Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd

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Trauma Counselling @ LISTENING EAR COUNSELLING & CONSULTANCY PTE. LTD. SINGAPORE

Trauma Therapy Singapore: Finding the Right Help

Trauma is a deeply distressing experience that can have lasting effects on an individual’s emotional, psychological, and even physical health. In Singapore, many individuals struggle with trauma related to events such as accidents, abuse, loss, or even prolonged stress. Seeking the right help through trauma therapy is an essential step in addressing these issues and moving toward healing.

Trauma therapy provides a safe space where individuals can work through their traumatic experiences with the help of a qualified professional. By learning how to process and manage trauma, people can regain control of their lives. If you’re unsure what trauma therapy entails, it’s worth exploring more about the nature of trauma itself. Learn more about what trauma is and how it affects people on our dedicated information page.

Understanding Trauma Therapy

Trauma therapy involves specialised therapeutic approaches aimed at helping individuals process their traumatic experiences and manage their emotional and psychological impact. Whether a person has experienced a sudden traumatic event, such as an accident or assault, or has been affected by prolonged stress or abuse, trauma therapy is designed to address these complex emotions.

In Singapore, trauma therapy is becoming more accessible, offering a variety of approaches suited to different forms of trauma. Depending on the severity and nature of the trauma, therapies can focus on cognitive restructuring, body-focused methods, or a combination of both. The goal is to help the individual process the trauma, reduce its emotional charge, and learn to function more effectively in everyday life.

Our team of certified professionals is experienced in offering trauma therapy that caters to the unique needs of each client. If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, reach out to us to start your journey today.

Trauma Counselling Singapore | Choosing a Trauma Therapist

When selecting a trauma counsellor or trauma therapist in Singapore, it’s essential to consider several critical factors, such as cultural sensitivity, trauma expertise, and professional accreditation, to ensure you’re receiving the right support.

Credentials and Accreditation

Make sure your therapist is accredited by local bodies like the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) and Singapore Psychological Society (SPS), as well as international organisations like the American Psychological Association (APA), or American Counselling Association (ACA), and trauma-specific certifications like EMDRIA (for EMDR)  and ICEEFT (for EFT). Accreditation ensures adherence to professional standards, giving you confidence in the quality of care.

Experience

A therapist who has practised professionally for over 20 years is likely to understand the unique complexities of any trauma, including developmental trauma, relationship or breakup trauma, or PTSD. A therapist who has personally navigated cross-cultural marriages and raised third-culture kids can offer deeper insights into these challenges.

Modality

Choose a therapist trained in top-down modalities like CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and SFBT (Solution-Focused Brief Therapy), which address how thoughts shape emotions and behaviours, and bottom-up approaches such as EMDR, Somatic Experiencing (SE), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which help process trauma stored in the body. These approaches ensure a holistic treatment tailored to your needs.

Directive vs Collaborative Approach

Understand whether you prefer a directive approach, where the therapist provides structured steps, or a collaborative approach, where you work together to explore issues. For clients facing life changes, structure can offer clarity and safety, while collaboration promotes respect, agency  and a deeper safer exploration.

Trauma Sensitivity and Re-traumatisation Prevention

A trauma-informed therapist experienced in EMDR, SE, Brainspotting, and CBT will prevent re-traumatisation while helping you process difficult experiences. A therapist with both mental and emotional expertise creates a secure, non-judgemental space for healing.

Cultural Sensitivity and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

Cultural sensitivity is vital, especially when dealing with understanding the family of origin. Look for a therapist who has a strong commitment to DEI, ensuring an understanding of the complexities of cultural dynamics, gender roles, and identity in a foreign setting.

Professional Support with Local and International Recognition

Choose a therapist recognised both locally (SAC, SPS) and internationally (APA, ACA, EMDRIA, ICEEFT) to ensure they meet global standards in trauma counselling and trauma therapy.

How To Find a Trauma Therapist in Singapore

Finding a trauma therapist in Singapore doesn’t have to be a challenge. Here are several avenues you can explore:

Online Directories

Online directories can help you locate licensed trauma therapists in Singapore. Websites such as the Singapore Association of Counselling or the Singapore Psychological Society or Psychology Today offer searchable databases of certified therapists.

Recommendations from Healthcare Providers

Your primary care doctor or other healthcare providers may have experience working with trauma therapists and can recommend professionals they trust.

