for individuals who see a need for space to explore, discuss, and work towards their goals. Sometimes we get stuck due to a problem we face in life, sometimes we just want a space to reflect and check-in. Counselling sessions are like dental appointments. Check in once in a couple of months, increase frequencies when there’s a cause for concern.

As a counsellor, I cannot. In Singapore, only psychiatrist and psychologists can provide you with a diagnosis. However, I am working towards attaining the qualifications to conduct assessments, which may be similarly beneficial without it entering medical records. Hence, it might be good to discuss your intentions behind seeking a diagnosis.

There are a few variations to the the length of sessions with varied fees.

First sessions (intake) are a bit longer so that both therapists and clients can get to know one another, to find out if the pair is a good fit.

Subsequent sessions are a bit shorter but it can also be extended if necessary.

*The listed fees are the base rate of the services provided. Clients are free to top up the fees. Any amount of money topped up will go to a separate fund that allows Beleaf Therapy to provide access to therapy to the disadvantaged, with a separate fee system. You can find more details about this by clicking here.

The therapist will most likely be asking you questions to get to know you and your concerns better, beyond what was filled in the intake form. At the end of it, they might summarize what they have learned about you to ensure they have understood your concerns accurately and share with your their plans moving forward in future sessions.

This is a great time for you to get to know them. To get the best out of the counselling sessions, rapport is key. Ask them questions you feel you need to know in order to decide whether to proceed with this therapist. If you don’t feel comfortable or safe with during your first session, let us know so we can learn and adjust to your needs accordingly.

Yes, we do, via Zoom.

In order to make a booking of appointment, you may choose the date and time in the calendar on the booking page/section. On that page, please need to fill in your name, contact number, and email address so that we can contact you for confirmation of the appointment.

Intake appointment bookings have to be made at least 3 working days early. Upon making the booking, an email will be sent to your inbox, containing a form (in both doc and pdf format) for you to fill in, to secure the appointment. The appointment will only be confirmed upon receiving the form, by which you will receive an email confirmation.

Please fill in the form before the appointment so that the therapist can prepare themselves for the session, thus helping you make the most of your time.

The same applies for subsequent sessions, except bookings can be made from 2 working days early, instead.

If you are running late, you may choose to cancel or reschedule.

Alternatively, should you still wish to turn up for the appointment, do keep in mind that we are not able to accommodate the time lost from your late arrival. While do not have any policy penalizing arriving for appointments late, we would appreciate it if you drop us an email/Whatsapp to keep us informed.

Your therapist may choose to reach out to you to confirm your arrival at the 10-15min mark. Should you be uncontactable then, they are allowed to count the session as DNA (did not attend).

Should a therapist require to reschedule or cancel an appointment, they are to contact and inform the client at least 3 working days before the session itself and offer 3 alternative dates and timings via email. If both parties are not able to arrange another appointment within 6 months after contacting to reschedule, the client’s case will be terminated.

If the client wishes to reschedule their appointment, they may do so by making another appointment booking through the booking page and sending the therapist an email/Whatsapp for the appointment they wish to cancel.

Therapists are to respond any Whatsapp messages and emails sent within 1 working day upon receiving your request for cancellation for confirmation, except when they are OOO (Out of office).

Failure to attend an appointment without rescheduling  would count as a DNA (did not attend). In these circumstances, Beleaf Therapy will then reach out to the client via email up to 4 times to reschedule (1) On the day of appointment, (2) the day after appointment, (3) one week after the appointment, and (4) one month after the appointment. We will no longer attempt to reach out schedule an appointment after these 4 attempts but will keep your case open for up to 6 months after the last DNA. After which, we will proceed to terminate your case.

After 3 DNA’s in a row, the therapist is reserved the right to terminate the case. However, please be assured that clients are still allowed to register another appointment, an intake session to start the therapeutic process again.

There are countless variables in play here: your goals, circumstances, your efforts, our rapport, the frequency of sessions, etc. The list goes on, just as life does, so we cannot give a clear number for this. Perhaps the cause for concern here can be discussed with the therapist.

Payment is only made just before the session starts. We accept payment strictly via PayNow QR and Bank Transfer.

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