The Real Cost of Art Therapy in SG

Nowadays, individual stress levels are at an all-time high. With long work hours, economic pressure, and growing mental fatigue post-pandemic, many Singaporeans are quietly hitting a wall. While some seek traditional talk therapy, a growing number are turning to a quieter and more expressive form of healing called art therapy.

Searches for “art therapy Singapore” have surged in recent months. Yet many still don’t know what it really involves or how much it actually costs. We break it down here.

MORE THAN JUST MAKING ART

Let’s clear this up. Art therapy isn’t just arts and crafts. It’s not art class, and it’s definitely not only for artists.

Art therapy is a professional form of psychotherapy that helps people express and process emotions through creative practices like drawing, painting, or sculpting. It isn’t about making something pretty. It’s about releasing what’s hard to say in words.

As a psychometrician and mental health advocate, I’ve witnessed how powerful this can be. I’ve also lived it. One day, I picked up a brush. I just painted as I needed to let something out. That moment was a turning point.

WHY IT’S DRAWING PEOPLE IN

In a society where productivity is prized and emotions often buried, art therapy is emerging as a safe and nonverbal space to breathe. It’s gaining traction especially among those:

a. Burnt out at work
b. Coping with anxiety or trauma
c. Struggling to open up through talk therapy
d. Parenting neurodivergent or emotionally sensitive children

Singapore therapists are also adopting trauma-informed, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-based approaches. Truly, the field is becoming more diverse and adaptive.

Watch this introduction to understand it better:

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

Art therapy in Singapore isn’t cheap, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Some clinics even offer free consults or subsidized options.

1. Singapore General Hospital
Offers individual, group, and family sessions
Learn more: sgh.com.sg

2. The Red Pencil (Singapore)
A nonprofit offering art therapy for communities and individuals
Learn more: redpencil.sg

3. Ayana Art Therapy
Personalized sessions with a FREE 20-minute consultation
Learn more: ayanaarttherapy.com

4. Haven Art Therapy
Works with clients from 4 months to 97 years old
Learn more: haventherapy.sg

5. Art For Good
Therapy, enrichment, and community art
Learn more: artforgood.sg
Prices:
Art Jamming (2 hours): S$50
Individual Therapy (1 hour): S$150
Consultation (30 minutes): S$60

6. Solace Art Psychotherapy
Offers multi-session packages
Learn more: solace.com.sg
Prices:
Single Session: S$230
5 Sessions: S$1100
10 Sessions: S$2000

ARE ART THERAPISTS LEGIT?

In Singapore, qualified art therapists typically hold a Master’s in Art Therapy and are members of the Art Therapists’ Association Singapore. Many are also credentialed by ANZACATA, a professional body for creative arts therapists.

Their training includes:
a. Supervised clinical placements
b. Personal therapy
c. Rigorous ethics and trauma-informed education

Image Credits: unsplash.com

FINAL PIECE

You don’t need to be an artist to begin healing. You don’t even need to know where to start. All you need is the willingness to explore what you feel.

When words fall short, art speaks through color and movement. In those quiet moments of creation, you may find calm and clarity.

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4 well-rated counseling centers in Singapore to keep your mental health in check

mental health spelled out

We are nearing the end of Q1 2025.

If you’re reading this, how are you doing?

Feeling down for a moment and feeling down for an extended period of time are two very different things.

Thankfully, you don’t have to suffer with your thoughts alone.

Need someone professional to speak to?

Here is a quick list of well-rated counseling centers in Singapore to keep your mental health in check.

Sofia Wellness Clinic

Website: sofia.com.sg

Address: 190 Clemenceau Avenue, #02-07 Singapore Shopping Centre, Singapore 239924

Google Rating: 4.8 (18 reviews)

Sofia Wellness Clinic is a private counseling and psychotherapy practice offering professional support for teenagers, adults, couples, and families. Whether you’re facing emotional distress or navigating life’s challenges, their team of trained therapists provides evidence-based treatment in a safe and compassionate environment.

Issues they address include: Anxiety, anger management, chronic illness/pain, depression, grief, mood disorders, marriage and family issues, OCD, panic disorders, self-esteem struggles, stress management, and trauma/PTSD.

Initial session fee start from S$80. 

Call +65 6612 1124

Talk Your Heart Out – TYHO

Website: talkyourheartout.com

Google Rating: 5 (120+ reviews)

Address: 6 Shenton Way, OUE Downtown 2, Singapore 068809

When life gets heavy, Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO) is here to lighten the load with their team of master’s degree-wielding therapeutic superheroes boasting an average of 5 years of experience each in fields like clinical psychology, counseling, and social work.

Battling anxiety, navigating a career crossroads, or simply seeking more self-knowledge?

TYHO’s got your back.

Their expertise means personalized guidance tailored to your situation and flexible online and in-person sessions make getting quality care as easy as pressing ‘play’.

Base pricing starts from 95 USD (approx. 128 SGD).