Support Groups / Testimonials

Another valuable resource for finding a trauma therapist is support groups or client testimonials. Hearing from others who have undergone similar experiences can provide comfort and guidance in choosing the right therapist.

At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., we leave no stone unturned to provide you with the best care possible. Our commitment includes ensuring that both the cognitive aspects and the physical responses to trauma are fully addressed. To find the right therapist for your needs, read more in our guide on Choosing the Right Therapist.

Types of Trauma Therapy

There are several evidence-based trauma therapies used in Singapore to help individuals recover from traumatic experiences. Each type of therapy addresses trauma differently, so it’s essential to find the one that resonates with you. At Listening Ear, we understand the complexities of trauma and offer a holistic approach that integrates top-down cognitive therapies with bottom-up somatic approaches. By combining these methods, we ensure that both the mental and physical aspects of trauma are addressed, giving you the most comprehensive care possible.

Top-Down Cognitive Approaches

Top-down approaches focus on how our thoughts shape our emotions and behaviours. At Listening Ear, we use:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A widely used top-down therapy that helps clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs, which can reduce trauma-related symptoms like anxiety and depression.
  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT): This approach is future-oriented, helping clients focus on their strengths and resources to build solutions, rather than dwelling on past trauma.

While these top-down therapies can be extremely effective in addressing how you think and behave, they may not always reach trauma stored in the body, especially when it has been deeply embedded for a long time.

Bottom-Up Somatic Approaches

Bottom-up approaches target the body’s responses to trauma, working directly with sensations, physical movements, and emotions that are often stored unconsciously. At Listening Ear, we incorporate several bottom-up therapies, such as:

  • Somatic Therapy: This approach focuses on bodily awareness and physical sensations, helping clients release stored tension and regulate their nervous system by engaging the body in the healing process.
  • EMDR Therapy: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is a well-known trauma therapy that uses bilateral stimulation to reprocess traumatic memories while also calming the body’s response to those memories.
  • Somatic Experiencing (SE): Developed by Peter Levine, SE is a body-focused therapy that allows trauma survivors to release and process stored trauma energy by working with their nervous system’s natural healing capabilities.
  • DARE (Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experiencing): DARE addresses attachment wounds by working directly with the body’s responses to early-life trauma, helping to rebuild secure emotional connections and repattern dysfunctional attachment styles.
  • Internal Family Systems (IFS): While IFS has a top-down component, it also engages with somatic aspects of trauma, helping clients heal the parts of themselves that hold trauma in both the mind and the body.

At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., we specialise in trauma counselling and PTSD treatment, offering a compassionate and safe space for individuals to heal and overcome the effects of trauma. Our holistic approach provides a supportive environment to address both past and present traumas, balancing top-down and bottom-up approaches to ensure fuller recovery.

Benefits at Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd.

Method Application Effectiveness
Processing the Trauma.
Trauma counselling offers a safe environment for individuals to confront and make sense of their traumatic experiences.
Helps reduce the emotional impact of trauma and promotes a clearer understanding of the traumatic event
Top-Down Cognitive Approaches
Evidence-based therapies such as CBT and SFBT to address negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions. .
Reduces trauma-related symptoms by addressing the thoughts that drive emotional and behavioural responses
Bottom-Up Somatic Approaches
Somatic Therapy, EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, and other body-based therapies that work with the body’s trauma responses.
Directly targets stored trauma in the body, promoting emotional release and nervous system regulation..
Safety and Stability
Creating a physically and emotionally secure space in trauma therapy.
Helps clients feel safe, which is crucial for healing from trauma.
Emotional Regulation
Techniques that help individuals manage overwhelming emotions and cope with trauma-related triggers.

Supports the reduction of anxiety and increases emotional control in daily life.

