Anxiety Counselling & Psychotherapy Singapore

Understanding anxiety, managing persistent worry and developing practical ways to cope.

Anxiety is a natural response to uncertainty, perceived threats and stressful situations. You may experience it before an examination, during an important conversation or when facing a significant life decision. However, when anxiety becomes persistent, difficult to manage or begins to interfere with your daily activities, professional support may be helpful.

At The Lion Mind, we provide anxiety counselling and psychotherapy in Singapore using evidence-based psychological approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Our counsellor works collaboratively with you to understand your experiences, identify unhelpful patterns and explore practical strategies for managing anxiety.

The purpose of counselling is not to eliminate anxiety entirely. Instead, we aim to help you respond more effectively to anxious thoughts and feelings, reduce unnecessary distress and improve your ability to manage everyday challenges.

Understanding Anxiety and Its Impact

Anxiety affects individuals differently. Some people experience excessive worry about work, relationships, finances or health, while others notice physical discomfort, difficulty sleeping or a strong urge to avoid uncomfortable situations.

Although occasional anxiety is common, persistent anxiety may affect your concentration, decision-making, relationships and general well-being.

Common Signs of Anxiety

Anxiety may involve a combination of psychological, physical and behavioural experiences:

• Persistent worry: Repeatedly thinking about potential problems or negative outcomes.
• Physical tension: Experiencing muscle tension, a racing heartbeat, trembling, sweating or stomach discomfort.
• Difficulty concentrating: Finding it difficult to focus because your attention is repeatedly drawn towards worries.
• Sleep difficulties: Struggling to fall asleep or waking during the night because of anxious thoughts.
• Avoidance: Staying away from situations, conversations or responsibilities that make you feel anxious.
• Excessive reassurance-seeking: Repeatedly asking others for confirmation to reduce worry or uncertainty.

Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have an anxiety disorder. However, if they are frequent, distressing or interfere with your daily functioning, counselling may be worth considering.

How Can Counselling Help with Anxiety?

Counselling provides a professional and supportive environment where you can explore your concerns, understand your emotional responses and develop practical approaches to managing anxiety.

At The Lion Mind, counselling is tailored to your circumstances, goals and preferences. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on the following areas.

Understanding Anxious Thoughts

Anxiety can influence how you interpret situations, particularly when you anticipate negative outcomes or feel uncertain about what might happen.

For example, if your supervisor does not reply to an important message, you may begin worrying that you have made a mistake or that your work is unsatisfactory. These interpretations may increase anxiety even when you do not have sufficient information to support them.

During counselling, you can learn to recognise automatic thoughts, examine their accuracy and consider alternative interpretations. The goal is not to force positive thinking, but to develop more balanced and flexible ways of understanding situations.

Recognising Behavioural Patterns

When you feel anxious, avoiding uncomfortable situations may provide immediate relief. However, repeated avoidance can sometimes maintain anxiety by preventing you from discovering that you are capable of managing difficult experiences.

Other behaviours, such as excessive checking, procrastination or repeatedly seeking reassurance, may also provide temporary relief while reinforcing uncertainty and self-doubt.

Counselling can help you identify these patterns and explore alternative ways of responding. Where appropriate, your counsellor may work with you to make gradual behavioural changes at a manageable pace.

Developing Coping Strategies

Anxiety can affect how you respond to everyday responsibilities, interpersonal situations and unexpected challenges.

Counselling may involve developing practical strategies such as structured problem-solving, relaxation techniques, attention management and more flexible responses to worry.

These strategies are introduced according to your needs rather than following a fixed set of exercises. Their usefulness is reviewed collaboratively during counselling.

Managing Uncertainty

Anxiety is often associated with a strong desire to predict outcomes or avoid making mistakes.

You may find yourself repeatedly checking information, postponing decisions or seeking reassurance because you want to feel completely certain before taking action.

Counselling can help you understand how these patterns operate and develop greater confidence in making decisions despite uncertainty. This may support more flexible responses to challenging situations.

Our Approach: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is a structured psychological approach that examines the relationships between thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours.

CBT has an established evidence base for several anxiety disorders. It can help individuals recognise patterns that contribute to distress and develop alternative ways of thinking and behaving.

At The Lion Mind, CBT-informed counselling is collaborative. Your counsellor works with you to understand how anxiety affects your life and identify changes that are meaningful and appropriate to your circumstances.

For example, someone experiencing anxiety about making mistakes at work may repeatedly check completed tasks. While checking provides temporary reassurance, it may also contribute to self-doubt and make future decisions more difficult.

Through counselling, the individual may explore the beliefs underlying this behaviour, evaluate their expectations and gradually practise more flexible responses.

Our counselling approach may also incorporate person-centred counselling, Motivational Interviewing and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy where appropriate.

