Anxiety Therapy & Counselling in Singapore
When anxiety feels overwhelming and begins to affect your daily life, it can be exhausting. Anxiety therapy and counselling can provide a compassionate space to explore these challenges, including constant worry, racing thoughts, difficulty relaxing, or feeling on edge.
At The Psychology Atelier, we provide a safe and supportive environment where you can explore evidence-based therapies and resources to help you understand and manage your anxiety. Our clinical psychologists and counsellors will work alongside you, helping you discover personalised strategies to move towards a richer, fulfilling life.
Why Choose The Psychology Atelier for Anxiety Support?
Experienced Clinical Psychologists & Counsellors
Licensed & Registered Professionals
Evidence-Based Therapeutic Approaches
Personalised & Attachment-Informed Support
What is Anxiety? Causes, Signs & Impact
Anxiety can show up before a big decision, a difficult conversation, or an unfamiliar situation. Usually, those feelings ease once the moment passes.
However, when the worry feels constant, intense, or hard to control, it may be more than everyday stress. It may affect how you think, feel, and respond, from racing thoughts and tightness in your body to avoiding situations that once felt manageable.
Anxiety also affects people in different ways, but common causes and symptoms often provide insight into how it manifests. Knowing these can be an important first step toward seeking help from a therapist.
Causes of Anxiety
The exact causes of anxiety disorders are still not fully understood. However, certain life experiences, especially traumatic ones, can trigger anxiety in individuals who are predisposed to it. Genetic factors can also contribute to a person’s susceptibility to anxiety.
For some individuals, anxiety may be connected to an underlying medical condition. In fact, symptoms of anxiety can sometimes be the first signs of a medical issue. If a healthcare provider suspects this, they may recommend tests to rule out or identify any medical causes. Some medical conditions commonly linked to anxiety include heart disease, diabetes, substance misuse or withdrawal, alcohol withdrawal, and chronic pain, among others. Certain medications can also cause anxiety as a side effect.
Signs of Anxiety
Anxiety can manifest through a range of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms. Common signs include:
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Having difficulty concentrating
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Feeling on edge or irritable
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Feeling panic, dread, fear, and uneasiness
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Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts
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Heart palpitations
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Shortness of breath
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Muscle tension
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Restlessness
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Dry mouth
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Nausea
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Numbness
Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms frequently and they’re impacting your daily life, it may be time to consider therapy and counselling in Singapore to help you manage your anxiety.
Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. It takes courage to take the first step toward recovery, personal growth and well-being.
How Anxiety Can Affect Your Daily Life
You may notice yourself lying awake at night, replaying conversations or anticipating what could go wrong the next day. Work might feel harder to manage, decisions feel heavier, and relationships may strain under constant reassurance-seeking or withdrawal. A racing heartbeat, breathlessness, or nausea might even lead you to cancel plans or avoid situations altogether, slowly narrowing your world in ways that feel discouraging and isolating.
Common Triggers for Anxiety
Anxiety can be triggered by various life situations and circumstances, often amplifying stress and creating feelings of worry and unease. Understanding these common triggers can help identify potential sources of anxiety and guide steps for managing them. Some common triggers include:
Past or Childhood Experiences
Traumatic events, neglect, or adverse experiences in childhood can set the stage for anxiety in adulthood. These early experiences often leave lasting emotional effects that may resurface during challenging situations.
Major Life Changes
Events like moving to a new location, experiencing the loss of a loved one, or undergoing significant career changes can be disruptive. These major transitions can bring uncertainty and instability, making it challenging to feel grounded.
Work-Related Stress
High workloads, looming deadlines, demanding responsibilities, or conflicts with colleagues can create immense stress, leading to feelings of anxiety. This is particularly common in high-pressure careers or work environments with little support or work-life balance.
Perfectionism and High Self-Expectations
Individuals who place intense pressure on themselves to achieve or who fear making mistakes may experience constant anxiety. This “fear of failure” mindset can create continuous stress, impacting mental well-being and self-esteem.
Financial Concerns
Financial instability or debt can be a constant source of anxiety. Worries about budgeting, expenses, or debt repayments often weigh heavily, particularly when financial struggles impact family or lifestyle stability.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders can take different forms, with each type involving different symptoms and patterns. Learning about them can help you recognise how anxiety may affect you.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
People with GAD experience persistent and excessive worry about a wide range of everyday matters, such as work, health, or personal issues. This worry is often disproportionate to the actual situation and can be challenging to control.
Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
Social anxiety disorder is characterised by an intense fear of being judged, embarrassed, or scrutinised in social or performance situations. This can lead to avoidance of social interactions, which may interfere with personal and professional life. Common situations that trigger social anxiety include public speaking, meeting new people, or attending social gatherings.
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder involves recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden episodes of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, or dizziness. People with panic disorder often develop a fear of future panic attacks, which can lead to avoidance behaviours.
Phobias
Phobias are intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities, such as heights, spiders, or flying. These fears often lead to avoidance behaviours that can impact a person’s quality of life.
