Whether you are having problems in your relationship or you would just like to understand your spouse better, talking to a professional marriage counsellor can make a real difference. Marriage counselling sessions can also be helpful if you are looking to transition peacefully out of a marital relationship.
Marriage counselling, also known as couples counselling or relationship counselling, is a type of therapy attended by both partners in a romantic relationship.
Working with a counsellor can bring benefits such as developing better communication skills, improving mental wellness and self esteem, and gaining a deeper level of emotional support and mutual understanding with your partner.
Though there was a certain stigma attached to relationship counselling in the past, this has greatly diminished over the last several years. More people now understand that even the most loving married couples can sometimes experience difficulties, and that it's okay to seek help for relationship matters.
You don't have to be married to go to couples counselling. Many of our couples therapy clients aren't married. The only prerequisites are that you be in a relationship and have a genuine desire to make that relationship better.
To make an appointment,
Call/WhatsApp us on +65 9853-7253, email us at admin@counselingperspective.com, or book online to get instant confirmation.
There is a misconception that only couples who are on the brink of divorce or separation need to go to counselling. However, people can have many different motivations for visiting a marriage counsellor.
We have listed below nine common reasons why couples in Singapore may seek professional counselling services.
Far from being a death-knell to a relationship, going to counselling with your spouse can be a very positive sign, as it shows focus and willingness to strengthen the marriage. You and your partner may be attending counselling sessions together to learn how to better show your support, care, and love for each other.
Communication problems can lead to hurt emotions and conflicts between partners in a relationship. Often, differences in communication styles play a role. For example, one partner may not like to talk as much as the other, or may feel they lack the skills to properly communicate their concerns and needs.
If one or both partners in a relationship is affected by mental health issues - for example, depression, stress, or OCD - then this will likely also affect their families, jobs, and other aspects of their lives. You may wish to get guidance from a professional therapist on how to support the mental well-being of your partner.
Big life changes can sometimes lead to big conflicts for couples and families. Even positive or exciting life transitions can pose challenges. For example, you and your spouse may find yourselves under strain as you navigate the upheaval of welcoming a child, moving house or country, or starting a new job or business.
Loss of sexual intimacy in a marriage can happen to couples in any stage of life, sometimes seemingly without warning. It may also be a source of tension if you have a higher sexual drive than your partner, or vice versa. Both are common concerns that can lead you to seek the services of a professional counsellor.
You and your spouse may have different views on subjects such as parenting styles, division of parenting responsibilities, and dealing with demanding in-laws. Therapy sessions can be a place to engage in constructive communication about these differences, with your counsellor providing an impartial mediation service.
Infidelity is one of the toughest emotional challenges that couples and their families can face. Counselling sessions when a spouse has been unfaithful can be difficult and painful. However, therapy may help both parties to talk through and heal from the trauma of betrayal, and focus on renewed hope for their future together.
You may still care deeply for your partner and their well-being, but no longer feel the same level of romantic love and emotional intimacy that drew you to them at the beginning of your relationship. One or both of you may no longer feel valued by the other spouse, or believe that your relationship has lost meaning.
Things may have deteriorated to the point that you and your spouse hold a negative attitude toward your relationship and/or each other. Yet you may choose to seek out the services of a marriage therapist instead of those of a divorce lawyer, because you hope that with professional support the relationship may be saved.
For most couples, relationship counselling will not require a long-term commitment. The majority of our clients achieve successful outcomes in around twelve weeks of one counselling session per week, and often report significant improvement in the relationship dynamic within the first few sessions.
At your first session, your counsellor will ask you and your partner questions about yourselves and your marriage. For instance: where did you meet, how long have you been together, why did you get together, what brought you to seek therapy services, and what are your relationship goals.
The primary focus of this initial couples counselling session is not to assign blame, but to establish a safe place for both parties. Your therapist will work together with you and your spouse to create an environment where each person can talk honestly, process emotions, and work through any areas of concern.
As you attend subsequent sessions, you and your partner will continue to gain insight and understanding into the other's needs, wants, and values. At the end of each session, your counsellor may give both you and your spouse some homework exercises to complete before the next session.
Some of the work you will do in relationship therapy may be difficult, confrontational, or scary. For optimal results, you need to be willing to have an open mind, be engaged and present during the counselling process, change some of your existing thought and behavioural patterns, and undergo active self-reflection and self improvement. Doing these things is not always easy or comfortable.
However, the hard work you put in is likely to pay off in the form of a stronger and healthier marriage. According to multiple studies, the majority of couples who have attended relationship therapy together are happier for having done so.
Our relationship counsellors have years of experience in supporting individuals, couples and families through numerous relationship issues and challenges. Visit their biography pages to learn more about our counselling professionals, or
make a booking for you and your partner today.
Oliver is from Switzerland and is fluent in English and German. He is trained in Emotion Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT), a type of relationship counselling known for its high success rate.
