Frequently Asked Questions
Therapy is a collaborative process between the client and the psychologist / psychotherapist. The Calming Ark is committed to supporting you in exploring and working toward your therapy goals. The first consultation session will be an intake session, and subsequent sessions will be structured based on an approach that suits the needs of the client.
Feeling that you do not have the knowledge or skills to improve your situation is a sign that you may benefit from therapy. You can find a list of areas that commonly prompt people to seek therapy here. However, this list is not exhaustive as every individual and their journey is different. If you believe you may benefit from our psychological services, please do not hesitate to arrange for an appointment.
Our psychologist / psychotherapist will spend the intake session getting to know you and trying to gain an understanding of you and the concerns you would like to work on in therapy. As the first interaction between the psychologist / psychotherapist and the client, this session will also allow you some insight into whether you would feel safe with the psychologist / psychotherapist and be comfortable embarking on this journey together.
The number of sessions needed depends on several factors such as the needs of the client, and it can be explored with the psychologist / psychotherapist. The client would not be asked to commit to a fixed number of sessions before the intake session.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor trained in the field of psychiatry, which allows them to prescribe medications.
A clinical psychologist is a mental health professional trained in the diagnosis and psychological treatment of mental and behavioural disorders. Clinical psychologists and psychotherapists help their clients to identify their therapy goals and equip them with skills and techniques to cope with challenges and emotional distress. If medication is required, a referral to a psychiatrist can be made.
These are our opening hours:
• Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm
• Saturday: 9am – 4pm
• Sundays and Public Holidays: Closed
Additional fees apply for Saturday consultations.
Yes, an appointment needs to be made prior to the session. This helps us to ensure that our psychologist / psychotherapist is available to be present with you when you arrive for a session.
If you need urgent help, please visit any Emergency Department or contact the following 24-hour crisis helplines:
• Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1800-221-4444
• IMH crisis helpline: 6389-2222
Our standard individual consultation fees range from S$220 – S$270 per session (50 minutes.).
Our couple consultation fees range from S$255 to $275 per session (50 minutes).
We accept payments via PayNow and PayPal.
Please do check with your insurer regarding their reimbursement policies (All session fees are to be made upfront to the clinic in cash or bank transfers). At present, we do not process any direct billing with insurers, and we do not provide reports or forms to external agencies (i.e. Insurance companies).
As we are unable to answer calls when a therapy session is ongoing, the best way to contact us would be to drop us a text message on WhatsApp or to email us. We will reply to your message as soon as we are available.
What you discuss during your therapy session is kept confidential. No contents of the therapy sessions, whether verbal or written may be shared with another party without your written consent or the written consent of your parent/legal guardian.
The following is a list of exceptions under which client confidentiality may be breached under the law:
• If there are perceived risks to self (suicide) or others (homicide)
• If there is information on the abuse of minors or vulnerable adults
• If there is information on illegal activities (eg. the consumption of illicit substances)
• If personal information is needed for a medical emergency
• If required by a court order
We understand that unforeseen circumstances sometimes result in delays. If you might be late for a session, please drop us a text message to let us know. We seek your understanding that we would still need to conclude the session at the pre-arranged time so that we can attend to the next client punctually. This allows us to build safety with each client by respecting their time.
If you are unable to attend an appointment, we request that you provide at least 1-working day advanced notice to our office. Please note that for cancellations made with less than 1 working day notice or when a scheduled appointment is completely missed, you will be billed for the entire cost of your scheduled appointment, which we request is paid for before your next session. This is a standard practice across psychological practices in Singapore and helps us to keep the office schedule running timely and efficiently.