Best Child Psychologists Singapore

As parents, one of our greatest fears is to see our child go through physical or psychological challenges.

For busy parents navigating childhood development, it’s sometimes tricky figuring out if your little one is just going through a typical phase or experiencing something that needs additional attention.

If you’re currently in that confusing situation, getting practical support from a child psychologist and their specialized therapy services can make a significant difference – not just in understanding what’s happening but in helping your child navigate their challenges effectively. Having the right professional guidance is necessary when you’re trying to make sense of your child’s behavior.

As parents, we need to get a handle on both typical and atypical psychological patterns our kiddos experience. Understanding these patterns empowers us to teach them proper coping skills for their emotions. Child psychologists focus on building emotional well-being, ensuring that your little ones develop the resilience they need while learning effective ways to handle their feelings. This combination of professional insight and practical strategies makes a world of difference in your child’s development journey.

For those seeking help, we’ve compiled several Singapore-based child psychologists who can support you and your child through these challenges. These dedicated professionals provide comprehensive and coordinated care, creating a safe environment where your child can express themselves while learning valuable skills. By working with these experts, you can take control of your parenting journey; you’re doing great by seeking the right resources for your family!

Introduction to Child Psychology

Therapy Approaches

Various therapy approaches are used in child psychology, including play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and applied behavior analysis. Play therapy is a popular approach that allows children to express themselves through play, helping them process emotions and develop coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another effective approach that helps children identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Child therapists may also use occupational therapy, social skills classes, and educational therapy to support children’s development and address specific challenges.

A holistic approach to therapy considers the child’s physical, emotional, and social needs, ensuring comprehensive services that promote overall well-being. Child psychologists may work with children individually or in group settings, depending on the child’s needs and preferences. Therapy sessions are tailored to the child’s developmental stage, ensuring that younger children receive play-based therapy, while older children may benefit from more verbal and cognitive approaches. By using a combination of these approaches, child therapists can provide personalized support to children and help them overcome various challenges.

Benefits of Therapy

Child therapy offers numerous benefits, including improved emotional regulation, enhanced coping skills, and increased self-esteem. Therapy can help children develop essential life skills, such as communication, problem-solving, and social skills. Child therapy can also support children in managing stress, anxiety, and other emotional issues, promoting overall well-being and academic performance. By addressing behavioral challenges and teaching coping strategies, child therapy can help children develop more positive relationships with family members and peers.

Child psychologists work with children to identify and build on their strengths, promoting a positive and supportive environment. Therapy can also provide children with a safe space to express themselves, process emotions, and develop emotional healing. Child therapy can help children overcome various challenges, including ADHD, ASD, and eating disorders, and improve their overall quality of life. By investing in child therapy, parents and caregivers can support their child’s long-term mental health and well-being, helping them develop into happy, healthy, and fulfilled individuals.

Finding the Right Therapist

Finding the right child therapist is crucial for a child’s success in therapy, and parents should consider factors such as the therapist’s experience, qualifications, and approach. A registered psychologist or clinical psychologist with experience in child psychology is an ideal choice for child therapy. Parents should look for a therapist who is warm, supportive, and able to establish a strong rapport with their child. A good child therapist will work collaboratively with parents and caregivers, providing regular updates and involving them in the therapy process.

Child therapists may offer various services, including individual therapy, group therapy, and family counseling, and parents should consider what type of therapy is best for their child. Parents can ask for referrals from their pediatrician, school counselor, or other trusted professionals to find a qualified child therapist. Online reviews and testimonials can also provide valuable insights into a therapist’s approach and effectiveness. By finding the right child therapist, parents can support their child’s mental health and well-being, helping them develop into happy, healthy, and fulfilled individuals.

Online Counselling Services

Online counselling services have become increasingly popular, offering convenient and accessible support for children and families. Online therapy platforms provide a safe and secure space for children to connect with licensed therapists, regardless of their location. Online counselling services can be particularly helpful for children who struggle with anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues, as they can access support from the comfort of their own home.

