Frequently Asked Questions

For your first session, you may be asked to come in a little early to fill out some forms if you have not already done so. It is normal to feel a little anxious in the first few sessions as you may not know what to expect. Trust us and we will help and guide you through ever step. Be assured that we will set the tone and get things started smoothly. We are a team of professionals who are trained to guide each session in effective ways to help you get closer to your goals.

The first session might seem like a game of 20 questions and will typically involve asking you a series of questions to find out pertinent history and background information. We will also orient you to the nature of our services (e.g., confidentiality issues, frequency of sessions, cost, etc.). If you feel that bringing a parent/spouse/relative/friend will help facilitate the process better, please feel free to bring him/her along with you! We want your experience to be a warm and welcoming one.

Once we have a full history, recommendations will be made for either an assessment, therapy or referral to another professional (who will be better suited to meet your individual needs). We will work together to create a treatment plan. This collaborative goal-setting is important, because both you and your psychologist need to be invested in achieving your goals. At the end of your first session, your psychologist may also have suggestions for immediate action.

During therapy, our psychologists and therapists will work together with you as a team to identify and modify the thought and behaviour patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best. In the process of doing so, you might learn new skills that create healthy or adaptive lifestyle changes. These new skills will help you cope with the presenting problem, as well as other challenges that may arise in the future. Our psychologists and therapists are trained and have extensive experience in treating mental disorders. They also provide a safe and supportive environment for clients to share difficult issues with someone who is objective, neutral, and non-judgmental.

It is not a prerequisite to be suffering from a mental health disorder to see a psychologist. People see psychologists for a wide variety of reasons. While some might seek therapy in order to find out if they have any disorders or that they feel their problems have reduced their quality of life, other individuals use therapy to improve their quality of life or to work on being a better version of themselves.

The number of sessions needed differs for everyone. It varies depending on each individual’s needs and their commitment towards therapy. It is dependent on various other factors too, such as the amount of resources an individual has, whether they experience any crises in between sessions, their diagnoses, and their treatment goals. Your psychologist will work with you to assess how many sessions s/he thinks is appropriate or sufficient.

There is no one-size-fits-all model in therapy – instead of fitting a client’s concerns within a particular therapy format, different therapeutic modalities are combined to ensure that the client’s needs are being met. An eclectic, client-centered approach is adopted when deciding suitable therapy modalities. During the process of deciding how therapy would proceed, your psychologist will work collaboratively with you. While our psychologist will propose the form(s) of therapy used, you are encouraged to voice out your therapeutic preferences too.

Most of us face struggles at some point in our lives. These struggles may include stress in school or at work, difficulty with a peer, or problems with a family member. Alternatively, struggles may include emotional symptoms such as depression or anxiety, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms such as repetitive upsetting thoughts or uncontrolled worry. Sometimes, life's struggles can be eased by taking better care of yourself, and perhaps talking about the issues with a supportive friend or family member. But there may be times when these steps do not resolve the issue. When this happens, it may be worthwhile to consider seeking the help of a qualified licensed psychologist.

Two general guidelines can be helpful when considering whether you or someone you love could benefit from therapy: Is the problem distressing? Is it interfering with some aspect of life?

The decision to enter into therapy is a very personal one. Individuals may feel nervous about trying it themselves. Overcoming that nervousness is worth it. Any time one’s quality of life is being impacted, psychotherapy will be worth the time and effort.

Numerous advances have been made in the treatment of psychological disorders in the past decade and many therapies have been shown scientifically to be helpful. Many psychological problems have been shown to be treatable using short-term therapy approaches. You do not need to continue to struggle with a problem that is upsetting and/or getting in the way of your life. Help is available.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad variety of mental illnesses, challenging life events and emotional difficulties.

Psychotherapy may be conducted in an individual, family, couple, or group setting, and can help both children and adults. When working with children and adolescents, we encourage that parents are actively involved in the therapeutic process. Sessions are typically held once a week for about 50 minutes. Both the client and psychologist need to be actively involved in psychotherapy. The trust and relationship between a client and the psychologist is essential to working effectively.

Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few sessions), dealing with immediate issues, or long-term (months or years), dealing with longstanding and complex issues. The goals of treatment and arrangements for how often and how long to meet are planned jointly by the client and psychologist. Confidentiality is a basic requirement of psychotherapy.

Psychologists and other mental health professionals use several types of therapy; including cognitive-behavioural, interpersonal and other kinds of talk/expressive therapy. The choice of therapy type depends on the client’s presenting problem and circumstances and his/her preference. Psychologists may combine elements from different approaches to best meet the needs of the person receiving treatment. Psychotherapy may be used in combination with medication or other therapies.

Research shows that most individuals who receive psychotherapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. Psychotherapy has been shown to improve emotions and behaviors and to be linked with positive changes in the brain and body. The benefits also include fewer sick days, less disability, fewer medical problems, and increased school/work/life satisfaction. With the use of brain imaging techniques researchers have been able to see changes in the brain after a person has undergone psychotherapy.

Most people think about speech therapy as simply assisting with the literal act of speaking. Speech therapy consists of techniques and activities aimed at improving overall communication by addressing delays and disorders in expressive/receptive language, articulation, oral motor dysfunction, apraxia of speech, social language, fluency (stuttering), feeding and swallowing, communication and cognitive skills.

Some benefits you may expect are:

• Enabling them to speak so that others will understand what they are saying.
• Preparing them for school so that they can keep up with other children in learning
• Improves vocal quality.
• Improvement in the social skills of your child. Speech therapists help children in improving their ability to socialize with other people. They target how to initiate, maintain, and terminate conversations, turn-taking, understand emotions, and more.
• Better communication skills. Speech therapy also involves training children in learning and understanding different vocabulary and concepts, answering questions, following instructions, and other higher language skills. Furthermore, it also tackles expression of self (e.g., thoughts and feelings), clear and correct pronunciation of speech sounds and words, and more. Communication is an essential life skill needed for a person’s day-to-day functions. Without communication, participation of an individual in societal activities (e.g., getting a job, school performance, developing relationships, etc.) are restricted.
• Helps with reading. Speech delay can cause problems listening, reading and writing. Reading and literacy skills can significantly aid in communication. When you can spell, you can communicate freely. Teaching these essential skills can be the key to better communication with others.
• Increases self-esteem and independence. With the help of speech therapy, communication is made more effective leading to an improved quality of life and more opportunities to be involved in society.

Occupational therapy is vital for the improvement of the quality of life for people of all ages. Good occupational therapy can be life-changing for many individuals.

To be effective, an occupational therapist needs to be qualified, but they also need to be the right fit for the client. Assess your needs, evaluate your therapist’s qualifications and experience and, meet your therapist for an initial consultation so that they can share in detail their plan with you and so that you can get a feel of their personality.

Apart from finding a therapist whom you feel comfortable with, you may wish to take note of their registration. Therapists providing occupational therapy are regulated by the Ministry of Health in Singapore through the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC). Therapists holding registrations with AHPC will state so their professional profile and, provide their registration number. You may also go to AHPC’s website to see if your clinician is registered with them.

At Psych Connect, we understand the importance of providing accurate and reliable information to parents and caregivers seeking assistance in managing their child’s behavioral challenges.

Child behavioral therapy, also known as child behavior modification, is an evidence-based approach aimed at addressing and improving problematic behaviors exhibited by children. It is a collaborative process involving therapists, parents, and sometimes educators, working together to develop strategies and interventions tailored to the child’s specific needs.

Child behavioral therapy offers numerous benefits for children and their families. It provides a structured framework for identifying and addressing behavioral issues, promoting positive social interactions, and enhancing emotional well-being. Child behavioral therapy also equips children with essential life skills, such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, communication, and social interaction skills.

