Frequently Asked Questions
Clinical & Therapeutic Process
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What happens during the first therapy session?
The first session is an intake session where your attending psychologist gathers information about your history, current challenges, and goals. It is a space for you to share your story and for the psychologist to determine the best evidence-based approach tailored to your needs.
You can share at your own pace, as there is no pressure to talk about everything all at once. We will also explain how psychotherapy works, answer any questions you may have, and discuss possible next steps together. Ultimately, it is a session to create a safe, comfortable starting point for working together in therapy.
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What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health. They can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medication.
A psychologist is trained in psychology, not medicine. They focus on assessing and treating mental health concerns through evidence-based talk therapies and psychological interventions, but they do not prescribe medication. At Heartscape Psychology, we are a team of psychologists.
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How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on your specific goals and the complexity of your concerns. On average, clients attending for anxiety or stress see significant improvement within 8 to 12 weekly/fortnightly sessions. Longer-term therapy is available and may be helpful for concerns that are complex, longstanding, or rooted in earlier experiences.
The number of sessions and the frequency of sessions is also collaboratively decided with you based on your therapy goal, schedule and budget.
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Which therapy approach is best for me?
We utilise various evidence-based treatments, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Emotions Focused Therapy (EFT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). During your initial consultation, we will recommend the modality that is best suited to your specific symptoms and preferred style of therapy.
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Do you provide psychological assessments for ADHD or Autism?
Yes! Our clinic offers formal diagnostic assessments for ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and learning difficulties, school placements, and neuropsychological assessments. These assessments include standardised testing and comprehensive clinical report, which can be used for school accommodations or workplace support in Singapore. Drop us an enquiry to find out more about the assessment format and cost.
Practicalities & Cost
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How much does a psychotherapy session cost at Heartscape?
At Heartscape, psychotherapy fees fall within a range and vary depending on the clinician’s role, specialised training, and level of experience (e.g. psychologist, counsellor, or centre director). We are happy to share more details and help you find a good fit based on your needs.
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Can I use insurance for therapy at Heartscape?
Many private international and corporate health insurance plans (eg. Allianz, Cigna) cover psychotherapy. However, MediSave and MediShield Life generally does not cover outpatient psychotherapy in private clinics. We provide detailed receipts and a brief memo for you to submit your manual claims.
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Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist here?
No, a referral is not required to visit us at Heartscape Psychology. You can book an appointment directly via our WhatsApp 8012 0368, phone line 6592 4460 or email us at admin@heartscapepsychology.com .
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Do you offer online therapy at Heartscape?
Yes, we provide secure, HIPAA & PDPA compliant video consultations for clients across Singapore. Online therapy is highly effective for those with busy schedules or mobility issues. We ensure the same level of confidentiality and clinical care as our in-person sessions at our Novena/Clarke Quay clinic. Online session fees are the same as in-person sessions fees.
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Is there a cancellation fee for missed appointments?
Our clinic requires 48 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to offer the slot to other clients on our waiting list. Late cancellations or "no-shows" may incur a full-session fee.
The late cancellation policy ensures that reserved therapy time is respected and that clinicians can maintain consistent, sustainable care. Late cancellations or no-shows limit our ability to reallocate sessions to other clients who may be waiting for support. We seek your kind understanding.
Trust, Ethics & Local Context
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Is my information confidential under Singapore law?
Yes. In Singapore, your privacy is protected by both ethical guidelines and legal statutes. As a psychology clinic, we abide by the Code of Professional Ethics set by the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS) and comply with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) regarding how we collect, use, and store your personal data.
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Information shared in therapy sessions—including case notes, assessments, and even the fact that you are attending sessions—is strictly confidential.
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While we are committed to protecting your privacy, Singapore law and ethical standards require us to break confidentiality under specific, exceptional circumstances. These include situations where there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, or when we are legally required to release information under a court order or subpoena. In such cases, only the minimum necessary information will be disclosed, and we will make reasonable efforts to discuss this with you beforehand whenever possible.
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Are your psychologists registered with the Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP)?
Yes, all of our psychologists are registered with the Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP), the highest standard of voluntary professional recognition in Singapore. This ensures they have met strict educational, training, and ethical requirements set by the Singapore Psychological Society.
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Do I have to declare my therapy records to my employer?
You are not legally required to disclose mental health information to your employer unless it is a specific job requirement. Under PDPA, your records cannot be accessed by third parties without your explicit written consent.
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Where are your clinics located and are they near an MRT station?
Our Clarke Quay clinic is located at 40 Carpenter Street, which is a 5-minute walk from Clarke Quay MRT.
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Our Novena clinic is located at Novena Royal Square Medical Centre, with the nearest MRT being Novena.
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Lift access is available for both clinic locations.