Psychologist & counsellor

What does a psychologist & counsellor do?

A psychologist or counsellor helps people with emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties.

You assess what is going on, agree goals with the client, and deliver sessions that build coping skills. Clients may be children, adults, couples or families.

In Singapore, you work in hospitals, schools, family service centres, community agencies, government bodies and private practices. Clinical psychologists focus on diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Counsellors focus on guidance, support and short or medium-term therapy.

You work with social workers, doctors, nurses, teachers, case managers and volunteers. Senior staff also supervise newer counsellors and guide how the organisation sets its standards.

What the work involves

• Meet clients one-to-one, in families or in groups, and run planned counselling sessions.
• Interview clients and use observation and psychological tests to understand their needs and risks.
• Write case notes and reports, and review each client's progress against the plan.
• Refer urgent or high-risk cases to a senior colleague, and join crisis responses when needed.
• Meet doctors, teachers, social workers and others involved in a client's care to agree on next steps.
• Attend supervision, and train volunteers or para-counsellors if you are more senior.

Pay in Singapore

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Skills a psychologist & counsellor needs

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Psychologist & counsellor job description

We are looking for a psychologist or counsellor to support individuals and families facing emotional, behavioural or mental health challenges.

You will assess clients, plan and deliver interventions, keep accurate records and work with other professionals. You will follow professional, legal and ethical standards, including data privacy rules. Settings include hospitals, schools, community agencies and private clinics.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients through interviews, observation and suitable psychological tests.
• Form a clear picture of each client's needs, strengths and level of risk.
• Plan and deliver individual, couple, family or group counselling.
• Write case notes, assessment reports and progress reviews on time.
• Spot high-risk situations and escalate them using the organisation's protocol.
• Work with doctors, teachers, social workers and other professionals on shared cases.
• Review how well your sessions work and adjust the plan with the client.
• Keep client information private and follow professional and ethical codes.
• Attend supervision and keep your training up to date.
• Support junior staff, volunteers or community education sessions, as your level allows.

Requirements

• A degree in psychology, counselling or a related field. Many clinical roles ask for a postgraduate qualification.
• Supervised practice or an internship in counselling or clinical work. Entry roles often accept 0 to 2 years.
• Training in assessment tools and in methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy or family work.
• Good spoken and written communication. A second language such as Mandarin, Malay or Tamil helps in many settings.
• Familiarity with case management systems and secure record keeping.
• Membership or registration with a professional body, if the employer requires it.

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Psychologist & counsellor career path

Counselling careers in Singapore usually move from supervised practice to independent casework, then to supervising others and shaping services.

Senior steps add training, research and policy work.

1. Associate Counsellor

   Entry · SkillsFuture title

   You work under close supervision on lower-risk cases and learn the organisation's assessment and documentation methods.

2. Counsellor

   Mid · SkillsFuture title

   You handle your own caseload, run assessments and interventions, and escalate high-risk cases.

3. Senior Counsellor

   Senior · SkillsFuture title

   You take on moderate to high-complexity cases, run groups, supervise newer counsellors and help improve service quality.

4. Principal Counsellor

   Lead · SkillsFuture title

   You guide practice across a team, lead research and training, and advise on difficult cases. A Senior Principal Counsellor step sits above this in the framework.

5. Chief Counsellor

   Head · SkillsFuture title

   You set the direction of counselling services, represent the organisation with partners and influence social sector policy.

Steps marked "SkillsFuture title" follow the career pathway in the SkillsFuture Skills Framework. The others are titles commonly used in Singapore.

Related jobs and their pay

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Psychologist & counsellor interview questions

We wrote these questions from the skills this job needs. They are not an official question bank.

