online counselling
A Flexible Way to Access Therapy
Online counselling allows you to access therapy from a place that feels comfortable and familiar, while offering privacy and flexibility. Sessions take place in real time through a secure video platform, allowing you to speak with your counsellor without travelling to a therapy room.
The therapeutic process remains personal and collaborative. We meet at an agreed time, explore what has brought you to counselling and work together towards greater understanding and meaningful change.
At Coast Counselling, online individual counselling is available for adults aged 18 and above, both in Singapore and internationally.
Benefits of online counselling
Greater flexibility
Online sessions can be easier to fit around work, parenting, travel and other responsibilities. Without the need to allow time for transport, counselling may feel more manageable within a demanding week.
Support from a familiar environment
Some people find it easier to speak openly from their own home or another place where they feel at ease. Familiar surroundings can offer a sense of comfort when exploring personal or emotionally difficult experiences.
Access from different locations
You can continue attending counselling when travelling, relocating or living outside Singapore, subject to professional and local requirements. This can be particularly valuable for expatriates, internationally mobile clients and people whose work takes them between countries.
Greater continuity
Changes in location or schedule do not necessarily need to interrupt the therapeutic relationship. Online counselling can help you maintain continuity during busy periods, travel or major life transitions.
No travel time
Removing the journey to and from appointments can make counselling more accessible when time is limited. It may also be helpful if travelling is difficult because of health concerns, mobility needs or caring responsibilities.
A format that may feel easier at first
Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable. For some people, speaking through a screen creates enough distance to make the first conversation feel less intimidating. As trust develops, it may become easier to discuss experiences that have previously been difficult to share.
Who may benefit from in-person counselling?
Online counselling may suit you if you:
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Have a busy or unpredictable schedule
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Travel regularly or divide your time between different countries
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Live outside Singapore but would like counselling in English or Hungarian
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Prefer receiving support from your own surroundings
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Have limited time for travelling to appointments
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Find leaving home difficult because of health or mobility concerns
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Want to continue therapy during relocation or travel
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Have access to a private space where you can speak freely
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Feel comfortable communicating by video
Is online counselling effective?
Research suggests that video-based psychotherapy can be effective for many common mental health concerns. Systematic reviews have found that, across a range of studied conditions, outcomes from videoconference therapy can be comparable to those achieved through face-to-face treatment.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis found no significant difference between video-based and in-person CBT in reducing symptoms among adults with mild to moderate common mental health conditions. Other research has similarly found telehealth psychotherapy comparable to face-to-face work across several studied concerns. Read the 2024 review and the 2022 systematic review.
The format itself is only one part of effective therapy. Feeling comfortable with your counsellor, having privacy during sessions and being able to engage consistently are also important. Some clients find it easier to be vulnerable in person, while others speak more freely online. The most suitable setting is the one in which you feel safe enough to engage honestly with the process.
What do you need for an online session?
A little preparation can help your session feel private, focused and uninterrupted.
You will need:
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A reliable internet connection
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A computer, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone
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A quiet, private space where you will not be overheard
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Headphones if additional privacy would be helpful
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A stable place for your device so that you can sit comfortably
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Notifications switched off to minimise interruptions
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Enough time before and after the session to arrive mentally and reflect
It can be helpful to treat the appointment as protected time, just as you would an in-person session. Let others know that you should not be disturbed, close unrelated tabs and applications, and keep anything you may need, such as water or tissues, nearby.
At the beginning of each session, I may confirm your current location and how I can contact you if the video connection is interrupted. If technical problems occur, we can pause briefly and reconnect.
Is online counselling suitable for everyone?
Online counselling works well for many people, but it may not be the most appropriate option in every situation. It can be difficult to engage fully if you do not have privacy, experience frequent connection problems or feel uncomfortable communicating through video.
Some circumstances may also require more immediate, specialised or locally available support than online counselling can provide. We can consider suitability when you first get in touch and discuss whether this format is likely to meet your needs.
Couples counselling at Coast Counselling is offered exclusively in person. Online sessions are currently available for individual adult clients.
Begin online counselling
You can attend online counselling from anywhere you have a stable connection and sufficient privacy. You do not need to prepare what you will say or arrive with a clearly defined goal; we can begin by exploring what has led you to seek support.
If you are looking for online counselling in Singapore or would like to work with me while living abroad, you are welcome to book a first session.