Reducing Avoidant Behaviours
Addressing the avoidant behaviours that commonly result from trauma, such as avoiding reminders of the event. .
Reduces the negative impact of avoidance on daily life and personal relationships
Processing Traumatic Memories
Structured techniques for gradually confronting traumatic memories in a safe and controlled manner.
Assists in reducing the intensity of distressing memories and allows for healthier emotional processing.
Cognitive Restructuring.
Helping clients challenge negative thoughts and beliefs related to trauma.
Promotes healthier perspectives and reduces feelings of shame or guilt.
Integration and Healing.
Integrating the traumatic experience into the client’s life story to foster growth and resilience.
Encourages a sense of empowerment and trust in oneself and others.
Building Coping Strategies
Developing grounding exercises, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to manage trauma-related emotions.
Provides clients with tools to regain control over their emotional responses.
Improving Relationships.
Helping clients understand how trauma affects their interactions and develop healthier relationship patterns.
Improves trust, intimacy, and communication, strengthening interpersonal relationship.
Addressing Trauma-Related Symptoms
Alleviating symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related disorders.
Reduces symptoms through therapies like EMDR, CBT, and Somatic Experiencing (SE).
Empowering Through Understanding.
Educating clients about how trauma affects the brain and body.
Promotes self-compassion, reduces self-blame, and encourages a deeper understanding of the healing process.
Promoting Long-Term Healing.
Addressing the root causes of trauma and building a strong foundation of coping skills for lasting resilience.
Ensures that clients can move forward with greater confidence and emotional strength.
Creating a Support System.
Helping clients build connections to resources, support groups, and community services.
Provides clients with a network of support essential for recovery.

Our Commitment:

  • Empathy and Safety: We offer a non-judgmental and inclusive space where you can feel understood and supported.
  • Personalised Therapy: Each session is tailored to your individual experiences and paced at your comfort and pace.
  • Holistic Care: We provide comprehensive care that addresses the emotional, physical, and psychological impacts of trauma.
  • Latest Evidence-Based Research: Our approach integrates the most up-to-date, evidence-based therapies for trauma recovery to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.

Our goal is to help you reclaim your authentic self, heal from attachment wounds, and overcome the stigma and shame associated with trauma. Through our specialised trauma therapy and PTSD treatment, you can reduce the impact of traumatic memories, build resilience, and achieve a sense of empowerment and well-being.

How to Get Started With Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd.

Getting started with our trauma counselling at Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd. is straightforward.

Step-by-step to make an appointment

  1. Reach out to me by Email (karl@listeningearclinic.com) or WhatsApp (65-89502162), telling me what you would want to work on and how would you like it to happen.
  2. I will respond at the earliest possible time and maybe I will ask you a few more questions to see our suitability eg whether I have expertise in that area, your level of commitment, whether you are seeing a psychiatrist simultaneously and are on medication etc, what you have tried before, and other matching details eg timings and price affordability and whether I have space for taking you on at that time. Sometimes this could extend to a courtesy call of 15 minutes.
  3. Then if we feel suited to each other we decide on a day and time when you would like to begin your journey and mode of meeting (in person at International Plaza or virtual via Zoom etc) 
  4. You then make the full Payment of the session through one of the methods available on my website to my company’s account) and send me the screenshot of the confirmation.
  5. Once confirmation is established, I’ll send you some forms to complete, and that’s it we meet at the required time and place! 

Session Rates

At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., I charge only for my time, whether the session is for an individual, couple, or full family. Room rental fees are included in the rate. However, if you choose to have your session via Zoom, I pass on an SGD 50 discount as there are no room rental costs involved. Sessions start strictly on time, as I value both your time and mine. That said, I am flexible with rescheduling if you notify me more than 36 hours in advance. This allows us to accommodate others without inconvenience. You also have the option to gift your session to a friend or donate it to our pro bono fund for those in need, or for therapist rest and self-care.

Accepted Payment Methods

I accept payments through various methods, including credit cards and bank transfers. Additionally, I accept insurance claims from major companies such as CIGNA. Please note that there is an administrative charge of SGD 50 for processing insurance claims, and a guarantee of payment must be provided before the session. This ensures smooth handling of all administrative matters, allowing for full focus on your care.

Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel or reschedule your session, please provide at least 36 hours notice. This allows me to accommodate other clients or adjust my schedule accordingly. For sessions cancelled within this window, you may also choose to transfer the session to someone else, donate it to our pro bono fund, or use it for the therapist’s rest. Please note that sessions held outside of regular hours (after 8 pm or on holidays) will incur an additional surcharge, as will travel costs if I am required to attend a location outside my office.

