QUALITY
EFFECTIVE
MENTAL HEALTH CARE
“I AM NOT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I AM WHO I CHOOSE TO BECOME.”
CARL JUNG
ABOUT PSYCHOTHERAPY
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad range of mental health, relational or emotional difficulties1. It is the gold standard treatment for a range of conditions due to its strong research evidence base2. However, psychotherapy is not only for those experiencing severe emotional distress! Anyone who is seeking to understand themselves better, improve how they relate to people around them, or have a desire to examine and/or shift their ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving will benefit from it.
Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few sessions) dealing with immediate concerns, or long term (months or years) working through longstanding and complex issues. The hourly sessions are typically held once every fortnight in a conveniently located yet discrete office in the Civic District. In the first few sessions, our clinician will discuss your goals for treatment and make arrangements for how often and how long to meet.
Research shows that most people who receive psychotherapy experience positive changes in themselves and their lives3. This includes increased capacity to express and regulate emotions, enhanced school or work performance, personal wellbeing, and better interpersonal relationships3. Consistent with this, preliminary research have demonstrated psychotherapy's ability to modulate our brain activity4.
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Since psychotherapy involves being open about your private thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, it might elicit uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, and loneliness. We will support you through this process, and you can be assured of strict confidentiality except in the most extreme situations.
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Each therapy session at Talking Therapy is priced at $180/hr. To ensure that more people can receive the mental health support they need regardless of their financial situation, we offer a reduced rate of $150/hr for full-time students, retirees, laid-off workers, and single parents.
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1 American Psychiatric Association (2020). What is Psychotherapy. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapy
2 Leichsenring, F., & Steinert, C. (2017). Is cognitive behavioral therapy the gold standard for psychotherapy?: The need for plurality in treatment and research. JAMA, 318(14), 1323-1324.
3 American Psychological Association (2017). What is Psychotherapy? https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/psychotherapy
4 Karlsson, H. (2011). How psychotherapy changes the brain. Psychiatric Times, 28(8), 1-5.
OUR CLINICIANS
Dr Charmaine Lim
Registered Clinical Psychologist
Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP) (No: 1909003)
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Doctor of Psychology (Clinical), James Cook University
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Master of Health Sciences (Mental Health), John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (in progress)
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Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology), National University of Singapore​​
SPECIALTIES
Depression disorders
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive Compulsive disorders
Work Stress
Childhood & Adult Trauma
LGBTQ-friendly
Schema Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
Person Centred Therapy
THEORETICAL
ORIENTATION
In 2013, I began as a counsellor at a residential home for children and youths, whose trust first taught me how to enter my clients' world. Later, my doctoral clinical training allowed me the privilege of journeying with clients in settings including the Singapore Armed Forces and National University Hospital. Post-graduation, my firm belief that mental health care should be accessible to all led me to work primarily in the community, with individuals, couples, and families. More recently, I served at my alma-mater, National University of Singapore, including as the Lead Clinical Psychologist. You can also read more about my journey in a recent interview: Come in, Let's Talk.​​​
I lecture on psychology modules at the undergraduate level at Singapore University of Social Sciences, and enjoy contributing to the ever-growing body of psychology research that continues to shed light into the whys and hows of psychological conditions. My doctoral dissertation focused on the origins and maintaining mechanisms of depression, which I presented at the AABCT conference held in Adelaide. You can find more of my research here.​
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Ms Nellie Lim
Senior Counsellor
Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) - Registered Counsellor
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Master of Social Science (Counselling), University of South Australia
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Master of Health Science (Gerontology), University of Sydney
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​Diploma in Clinical Supervision, Counselling and Care Centre
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Diploma in Family Life Education, Edith Cowan University
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Graduate Diploma in Social Work, Singapore University of Social Sciences
SPECIALTIES
Depression & Anxiety
Childhood & Adult Trauma
Self Esteem
Mindfulness & Self- Awareness
Grief and Loss; Life Transitions
Academic/Career/Work Issues
Relationship Issues
LGBTQ-friendly
Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy (STST)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)
Person Centred Therapy
THEORETICAL
ORIENTATION
My journey in mental healthcare began almost 20 years ago. In the time since, I have worked as a counsellor and social worker across varied settings such as in social services, hospital care, and higher education. I adopt an integrative counselling approach, and strives to offer a secure and reassuring space for my clients to explore their underlying beliefs and expectations before learning effective coping strategies to enhance their overall wellbeing.​
Drawing upon my extensive experience in supporting individuals from across the lifespan, I provide clinical supervision to counsellors and social workers, guiding them in their professional development. With a deep interest in family work, I am a trained Family Life educator, and conduct talks on mental health, parenting, and inter-generational issues.
TESTIMONIALS
Charmaine is a sincere therapist who works with her heart. She helped me discover my strengths, and her sessions are not at all threatening. She is a good psychologist who gave me the courage to live a little better.​
I wish every hurting queer person has a therapist like you.​
I decided to seek assistance from Dr. Charmaine when I was going through a harrowing family crisis. Initially, I wasn't sure what psychotherapy entailed, or whether it would benefit me at all. But I decided to take a chance since the alternative of doing nothing seemed a nightmare. I was pleasantly surprised to find Dr. Charmaine a patient listener who didn't judge me. After some sessions, my voice would choke, my eyes well up, but at the end my head felt lighter, and that's when I decided the therapy sessions were worthwhile. The journey made me stronger, resilient, and more positive about myself. My friends and colleagues noticed this positive change too. ​
Dear Nellie,
When I came to you first, it was only as a matter of self improvement, but in hindsight, right after that, my life threw tumultuous events at me and I am so grateful that I had your support to deal with it. Thank you for being there for me, and for helping me begin my healing journey.
Dear Nellie,
Thank you for helping me to see and feel emotions and situations for what they really are, and for always looking out for my wellbeing. Good souls like you are really far and few between. You are a blessing!
Dear Nellie,
Every session really helped me a lot to manage my emotions and thoughts, making me feel less overwhelmed and normal. You are a wonderful and caring person, and thank you once again for making a difference in my life.
* All names and ages have been changed for privacy reasons. To protect our clients' confidentiality, we do not request our clients to post reviews on Google.
CONTACT US
ADDRESS
36 Armenian Street #05-11
Singapore 179934
*By appointment only
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase"
Book your first session today.