The short answer
Choose a private therapist the way you would choose any professional you will talk to openly for months: check their training, ask what the work will look like, get the fees in writing, and notice how you feel in the first conversation.
In Singapore that last step matters more than usual, because counselling is not licensed by law. Titles vary and so does training. Many private therapists offer a short first conversation, so you can ask your questions before you commit.
Sources: MOH replies to Parliament (2021 to 2026), HealthHub, and the published prices of private clinics, checked October 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you book.
First, which kind of professional?
HealthHub describes the three roles this way:
- Psychiatrist: a medical doctor who can prescribe medication
- Clinical psychologist: assesses, diagnoses and treats, but cannot prescribe
- Counsellor: gives you a safe, non-judgmental space to work through what you are facing
If you think you may need a diagnosis or medication, start with a GP or a psychiatrist. If you want regular talking sessions to work through stress, relationships, burnout, low mood or a life change, a counsellor or therapist is the usual starting point. You can also see both.
What private therapy costs in Singapore
Prices published on private clinics' own websites in October 2026:
- Clinical psychologist sessions: about SGD 180 to SGD 360 each, mostly "from" prices at several clinics
- Private psychiatrist, first visit: from about SGD 320, and often SGD 500 to SGD 700 or more
- Counselling: some clinics charge less for counsellors than for psychologists, and some charge the same. Heal Counselling sessions start from SGD 200 per hour, GST included
Ask whether GST is included, how long a session is, and what happens if you need to cancel. MediSave covers only the mental health conditions in its chronic disease programme, at accredited clinics. We found nothing saying it covers private counsellor sessions, so ask CPF before you assume you can use it. The full cost guide has public hospital fees and MediSave limits, and free counselling in Singapore covers services that cost less or nothing.
How counselling is regulated in Singapore
Counselling and psychology are not yet licensed by the government. MOH said in March 2021 that counsellors and psychologists are not regulated, and in March 2026 that the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) offers voluntary accreditation. MOH now plans to register psychologists in five subdisciplines, including counselling psychology. Counsellors who are not psychologists are not covered. There is no start date yet, and MOH says the schedule will be announced by early 2027.
In practice this means a title like "counsellor", "therapist" or "psychotherapist" does not tell you what training stands behind it. That is why the questions below matter. Professional bodies such as SAC for counsellors and the Singapore Psychological Society for psychologists keep voluntary registers. A registered therapist will usually tell you which body they belong to, and you can ask the body to confirm it.
Online, in person, or on a walk
- In person: a private room, no screens, and a clear boundary between therapy and the rest of your day
- Online: sessions by video from home or work, with no travel
- Walk and talk: some therapists, including Heal Counselling, hold sessions while walking in a park. It suits people who find it easier to talk side by side than face to face
Pick the format you are most likely to keep attending. Missing sessions costs more than any difference between formats. If you are unsure, ask if you can try one session each way. See online counselling and Walk & Talk therapy at Heal Counselling.
Ten questions to ask before you book
- What is your training, and how can I check it? A good therapist answers this plainly.
- Which professional body are you registered with? Ask them to confirm the registration is current.
- Do you have regular supervision or ongoing training? Good practice includes both.
- How would you work with what I am dealing with? Listen for a clear, specific answer, not a general one.
- What do sessions cost, including GST? Get it in writing, with the cancellation policy.
- How long are sessions, and how often do we meet? Ask what a typical first month looks like.
- How do you handle confidentiality, and where are its limits? You should hear both.
- How will we know if it is working? A good therapist reviews progress with you.
- Do you offer online sessions? Ask which platform, and what happens if the connection drops.
- What should I do if I am struggling between sessions? You should be told where to turn, such as national mindline on 1771.
Warning signs
These are our own rules of thumb, not an official list:
- A promise to cure you, or a guaranteed result
- Pressure to pay for a large package before you have had a session
- Being unwilling to explain their training, their fees or their approach
- No clear explanation of confidentiality
- Dismissing your questions about medication, or telling you to stop medication on their say-so
- Making you feel judged in the first conversation
How to know it is a good fit
Fit matters more than any single credential. After two or three sessions, ask yourself:
- Do I feel heard, even when the conversation is hard?
- Does my therapist explain what we are doing and why?
- Do I leave with something to think about or try?
It is normal to need a few sessions to settle in. It is also fine to switch therapists if it does not feel right. A good therapist will not take it personally. What happens in your first session explains what to expect.
Heal Counselling, as one option
Nidhi Pitkar offers individual, couples, family and Walk & Talk sessions in Singapore, in person at Havelock Road or online by Zoom. You do not need a referral. Sessions start from SGD 200 per hour, GST included, and Nidhi confirms your rate after a free 30-minute consultation. The consultation is a chance to ask the ten questions above before you decide.
Book a free consultation, or read about individual therapy, couples therapy, counselling for expats and teen counselling.
If you are in crisis right now, call national mindline on 1771 (24 hours), or 995 in an emergency.