Learn more about Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

What to Expect During Anxiety Counselling

Your First Counselling Session

Your first session provides an opportunity to discuss the concerns that brought you to seek professional support.

Your counsellor may invite you to explore situations that commonly trigger anxiety, how long your difficulties have been present, the effects on your everyday life and strategies you have previously tried.

You do not need to explain everything perfectly or have a formal diagnosis before attending counselling. The session is intended to help you and your counsellor develop a shared understanding of your concerns and consider whether counselling is suitable for your needs.

Together, you may also discuss possible goals and what you hope to achieve through counselling.

Subsequent Counselling Sessions

Depending on your concerns, subsequent sessions may involve examining thinking patterns, identifying behaviours associated with anxiety, developing coping strategies and reviewing your progress.

Your counsellor may suggest practical activities or reflections between sessions to help you apply what you have discussed in everyday situations. These suggestions are collaborative and can be adjusted according to your needs and circumstances.

There is no fixed number of sessions suitable for everyone. The duration and focus of counselling depend on your concerns, therapeutic goals and progress.

Learn what happens during your first counselling session.

Who May Benefit from Anxiety Counselling?

Anxiety counselling may be appropriate if you experience persistent worry, fear of making mistakes, difficulty coping with uncertainty or anxiety that affects your relationships, work, studies or everyday functioning.

At The Lion Mind, we support youths, young adults, tertiary students, working adults, educators and individuals experiencing National Service-related concerns, subject to individual suitability.

If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or may be associated with a physical health condition, medical evaluation may be appropriate. Some individuals may benefit from counselling alongside treatment provided by a doctor or psychiatrist.

The Lion Mind does not provide formal psychiatric diagnoses or emergency mental health services. Where appropriate, your counsellor may recommend additional evaluation by a suitably qualified healthcare professional.

Meet Your Counsellor

Mr James Chong, Principal Counsellor

James holds a Master in Counselling from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the National University of Singapore.

He is a Clinical Member and Registered Counsellor with the Singapore Association for Counselling and a Full Member of the Singapore Psychological Society.

His counselling approach incorporates Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and person-centred practices.

James works with individuals experiencing anxiety, stress, burnout, adjustment difficulties and other emotional and psychological concerns.

View Mr James Chong’s professional profile.

Anxiety Counselling at The Lion Mind

We recognise that seeking professional support is a personal decision. Our role is to provide a professional environment where you can explore your concerns and make informed decisions about your psychological well-being.

Counselling is conducted within professional confidentiality boundaries, subject to applicable legal, ethical and safety exceptions. Your counsellor will explain these boundaries as part of the counselling process.

We do not require clients to purchase compulsory counselling packages or guarantee specific treatment outcomes. The suitability and continuation of counselling are reviewed collaboratively.

Our location: 3 Ubi Ave 3, #05-01, Singapore 408857.

For current counselling fees, session duration and appointment arrangements, please refer to our Counselling Information page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attend counselling without an anxiety disorder diagnosis?

Yes. You may seek counselling for persistent worry, anxiety-related distress or difficulties coping with everyday situations without having a formal diagnosis.

Your counsellor will discuss whether the service is suitable for your needs and may recommend further assessment where appropriate.

Can CBT help with anxiety?

CBT is an evidence-based psychological intervention for several anxiety disorders. It can help individuals understand anxious thinking patterns, recognise behaviours that maintain anxiety and develop alternative coping strategies.

The suitability of CBT depends on your concerns, circumstances and treatment needs.

Will counselling stop me from feeling anxious?

Not necessarily. Anxiety is a normal emotion, and the aim of counselling is not to remove every anxious feeling.

Counselling focuses on helping you understand anxiety, manage distress and respond more effectively to challenging situations.

Will I be required to face situations that make me anxious?

Not necessarily. Behavioural exercises are considered according to your concerns, therapeutic goals and suitability.

Your counsellor will discuss the rationale and approach with you before introducing any activity that forms part of counselling.

How long does anxiety counselling take?

There is no universal number of sessions. The duration depends on your concerns, goals and progress.

Your counsellor will review your needs with you and discuss whether continued counselling remains appropriate.

Does The Lion Mind diagnose anxiety disorders?

No. The Lion Mind does not provide formal psychiatric diagnoses.

If diagnostic evaluation is needed, you may be advised to consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Seeking Support for Anxiety-Related Concerns

Persistent anxiety can affect different aspects of your life, including work, relationships, decisions and everyday functioning.

Counselling provides an opportunity to understand these difficulties and explore practical ways of responding to them.

If you would like to find out whether counselling at The Lion Mind is suitable for your needs, you are welcome to contact us.

Book a Counselling Appointment

For general enquiries, email enquiry@thelionmind.com.sg or call +65 9740 3519.