There are different types of specializations of psychology in Singapore. The main areas of specialization are: Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Educational Psychology, Neuropsychology, Social Psychology and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. More information on these specializations can be found on through the Singapore Psychological Society website.

A child psychologist is a licensed psychologist who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological and behavioural issues in children and adolescents. They have Master or Doctoral degrees in psychology and have undergone specialised training in child development and child psychology. Child psychologists are usually used to describe an Educational Psychologist, Counselling Psychologists or a Clinical Psychologist specialising in children. These psychologists employ various evidence-based therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and play-based therapy, to help children and adolescents overcome emotional, behavioural, and social challenges.

At Psych Connect, Clinical, Educational and Counselling Psychologists with additional training in developmental psychology and, working with children and teenagers provide services that are typically thought of as child psychology.

Child psychologists are professionals who research and support the mental health of children and adolescents. They can play a crucial role in helping children and adolescents lead happier and better lives. Child psychologists are able to evaluate, diagnose, and treat their mental issues.

Some parents may ignore their children’s problems, as there can be a stigma attached to getting help from a psychologist, and some parents are unsure how to help on their own. However, mental disorders can worsen with time if they are not addressed. A child psychologist can treat children and work with parents, teachers, and other professionals to support the mental health and healthy development of their child.

Treatment could include individual therapy sessions with the child and/or parents and/or family therapy sessions, to improve communication and family relationships. Child psychologists use various techniques, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), art therapy, and child-centered therapy, to treat a child or adolescent’s mental illness.

Specific to Educational Psychologists, they specialise in working with children, adolescents, and youth who have learning and behavioural difficulties. They use a range of psychological assessments and interventions to support students with a range of needs, including those with developmental disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and emotional and behavioural difficulties. They also collaborate with parents, teachers, and other professionals to provide comprehensive support for students’ academic and social-emotional development.

Clinical Psychologist also use psychological methods such as psychometric testing to assess and diagnose mental illnesses, varied types of therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) to treat mental health issues. They may also work with children, adolescents, and youth with learning and behavioural difficulties.

While both clinical psychologists and educational psychologists are qualified clinicians with expertise in psychology, they differ in their focus areas. Clinical psychologists work with mental health issues, while educational psychologists primarily work with students’ academic and social-emotional development.

At Psych Connect, we have a team of highly qualified professionals in both clinical psychology and educational psychology to provide our clients with comprehensive mental health services.

An educational psychologist is a trained professional who specializes in understanding and addressing learning and development difficulties in children and young people. They may work in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, and hospitals. Their work may involve conducting assessments (such as testing of IQ, achievement, attention, adaptive learning and other neuro-developmental challenges) to identify specific learning difficulties, developing and implementing interventions to address these difficulties, and providing advice and support to teachers, parents, and other professionals involved in the child’s education.

At Psych Connect, we offer a range of mental health services, including clinical psychology and educational psychology. All our psychologists are qualified professionals with a Master degree, Doctoral degree or PhD in clinical, education, or counselling psychology. They use psychological methods such as psychometric testing and cognitive behavioural therapy to assess and treat mental health issues, including diagnosing mental illnesses.

Clinical Psychologist also use psychological methods such as psychometric testing to assess and diagnose mental illnesses, varied types of therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) to treat mental health issues. They may also work with children, adolescents, and youth with learning and behavioural difficulties.

At Psych Connect, we offer a range of mental health services, including clinical psychology and educational psychology. All our psychologists are qualified professionals with a Master degree, Doctoral degree or PhD in clinical, education, or counselling psychology. They use psychological methods such as psychometric testing and cognitive behavioural therapy to assess and treat mental health issues, including diagnosing mental illnesses.

Clinical Psychologist also use psychological methods such as psychometric testing to assess and diagnose mental illnesses, varied types of therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) to treat mental health issues. They may also work with children, adolescents, and youth with learning and behavioural difficulties.

Occupational therapy is vital for the improvement of the quality of life for people of all ages. Good occupational therapy can be life-changing for many individuals.

