Frequently Asked Questions

What is therapy?

Therapy is a collaborative process between you and your therapist. This therapeutic alliance provides a safe and non-judgemental space to share. Over the course of multiple sessions, you and your therapist will identify patterns that keep you feeling stuck, and then work towards fulfilling your future goals.

Who can attend therapy at SACAC Counselling?

Currently, SACAC Counselling offers in-person and online therapy services to children, teens, adolescents, individual adults, and couples. We also provide educational support to children and young adults, as well as nutritional support to all.

Is therapy right for me?

Absolutely! Therapy is right for everyone no matter who you are! It helps in improving relationships with others, overcoming insecurities and fears, coping with stress, and developing an effective communication style. Moreover, therapy can be advantageous in both short and long term capacities, whether you seek it in a particularly challenging moment, or for ongoing, sustained self-improvement. Therapy is all about you, helping you grow and heal.

How do I find the right therapist?

Finding the right therapist is an overwhelming and daunting task, especially when you’re feeling distressed or vulnerable. It may even seem impossible. You may have questions like, Where do I begin? Will I have to wait for days or weeks before I get help? Will the therapist be able to understand my issues? At SACAC Counselling, we ensure that your needs, preferences, and goals are met by our multidimensional team of customer service staff and expert therapists.

Why is it so important to find the right therapist?

A therapeutic alliance between the client and therapist is the core to a successful treatment outcome. It is how a therapist and a client engage with each other, and effect beneficial changes to achieve the goals in therapy. Forming a therapeutic alliance is an ongoing process during the initial phase of the therapy process. Studies show that once a strong alliance is developed, clients are more productive at work and are better equipped to cope with various life challenges.

Can I change my therapist after the first session or midway?

Absolutely! If after the first session (or for that matter, anytime) you feel the need to change your therapist, please discuss your concerns with the therapist or let our customer service team know about your request. Our staff will work with you to find a therapist whom you may feel is better suited to meet your needs, and we will ensure a smooth transition.

What if I need to be referred to a Psychiatrist?

There may be times when psychiatric intervention will be recommended as a part of your treatment plan. Just as we work with you to match you with the right therapist, your therapist will work with you to recommend a psychiatrist from amongst the panel that we closely work with. We will collaborate with your appointed psychiatrist to continue to support you.

Is any preparation needed for the first session?

Taking the first step to begin therapy can be a difficult decision, so we at SACAC Counselling are here to guide you through every step of the way. We look forward to welcoming you and can be reached by phone, email or WhatsApp. We will pair you with a therapist who specializes in your specific issue.

There will be no specific preparation needed at your end. However, please arrive at least 10 minutes before your first appointment to allow enough time for processing the initial paperwork, which mainly covers completing the contact information and consent forms.

As we operate out of three offices, please arrive at Unit #09-12, where our main reception area is located.

What should I expect from my first therapy session at SACAC Counselling?

During your first 50-60 minute session, you will meet the therapist who has been carefully matched with you. In this session, the therapist will work on getting to know you and defining the goals of therapy. They will also start working to build a collaborative therapeutic relationship. The therapist together with you will determine the frequency of meetings and also set expectations for future sessions. By the end of the first session, you will be in a good position to evaluate whether you would like to continue therapy with the current therapist or be matched to a different one. You also have the choice to seek a different therapist at any point during your treatment process.

What can I expect from an ongoing therapy session?

The goals set in the first session are your road map to the treatment. During the therapeutic process, you may amend some of these goals or set new ones. Our team will always be available to hear your feedback and support you along the way. You can also request that our Clinical Director reach out to you. Our sole aim is to support you through your journey.

What will be the frequency of my sessions?

A typical recommendation by most of our therapists is for weekly sessions, at least in the initial stages of the treatment or until you have accomplished your initial goals for therapy. This varies from case to case and person to person. It may be best for you and your therapist to work together to determine the best arrangement suited for your care.

How can I provide feedback about my sessions or my therapist?

We constantly strive to improve our services and therefore always invite constructive feedback. There are a couple of ways by which you can provide feedback on your treatment. Firstly, our customer service staff will ask you to fill out a confidential online survey at the end of the first session, after which, you can request more surveys at any time interval. You can also write directly to the Clinical Director with your feedback. Feedback is always kept confidential unless you specifically instruct for it to be disclosed to the therapist.

How soon can I see a therapist?

At SACAC Counselling, we believe in providing you with quality care right when you need it. We endeavour to ensure that you are seen by a therapist within 24-48 hours.

Does SACAC Counselling offer evening/late evening or weekend (Saturday/Sunday) appointments?

We know you have a hectic schedule, which is why we offer extended office hours in the evenings, and on Saturdays and Sundays. Some of our therapists even work on public holidays. We offer appointments from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. If you still haven’t found a time that works for you, please contact us and we will work to accommodate your needs.

How do I schedule my first therapy appointment?

Once you contact us via phone, email, or WhatsApp, our customer service staff will reach out to you for a preliminary chat. This is to gain an initial understanding of your challenges so that we can then match you with the right therapist. You can also indicate your preference after going through the therapist profiles (www.sacac.sg/team), and an appointment will be booked for you within 24-48 hours.

How do I schedule ongoing appointments?

Once you meet with your therapist, you can schedule subsequent sessions that work best for you. Your therapist can also schedule regular appointments several weeks in advance to ensure that you have that timeslot together.

How do I cancel or reschedule appointments?

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, you can do so by emailing your therapist or by contacting our customer service team. However, please do note that we require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice for all cancellations; otherwise you may be subject to the session fee unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Do you offer online therapy and is it right for me?

All of our therapists offer online therapy and it works for a vast majority of clients. However, there may be circumstances where face-to-face therapy is a better option, such as when there are specific psychiatric issues, a risk of harm, or when dealing with very young children.

Online therapy is generally relevant for issues relating to depression and anxiety, stress management and burnout, challenges at work, parenting, relationships, and divorce and separation.

Is there any difference between online therapy and face-to-face therapy?

It’s a matter of personal preference and an option that we are proud to be able to offer our clients. Our therapists are versatile, so we ensure that the therapeutic work is aligned with the client’s needs, regardless of whether the sessions are conducted online or in person. Our therapists are bound by the best practices for both online and face-to-face support.

How does your online therapy differ from what is being offered by many other international platforms?

Our platform is based on a hybrid model.

Each of the therapists on the panel has been carefully selected. They are all credentialed and highly experienced. In many instances, we already have a close relationship with them. For example, some of them may have worked with us in the past and have since relocated overseas.

Additionally, we provide local administrative support for booking appointments, making payments, handling queries, and providing feedback. More importantly, our online therapists work very closely with our ground team to ensure that you are provided support should the need arise, for example, with a referral to a local psychiatrist or to other health professionals. During the process of therapy, if you choose face-to-face sessions, we will support you and facilitate a smooth transition to a different therapist.

What is the process for booking an appointment for online therapy?

It is the same as booking an appointment for a face-to-face session. However, the intake and consent forms will be sent for completion before the appointment.

Do you offer a different fee structure for online therapy?

Some of our counsellors work with us in an exclusively online capacity, and the fee structure may be lower in such instances. Please enquire with our customer service team for details.

What online platforms do you use?

The platforms that we predominantly use are Skype and Google Meet. If you have a preference for a specific platform, please let us know and we can determine how best to accommodate you.

How do I prepare for my online sessions?

To get the most from online therapy sessions, we encourage you to find a private space that is quiet and comfortable, check that you have a stable and fast internet connection, and be prepared at least 5 minutes before the start of the session. Do check that your camera and microphone are enabled and that there is adequate battery life in the device that you are using.

What if I want to transition from a therapist providing exclusively online sessions to one providing face-to-face sessions?

All the therapists listed on the website are part of our team and you can request a change at any time. If your therapist feels that you need to meet with someone face-to-face or need to be referred to a psychiatrist or another healthcare provider, they will let you know and work with the team to ensure a smooth transition.

What is SACAC Counselling’s cancellation policy?

You can cancel your appointment up to 48 hours before your scheduled therapy without a fee. If you cancel within 48 hours of your appointment, you will be subject to the full fee for your appointment unless there are extenuating circumstances. For cancellations please contact us via phone, email, or WhatsApp.

How much will I be expected to pay for sessions?

Our fee for an Individual Session of 50 to 60 minutes ranges from $185 to $300 (inclusive of 8% GST) depending upon the therapist. We aim to make our services widely available and offer reduced fees for those who are unemployed or receiving very low income.

To enquire about fees relating to other services, or eligibility for our reduced fee services, please contact us at admin@sacac.sg.

What are the payment modes?

You can pay by:

  • Cash/Cheque/NETS/Credit Cards (VISA/Mastercard)
  • Online Transfer
    • Bank Account Name: SACAC Counselling Pte. Ltd.
    • Account Number: 008-904103-7
    • Bank: DBS Bank
    • Bank Code: 7171
    • Branch Code: 008
    • Swift: DBSSSGSG
  • PayNow
    • UEN: 201609686G
    • QR Code:
  • PayPal: admin@sacac.sg

Is direct billing with insurance companies possible?

SACAC Counselling is registered with many major health insurance companies. Please check with our customer service team regarding the coverage of your specific insurance plan and how we can help you.

Where are you located?

We operate out of three offices at 15 Scotts Road, Singapore, 228218, which is within walking distance from both The American Club and The Tanglin Club, as well as from Orchard MRT. The offices are on level 9 (#09-04, #09-10, and #09-12). All new clients need to check into our main reception at unit #09-12.

What facilities do you offer?

Our modern facilities offer numerous client spaces, as well as a comfortable waiting area. With your convenience in mind, we offer Wi-Fi and phone charging stations. You can also help yourself to a selection of teas and coffees while you wait. Please refer to the gallery for pictures of our office and some of the consulting rooms.

To support our clients in their wellness journey, we have a comprehensive lending library with more than 500 books available. The library covers a range of topics including parenting, addiction, depression, anxiety, self-esteem building, anger management, and relationships. Please connect with our Customer Service staff if you are interested in borrowing any of the books.

Where can I park?

Paid parking is available at Shaw Centre, Royal Plaza on Scotts, which is next to our building, or at the Far East Plaza, which is right across the street on Scotts road.

What do I do if I have questions about data and privacy?

We take the security and confidentiality of your personal information very seriously. Please refer to our privacy policy by clicking on this link (https://www.sacac.sg/privacypolicy.html) for further details.