Mode Session Rates Method of Payment Cancellation Policy
IN PERSON SESSIONS AT INTERNATIONAL PLAZA ANSON ROAD SINGAPORE
Advance Payment of 250 SGD when within Published Timings NOTE EXTRA (+ Transportation + Out of Office Hours Surcharge if Out of Published Timings or Different Venue NOTE EXTRA(50 SGD ADMIN CHARGE if deferred Payment by Insurance GOP)
1) PAYNOW directly to our UEN 202121229W or Using the QR Code of the PAYNOW on our Website
Flexibility of Changes: Request for Changes can be made for genuine reasons within reasonable time WITHOUT ANY Penalty. However this has to be before 36 hours before scheduled time, Any changes within 36-Hour will be considered as NOSHOW and a donation to the PROBONO or SELFCARE kitty of the therapist. However you can gift the session to ANY person you find would benefit without any Problem. This is just to honour boundaries and the time of the therapist yourself and the room cost. ​ Late Cancellations/No-Shows: Full session fee charged
2) International Visa/Master Credit/Debit Cards using STRIPE gateway on out Website under Fees .
3) PayPal: Payments can be made in SGD via PayPal,
4) Insurance Company Guarantee of Payment (GOP)
VIRTUAL TELE-HEALTH SESSIONS ON ZOOM
Advance Payment of 200 SGD when within Published Timings NOTE EXTRA (Out of Office Hours Surcharge if Out of Published Timings NOTE EXTRA(50 SGD ADMIN CHARGE if deferred Payment by Insurance GOP)
1) PAYNOW directly to our UEN 202121229W or Using the QR Code of the PAYNOW on our Website
Flexibility of Changes: Request for Changes can be made for genuine reasons within reasonable time WITHOUT ANY Penalty. However this has to be before 36 hours before scheduled time, Any changes within 36-Hour will be considered as NOSHOW and a donation to the PROBONO or SELFCARE kitty of the therapist. However you can gift the session to ANY person you find would benefit without any Problem. This is just to honour boundaries and the time of the therapist yourself and the room cost. ​ Late Cancellations/No-Shows: Full session fee charged
2) International Visa/Master Credit/Debit Cards using STRIPE gateway on out Website under Fees .
3) PayPal: Payments can be made in SGD via PayPal,
4) Insurance Company Guarantee of Payment (GOP)

Other Services You May Be Interested In

1. Individual Counselling

Individual counselling provides a private and supportive environment where clients can explore personal challenges and their feelings. It is tailored to help individuals understand themselves better, resolve conflicts, and promote personal growth and healing.

 

2. Marriage Counselling

Marriage/couples counseling provides a space for partners to explore relationship challenges and enhance communication with the help of a skilled therapist. It’s designed to strengthen bonds, resolve conflicts, and foster a deeper understanding between partners.

 
 

3. Family Counselling

Family counseling at Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd uses Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) to strengthen bonds, enhance attachment, and foster harmony within the family unit.

 

4. LGBTQ


Individual counselling provides a private and supportive environment where clients can explore personal challenges and their feelings. It is tailored to help individuals understand themselves better, resolve conflicts, and promote personal growth and healing.

 

5. Addiction

For addiction counseling, we focus on understanding and overcoming specific dependencies such as alcohol, drugs, and behavioral addictions, guiding individuals through recovery to achieve sustained freedom from addiction.

 
 

Why Choose Us?

Experienced & Trauma-Certified & Trauma-Informed Trained Therapist
Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd. is recognised as Singapore’s premier mental wellness centre. Here’s why we stand out in trauma therapy and related mental health services:

  1. Experience
    With nearly 20 years of experience in top-down and bottom-up therapies, and as a trauma-certified and trauma-informed trained therapist, our expert brings a wealth of knowledge and a tailored, holistic approach to helping individuals heal from trauma and its lasting effects.
  2. Evidence-Based Modalities
    We use proven, evidence-based trauma therapies including EMDR, Brainspotting, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience (DARe), Integral Somatic Psychotherapy (ISP), and Somatic Experiencing (SE), ensuring that our clients receive the most effective treatments available.
  3. Cultural and Gender Sensitivity
    We are deeply committed to providing culturally and gender-sensitive care. We understand that trauma impacts everyone differently, and we tailor our approach to respect your unique background and identity.
  4. Holistic Treatment Plan Using Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches
    Our comprehensive treatment plans integrate top-down approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with bottom-up approaches like Somatic Therapy, addressing both the mind and body to ensure a full and lasting recovery.
  5. Confidential, Non-Judgemental, Supportive & Safe Space
    We provide a confidential, non-judgemental, supportive, and safe space where you can explore your trauma with empathy and compassion. Our therapist will work with you at your pace, collaboratively and respectfully, guiding you through your healing journey.

