Couples & Marriage Counselling
Marriage counselling in Singapore
I work with married and unmarried couples in Singapore facing recurring conflict, emotional distance, communication difficulties, trust concerns, or major relationship transitions.
Couples & Marriage counselling in Singapore
Many couples who come to see me are not in crisis. They are caught in a pattern — the same argument that keeps resurfacing, a growing distance that neither person quite knows how to bridge, or a sense that the relationship has changed and they are unsure how to move forward together.
Couples counselling, sometimes referred to as couples therapy, creates a space to examine those patterns — not to assign blame, but to understand what each person is responding to, what keeps the cycle going, and what may need to change.
I work with couples at different stages of a relationship. Some are early in their relationship and want to build a stronger foundation. Others have been together or married for years and are trying to repair what has been lost, or decide what comes next.
What brings couples to counselling
01
Recurring conflict
Arguments that keep returning to the same ground, even after repeated attempts to resolve them.
02
Emotional distance
A growing sense of disconnection — living alongside each other rather than feeling close to one another.
03
Communication breakdown
Conversations that escalate quickly, end in silence, or leave important things unsaid.
04
Trust and repair
Working through infidelity, betrayal or other experiences that have significantly damaged trust.
05
Mismatched expectations
Differences in needs, priorities or expectations about the relationship, family, work or the future.
06
Major transitions
Parenthood, relocation, career changes, loss — or reaching a point where you are unsure what should happen next.
How I work
My approach to couples counselling is structured and assessment-led. I begin by understanding how each partner experiences the relationship, including areas of Chemistry, Compatibility and Commitment, so that we can identify both strengths and where the relationship has become stuck. From there, the work may focus on three areas — Relationship Ability, Relationship Skills and Relationship Knowledge. This can include attachment and family-of-origin patterns, communication and conflict, emotional safety, trust, expectations and the shared direction of the relationship.
I draw on Gottman-informed principles and attachment theory, while tailoring the work to the particular couple. Relationship counselling may involve both joint and individual sessions, depending on what the couple needs.
Sessions are structured but not rigid. I meet with both partners together, and occasionally individually, depending on what the work requires.
Download
Couples & Marriage Counselling Brochure
A concise overview of the counselling process, what to expect, and how to get started. Download and share with your partner before your first session.
Common questions
Do we need to be married to come for couples counselling?
Couples counselling is open to couples at different stages of a relationship — dating, cohabiting, engaged, married, or separated and trying to decide what comes next.
What if one of us is more reluctant than the other?
It is common for partners to come to counselling with different levels of readiness. Both perspectives are given space, and the aim is not to assign blame or decide who is right. A more hesitant partner may become more comfortable once they experience the process and feel that their concerns are being heard.
How many sessions will we need?
The number varies. I usually begin with a structured assessment, including a Chemistry, Compatibility and Commitment questionnaire. From there, we may work on Relationship Ability, Skills and Knowledge, through a combination of individual and couple sessions. The process is tailored to what your relationship needs.
How much does marriage counselling cost in Singapore?
Fees are set by Raffles Specialist Centre. Please contact the clinic directly for current rates. Sessions are available in-person and online.
Is what we discuss confidential?
What is discussed in counselling is confidential, subject to the usual professional and legal limits of confidentiality. These include situations involving serious risk of harm to yourself or others, or where disclosure is required by law.
Can we do sessions online?
In-person sessions are recommended at the start of therapy, as the early sessions are important for establishing trust and a strong therapeutic relationship. For Singapore-based clients, online sessions are usually considered after at least six in-person sessions and when attending in person is not reasonably possible. For clients based overseas, online counselling may be offered from the outset..
When should a couple consider counselling?
There is no single threshold. Some couples come when things feel unmanageable — repeated arguments, a significant breach of trust, or a sense that the relationship is close to breaking point. Others come earlier, when they notice a pattern they cannot seem to shift on their own, or when they want to build a stronger foundation before difficulties take hold. Coming sooner rather than later generally makes the work easier.
Can counselling help with resentment?
Yes. Resentment often builds when one or both partners feel consistently unheard, unappreciated, or let down over time. Counselling creates a structured space to examine what is underneath the resentment — what each person has been carrying, what has gone unspoken, and what would need to change for the relationship to feel different. It does not guarantee a particular outcome, but it does give both partners a clearer picture of what is possible.
What happens during marriage counselling?
Sessions typically begin with an assessment phase, where I meet with both partners together and, where helpful, individually. This gives me a picture of how each person experiences the relationship — its strengths, its patterns, and where it has become stuck. From there, the work is tailored to what the couple needs: it may focus on communication, conflict, trust, emotional connection, or the shared direction of the relationship. Sessions are structured but not rigid, and the pace is set by what the couple is ready to work on.
Does my partner have to attend?
Couples counselling works best when both partners are present. That said, if your partner is not ready to attend, individual sessions can still be useful — helping you understand your own patterns, clarify what you want from the relationship, and think through how to approach the situation. Some partners who are initially reluctant become more willing once they understand what the process involves.
Can counselling help before divorce?
Yes. Counselling before a final decision can be valuable in several ways. It can help both partners understand whether the difficulties they are facing are workable, or whether the relationship has genuinely run its course. It can also help couples who have decided to separate do so with greater clarity and less damage — particularly where children are involved. Coming to counselling does not commit you to staying together; it helps you make a more considered decision about what comes next.
Where we meet
Raffles Specialist Centre — Shaw Centre
1 Scotts Road #05-01, Singapore 228208
6838 0200
If something here resonates with you
Reaching out is the first step. I would be glad to hear from you.