Trauma Therapy & Counselling in Singapore
Get the Help That You Need to Explore and Address the Effects of Trauma
Trauma can deeply affect your emotional well-being, relationships, and daily life. Whether you're struggling with childhood trauma, PTSD, or emotional distress, professional therapy could help you process these experiences and regain control.
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Our therapists offer a compassionate and safe space to help you navigate the complex emotions and challenges that come with trauma, guiding you toward recovery and resilience.
Understanding Trauma & How Therapy Can Help
Trauma arises from both acutely distressing events, such as accidents and violence, triggering significant emotional and physical symptoms that impact well-being, and from less obvious, chronic stressors or adverse experiences. While individuals may be unaware of these subtler forms, they can still act as unseen impediments to their potential. Whether overtly impactful or subtly pervasive, the effects of trauma are profound and deserve attention.
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However, not everyone who goes through a highly stressful event will develop trauma. The impact varies from person to person, with some experiencing temporary symptoms that fade over time, while others may face long-term challenges.
Types of Trauma
Trauma comes in different forms, each with unique effects on mental and emotional well-being. Understanding these types can help individuals recognise their experiences and seek appropriate support.
Acute Trauma
This results from a sudden, intense experience that causes immediate distress. While symptoms may subside over time, some individuals may require therapy to fully process the event.
Chronic Trauma
Chronic trauma develops when an individual is exposed to distressing events over an extended period, like domestic violence and bullying. Due to its ongoing nature, it can have serious, long-term psychological effects.
Complex Trauma
This type of trauma happens when an individual experiences different types of trauma over time, often without a way to escape. This type of trauma can lead to heightened anxiety, hypervigilance, and difficulties trusting others. People who experience complex trauma are often those who are undergoing ongoing childhood abuse or are repeatedly exposed to violence.
Without professional help, trauma may lead to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. But through professional therapy or counselling, you can explore the underlying causes of your trauma and develop strategies to manage your symptoms.
Common Signs & Effects of Trauma
Trauma can trigger a range of emotional and physical responses, which may vary from person to person. These reactions can be temporary or persist over time, impacting daily life and overall well-being. Signs include the following:
Emotional Reactions to Trauma
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Intense fear or a sense of helplessness
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Feeling disconnected or detached from reality (dissociation)
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Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or processing information
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Shifts in personal beliefs, attitudes, or worldview
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Struggles with daily responsibilities and functioning
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Denial or refusal to acknowledge the traumatic event
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Anger, frustration, or feelings of resentment
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Attempts to rationalise or negotiate past events (similar to bargaining)
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Avoiding places, people, or memories associated with the trauma
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Persistent feelings of anxiety or depression
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Mood instability or frequent emotional outbursts
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Guilt, shame, or self-blame
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Withdrawal from social interactions or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
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Emotional numbness or difficulty expressing emotions
Physical Signs of Emotional Trauma
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Increased heart rate or palpitations
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Muscle tension, aches, or unexplained body pain, including headaches
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Feeling constantly on edge or hyperaware of surroundings
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Easily startled or experiencing heightened sensitivity to stimuli
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Recurring nightmares or distressing dreams
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Difficulty falling or staying asleep
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Chronic fatigue or low energy levels
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Changes in sexual function, including difficulty with arousal or intimacy
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Fluctuations in appetite, leading to overeating or loss of interest in food
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Heightened alertness or a persistent state of vigilance
Early intervention is crucial because unresolved trauma can lead to long-term emotional distress, affecting relationships, work, and overall well-being.
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Seeking trauma therapy and counselling can provide you with a safe and supportive space to process your experiences, develop coping strategies, and regain a sense of stability. It could also help you reduce the impact of triggers and promote resilience in the face of adversity.
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By addressing trauma early, you greatly improve your ability to manage your long-term psychological struggles and work toward lasting emotional recovery.
Personalised Trauma Therapy Tailored for You
Every individual experiences trauma differently, which is why it is important to give yourself and your therapist the time and space to fully understand the conditions and factors contributing to your trauma.
Our trauma therapy and counselling therapists are trained to address your unique experiences and feelings. You will explore past experiences in a safe environment and be equipped to move forward with confidence.
Trauma Therapy for Adults
Our trauma therapists provide compassionate support to help you process past experiences even as they continue to impact your life as an adult.
Every one-on-one counselling session is a confidential and non-judgmental space for you to express your thoughts and emotions freely.
Using evidence-based techniques, our therapists will work with you to develop the appropriate strategies to manage distress, regulate your emotions, and regain a sense of control.