Experienced & Trauma-Certified & Trauma-Informed Trained Therapist

Evidence Based Modalities including EMDR, Brainspotting, IFS, DARe, ISP, Somatic Experiencing

Cultural and Gender Sensitivity

Holistic Treatment Plan using Top Down and Bottom Up Approaches

Confidential and Non Judgmental Supportive Space

Testimonials -
What Clients Say About Us

FAQ- Frequently Asked Questions

Trauma therapy is designed to help individuals process and heal from distressing experiences that affect emotional and psychological well-being. At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., we use a holistic, evidence-based approach that includes both top-down (cognitive) and bottom-up (body-based) techniques, adapting to your situation and available resources.

Trauma can manifest physically and emotionally, disrupting thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Our therapeutic approach is personalized to your needs, ensuring safety and support throughout the process. Depending on your needs, we may integrate:

  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): This structured, body-brain technique helps process traumatic memories by using eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to reduce their emotional intensity, leading to more adaptive responses.

  • Somatic Therapy (Bottom-Up Approach): Trauma is often stored in the body, and somatic therapy helps release physical manifestations and restore emotional regulation. Approaches such as Somatic Experiencing (SE) focus on gradually releasing stored trauma in the nervous system, while Integral Somatic Psychotherapy (ISP) works on deepening body awareness to enhance emotional processing. Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience (DARe) addresses attachment wounds through body-focused interventions, supporting more secure relational patterns.

  • Cognitive Approach (Top-Down Approach): Cognitive techniques target thought patterns and beliefs influenced by trauma. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), and Choice/Reality Therapy help challenge negative self-talk, reframe unhelpful beliefs, and promote healthier ways of thinking and coping with life events.

  • Salutogenic and Postmodern Approach: This approach focuses on resilience, health, and meaning-making. Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SBFT) allow you to reframe your trauma story, highlighting strengths and resources that can help you move forward with greater confidence and clarity.

Our approach is flexible, allowing us to use either top-down or bottom-up strategies based on your readiness and resources, ensuring a tailored, supportive healing journey.

Trauma therapy offers a range of benefits that can greatly improve emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., our tailored trauma therapy can provide the following advantages:

  1. Emotional Regulation: Trauma can lead to emotional instability, making it difficult to manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings. Trauma therapy equips individuals with tools to regulate their emotions more effectively, fostering a sense of calm and balance.

  2. Processing Traumatic Memories: Many individuals with unresolved trauma experience intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares. Techniques such as EMDR help reduce the intensity of these memories, enabling you to process them in a more manageable way.

  3. Restoring Body Awareness and Safety: Trauma often disconnects people from their bodies, leading to feelings of dissociation or discomfort. Somatic Therapies, including Somatic Experiencing (SE), Integral Somatic Psychotherapy (ISP), and DARe, help restore body awareness, grounding you in the present and reconnecting you with a sense of safety and comfort.

  4. Challenging Negative Thought Patterns: Traumatic experiences can result in distorted thinking, such as negative beliefs about yourself, others, or the world. Cognitive approaches like CBT, REBT, and Choice/Reality Therapy challenge these thoughts and foster healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking.

  5. Building Resilience and Meaning: Trauma therapy can help you find meaning and resilience even in the face of adversity. By incorporating Salutogenic and Postmodern Approaches, such as Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SBFT), you can reframe your trauma story, highlighting strengths, resources, and personal growth.

  6. Improving Relationships: Trauma often disrupts relationships, making it harder to trust, communicate, or experience intimacy. Trauma therapy helps heal relational patterns, allowing for more secure and fulfilling connections with others.

  7. Reducing Symptoms of PTSD: Many clients report a significant reduction in symptoms such as hypervigilance, anxiety, irritability, and avoidance behaviours after engaging in trauma therapy.

  8. Enhancing Overall Well-Being: Beyond addressing specific symptoms, trauma therapy supports overall well-being by fostering emotional, mental, and physical balance, leading to a more fulfilling and peaceful life.

Every person’s journey through trauma therapy is unique, but the benefits are often profound, enabling individuals to reclaim their lives and find a renewed sense of purpose and well-being.

