ANXIETY COUNSELLING
Is your anxiety taking over your life?
Unwanted panic attacks, problems with performance at work, in life, in bed?
Speak to one of our counsellors or psychologists to cope with anxiety disorders today!
We all experience anxiety in our lives. However, it can become a problem when it affects our sleep, our relationships, our mood, our work, our eating habits, and our rest.
Whether it is the pressures of modern life or simply our newfound willingness to discuss about it, the topic of stress is never far from our minds. Fortunately, treating anxiety in Singapore is easier than you might think. While it might seem insurmountable right now, treatment can be life-changing.
Ready to take a deep breath and learn about effective anxiety management techniques and tools? Here is your complete guide to anxiety treatment in Singapore.
COUNSELLORS FOR ANXIETY
Clinical Psychologist
- Masters in Clinical Psychology
- Full Member of Singapore Psychological Society
- Full Member of Malaysian Society of Clinical Psychology
- Specialties: Millenials and Gen Z with anxiety, depression, self-esteem and self-worth issues, relationship issues, OCD, ADHD, LGBTQ+ related concerns, identity formation
- Approach: Person-centred approach with primary concepts of Acceptance and Commitment-based Therapy (ACT), blending bits of CBT, emotion-focused therapy, and self-compassion
- Language: English, Conversational Malay
Senior Clinical Psychologist
- M.Phil in clinical psychology
- Rehabilitation Council of India
- Specialties: Anger management, Body image, Eating disorders, Personality disorders, Relationship issues
- Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Positive Psychotherapy, Schema Therapy and Psychodynamic approaches
- Language: Hindi, English
Counsellor-in-training
- Post-graduate diploma in counselling (student)
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Anthropology and Social Theory
- 8 years experience in non-profit
- Specialties: Young working adults, Identity, Self-esteem, Depression, Grief, Relationship issues
- Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy and Family Therapy
- Language: English
Professional Counsellor
- Masters in Counselling
- Member of Singapore Association for Counselling
- Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)
- Specialties: Young adults, Millennials, Identity exploration & concerns, Relationships, Anxiety
- Approach: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, blending elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as well as Mindfulness
- Language: Hindi, English
Types of Therapy to Treat Anxiety
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – A style that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It aims to identify and challenge negative or unhelpful thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones
- Mindfulness – A therapeutic approach that involves bringing one’s attention to the present moment, cultivating non-judgmental awareness, and accepting experiences without attachment or resistance
- Narrative – A therapeutic approach that focuses on the stories and meanings people construct about themselves and their experiences. It aims to separate individuals from their problems, explore alternative narratives, and empower clients to rewrite their life
- Schema – A therapeutic approach that addresses long-standing and deeply ingrained patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving (schemas). It combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with experiential and relational methods to help individuals understand and modify maladaptive schemas
- Person-centered -A non-directive style that focuses on creating a supportive and empathetic therapeutic relationship. It emphasizes the client’s self-actualization and personal growth by providing a safe and non-judgmental space for self-exploration
- Acceptance and Commitment-based Therapy (ACT) – A mindfulness-based therapy that encourages individuals to accept their thoughts and emotions while committing to values-based actions. ACT aims to help individuals develop psychological flexibility and live a meaningful life
- Humanistic and existential approach – A broad therapeutic approach that emphasizes human potential, personal growth, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. It focuses on self-awareness, personal responsibility, and the development of an authentic and meaningful existence
- Hypnotherapy – A therapeutic approach that uses hypnosis to induce a trance-like state where individuals are more open to suggestion
- Parts therapy – A type of anxiety therapy that views the mind as consisting of different parts or subpersonalities. It aims to resolve inner conflicts and promote integration by facilitating communication and understanding between these parts
Frequently Asked Questions on Anxiety Counseling
- You have difficulties falling asleep because you are worrying about the future
- Your worries are affecting your day-to-day life
- You have difficulties concentrating
- Your worries are making you irritable and affecting your relationships
- You avoid doing certain things, people, places because you are worried about what might happen
- You notice yourself overeating or undereating
- You are having frequent panic attacks
- You notice yourself having increasing heart rates, stomach issues, feeling exhausted, but are not due to other medical conditions
Anxiety is not a short term disorder. It may last for years, sometimes more intense, sometimes less intense. However, it is completely normal to experience it. Anxiety disorders affects 18.1% of the population every year. It may affect a person’s life at home, work, relationships, or even when alone.
It is important that we take the time to learn and find out what to do when we notice some signs of anxiety. Being on our page is a good start!
Speaking with a trained mental health professional will help you determine if you have an anxiety disorder or need help navigating a stressful period in your life. Your psychologist will help you understand if you have a type of disorder and how to treat it.