Child psychologists and therapists use video conferencing tools to conduct online therapy sessions, ensuring a personalized and interactive experience. Online counselling services can also provide parents with convenient access to parenting skills training, support groups, and educational resources. Online therapy can be an effective way to support children’s mental health, especially for those who live in remote areas or have busy schedules. Child therapists may use online platforms to offer additional services, such as online support groups, webinars, and educational resources, to support children’s development and well-being. By leveraging online counselling services, parents and caregivers can provide their child with convenient and accessible support, helping them develop essential life skills and improve their overall well-being.

Psych Connect

Psych Connect is a specialist psychology clinic that focuses on specialized services in child development.

They adopt a comprehensive approach to your child’s well-being by thoroughly evaluating their condition and applying scientifically validated therapeutic techniques.

Their services include:

• Child Psychological assessment – for children as young one-year-old.
• Psychotherapy – for children as young as three years of age.
• Educational therapy – to ensure social, emotional, and academic growth.
• Occupational therapy – for children with cognitive, sensory, and physical difficulties.
• Speech and language therapy – to address communication, language, and speech issues.
• Behavioural therapy – to help manage and improve a child’s self-esteem, self-control, and behaviour.

They also address a child’s behaviour by understanding unique challenges such as anger management and emotional regulation, involving both the child and parents in initial assessments.

Psychometric assessments are integrated into their approach to evaluate therapeutic needs comprehensively, ensuring tailored support based on individual circumstances.

Psych Connect is located at 10 Winstedt Rd, #03-13, Singapore, 227977.

Adelphi

Adelphi Psych Medicine Clinic serves both children and adults and is conveniently situated near the National Art Gallery, adjacent to St Andrew’s Cathedral.The clinic also offers relationship counselling to help families address and resolve issues collaboratively, strengthening familial bonds.

The clinic offers psychotherapy sessions and possesses extensive specialized training and experience in managing child psychology cases using evidence-based methods.They address various behavioural challenges that can arise from emotional issues, trauma, or traumatic experiences, providing professional support to help children manage these challenges effectively.

Their services include:

• Clinical consultation – which is entirely private and confidential.
• Child Counselling
• Coping with stress and trauma
• Dealing with grief and depression

Additionally, the clinic provides support for anger management issues, helping children regulate emotions and navigate difficulties through tailored therapeutic approaches.

Adelphi is located at 1 Coleman Street, The Adelphi #04-32, Singapore 179803.

The clinic operates from Monday to Saturday, between 10 am and 7 pm. They also accommodate patients on Sundays and public holidays, but only through prior appointments.

Think Psychological Services

Think Psychological Services is a group of child psychologists with expertise in developmental, educational, and clinical psychology. This team of seasoned health professionals enables them to offer a dynamic approach to assessing, diagnosing, and implementing the appropriate intervention services or recommendations for your child.The clinic is committed to supporting children by providing a holistic approach to therapy that includes youth counselling and various therapeutic practices tailored to each child’s unique needs.

The clinic also believes in a holistic approach to child psychology. They address academic stress by employing various therapeutic techniques to help young individuals cope with pressures such as peer pressure and parental expectations, fostering emotional resilience.

They collaborate closely with their patients, parents, and other key individuals who frequently interact with the child. Their approach includes educating adults on effectively engaging with the child by offering comprehensive social skills training.

Their services include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder)
• Anxiety
• Behaviour Management
• Conduct Disorder
• Depression
• Dyslexia
• Giftedness
• Global Development Delay
• Intellectual Disability
• Internet Addiction
• Learning Disorders (e.g., Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia)
• Mood Disorders
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Restrictive Eating
• Selective Mutism
• Sexuality Issues

The clinic also provides specialized care for young clients, addressing mental health challenges such as anxiety, trauma, and behavioral issues through tailored therapeutic techniques.