Emotional Wellness

emotionallygreat.com

Website: emotionallygreat.com

Google Rating: 4.9 (80+ reviews)

Address: 545 Orchard Road Far East Shopping Centre, #04 11B, Singapore 238882

Looking for meaningful personal growth?

Carol Goh’s Emotional Wellness counseling provides a holistic approach to healing.

With over 18 years of specialized experience counseling people of all ages and backgrounds, Carol employs proven experiential techniques that identify root causes and work with the subconscious for enduring positive change.

Her methods facilitate profound inner growth that naturally leads to outward transformation.

Holding a Master’s in Social Science (Counselling) from the University of South Australia, Carol offers services in English and Mandarin, online or in-person.

Whatsapp Carol at +65 9832 4947 for prompt response.

Insightful Counselling & Training

Website: insightfulcounselling.com

Google Rating: 4.9 (60+ reviews)

Address: 10 Raeburn Park, #03-01, Room:GH33, Singapore 088702

When it comes to overcoming trauma, you want guidance from the best, and at Insightful Counseling & Training, founder and counselor Reena Goenka and her team specialize in trauma therapy using EMDR and Brainspotting—an expertise that’s among the few of its kind in Singapore.

If there’s one thing that you need to know, it’s this: it sets itself apart by offering unlimited FREE counseling sessions conducted by Master’s interns, making its trauma counseling services accessible to everyone.

And with sessions being conducted in English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hindi, or Marathi, their counseling embraces our island’s multicultural diversity.

Incontact Counselling & Training

 

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A post shared by INCONTACT SINGAPORE (@incontactsg)

Website: incontact.com.sg

Google Rating: 4.9 (50+ reviews)

Address: 7 Maxwell Rd, #04-04, Annexe B MND Complex, Singapore 069111

Last but not least, we have Incontact Counseling & Training, led by Founder and Lead Counselor Aarti Mundae, a mental health resource you can count on.

With over 16 years of clinical experience and 9 years in a leadership capacity, Aarti brings expertise in evidence-based therapy methods to every session.

Her trained team offers a judgment-free space to unload your concerns.

Investing in counseling sessions, starting at 200 SGD per 60 minutes with their Associate Counselors, could be the first step towards positive change.

View their detailed fees here: incontact.com.sg/fees-terms

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Does Work-Life Balance Exist in Singapore?

Did you know that Singapore ranked 26th in Remote’s Global Life-Work Balance Index 2024? While this reflects progress, many Singaporeans continue to struggle with maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal life.

According to a 2022 study by recruitment agency Randstad, seven out of 10 Singaporeans reported poor work-life balance, primarily due to overwhelming workloads. By 2023, 41% of employees expressed intentions to leave their jobs in search of better work-life harmony.

Among these employees, burnout remains a pervasive issue. A 2022 study by NTUC’s U Women and Family Unit revealed that 78% of respondents felt burnt out at work, largely due to the normalization of hybrid and remote work setups during the pandemic. This could stem from blurred boundaries between work and home or the lack of a conducive workspace.

Interestingly, some experts argue that the concept of work-life balance is evolving. Instead of compartmentalizing work and personal life, a growing perspective views them as fluidly interconnected, blending into a single holistic experience.

SNAPSHOT OF SINGAPORE’S WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Based on the Manpower Research and Statistics Department’s survey, the Prevalence of Work-Life Harmony Initiatives in Singapore 2022 report highlights these key findings:

1. Rising Demand for Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs)

Flexible work is no longer a perk but a priority. The proportion of employees requiring FWAs rose from 39.5% in 2012 to 53.6% in 2022. Employers have made significant strides, with 84.1% of employees requiring FWAs receiving them in 2022, compared to 58.6% in 2012. Furthermore, employees are increasingly willing to decline or leave roles if FWAs are unavailable.

2. Accessibility of Non-Statutory Leave (NSL) Benefits

NSLs remain widely accessible. In 2022, 93.6% of employees requiring at least one type of NSL received it, maintaining consistency with previous years.

3. Enhanced Annual Leave Entitlements

Generous leave entitlements have become a norm, especially in competitive industries. 64.7% of full-time resident employees enjoyed 15 or more days of annual leave in 2022, exceeding statutory requirements.

ACHIEVING BETTER WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Reclaiming the balance in your life is possible by following these actionable strategies:

a. Set Boundaries: Establish clear work hours and communicate them to coworkers, family, and supervisors. Personally, I do not encourage answering work calls beyond work hours.

b. Take Breaks: Incorporate regular pauses to sustain focus and avoid burnout.

c. Prioritize Well-Being: Dedicate time to self-care practices like yoga, exercise, or meditation.

d. Delegate Tasks: Lighten your workload by assigning responsibilities where possible.

e. Say No: Be firm when declining tasks that compromise your balance.

f. Take Vacations: Use your leave to unplug and to try new things. This is my favorite way to recharge.

g. Open Communication: Discuss workload concerns openly with your employer or manager.

h. Encourage a Help-Seeking Culture: Foster an environment where seeking assistance is seen as a strength, not a weakness.

