About Us
Get to Know Us
Our Story
Our journey began in 2001 in Singapore, where, newly married and settled in corporate life, we felt a calling to contribute more meaningfully to society. Inspired by the movie "Patch Adams" and the spiritual works of Mother Teresa, and guided by the biblical phrase 'It is in giving that one receives,' we embarked on a path of discernment that started in our local church.
This quest for deeper purpose took us to Hawkstone Hall in the UK, a place of serenity where we gained clarity and focus. Returning to Singapore, we engaged in school missions and counseling, deepening our resolve to make a difference. Our journey then led us to India, where we ran a palliative care hospice for people with HIV/AIDS and worked with local schools and communities.
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It was here that we recognized the need for formal training to enhance our impact, prompting Karl to earn a postgraduate diploma in counseling and a Masters in Clinical Psychology, alongside a law degree.
After over two decades in India, we returned to Singapore in 2021 and established Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd, alongside our practice in India, under a shared mission to provide unparalleled psychological services with warmth, authenticity, and compassion. Our approach focuses on outpatient, personalized psychological care designed to address a spectrum of mental health disorders through a holistic approach that emphasizes healing and growth.
At Listening Ear, we've created a sanctuary where individuals, families, and couples can find solace, guidance, and hope. Our environment combats isolation and fosters a sense of being heard, seen, and supported. We are committed to ensuring that no one feels alone.
About Me
My name is Karl Desouza
Psychotherapist | Life Coach | Mediator | Trauma Specialist | Wellness Counsellor | Ferryman
(Accompanying, Witnessing, Helping others Navigate Life)
The therapist, coach, mediator with a welcoming smile, a compassionate heart, an infectious laugh and a bald shiny head! Warm, gentle, unassuming, and always approachable.
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Yet a thoroughly trained, experienced, professional with over 20 years of working, accompanying, & journeying with clients of diverse, nationalities, ethnicities, religions, cultures, genders and sexual orientations in a variety of international settings. Witnessing hope and measurable change, delivering care with empathy, firmly grounded in science.
I am someone who genuinely cares and am down to earth with a quirky sense of humour! For me every client is special and unique.
I also realise how difficult, courageous, it is for anyone to have reached out for help, especially given the stigma around mental health. So I take extra care to ensure, that I am always respectful and non intrusive respecting space and privacy. Yet ready to listen & understand when contacted.
I do this all in a nonjudgmental manner because I believe no person is ever a problem but there could be a problem or a situation which presents as a problem. I never minimize a problem or trivialize it by offering cheap advice, but instead offer support and empathy and remind clients of their resources, or teach them tools to navigate the turbulence so that they can feel empowered and reclaim their own power of agency and self belief.
I firmly believe while I am OK you too are OK, & even this tough time will pass. So, while I maybe a expert of the process, you are the master and expert of your own quality world, only a narrative or a traumatic situation in the past present or future is at present overwhelming you and affecting you now
So together as a team, we can adopt a safe collaborative inquiring attitude & journey together, remembering old resources and learning new tools so we can re-author, a new narrative which is non oppressive.
I am someone who genuinely cares and am down to earth with a quirky sense of humour! For me every client is special and unique.
I also realise how difficult, courageous, it is for anyone to have reached out for help, especially given the stigma around mental health. So I take extra care to ensure, that I am always respectful and non intrusive respecting space and privacy. Yet ready to listen & understand when contacted.
I do this all in a nonjudgmental manner because I believe no person is ever a problem but there could be a problem or a situation which presents as a problem. I never minimize a problem or trivialize it by offering cheap advice, but instead offer support and empathy and remind clients of their resources, or teach them tools to navigate the turbulence so that they can feel empowered and reclaim their own power of agency and self belief.
I firmly believe while I am OK you too are OK, & even this tough time will pass. So, while I maybe a expert of the process, you are the master and expert of your own quality world, only a narrative or a traumatic situation in the past present or future is at present overwhelming you and affecting you now
So together as a team, we can adopt a safe collaborative inquiring attitude & journey together, remembering old resources and learning new tools so we can re-author, a new narrative which is non oppressive.