Think Psychological Services is situated at 123 Penang Road, #03-13 Regency House, Singapore 238465.

Note: Patients are required to schedule an appointment.

Promises

Promises is widely regarded as one of the top child psychology centres in Singapore, and with their exceptional team, this reputation is well-deserved.

The clinic was established by Dr. Munidasa Winslow, a globally recognized expert in impulse control disorders and addiction, and a trailblazer in this field across the APAC region.

Promises tackles child psychology cases using a holistic and multidisciplinary approach, guided by recommendations from their in-house team of counsellors and psychiatrists. They place a strong emphasis on evaluating and addressing behavioural issues such as anger management and emotional regulation during initial consultations.

The system allows them to develop custom strategies in approaching each case they handle, with a strong emphasis on nurturing children’s emotional well-being during various life challenges.

Their services include:

• Personal counselling for children and adolescents
• Group therapy for children and adolescents – focusing on anger management and social skills training.
• Parenting skills training
• Family counselling
• Diagnostic, Developmental and Psycho-Educational assessments conducted by licensed clinical child psychologists

Additionally, their child therapy services are essential for empowering children and promoting emotional well-being, addressing issues like anxiety and depression through early intervention.

Promises is situated at #09-22/23, Novena Medical Center, 10 Sinaran Drive, Singapore 307506.

Their operating hours are Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, and Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm (Clinical Services Only)

Therapy Alliance

We are parents of a Special Needs Child with autism.

Therapy Alliance was founded and is operated by a couple who have a special needs child, drawing from their personal experiences in caring for their child.They understand the importance of recognizing each child’s unique needs and strengths in their therapeutic approach.

The clinic emphasizes creating a nurturing environment, which is crucial for building trust and facilitating emotional healing and positive change in children facing various psychological challenges.

The centre is staffed with a team of skilled special education teachers, counsellors, psychologists, and occupational and speech therapists, all dedicated to assisting parents and guardians in understanding and effectively interacting with their special needs children.

Their services include:

• Speech therapy sessions
• Occupational therapy
• Social skills training
• Anger management sessions
• Assessment and counselling
• Art sessions – as a way to accelerate treatment.

Therapy Alliance supports personal growth by providing a safe environment for children to explore their emotions and experiences, ultimately fostering healthy development.

Therapy Alliance provides a free consultation.

Bloom Child Psychology

Bloom Child Psychology is a private educational facility that specializes in child psychology. They also provide support for students facing behavioural difficulties, ensuring that these challenges are addressed through specialized counseling and collaboration with professionals.

They excel in managing a wide range of special needs and developmental conditions, including intellectual disabilities, selective mutism, ADHD, dyslexia, autism/Asperger’s, and even cater to cognitively gifted children. Early intervention is a pivotal aspect of their approach, emphasizing the prevention of more profound psychological issues by offering support and resources from an early age.

Their methodology is rooted in evidence-based practices, and they collaborate closely with the child’s parents and teachers. This collaboration ensures that the adults are informed and equipped to interact with and support children with special needs effectively.

Their services include:

• Case assessment and diagnosis
• Consultation, training, and supervision workshops for parents/guardians
• Evidence-based therapy
• Social skills development

Their highly experienced team plays a crucial role in providing tailored, compassionate counseling services to help clients navigate the emotional complexities associated with these conditions.

Bloom Child Psychology is situated at 317 Outram Road, #02-56 Concorde Shopping Centre, Singapore 169075.

Think Kids

Think Kids specializes in supporting special needs children and those with challenging behaviors, ranging from 18 months to post-teenage years. They emphasize the importance of Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention for younger patients diagnosed with autism and developmental issues.

The clinic also addresses developmental challenges by offering tailored support to help parents connect with their children and meet their unique needs. Each child is managed by a team of licensed child psychologists, behavior therapists, counselors, and educational & developmental psychologists.

