FAQs About Seeing a Psychologist
The Psychology Service at Yishun Health (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital and Admiralty Medical Centre) provides comprehensive and empirically supported mental health care, with the goal of promoting emotional well-being and enhancing overall health.
Our team of clinical psychologists offer psychological assessments (e.g., intellectual, neuropsychological and dementia assessments) and individual psychotherapy.
We address various mental health concerns including anxiety and mood disorders, obsessivecompulsive disorders and posttraumatic stress disorders. We work within a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists and case managers to ensure holistic care for our patients.
Our department sees individuals aged 18 years old and above. Appointments can be made through our appointment lines at 6807 8088 (Admiralty Medical Centre) or 6555 8828 (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital), or through a referral from our doctors. For other matters, please contact our main lines at 6807 8088 (Admiralty Medical Centre) or 6555 8000 (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital).
Who is a clinical psychologist?
In Singapore, clinical psychologists are required to have at least 2 years of postgraduate training in Clinical Psychology with coursework, research, and supervised clinical practice (Master/Doctoral). Clinical psychologists are trained in conducting psychotherapy and psychometric assessments.
What is a psychological assessment?
Psychological assessments make use of standardised instruments to assess cognitive functions, behaviour, social-emotional functioning (i.e., mood, personality), and in certain cases, adaptive functioning and academic achievement. Psychologists administer assessments for a wide variety of reasons.
For example, assessment of attention and memory can help a psychologist diagnose conditions such as brain injuries or dementia. A psychological assessment can include several components such as norm-referenced psychological tests, a clinical interview, reviewing school or medical records, and observational data.
What assessments do you provide?
Our psychologists conduct assessments for intellectual and adaptive functioning, dementia, and other neuropsychological assessments (e.g., executive functioning).
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy refers to a variety of psychological interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, etc...) that help people understand and manage their dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It is done in a private and conidential setting.
It aims to improve mental wellbeing, beyond just discussing problems. Therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, the presenting issues, and the needs of the individual receiving therapy.
What happens when I see a clinical psychologist for psychotherapy?
The first visit allows you and your psychologist to get to know each other and to collaboratively determine the direction of therapy. During the initial visit, you may be asked about your reasons for seeking therapy, your current difficulties, and personal background including childhood experiences, education and occupation history, relationships, and current living situation. This session will also cover the expected duration of treatment, therapeutic modalities to be employed, and limits of confidentiality.
Subsequent visits will focus more on therapeutic work. Do keep in mind that psychotherapy is a gradual process aimed at providing long-term solutions, hence it is unlikely that you will find “immediate fixes” after your initial visit.
Is the information I discuss confidential?
During the session, your Clinical Psychologist will take notes which will be kept with your hospital medical records. Your information will not be released to any person or organisation without your permission. However, there are several exceptions to confidentiality with a Clinical Psychologist.
If you are assessed to be at risk of harm to yourself or others, your Clinical Psychologist will have to break confidentiality to protect you and those around you. In rare cases, a Clinical Psychologist may have to discuss confidential information if they are subpoenaed to testify in court.
How long and how often should I see a clinical psychologist for psychotherapy?
This will depend on the issue(s) you would like to work on. However, psychotherapy is a time-limited intervention, and it is recommended to be kept between 8 to 12 sessions. More sessions can be offered if required which can be discussed with your psychologist. In general, we encourage you to have at least 4 to 6 sessions to give therapy a chance to work.
Can you guarantee that my problems will be solved?
No, your Clinical Psychologist cannot guarantee that all your problems will be solved. However, they will try their best to help you learn ways to address the problems you are struggling with. At times, other professionals may be better able to assist you. If so, your Clinical
Psychologist will encourage you to seek these services rather than continue with them.
What if I cannot make it to my appointments?
We kindly request that you contact our appointment lines at 6807 8088 (Admiralty Medical Centre) or 6555 8828 (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital) or reschedule your appointments on Health as soon as possible. This increases the chance of you obtaining an earlier appointment, allows other patients to have access to the appointment and helps us to keep cost down for all by reducing no-show rates.
Our policy is to discharge patients after two consecutive no-shows. Once discharged, patients will not be able to make further appointments unless re-referred. In addition, we kindly request that you arrive slightly before your appointment time to allow you to register for your appointments.
Due to tight scheduling, you may not be seen if you arrive more than 10 minutes late. Each Clinical Psychologist has different clinic slots. Appointment slots are available on Mondays to Fridays, between 8:30AM to 5:30PM.
Yishun Health is a network of medical institutions and health facilities of the National Healthcare Group in the north of Singapore. It comprises Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Community Hospital and community extension, Admiralty Medical Centre. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital • (65) 6555 8000 • www.ktph.com.sg Yishun Community Hospital • (65) 6807 8800 • www.yishuncommunityhospital.com.sg