A lot of people used to think that therapy was a luxury, something only the rich can afford. But that notion is gradually evolving. Today, more people know that mental health is as important as physical health. The silver lining is affordable counselling in Singapore has never been more accessible.
If you are experiencing stress, anxiety, grief, or trouble with your relationships, help is out there. You don't have to break the bank to talk to a trained responder who can help you figure out your problems in life.
Why You Might Think Therapy Is Expensive
Therapy has been historically associated with private clinics and prohibitive consultation costs. This explains why you might hear about sessions costing $150 to $200 or more an hour. This leaves many people with the sense that therapy is not attainable unless they possess a lucrative salary or insurance coverage.
The second reason is lack of awareness. Many people do not know about community-based counselling services or centres with sliding scale fees based on income.
But the truth of today is very different particularly as more organizations work to make therapy more affordable and inclusive.
The Truth: Therapy Does Not Have to Be Expensive
Singapore has a number of establishments that offer professional help at much lower rates. This includes community-based centres, non-profit organizations, and specialized counselling agencies that strive to make mental health services accessible for everyone.
At Counselling and Care Centre, we strive to keep quality mental health service, affordable with no compromise on care. The centre provides individual, couple, and family counselling for a variety of issues including stress and depression, workplace burnout, and family problems.
Fees operate on a sliding scale, so they are adjusted based on your income level. This aims to ensure no one is turned away due to financial constraints.
We work together on strategies to help this.
Most people believe you have to be in crisis to see a counsellor, but that is not the case. Counselling is for anyone who needs support around their emotions, relationships, or their direction in life. You don't have to wait until things have gotten too difficult to reach out for help.
Here are a couple of reasons, why people look for counselling:
Overwhelmed with stress or anxiety
- Going through a breakup or family conflict
- Dealing with low self-esteem or confidence
- Dealing with difficulties in the workplace or at school
- Coping with grief or loss
Looking for growth or insight
No issue is too small. A trained counsellor can help you feel heard and understood and can help you start looking at things from a new perspective so that you can begin to move forward in a healthy way.
What Happens in a Counselling Session
If it's your first time thinking about therapy, you may be wondering what a session here is like. Psychotherapy sessions typically last between 50 to 60 minutes. You'll speak to a trained counsellor in a confidential, safe environment in which you can talk freely about what's bothering you.
The counsellor will not give you advice like a friend would or judge you. Rather, they'll pay attention, ask good questions, and work with you to grasp your thoughts and feelings. The aim is to support your mental health and allow you to make decisions that are appropriate for you.
Making the First Step
Attending counselling does not make you weak, it makes you healthy. Everyone should have access to that support, and cost should never be a barrier to care. If you've considered talking to somebody but fear the cost, remember affordable help is at hand.
People from all walks of life can seek professional support at Counselling and Care Centre. You don't have to go through your struggles by yourself, and you don't have to wait until your situation becomes dire. Compassionate, professional, affordable help is available.