Committed to a holistic approach, the clinic ensures comprehensive and coordinated care. They utilize evidence-based methodologies such as Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) to effectively address and treat patients.

For convenience, they also provide video counselling and have sessions with patients both in and outside Singapore.

Their services include

• Patient assessment and diagnostics
• Individualized ABA programs conducted by licensed child psychologists
• Social skills and behavioural development
• Intervention and developmental services

Their child therapy services are essential for empowering children and promoting emotional well-being, addressing issues like anxiety and depression through early intervention.

Think Kids is located at 123 Penang Road, #03-13 Regency House, Singapore 238465

Kids Therapy

Kids Therapy is part of the Olive Branch Counselling Services umbrella.

Kids Therapy offers psychotherapy and counselling services for children aged 4 to 12. Their approach utilizes play as a medium to help children express themselves and learn how to navigate and overcome psycho-social challenges. Central to their method are psychological assessments, which are instrumental in evaluating cognitive strengths and emotional functioning.

Their child psychology focus encompasses trauma resolution, emotional modulation, growth and development, and assisting children with social integration through a comprehensive mental health and counselling perspective.

Their services include:

• Applied behaviour analysis
• Art therapy
• Cognitive therapy
• Family therapy
• Interpersonal therapy
• Play therapy

They also focus on addressing a child’s behaviour, understanding unique challenges such as anger management and emotional regulation, and tailoring therapeutic approaches to improve behavioural issues.

Kids Therapy is situated at Olive Branch Counselling Services Pte Ltd, #02-32 Mountbatten Square, 229 Mountbatten Road, Singapore 398007

Psy Wellness

Psy Wellness represents the private practice of psychiatrist Dr Lim Boon Leng.

Dr. BL Lim is an expert in mood and anxiety disorders, children’s ADHD, and child psychiatry. The clinic tackles a wide range of mental health challenges, including behavioral issues, using personalized and evidence-based therapeutic methods.

He advocates for a consultative approach to treatment, believing that success comes from collaboration. His method for addressing psychiatric conditions involves working closely with patients (or their guardians) to create a tailored treatment plan, with a strong emphasis on enhancing emotional well-being.

Services include:

• Psychiatric Evaluation and Diagnosis
• Blood Tests, Radiological Investigations and Pharmacogenomic Tests
• Medications and Psycho-pharmacological therapy
• Psychological Therapy / Psychotherapy

The clinic’s child therapy services are essential for empowering children and promoting emotional well-being, addressing issues like anxiety and depression through early intervention.

Psy Wellness is situated at 6 Napier Road, #09-09, Gleneagles Medical Centre, Singapore 258499.

National University Hospital

The Paediatric Psychological Services at the National University Hospital is staffed with child psychiatrists and pediatricians dedicated to enhancing the emotional and psycho-social well-being of children with special needs. The clinic is committed to offering a comprehensive approach to therapy, incorporating youth counselling and a variety of therapeutic practices tailored to meet the specific needs of each child.

Children under the age of 7 are treated under the guidance of developmental pediatricians and psychiatrists from the National University Hospital Child Development Unit. They prioritize recognizing each child’s unique needs and strengths, ensuring an environment that supports their developmental stage and interests for optimal outcomes.

Their services include:

• Autism Assessment
• Educational Assessment (including cognitive testing and school readiness assessment)
• Neurodevelopmental Assessment (evaluation of a child’s neuro-developmental weaknesses and strengths to optimize a child’s ability to learn)
• Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Assessment
• School Observations
• Evaluation of Adaptive Functioning
• Behavioural therapy for children with internalizing difficulties
• Parent training for children with developmental delays
• Group-based transition program for children with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Sibling workshop for siblings of children with special needs
• Art therapy

Early intervention is a crucial strategy in addressing mental health issues in children and adolescents, focusing on preventing deeper psychological damage by providing support and resources at a young age.

The Paediatric Psychological Services at the National University Hospital is situated at 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074.