Questions people ask me
A few of the things people ask me before we’ve met, how I work, what it costs, what to expect when you walk in. If your question isn’t here, ask me directly. I’d rather answer it properly than have you guess.
Getting started
Do you only work with children, or adults too?
I trained as a clinical child and adolescent psychologist, and that’s still the heart of my work. But I see people across the lifespan, children, teenagers, young adults, and adults. A lot of the adults who come to me are recognising something in themselves, often ADHD or anxiety, after years of managing around it. You don’t age out of being worth understanding.
Do I need a referral to see you?
No. You can reach out directly, and most people start with the free Meet & Greet. If a GP, paediatrician, or psychiatrist has referred you, bring whatever they’ve written, it’s useful context, but you don’t need anyone’s permission to get in touch.
What is the free Meet & Greet?
Fifteen minutes, by video, no charge, no paperwork. Enough time for me to hear what’s bringing you in, and for both of us to get a sense of whether I’m the right fit, before either of us commits to anything. Most people book this first.
What happens in the first proper session?
The first consultation is usually around two hours, long enough to hear the full story, not just the headline. My aim is that you leave it having already learned something real about yourself, not just holding a follow-up appointment card. If two hours in one sitting is hard, we can split it across two sessions. And if it turns out I’m not the right person for what you’re carrying, you’ll still leave with a clearer sense of who is.
Sessions, fees & logistics
How long are sessions, and what do they cost?
Sessions run sixty to ninety minutes, depending on what the work needs that day, pro-rated at SGD 350 an hour. The first consultation is typically SGD 700. Evening, Saturday, Sunday and public-holiday sessions are charged at higher hourly rates, the full breakdown is on the Fees page. I also leave thirty minutes between clients, so the hour stays a real hour, and so you never run into the person before or after you.
Are sessions in person or online?
The free Meet & Greet is by video. From there, sessions can be in person at the clinic on Telok Ayer Street or by video, whatever suits your situation, and plenty of people mix the two.
Where is the clinic, and is it easy to get to?
The clinic is at 101 Telok Ayer Street, #03-03, third floor, lift access, wheelchair accessible, about two minutes’ walk from Telok Ayer MRT. I’ve written a whole page on getting here, walking in, and what the space looks like, so you’re not working it out in the lift: see Arriving.
Do you take insurance? Can I claim my sessions?
I don’t bill insurers directly, but I provide proper claim documentation, itemised receipts and the paperwork most insurers and employee benefit schemes ask for, so you can submit for reimbursement. It’s worth checking with your insurer in advance about what your plan covers for psychological services.
What’s your cancellation policy?
The notice period and how payment works are set out in the Payment and cancellation section of the Fees page, I keep it in one place so there’s a single source of truth. If something comes up, tell me as early as you can.
How I work
Can you prescribe medication?
No. I’m a psychologist, not a psychiatrist or physician, the “Dr.” refers to my PhD in clinical psychology, not a medical degree, so I don’t prescribe. What I can do is assess carefully, work with you therapeutically, and, if medication is worth considering, coordinate with a psychiatrist or your GP so the picture stays joined up rather than fragmented.
What’s the difference between therapy and an assessment, and which do I need?
Therapy is ongoing work: we meet regularly and work on what you’re carrying. An assessment is a focused piece of work to answer a specific question, is this ADHD, is this anxiety, what’s actually going on, and it produces a report you can use. They’re separate services, with separate fees. Plenty of people aren’t sure which they need, and that’s fine; that’s part of what the Meet & Greet and first consultation are for. If you’d like to think it through first, Where to Start walks through what people usually arrive saying.
What happens if my family relocates mid-treatment?
Treatment shouldn’t fall apart just because a postcode changes. If you’re moving abroad, or heading back to a home country, I’ll help you land with someone good on the other side. I keep a small, hand-curated list of clinicians I know personally and trust: see Trusted Colleagues Abroad. If your destination isn’t on it yet, tell me anyway and I’ll help you find someone. And where it’s useful, I’ll speak with the new clinician directly and share notes, so you’re picking up the work rather than starting it over.
Are you taking new clients right now?
Yes, a few at a time. I keep a small caseload on purpose, so openings come up as current work tapers. Right now the first opening for a new client is usually two to three weeks out, and openings are limited through late September. The free Meet & Greet is the fastest way to start; we can talk timing there.
Do you offer sessions in Mandarin?
Yes. I speak professional and conversational Mandarin, though some sentences will come out in English. A meaningful part of my practice is Mandarin-speaking teens and their parents, and sessions can run in whichever mix of languages feels most natural to your family.
Can we work together if I am not in Singapore?
Sometimes. Video sessions work well for clients connected to Singapore: families in transition, people relocating here or away, and clients who split time between countries. What I don’t take on is ongoing therapy for someone based permanently overseas with no Singapore connection, and OCD treatment in particular is work I do in person rather than over video. If I’m not the right fit, I’ll say so quickly and point you somewhere strong, such as the International OCD Foundation’s provider directory.
How does payment work?
Payment is due before each session, by PayNow (UEN 202339132R) or bank transfer, and you’ll always get an itemised receipt. One small ask: include the reference number from your invoice when you transfer, so your payment matches to you on the first try.