Childhood Trauma Therapy in Singapore
Our attachment expertise guides us in understanding how childhood experiences shape adult lives. In Singapore's demanding environment, many carry unseen childhood wounds. Do you find yourself reacting intensely to seemingly minor events?
This could signal an unresolved childhood trauma. If childhood trauma is affecting your daily life as an adult, working with a professional therapist can provide valuable support.
Our therapy sessions offer a safe and understanding environment where you can explore past experiences, gain deeper self-awareness, and strengthen emotional resilience. Through guided discussions and evidence-based techniques, you can potentially develop healthier coping mechanisms and work toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Our Approach to Therapy for Trauma and PTSD
Our therapeutic approaches integrate attachment-focused understanding with proven, evidence-based techniques to help you process trauma and foster lasting emotional well-being. Our psychologists and counsellors work with you to create personalised plans that leverage on your unique strengths, providing tools and strategies for coping and long-term recovery. Some of the key modalities we use include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
This type of modality helps individuals with PTSD by identifying and challenging unhelpful thought patterns, such as over-generalisation, catastrophising, and persistent negative thinking. By shifting these patterns toward a more balanced perspective, individuals can reframe their traumatic experiences and potentially build confidence in their ability to cope.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR involves guided eye movements while processing traumatic memories, helping to potentially minimise the emotional distress associated with past experiences. This technique allows the brain to reprocess traumatic events, promoting a more adaptive and natural recovery.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT encourages individuals to acknowledge and work with challenging emotions, rather than suppressing them. This approach promotes value-driven actions, building resilience and facilitating progress. It guides clients to accept inner experiences as natural responses, empowering them to commit to meaningful changes despite current feelings.
At The Psychology Atelier, our team of experienced psychologists and counsellors is dedicated to supporting individuals on their path to trauma recovery.
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With expertise in trauma-focused therapy, our professionals are committed to delivering personalised care that empowers individuals to rebuild emotional resilience and move forward with confidence.
Dr. Clarissa Lui
Senior Clinical Psychologist
DPsychˆ, MClinPsych, BSc(Hons)Psych
Registered Clinical Psychologist (AHPRA, SRP)
Board-Approved Supervisor (AHPRA, SRP)
ˆnot a medical or dental qualification
Clarissa earned her Doctor of Psychology and Master of Clinical Psychology from The University of Queensland, Australia. As a dedicated and empathetic clinical psychologist, she works with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds across all age groups. She is especially passionate about supporting children, adolescents, families, and couples facing a range of challenges, including trauma and stressor-related disorders.
Lieu An An
Counsellor
Master of Counselling, BSocSc. (Hons) Psychology
Registered Counsellor (ACA, Australia; PACFA, Australia
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With training from Monash University, Lieu An An focuses on strengthening relationships through couples therapy. Utilising her expertise in the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy, she fosters a supportive environment characterised by deep empathy, unbiased understanding, and joint goal-setting, guiding clients towards personal and relational satisfaction.
Jocelyn Liao
Senior Clinical Psychologist
MPsych. (Clinical Psychology), BSc. (1st Hons) in Psychology
Registered Clinical Psychologist (SRP)
Registered Psychologist (AHPRA)
Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist - Individual (Trauma Institute International
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Jocelyn earned her clinical psychology qualifications from the University of Melbourne and is registered with both the Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). With experience in public and psychiatric hospitals across Singapore and Australia, she has provided therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. Also, she primarily integrates psychodynamic and relational therapeutic approaches while drawing on other evidence-based methods, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, to meet each client’s unique needs. Committed to expanding her expertise, she is currently undergoing further training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Melanie Liang
Senior Clinical Psychologist
MPsych. (Clinical Psychology), BSc. (Hons) in Psychology
Registered Clinical Psychologist (SRP, Singapore
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Melanie Liang, a Senior Clinical Psychologist, supports adults facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and life transitions. She fosters a safe therapeutic space, believing in each person's capacity for growth. With a curious and non-judgmental approach, she explores client strengths and promotes fulfilling lives.
Why Choose The Psychology Atelier for Trauma Therapy?
At The Psychology Atelier, we provide trauma-focused therapy in a structured and supportive environment.
What Sets Us Apart?
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Experienced & Qualified Trauma Therapists: Our team consists of trained professionals with expertise in trauma-related therapy.
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Tailored & Evidence-Based Therapy Plans: Our therapists see each individual as a unique person, creating recovery plans to address their specific experiences and needs.
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Safe & Confidential Space: We provide a private and supportive setting where clients can explore their experiences without judgment.