1. How do you structure a first session with a new client?

   What a good answer covers

   • Explains the purpose, confidentiality and its limits at the start
   • Builds rapport before asking sensitive questions
   • Gathers the presenting concern, history, risks and supports
   • Agrees on goals and next steps with the client
   • Records the session clearly afterwards

2. How do you choose a psychological test, and how do you check it suits a client in Singapore?

   What a good answer covers

   • Matches the tool to the question being asked and the client's age
   • Checks reliability, validity and whether norms fit local populations
   • Considers language, education and cultural background
   • Combines test results with interview and observation
   • Explains results to the client without jargon

3. How do you assess suicide or self-harm risk, and what do you do next?

   What a good answer covers

   • Asks direct, calm questions about thoughts, plans and means
   • Looks at protective factors and recent stressors
   • Uses a structured risk tool alongside judgement
   • Follows the organisation's escalation protocol and informs a supervisor
   • Documents the decision and arranges follow-up

4. A secondary school student has severe exam anxiety. How would you use cognitive behavioural methods with them?

   What a good answer covers

   • Identifies the thoughts and behaviours that keep the anxiety going
   • Teaches simple tools such as thought records and breathing
   • Sets small, practical goals tied to study and sleep
   • Involves parents or teachers with the student's consent
   • Tracks progress with a short measure across sessions

5. How do you plan and run a group counselling session?

   What a good answer covers

   • Defines a clear goal and who the group is for
   • Screens members for fit and sets ground rules
   • Plans activities that let people share at their own pace
   • Manages dominant or silent members
   • Evaluates the session and adjusts the next one

6. How do you know whether your counselling is working for a client?

   What a good answer covers

   • Sets measurable goals with the client at the start
   • Uses short outcome scales at regular points
   • Asks the client for feedback on the sessions
   • Reviews the plan when progress stalls
   • Discusses stuck cases in supervision

7. What goes into a good case note?

   What a good answer covers

   • Records facts, observations and the client's own words separately from your opinion
   • Notes risk, actions taken and the plan
   • Is written soon after the session
   • Uses clear language another professional can follow
   • Stores the note securely with limited access

1. A 12-year-old tells you in session that an adult at home hurts them. What do you do?

   What a good answer covers

   • Listens calmly and does not promise to keep it secret
   • Explains what you must do to keep the child safe
   • Tells your supervisor straight away
   • Follows the organisation's child protection process and the relevant legal duties
   • Records exactly what the child said and what you did

2. A parent asks for full details of their 16-year-old's sessions. How do you respond?

   What a good answer covers

   • Explains confidentiality and its limits to the parent
   • Talks with the teen first about what can be shared
   • Offers a general update on progress without private detail
   • Shares more only where safety or policy requires it
   • Checks organisational policy and informs your supervisor

3. A client becomes highly distressed mid-session and says they cannot go on. What are your first steps?

   What a good answer covers

   • Stays calm and keeps the client talking
   • Checks immediate safety and whether they are alone
   • Uses grounding and de-escalation methods
   • Calls a senior colleague or emergency help where needed
   • Plans follow-up and records the incident

1. Tell us about a case you took to supervision. What did you learn?

   What a good answer covers

   • Picks a real, specific example
   • Shows openness to feedback
   • Explains what changed in the approach
   • Shows awareness of the limits of your own competence

2. How do you look after your own wellbeing after heavy cases?

   What a good answer covers

   • Names specific habits such as supervision, rest and peer support
   • Separates work from home in practice
   • Spots early signs of burnout in yourself
   • Asks for help before it affects clients

3. Describe a time a client did not improve. What did you do?

   What a good answer covers

   • Reviews the assessment and plan honestly
   • Seeks supervision or a second view
   • Talks with the client about what is and is not working
   • Considers a referral to another service

1. How do you keep client records in line with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA)?

   What a good answer covers

   • Collects only the information needed for care
   • Stores records in approved, secure systems
   • Limits access to people involved in the case
   • Shares information with consent or where the law and policy allow
   • Reports any data breach to the data protection officer

2. How do you work with clients whose language, religion or family expectations differ from your own?

   What a good answer covers

   • Asks about the client's own views first
   • Adapts tools and wording to the client's language and culture
   • Involves family in ways the client agrees to
   • Uses an interpreter or colleague when language is a barrier
   • Raises gaps in local tools with your supervisor

Common questions about a psychologist & counsellor job

Sources