To be effective, an occupational therapist needs to be qualified, but they also need to be the right fit for the client. Assess your needs, evaluate your therapist’s qualifications and experience and, meet your therapist for an initial consultation so that they can share in detail their plan with you and so that you can get a feel of their personality.

Apart from finding a therapist whom you feel comfortable with, you may wish to take note of their registration. Therapists providing occupational therapy are regulated by the Ministry of Health in Singapore through the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC). Therapists holding registrations with AHPC will state so their professional profile and, provide their registration number. You may also go to AHPC’s website to see if your clinician is registered with them.

Diagnoses allow your psychologist to better understand the individual needs. Through a clearer understanding of the unique strengths and weaknesses, your psychologist would be able to identify treatment modalities that are evidenced based and, shown to be helpful and efficient. Furthermore, diagnoses do not go onto any kind of database and ought to be reviewed on a timely basis. A diagnosis is not about applying a label to a problem; it is about discovering solutions, treatments, and information related to the problem.

Psychological evaluation is often helpful in understanding the strengths and challenges an individual may have in their cognitive, behavioral, learning and socio-emotional functioning. The psychological assessment process allows for diagnostic clarity and individualized recommendations. Often individuals who are struggling with managing their behavior, academic work, social interactions, and emotion regulation have atypical neurological development that can be identified through psychological assessment.

In many ways, psychological testing and assessment are similar to medical tests. If a patient has physical symptoms, a primary care provider may order X-rays or blood tests to understand what is causing those symptoms. The results of the tests will help inform develop a treatment plan. Psychological evaluations serve the same purpose. Psychologists use tests and other assessment tools to measure and observe an individual's behavior to arrive at a diagnosis and guide treatment. It is important to remember that “one size fits all” is not an approach that is applicable to the treatment of psychological disorders and problems. For children and adolescents, this further allows for parents, teachers, and therapists to provide intervention and accommodations needed to allow each child to reach their potential.

There are ways that families can help set the stage for a more positive assessment experience for both child and parents. In reviewing the following points, we would ask that you fully consider the individual needs of your child in determining a preparation plan that will best support your child in producing a more optimal performance.

1. Preview

• Talk with your child about where you are going, whom you will be seeing, and what you will be doing during the assessment.
• For example, if your assessment will take place in our clinic, you can access our website and look at pictures of the team who will be involved in your child’s assessment.
• The words “testing” and “assessment” may be aversive or meaningless for many children – we recommend use of statements such as “you will be doing lots of different things together, kind of like puzzles and games.”
• Let your child know that the people will be friendly, the setting will be comfortable, and that s/he or she can take breaks if they need to while they are here.

2. Be physically and emotionally prepared

Avoid planning non-routine events on the evening prior to the assessment if possible.

On the day of the assessment:

• Ensure your child will be well-rested and physically well on the day of the evaluation.
• Make the assessment day a stress-free day for your child.
• Ensure your child has eaten.
• Your child may like to bring a snack and drink to the session.
• Allow your child to bring an object that may help increase their sense of safety and security. Try to choose an object that will not be too distracting for the child (e.g., a small stuffed animal).

3. Outline positive expectations

• It is easy to fall into the trap of outlining what we do not want from a child when preparing for an upcoming event, resulting in a list of anxiety-producing “don’ts” in the child’s mind.
• Restate a “don’t” into a “do”.
• Use vaguely-stated positive expectations such as “work as hard as you can”.

4. Relax and let the process unfold

• We know it is easier said than done.
• Many children are hyper-attuned to the emotional states of their parents and will show signs of anxiety if parents give out those signals.
• Try to let go of any desire or expectation of performance.

Testing is a process. If the purpose of the assessment is to arrive to a diagnosis (to better understand strengths and needs), it is likely that testing will occur over 6-12 hours. Diagnostic assessments ensure that the diagnosis is based on objective tools rather than purely impressions or personal opinions. Psychologists look at profiles across the test batteries chosen as opposed to findings based on individual tests; these profiles are based on clinical research on neuropsychological processes.