Work-life balance is more than a buzzword…it’s essential for sustaining mental and emotional health in today’s demanding professional landscape. So, don’t feel guilty about taking a well-deserved break before the year ends.

Sources: 1,2, & 3

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Work Efficiency Tips for People with ADHD

People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can experience different challenges at work. These challenges include struggling to finish tasks, difficulty in prioritizing assignments, and feelings of boredom.

Pinpointing effective strategies to help you cope with these challenges can greatly impact your work success and overall happiness.

#1: TIME YOUR TASKS

Use a timer to adjust the schedule of each work task. Be realistic about the time you need to accomplish something. Plan for urgent tasks and prioritize as some things take longer than you think. For some people, thirty minutes of work followed by a 10-minute break is beneficial. For others, a shorter work or break period may work better.

#2: PREPARE YOUR STATION

Prepare your workstation to stimulate concentration. A conducive working station looks different for everyone. Personally, I prefer working in a quiet area with a comfortable and a table. Do you prefer to work with the blinds half open or closed? Do you prefer to be sitting on a pillow or a hard bench? Prepare your environment for focus.

#3: START WITH THE FUN

Do the interesting tasks first. Once you get the fun stuff done and have your dopamine high, your body would want more things to be accomplished. This will lead you to finishing the rest of the uninteresting tasks.

#4: HAVE BREAKS

Give yourself a transition time between tasks. For mentally challenging projects, you can set a 10-minute break to take a walk or to sip a cup of joe. Use this time to psych yourself up for the next task on your to-do list.

#5: AVOID MULTITASKING

Multitasking hurts productivity and causes people to lose time switching between tasks. This statement pertains to employees with or without ADHD. Staying focused on a task is necessary to get it done. If you frequently multitask, you will have a tougher time completing the necessary tasks. Do things one at a time.

#6: SPLIT COMPLICATED TASKS

Adults with ADHD tend to have difficulty with long, multi-step tasks. For complicated tasks, you can split it into manageable chunks. Break the large tasks into smaller steps that are not as intimidating. This will help you keep up your momentum as you focus on the next doable step.

#7: LIMIT DISTRACTIONS

While you are at work, try to limit the distractions. Request a private space in the office and shut the door to block out distractions. If this is not possible, you can politely ask for your spot to be placed away from the main work area. Of course, these options are not always available.

#8: SEEK SUPPORT

A supportive co-worker or an understanding manager can help you stay on task and be your source of support. Some people have found it helpful to share information about ADHD to their employers. Sharing your condition and seeking help can make work more successful.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Boosting your focus at work often involves a bit of experimenting. Keep track of which strategies you are using and monitor your progress. Should things get increasingly difficult you can seek the help of a mental health professional to manage your symptoms.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Why you should care less about how others think of you

a lady having anxiety attack

So you’re worried about what other people think of you?

We get it – it’s tough to put yourself out there and risk being judged. But the thing is, if you care too much about what others think, you will never take the necessary steps forward to achieve your goals. You will be too busy worrying about what everyone else is saying instead of focusing on what you want to achieve.

That is why in this post, we are going to talk about why you should care less about what others think of you and how to go about doing so. After all, it’s your life, and you should live it according to your own rules.

You cannot please everyone

You will never be able to please everyone. It’s just not possible. So don’t even try. When you’re always worried about what others think of you, you’re probably going to be miserable.

You will be so bogged down by the fear of not living up to other people’s expectations that you will barely be able to function. Instead, focus on what makes you happy. Do the things that make you feel alive. Don’t worry about what others will say—they’re not living your life, so they really can’t judge it.

Other people’s opinions are not worth your energy
a woman facing the sea

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Here’s the thing: other people’s opinions are not worth your energy. What matters is what you think of yourself. If you spend your time constantly worrying about what others think of you, you’re going to drive yourself crazy.

The truth is, most people are too wrapped up in their own lives to even notice what you’re doing. And the ones who do have an opinion about you? Well, they probably can’t even remember who they criticized before you. So focus on being the best version of yourself and forget about what everyone else thinks.

What others think of you is not a reflection of your worth

When you care too much about what others think of you, you become trapped in a mental prison. You let other people dictate your actions, your thoughts, and your emotions. You become a puppet, dancing to the tune of everyone else’s opinions.

And what’s worse is that you start to believe that their opinion of you is a reflection of your worth as a person. You forget that you are in control of your own life. You forget that you are the one who decides what is significant to you.

So the next time somebody tries to make you feel small, remember that their opinion is just that—an assertion. It’s not the bible, and it’s certainly not a reflection of who you are as a person.

When you care too much about what other people think of you, you’re living in fear. You’re not living your life according to your standards and beliefs; instead, you’re living according to the expectations of other people. And that’s a limiting way to live. Life is short and you owe it to yourself to be freer and not worry so much about what everyone else thinks. It’s time to start caring less about what other people think and focus on being true to yourself. You got this!

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