Dr. Glenn is our counselling director and has been counselling and life coaching in Singapore since 2004. His professional experience includes mediating intercultural relationship conflicts.
Chei Liang is trained in approaches including Psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis, and Cognitive Therapy. She offers relationship therapy sessions in English and Mandarin.
Grace is an experienced couples counsellor who ensures that her clients feel safe, acknowledged and accepted. She provides in-person and online therapy in English.
Dr. Glenn is our counselling director and has been counselling and life coaching in Singapore since 2004. His professional experience includes mediating intercultural relationship conflicts.
Chei Liang is trained in approaches including Psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis, and Choice Theory / Reality Therapy. She offers relationship therapy sessions in both English and Mandarin.
Claudette has been a therapist for more than two decades. She is experienced with counselling couples at any stage of a relationship, from marriage preparation to divorce.
Esther is an intimacy counsellor and speaks English and Mandarin. She is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy, a renowned method for assisting couples with difficulties.
Emanuela has a Masters in Counselling and years of experience as a marriage counsellor and family therapist. She speaks fluent English and Italian, and conversational French.
Dr. Glenn is our counselling director and has been counselling and life coaching in Singapore since 2004. His professional experience includes mediating intercultural relationship conflicts.
Chei Liang is trained in approaches including Psychotherapy, Transactional Analysis, and Choice Theory / Reality Therapy. She offers relationship therapy sessions in both English and Mandarin.
Isheeta has a Masters in Counseling, with a focus in Family Therapy. She has experience in counseling couples and individuals through various stages of relationships.
Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about marriage counseling in Singapore.
Our couples counselling services range from $200 to $350 SGD per hour, depending on the qualifications and experience of the therapist you choose.
Your health insurance may cover the cost of relationship therapy. We recommend to check with your insurance provider before beginning treatment.
Marriage counselling is usually a short-term commitment. Most couples finish their course of treatment within twelve sessions. Sometimes only a few sessions are needed.
Most couples who go to counselling find it helpful. According to one study, about 70% of couples who attend marriage counselling experience positive outcomes.
Other sources claim higher success rates. For instance, according to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, more than 75% of clients report improvement in their relationships after attending couples counselling.
However, the success of couples counselling is dependent on many factors. As with most things, the more that you and your spouse put into the counselling process, the better your outcomes are likely to be.
Studies and statistics show that marital counselling has positive outcomes for most relationships. By attending sessions with a qualified therapist, couples can learn to overcome communication difficulties, resolve long-standing conflicts, manage their emotions, re-connect with their partners, and gain insights on how to strengthen their relationships.
However, there are no silver bullets or guarantees. Sometimes, the relationship is too far gone for intervention to have any meaningful effect. And sometimes, people change.
In such cases, counsellors can help partners work toward an amicable winding down of the marriage. The aim during these sessions is to avoid introducing further trauma and anger, and instead focus on healing, forgiveness, and closure.
To get the most out of marriage counselling, it's best to go in prepared. Before going into the therapy room, we recommend that each person in the relationship spends some time thinking about what you want to achieve from going to counselling.
Picture what your ideal future life will look like. If possible, set relationship goals together with your spouse, so you are aligned in purpose before counselling begins. Create a list of questions you want to ask your spouse while you are in session together, and be ready to answer any questions you are asked honestly.
In some circumstances, you and/or your partner may benefit from other types of counselling, instead of or in addition to marriage counselling services. Your therapist may make recommendations on a case by case basis. Or if you are interested in our
other services, please ask your counsellor if they may be right for your situation.
Counseling Perspective is a center of psychology and counseling services. We have five convenient physical locations in Singapore for relationship therapy.
9 Raffles Place
#17-25 Republic Plaza II
Singapore 048619
87 Science Park Drive
#03-01 The Oasis
Singapore 118260
112 East Coast Road
#03-01 i12 Katong
Singapore 428802
IIf you prefer not to or are unable to visit a counselling centre in person, we also offer online therapy. Through this service, marriage partners can attend online counselling sessions from the privacy and comfort of home via the video conferencing platform of their choice (FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, etc.).
To make an appointment,
Call/WhatsApp us on +65 9853-7253, email us at admin@counselingperspective.com, or book online to get instant confirmation.
Counseling Perspective is a centre for counselling in Singapore. We offer an integrated approach to therapy using techniques and tools tailored specifically to our clients and the issues they face. We help clients so that they can feel empowered to make healthy decisions themselves. We work with adults, kids, couples, and families.
OUR COUNSELLING CENTRE LOCATIONS:
Counseling Perspective at Raffles Place
9 Raffles Place
#17-25 Republic Plaza II
Singapore 048619
Counseling Perspective at Oasis
87 Science Park Drive
#03-01 The Oasis
Singapore 118260
Counseling Perspective at Joo Chiat
291 Joo Chiat Road #05-02
Singapore 427543
Get Connected With Us
Call/Whatsapp: +65 9853 7253 or +65 9636 8060
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