The tests that are used to assess children and adolescents are specially designed for their respective age. These assessments are not like “actual” tests and they cannot be prepared for (i.e. through studying). In other words, the materials used during testing are developed keeping in mind the interests of the client and, ensuring that they will be engaging and appealing. Most of the tests are designed as puzzles and some are even available as computer games.

In most instances, children enjoy some of the test materials that are provided to them. We recognize that all children are different and some may find the assessment process to be more stressful than others.

At Psych Connect, we are dedicated to ensuring that the testing environment is comfortable and your child’s emotional needs are met. It is not uncommon for us to take breaks and even to play games prior to testing so as to build a relationship with your child and ease into the test. For very young children, parents can also accompany their child during the testing session.

Should you have worries about your child’s emotional wellbeing during the assessment, raise it with us and, we can explore a collaborative plan to support you and your child during the testing process.

There are a many varied types of assessments available. These include IQ/Cognitive Testing, Academic/School Readiness Assessments, Developmental Assessments, Gifted Assessments, Social-Emotional Assessments, Neuropsychological Assessments, Diagnostic Assessments (e.g., to assess for learning difference such as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, Autism, ADHD, Social Communication Disorder, Language Disorder, Developmental Trauma etc.). You may wish to speak to a qualified and experienced psychologist to understand which assessment will meet your child’s needs.

The aim of a psychological assessment is to identify and understand processes that are impacting an individual’s life. Findings from these assessments offer insight into cognition e.g., memory, processing speed, problem-solving skills, and intellectual functioning) learning (i.e., types of learning differences and personal learning style), behavior, personality development and emotional and social wellbeing.

Psychological assessments at Psych Connect focus on identifying both strengths and needs. This naturally follows with identification of treatment goals and targets, the type of intervention that will meet your child’s needs as well as accommodation and supports in school or at home your child will benefit from. At Psych Connect, psychological testing goes beyond the label and focuses on actionable goals. Tailoring intervention to your child's unique needs allows for therapy to be a positive and fulfilling experience.

At Psych Connect, an Adult ADHD assessment will be conducted by a clinical psychologist. It comprises of several component: clinical interviewing, use of standardized questionnaires and psychological assessments, such as but not limited to a computerized testing measure. After our initial interview and testing, we can provide you with either a memo or a detailed psychological report.

Many people find that having a diagnosis of ADHD helps them make sense of their life and past decisions. This also enables them to discuss treatment options with their psychologist. With proper assessment and a holistic treatment plan, individuals with ADHD are better able to focus on the important things in life, improve on their work performance and relationships, and achieve a better quality of life. If you suspect that you, or your family member, are suffering from ADHD, do not hesitate to call or WhatsApp us to arrange a consultation.

The aim of an assessment for autism is diagnosis as well as developing treatment targets. At Psych Connect, we conduct Autism Assessments for children as young as 24 months old, teenagers and adults. Current tools available, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), allow us to screen for Autism at 12 months of age and provide a reliable and accurate diagnosis at 24 months of age. The psychologists at Psych Connect are sensitive to how culture and gender difference impact the presentation of Autism in individuals.

At Connect, the assessment for children and teenagers starts with a clinical interview and developmental screen. Questions may ask about medical and birth histories, language, movement, play and thinking skills, as a well as interpersonal relationships, behaviors and emotions. Thereafter, the psychologist will make recommendations for further diagnostic testing which comprises of clinical and naturalistic observations and comprehensive psychological testing which includes but might not be limited to cognitive functioning, autism specific interviewing using the ADI-R, assessment of behavior and adaptive functioning and, ADOS-2. Additional allied health assessment with Speech and Language Therapists and Occupational Therapists may also be recommended.

Similarly, for adults, the assessment comprises of clinical interviewing (yourself and if possible, someone who is familiar with you and your needs) and use of standardized tools such as the ADI-R and ADOS-2.