Professional Qualifications:
- Masters in Psychology (Clinical)
- Masters in Sociology
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance
- Bachelor of Law (LLB)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Computers
Certifications And Training
- EMDR: Levels 1 and 2 by EMDR HAP USA
- REBT: Basic, Advanced, and Associate Fellowship by Albert Ellis Institute, NY, USA
- Choice/Reality Therapy: Certified by William Glasser International
- Gottman Method for Couples: Levels 1, 2, and 3 by The Gottman Institute, USA
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy: Certified by the International Alliance of Solution Focused Teaching Institutes
- Nonviolent Communication: Certified by NVC UK
- Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience (DARe): by Trauma Solutions, USA
- Integral Somatic Psychology: by Trauma Vidya, USA
Professional Associations: Local (Singapore)
- Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) – Full Member
- Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) – Clinical Member & Registered Counsellor
- Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Singapore (APACS) – Level 4, Certified Master Practitioner
- EMDR Singapore – Full Member
- William Glasser Institute Singapore – Full Member
- Transactional Analysis (TA) Association of Singapore – Full Member
- Association of Christian Counsellors Singapore (ACCS) – Clinical Member
- The Singapore Community for Emotionally Focused Therapy (SGEFT) – Full Member
Professional Associations: International
- American Counselling Association (ACA) – Professional Member
- American Psychological Association (APA) – International Member
- International Association for Cross Cultural Psychology (IACCP)-Fellow Member
- EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) – Full Member
- International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT) – Life Member
- Trauma Association of Malaysia – Overseas Member
- National Association of Psychology (NAOP) India – Full Member
- EMDR India – Life Member
- Indian Association of Clinical Psychologists (IACP) – Life Associate Member
- Bombay Psychological Association (BPA) Bombay India – Life Member
- Goa Psychology Association (GPA) Goa India – Life Member
Additional Therapeutic Approaches:
- Family Systems (IFS)
- Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Satir Model Family Therapy
- Brainspotting
- Somatic Experiencing (SE)
- Person-Centred Therapy (PCT)
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Transactional Analysis (TA)
- Gestalt Therapy
Institutes I am Accredited By, Member Of , Trained By:-
Our Approach
Our focus is to help individuals or couples or families heal, energise, and become aware of their inner strengths, resources, and regain agency over their lives, and thus become the best version of themselves. For us CONNECTIONS are important and the QUALITY of them.
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Connections can be with Self, to Others or to Time (Past,Present, Future). Connections right through everything. What we are today is connected to our past, and what we shall be tomorrow depends on our present. Quality connections helps us remain in tune with ourselves, our past and those around us.
We help clients by teaching them to be aware of connections, befriend them and regulate them, through the tools of mindful compassionate curious LISTENING. We thus help transition them forward into a future of their choice by focusing on solutions, rather than the problems which weigh them down and make them feel stuck. At the same time we realise and respect that no two individuals are the same, and each has a different pace. It is not beneficial to force, someone who is hurting because they have fallen down to run, or to teach flying lessons to person who still feels like a caterpillar rather than a butterfly!
So our process of attending is respectful to each person's situation, and paced to their individual needs and comfort. Paramount for us is providing a confidential safe space for clients, to feel heard, seen, and understood.
So rather than dolling out cheap advice, we endeavour to be a genuine, respectful emphatic, non-judgemental listener, witness to their story, because while we may be experts in the process, they and only they are the experts of their life. Thus through our witnessing, we help them see themselves through a new light, fresh way and alternative narrative.
Having a highly-qualified psychologist with diverse training, interests and experiences helps to ensure an appropriate client-practitioner fit.
We use both Top Down (Cognitive Talking Therapy) Approaches and Bottom Up (Trauma Focussed) Approaches, and employ the Mind, Body and Spirit, thus calming and freeing the Mind, healing and regulating the Body, opening the Heart and connecting and uplifting the Spirit.