Anxiety Self-Assessment
If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing may be anxiety, brief screening tools such as the GAD-7 can offer a starting point. It typically asks how often, over the past two weeks, you have felt nervous or on edge, struggled to control worry, found it hard to relax, felt restless, irritable, or feared that something bad might happen.
While self-checks can increase awareness, they are not a diagnosis. Speaking with a clinical psychologist or counsellor can provide clarity and guidance about what you are experiencing and help determine whether anxiety counselling may be appropriate for you.
Anxiety and Depression: The Link and Options for Therapy
Anxiety and depression frequently coexist, and their symptoms often overlap, creating a complex cycle that can be challenging to break without targeted therapeutic support. Therefore, whether you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, or both, it’s essential to seek help and openly discuss all symptoms with a healthcare professional. This can help them understand your concerns and determine the appropriate approach to address them.
At The Psychology Atelier, we understand the complexities of co-occurring conditions and provide integrative approaches that address both anxiety and depression. Our team of clinical psychologists and counsellors uses evidence-based methods designed to help clients manage anxiety and support long-term mental well-being.
Our Approach to Counselling and Therapy for Anxiety
At The Psychology Atelier, different strategies are used to help address and manage symptoms of anxiety in clients. The strategies we use for therapy for anxiety include:
Evidence-Based Techniques for Anxiety Management
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a method that helps clients identify and shift negative thought patterns contributing to anxiety. This technique also incorporates mindfulness practices that help promote relaxation and grounding.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps you acknowledge difficult thoughts and feelings rather than trying to avoid or control them. It helps you change your relationship with anxious thoughts while acting in line with your values.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness-based therapy uses mindfulness techniques to help you observe thoughts and feelings without judgement. It can help reduce spiralling worry and strengthen emotional steadiness by bringing your attention back to the present moment.
Addressing Different Types of Anxiety Disorders
Our clinical psychologists and counsellors tailor their approach to each client, whether it’s generalised anxiety, social anxiety, or a specific phobia.
Long-Term Support and Empowerment
Our goal is to understand and address the root causes of anxiety, often linked to past experiences and early relationships. We equip clients with coping strategies to manage anxiety for the short- to medium-term while facilitating deeper explorations to achieve long-term mental well-being.
What to Expect in Therapy for Anxiety
Initial Consultation
We explore your concerns and what feels most pressing. This helps us understand how anxiety is affecting your daily life.
Collaborative Goal Setting
Together, we clarify what you would like to work toward, whether that is reducing worry or feeling steadier in social or work settings.
Tailored Therapeutic Approach
Our therapist may draw from evidence-based approaches such as CBT, along with methods informed by trauma or stress management where relevant.
Skill Building & Reflection
Sessions focus on practical strategies to manage anxiety, while also exploring patterns that may be maintaining it.
Ongoing Review & Adjustment
As you grow in awareness and confidence, therapy is adjusted to support your evolving needs and pace.
How Therapy for Anxiety Can Help
Research shows that sustained and consistent therapy sessions over a period of time can support the mental well-being of those dealing with anxiety-related issues. Methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) have been associated with improved outcomes for people with anxiety-related disorders for up to 12 months following therapy. Follow-up studies indicated that most individuals can maintain their progress after therapy, with reported relapse rates ranging from 0% to 14% within 3 to 12 months.
Meet Our Team of Therapists
At The Psychology Atelier, our team comprises experienced counsellors and psychologists in Singapore with diverse clinical expertise and professional qualifications. Each therapist is committed to fostering a therapeutic environment grounded in empathy, personal growth, and mental wellness. Their varied experience allows them to provide personalised and compassionate support for anxiety based on each client’s needs.
Isobel Tan
Senior Clinical Psychologist
MPsych. (Clinical Psychology); BSc. in Psychology
Registered Clinical Psychologist (SRP)
Approved Clinical Supervisor (SRP)
Isobel brings over a decade of experience working with adults, families, youth and children with adverse or traumatic life experiences, including anxiety disorders. She places close attention on the therapeutic relationship as a foundation for psychological safety and trust. She is guided by a trauma-informed framework that prioritises a paced, collaborative approach with clients, empowers clients with choice and maintains non-judgemental curiosity about each client's unique identity and culture.
Loh Jun Lynn
Clinical Psychologist
MPsych. (Clinical Psychology); BPsych. (Hons)
Registered Clinical Psychologist (SRP)
Loh Jun Lynn is a registered clinical psychologist who supports children, adolescents and adults experiencing anxiety, emotional difficulties and related concerns. Using a trauma-informed and collaborative approach, she draws from evidence-based therapies to help clients explore underlying patterns, manage difficult emotions and develop more adaptive ways of responding to themselves and their experiences.
Seek Support for Anxiety
Consultations are strictly by appointment only.
Keen to learn what consultations or collaborations with us will be like?
We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to help you learn about our process and assess our fit.
Practitioners looking for a space may request a brochure about our rooms and rates.