The duration of trauma therapy varies based on the nature of the trauma, individual readiness, and the therapeutic approach used. At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., therapy is a collaborative process, and one thing is clear: we do not take advantage of your suffering. The pace and duration of therapy are always decided together, ensuring that you feel in control and supported throughout your healing journey. Importantly, you are free to leave therapy at any time and rejoin when you’re ready—we respect your autonomy and personal timing.

  • Short-Term Therapy: For individuals dealing with a single event or less complex trauma, short-term therapy may range from 6 to 12 sessions. This allows for targeted interventions aimed at symptom relief and specific goals within a limited timeframe.

  • EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is often considered a brief therapy, with many clients experiencing significant progress in 6 to 12 sessions. However, for more complex trauma, additional sessions may be required, and this is always discussed collaboratively.

  • Medium to Long-Term Therapy: Complex trauma, such as ongoing childhood abuse or repeated traumatic experiences, often requires a longer process. Therapy can extend over several months or even years, depending on the depth of healing needed, and the plan is created in partnership with you.

  • Somatic Therapy: Somatic approaches like Somatic Experiencing (SE), Integral Somatic Psychotherapy (ISP), and DARe are gradual and paced to avoid overwhelming the nervous system. The length of somatic therapy is adapted to how much trauma is held in the body and your ability to release it safely.

  • Cognitive and Salutogenic Approaches: Cognitive therapies, such as CBT, REBT, and Choice/Reality Therapy, may span 10 to 20 sessions, depending on trauma-related challenges. Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SBFT) offer shorter-term interventions, but therapy remains flexible and can be revisited as needed.

At every stage, your healing journey is a partnership. Decisions about the length of therapy are made together, ensuring that the process feels safe, supportive, and empowering. You are welcome to pause therapy at any point and return whenever you feel ready.

Navigating insurance coverage for mental health services, including trauma therapy, can be complex. While Singapore is making strides in mental health awareness, insurance coverage varies widely across different providers and plans. Based on our clients’ experiences and what is available in the market, here’s an overview of the most common options:

  1. International and Employer-Provided Insurance:
    Some global providers, such as CIGNA, may offer comprehensive mental health coverage, including trauma therapy. Additionally, many employers in Singapore provide mental health benefits through their health insurance packages. However, some plans may have a limit under a “mental wellness quota,” which caps the amount that can be used for counselling or therapy services. It’s essential to check with your HR department or insurance provider to understand your coverage and any limits on mental health services.

  2. MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans:
    MediShield Life provides basic inpatient psychiatric treatment coverage for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents, with claims of up to S$160 per day for a maximum of 60 days per policy year. However, it does not cover outpatient trauma therapy. Integrated Shield Plans from private insurers can offer broader coverage, including access to private hospitals and higher-class wards.

  3. AIA Beyond Critical Care:
    AIA’s Beyond Critical Care plan includes mental health benefits along with critical illness protection, covering up to S$50,000 per claim for conditions like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Tourette Syndrome (up to age 21). A maximum of five claims can be made, with a three-year waiting period between claims.

  4. Income SNACK Self Care Pack:
    Income Insurance’s SNACK Self Care Pack provides up to S$200 per month for psychiatric consultations and up to S$500 per month for psychotherapy sessions, without requiring inpatient or post-hospitalisation conditions. Psychotherapy sessions must be referred by a psychiatrist, and there’s a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions unless a new diagnosis is made.


Disclaimer:
The information provided here is based on our clients’ experiences and reflects what we have observed in the market. It may not be exhaustive, and coverage details can differ depending on your provider and plan. We encourage you to review your policy thoroughly and consult with your insurer or an insurance professional to clarify your mental health coverage.


While mental health insurance coverage is gradually expanding, it’s crucial to carefully review the specifics of each policy, including coverage limits, waiting periods, and exclusions. We recommend speaking with your insurance provider or a professional to ensure you receive the right coverage for your mental health needs, so you can prioritise your well-being without unnecessary financial strain.

 

No, traumatic experiences take many different forms and do not have to involve life-threatening events. While some traumatic events are singular and life-threatening, many are more complex and involve ongoing or prolonged exposure to adverse conditions such as abuse, neglect, and bullying. Trauma can also be experienced vicariously by encountering another person’s traumatic experiences first-hand. Additionally, some populations, such as children of refugees and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, may experience intergenerational trauma, where the effects of trauma are passed down from one generation to another.

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