All clients get a customized treatment plan building up from their current strengths, and help in utilizing newly discovered resources and tools.
We help clients by teaching them to be aware of connections, befriend them and regulate them, through the tools of mindful compassionate curious LISTENING. We thus help transition them forward into a future of their choice by focusing on solutions, rather than the problems which weigh them down and make them feel stuck. At the same time we realise and respect that no two individuals are the same, and each has a different pace. It is not beneficial to force, someone who is hurting because they have fallen down to run, or to teach flying lessons to person who still feels like a caterpillar rather than a butterfly!
So our process of attending is respectful to each person's situation, and paced to their individual needs and comfort. Paramount for us is providing a confidential safe space for clients, to feel heard, seen, and understood.
So rather than dolling out cheap advice, we endeavour to be a genuine, respectful emphatic, non-judgemental listener, witness to their story, because while we may be experts in the process, they and only they are the experts of their life. Thus through our witnessing, we help them see themselves through a new light, fresh way and alternative narrative.
Having a highly-qualified psychologist with diverse training, interests and experiences helps to ensure an appropriate client-practitioner fit. We use both Top Down (Cognitive Talking Therapy) Approaches and Bottom Up (Trauma Focussed) Approaches, and employ the Mind, Body and Spirit, thus calming and freeing the Mind, healing and regulating the Body, opening the Heart and connecting and uplifting the Spirit.
All clients get a customized treatment plan building up from their current strengths, and help in utilizing newly discovered resources and tools.
Our Mission
Our mission at Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd is to be a beacon of excellence in Singapore's mental health services, providing comprehensive, high-quality support using evidence-based, ethical practices. We aim to enhance client outcomes and satisfaction while fostering a collaborative, inclusive environment where every individual feels valued.
Our Vision
Our vision at Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd is for a world where peace, compassion, and mental wellness are fundamental rights, and every individual is empowered to achieve their fullest potential in a community that celebrates diversity and ensures universal access to quality mental health care.
Our Core Values
At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd, our practice is driven by core values that ensure every client feels seen, heard, respected, and understood. We uphold Professional Integrity, Genuineness, Non-Judgmental Attitude, and Empathy in all our interactions. Our commitment to these principles guides us to work collaboratively, ethically, and responsibly with our clients, honouring and celebrating diversity in all its forms.
What Sets Us Apart
At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd, our distinct approach sets us apart by offering comprehensive, individualised support that addresses a wide range of psychological needs. Here’s what makes our service unique:
One-Stop Holistic Approach, Support:
Karl’s broad expertise in dealing with issues from trauma and addiction to daily stressors means you receive comprehensive care tailored to your needs without the necessity of consulting multiple specialists.
Personalised, Ethical Care:
At the core of Karl’s counseling approach is a commitment to crafting personalized and ethical strategies. He values honesty and transparency above all, ensuring that each therapy session is clear and understood. This dedication not only fosters trust but also creates a secure, confidential space where clients feel truly supported.
Cultural and Gender Sensitivity:
Karl's extensive background in working with diverse ethnicities and gender expressions ensures that every client feels respected and valued. His inclusive approach to counseling celebrates and honors every part of an individual’s identity, providing a sensitive and respectful therapeutic environment.
Expertise Across Life Stages:
Karl’s ability to connect and provide relevant, personalised advice across all life stages—from the challenges of youth to the complexities of the golden years—ensures that clients receive precisely the help they need at each phase of life.
Exceptional Therapist-Client Relationships:
Known for his friendly demeanour and ability to establish deep, meaningful connections, Karl builds strong, personal bonds with his clients. These relationships are central to our consistently high levels of client satisfaction and are integral to the effective therapeutic outcomes we achieve. These pillars of our practice highlight how Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd stands out as a leader in mental health services, committed to delivering outstanding care and support to every client.