Depression Counselling That Heals from the Roots

Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Counselling in Singapore

• How do I know if I need counselling for depression?

  If you’ve been experiencing persistent sadness, loss of interest, low energy, hopelessness or difficulty functioning in daily life, counselling can help. You don’t need to wait until it feels severe, as therapy can be beneficial at any stage.

• I’ve tried standard talk therapy before. How is this better for depression?

  While traditional talk therapy is valuable for gaining insight, depression often has deep roots in past trauma, negative core beliefs and stuck emotions. Our integrative approach allows us to go beyond talking. We use proven psychotherapy techniques like EMDR to process traumatic memories and Schema Therapy to change lifelong patterns, leading to more profound and lasting change where talk therapy alone may have fallen short.

• How long will it take for me to see results?

  This is a common and important question. Some clients feel a sense of relief and hope after just a few sessions from feeling truly heard and understood. Deeper, lasting change—the kind that rewires patterns you’ve had for years—typically takes more time and commitment. Typically, clients attend 8–20 sessions, but we will adjust the pace according to your needs and goals.

• Can therapy help if I’m already on medication?

  Yes. Therapy and medication often work best together. While medication can ease symptoms, therapy addresses underlying causes and patterns. We can also collaborate with your healthcare provider if you’re receiving medical treatment. We work towards helping our clients wean off their medications.

• Is everything I share confidential?

  Absolutely. Counselling is a private and confidential space. We assure you that we provide a safe space for you to share your life story. We will not disclose what you discuss without your permission.

• What happens in the first session?

  The first session focuses on getting to know you and your story—your challenges, history and goals. We’ll explain the different therapy approaches we use. We will not apply any therapy during the initial sessions until we have a deep understanding of the source of your depression.

• What is EMDR, and how can it help with my depression?

  EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a powerful therapy designed to help the brain process and heal from disturbing or traumatic life experiences that may be contributing to your depression. It's not just for severe trauma; it can help with any past memory that feels charged, painful or stuck. By processing these memories, we can reduce their emotional charge and free you from their hold.

• Is this type of integrative therapy suitable for complex or long-term depression?

  Absolutely. In fact, our integrative program using psychotherapy is especially effective for complex or long-term depression. Conditions like this rarely have a single cause. Schema Therapy is particularly designed to address deep-seated, lifelong patterns, while EMDR can effectively process the accumulation of painful experiences that contribute to a negative self-view. We are equipped to work with the complexity of your experience.

• Is this integrative therapy just about my thoughts, or does it address emotions and the body too?

  A key strength of our depression counselling therapy is that it addresses all aspects of your experience. We work with your thoughts (for example, challenging negative thinking), your emotions (for example, learning to regulate and understand them) and your body (for example, noticing how stress and sadness manifest physically). This whole-person approach leads to more complete and sustainable healing.