Generally speaking, we see five different types of disorders, which are:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Social Anxiety/Performance Anxiety Disorder
- Specific Phobias
- Panic Disorder
GAD is defined by excessive worry that doesn’t have an identifiable cause. This type shows itself through difficulty concentrating, a persistent feeling of anxiety, and trouble sleeping. GAD is often accompanied by fatigue, headaches, tension, and irritability.
Here are some signs that someone who has GAD might face:
- High levels of anxiousness or worrying for many days
- Having difficulty controlling your worry
- Feeling restless/On Edge
- Easily fatigued
- Constantly losing your train of thought
- Irritable
- Tense muscles
- Disturbance in your sleep (e.g. Sleeping too little, too much, nightmares)
Put separately, they might not mean much, but if you notice yourself having multiple warning signs, do seek advise from a psychologist, counsellor, or your family doctor.
There are two elements to obsessive-compulsive disorder: Obsession and Compulsion
It starts off with obsession, which is defined by instructive and persistent thoughts that you do not want to have (e.g. an obsession over cleanliness). This is followed by the compulsion to do something to get rid of the thoughts, which is marked by repeated actions or rituals (e.g. excessive hand washing).
While obsessive-compulsive disorder is not categorised under anxiety disorders in the DSM5, many believe that OCD has its roots in anxiety as it creates anxiety over what might happen if compulsions aren’t satisfied.
Having social anxiety is different from being introverted or shy. This type of disorder is diagnosed in the case of a long-term and overwhelming fear of being in social situations. Feeling like you are being judged and watched by others is a common experience. You might physically feel unwell with sweating or nausea, or find yourself dreading social situations.
Performance anxiety disorder is a type of social disorder. Often referred to as “stage fright,” this type can come on in any type of situation where you need to take centre stage and have all of the attention on you.
On the other end of the spectrum from a GAD, we have specific phobias. This is an intense fear that happens in a certain local situation, or when faced with a particle thing. This is a strong and persistent fear that typically lasts more than six months and may cause panic attacks. Common types of phobias include fear of open spaces or leaving home (agoraphobia), insects, heights, or any other stressor.
Panic disorder causes sudden overwhelming feelings of fear. It creates a feeling of breathlessness and loss of control called a panic attack. These panic attacks often last ten to 20 minutes and can seemingly come at random. Panic disorder is defined as multiple experiences of panic attacks like this. This disorder can be a diagnosis on its own or be connected to other anxiety disorders.
Panic attacks are sudden episodes of intense fear that trigger physical reactions like a pounding heart, fast breathing and sweating when there is no apparent danger or cause. Panic attacks are usually associated with the feelings of approaching doom. You might feel like you are losing control or going crazy, having a heart attack or even feel like you are dying.
Panic attacks are part of panic disorder. They are typically characterised by the following:
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Nausea
- Shortness of breathing
- Choking sensation
- Chest pain
- Feeling light-headed
- Numbness or tingling
- Chills or fever
- Disconnection from environment
- The feeling of lost control
- Feeling like you might die
Each person has a unique experience and every panic attack can be perceived differently so remember that nothing is set in stone. The best way to find out if you’re suffering from panic attacks is to talk with a professional about your feelings.
If reading any of these feels familiar to you in your life, or you have noticed signs of these in others around you, feel free to reach out to us. You can use the chat function to leave your contact name and number or click one of the buttons below to book a session with our anxiety counsellors in Singapore.
When should this become a concern? It is one of the questions that we hear daily. The difference between everyday stress and anxiety disorder can be difficult to pinpoint. Anxiety disorder tests in Singapore are a common request from clients looking to get started on the path to better mental health, and it’s something A Kind Place can help you with.
If you are wondering when to get help dealing, the answer is now. Every single one of us at this very moment could use professional help learning how to manage our stress with anxiety counselling sessions in Singapore.
Of course, there are different types of disorders and severity levels, but it’s essential to understand that connecting with a therapist is beneficial at any stage or level. It may be that counselling for anxiety can help you develop stress management techniques to meet your goals. It might be that you have a disorder that a psychologist can treat. Rather than sitting alone wondering when you should seek anxiety management therapy, remember that getting advice from a professional is always worth it.
Here at A Kind Place, we specialise in anxiety counselling in Singapore. We have counsellors who can help you through stressful situations and guide you to develop healthy coping mechanisms. If you have an anxiety disorder, we have psychologists who can help you manage your stress. We offer a range of effective anxiety treatments including specialised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) in our Singapore office as well as online and via home visits. You can easily schedule a meeting online, receive a diagnosis, and finally feel the relief of getting on a long-term path to managing your anxiety.
Getting Started with Anxiety Counselling and Therapy in Singapore
Our team of professional counsellors and psychologists in Singapore specialise in various fields such as depression counselling sessions and trauma counselling. You can also find professional caregiver support and ADHD treatment in Singapore.
Companies that want to improve their employee’s well-being can sign up for our programs for corporate wellness.
Check out our other resources:
