“I AM NOT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I AM WHO I CHOOSE TO BECOME.”
CARL JUNG
ABOUT PSYCHOTHERAPY
WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY?
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a way to help people with a broad range of mental health or emotional difficulties1. It is often considered as gold standard treatment for a range of conditions due to its strong research evidence base2. However, psychotherapy is not only for those experiencing severe emotional distress! Anyone who is seeking to understand themselves better, or have a desire to examine and/or shift their ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving will benefit from it.
Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few sessions) dealing with immediate concerns, or long term (months or years) working through longstanding and complex issues. The hourly sessions are typically held once every fortnight in a conveniently located yet discrete office in City Hall. In the first few sessions, we will discuss your goals for treatment and arrangements for how often and how long to meet.
Research shows that most people who receive psychotherapy experience positive changes in themselves and their lives3. This includes increased capacity to express and regulate emotions, enhanced school or work performance, personal wellbeing, and better interpersonal relationships3. Consistent with this, preliminary research have demonstrated psychotherapy's ability to modulate our brain activity4.
Since psychotherapy involves being open about your private thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, it might elicit uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, and loneliness. I will support you through this process, and you can be assured of strict confidentiality except in the most extreme situations.
To support access to mental health services, therapy sessions at Talking Therapy are priced at $180/h.
1 American Psychiatric Association (2020). What is Psychotherapy. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/psychotherapy
2 Leichsenring, F., & Steinert, C. (2017). Is cognitive behavioral therapy the gold standard for psychotherapy?: The need for plurality in treatment and research. JAMA, 318(14), 1323-1324.
3 American Psychological Association (2017). What is Psychotherapy? https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/psychotherapy
4 Karlsson, H. (2011). How psychotherapy changes the brain. Psychiatric Times, 28(8), 1-5.
ABOUT ME
DR CHARMAINE LIM
REGISTERED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Hi! I am a clinical psychologist who strongly believes in providing quality and affordable mental health care to the man (and woman!) on the street.
EDUCATION
-
Doctor of Psychology, James Cook University
-
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Psychology), National University of Singapore
-
Singapore Register of Psychologists Registration No: 1909003
-
Singapore Psychological Society, Full Member
-
American Psychological Association, Member
EXPERIENCE
After years in the events and entertainment industry, I decided to pursue my love for psychology.
In 2013, I started as a counsellor at a residential home for children and youths, whose trust first taught me how to enter my clients' world. Later, my doctoral clinical training (1500 practica hours) allowed me the privilege of journeying with clients in a wide range of settings including the Singapore Armed Forces, National University Hospital, and James Cook University. Post-graduation, my firm belief that mental health care should be accessible to all led me to work primarily in the community, with individuals and couples. After, my journey led me to contribute at my alma-mater, National University of Singapore, in various capacities, including as the Lead Clinical Psychologist.
Research I enjoy contributing to the ever-growing body of psychology research that continues to shed light into the whys and hows of psychological conditions. My doctoral dissertation focused on the origins and maintaining mechanisms of depression, which I presented at the Australian Association for CBT conference held in Adelaide, October 2019. You can find more of my research here.
Lecturing I have been lecturing psychology modules at the undergraduate level at Singapore University of Social Sciences.
Others For Clinical Review and Localisation Projects, please contact me here.
SPECIALTIES
-
Depression and Anxiety disorders
-
Obsessive Compulsive disorders
-
Relationship Issues
-
Stress and Trauma
-
LGBTQ-friendly
THEORETICAL ORIENTATION
-
Schema Therapy
-
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
-
Acceptance Commitment Therapy
-
Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing
-
Gottman Couples Therapy
-
Person Centred Therapy
RELATIONSHIP ASSESSMENT
If you were to invest now in your best future self, where would you put your time and energy?
Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development (the longest study on happiness) concluded that the good life is built with good relationships.
Investing time and energy into a relationship checkup may not be the first thing a couple might think of, but it is undeniably one of the best ways to understand the health of your relationship. By identifying strengths and pattern of difficulties, the assessment informs targeted interventions to restore or elevate health and satisfaction of your relationship.
The Gottman approach is a comprehensive relationship assessment method based on over 40 years of research. It relies on detailed, evidence-based methods (including the Love Lab!) to determine why some relationships succeed and why others fail. The full assessment consists of the following:-
Session 1 (Couple; 1h15mins) - Interview and Conflict Discussion
Session 2 (Individual; 30mins each) - Interview
Session 3 (Couple; 1h15mins) - Feedback and Proposed Interventions
This assessment is suitable for
-
Couples who would like to enrich their relationship
-
Couples who are going through transitions e.g., contemplating marriage, preparing for their first child, etc.
-
Couples who are struggling in their relationship e.g., feeling disconnected, stuck in replaying the same fights, being easily triggered by their partners, etc.
An evidence-based assessment can make a huge difference between feeling stuck, grasping in the dark and following a clear roadmap towards relationship recovery and restoration. The relationship assessment is charged at $450.
The good life is built with good relationships.
TESTIMONIALS
Charmaine is a sincere therapist who works with her heart. She helped me discover my strengths, and her sessions are not at all threatening. She is a good psychologist who gave me the courage to live a little better.
Desiree*, 29*, Healthcare Professional
I wish every hurting queer person has a therapist like you.
Sarah*, 45*, Educator
I decided to seek assistance from Dr. Charmaine when I was going through a harrowing family crisis. Initially, I wasn't sure what psychotherapy entailed, or whether it would benefit me at all. But I decided to take a chance since the alternative of doing nothing seemed a nightmare. I was pleasantly surprised to find Dr. Charmaine a patient listener who didn't judge me. After some sessions, my voice would choke, my eyes well up, but at the end my head felt lighter, and that's when I decided the therapy sessions were worthwhile. The journey made me stronger, resilient, and more positive about myself. My friends and colleagues noticed this positive change too.
Alan*, 38*, Consultant
* All names and ages have been changed for privacy reasons
CONTACT ME
ADDRESS
36 Armenian Street #05-11
Singapore 179934
*By appointment only
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase"
Book your first session today.