Yale NUS College

Zhengqin is the Head of Counselling at Yale-NUS College. He holds a Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree from Singapore and is certified in practising Eye-Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) by the EMDR Institute, USA. He has been trained as a National Care Officer and was formerly a Human Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) team lead under SGSecure. His work and training has involved working with adults and youth in public and private health sectors, as well as working in forensic settings.
 
Zhengqin’s approach is primarily informed by Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which he uses effectively in the assessment and treatment of his clients' mental health concerns. In addition, he uses a wide range of techniques from other therapy models including Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Narrative Therapy, Positive Psychotherapy and Mindfulness. He has worked with individuals on stress and anger management, depression, anxiety, phobias, OCD, trauma (e.g., accidents, natural disasters, assault, rape or sexual/physical/emotional abuse), grief and loss, and relationship difficulties. His has also worked with individuals diagnosed with personality disorders, autism spectrum disorders, psychotic illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia), and paraphilias. He is also trained in conducting psychological assessments for adults.
 
Zhengqin applies a collaborative approach to tailor therapy to the personalities and needs of his clients. His overarching goal is to help clients become the most connected version of themselves (connected with their values, identity and relationships), feel empowered to face life’s challenges and enjoy life, and experience psychological wholeness and wellness.

Joanna is a Clinical Psychologist at Yale-NUS College. She was awarded her Master of Psychology (Clinical) degree from Australia. She has been trained as a National Caring Action in Response to Emergencies (CARE) officer and was previously a member of the Human Emergency Assistance and Response Team (HEART) as part of SGSecure. Joanna has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with complex and chronic psychological or psychiatric disorders across the public and private health settings in Singapore. She is also trained in conducting psychological assessments for children and adults in both forensic and non-forensic settings.
 
Joanna adopts an eclectic framework of evidence-based modalities to address her clients’ needs. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and psychodynamic approaches. She is experienced in providing therapy to individuals with a broad spectrum of difficulties, including mood, anxiety, adjustment, anger, stress-related, interpersonal relationships, grief, and loss. She has also worked with a diverse range of clients with presentations such as personality disorders, psychosis, autism spectrum disorder, and selective mutism.
 
Joanna’s clinical approach considers the individual’s presenting difficulties to be unique and strives to create a safe space for her clients. She takes a non-judgmental, empathic stance in understanding her clients and providing them with individualised treatment plans that are tailored to their needs. Joanna hopes to guide her clients in their journey of exploring and working through past wounds by finding meaning, healing, and be in search of better versions of themselves as they go forth to lead fulfilling lives.

Claudia is a Clinical Psychologist at Yale-NUS. She earned her Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology in Australia and is a member of the Singapore Psychological Society. As well as extensive experience working with adults, Claudia has expertise in child, adolescent and family psychology in the private and public health sectors in Singapore and in Australia.
 
Claudia has a strong background in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She uses a range of techniques and therapies with demonstrated effectiveness to assess, diagnose and treat her clients' mental health concerns. These include Maudsley Family Based Therapy, Parent Management Training, Psychodynamic Play Therapy, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy and Mindfulness interventions.
 
Claudia enjoys working with a wide range of clients, with ,a diverse and complex range of presenting issues. Her special therapy interests include depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and personality disorders. Through a collaborative and empathic approach with her clients, Claudia helps them connect with their deeper values, equip them with an increased sense of empowerment, self-compassion and an improved quality of health and well-being.

Kathleen received her Masters of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counselling at South University and a Masters of Art Therapy (MAAT) from Saint Mary of the Woods College in the US. After completion of a residency at HCA Parham Doctors’ Hospital and in private practice, she received her credentials as a Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC) and Registered Art Therapist (ATR). Her resume includes working in hospitals, educational institutes, private practice, a community service board, and insurance company settings.
 
Kathleen also has training in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Developmental Approaches in Treating Addiction, and Stephen Ministry Training. She also has trained as a Disaster Mental Health (DMH) Volunteer with the Red Cross, as hospice volunteer with Bon Secours Hospital, and as a Patient Advocate for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) advocating for those affected by sexual assault or domestic violence.
 
Kathleen’s approach is client-centred, holistic, interactive, and strength-based, drawing from her skills as a clinician and art therapist with creative interventions such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialetical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Art Therapy. She also draws from inspiration from the resiliency and strength of her clients. She has worked with clients who have struggled with anxiety, depressive disorders, bipolar I and II, personality disorders, eating issues, autism spectrum disorders, severe mental illness, trauma & abuse, alcohol or substance use and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Pip is currently completing her Masters in Psychology (Clinical) through James Cook University Singapore and is attached to the Yale-NUS Counselling Centre for placement.
 
Pip is an Australian Registered Psychologist and prior to commencing her current studies, she spent 10 years working as an Organisational Psychologist in corporate (investment banking sector) and management consulting roles. These experiences provided Pip with insight into the pressures inherent in high performing environments, and experience working with high potential individuals. Having lived in London and as an expatriate now living in Singapore, Pip also has a good understanding of the potential difficulties individuals face when transitioning to a new country and culture.
 
Pip made the decision to move to Clinical Psychology as she wanted to help individuals overcome their mental and emotional difficulties, and improve their psychological wellbeing in order to achieve their potential and live their best possible life. Pip is experienced in supporting students through a wide range of concerns including self-esteem, low mood and depression, stress and performance anxiety, anxiety in social situations, difficulty managing strong emotions such as anger, relationship difficulties, and career management.
 
When working with clients, Pip draws from a range of evidence based therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Schema Therapy, positive psychology and mindfulness based interventions, and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). In doing this, Pip takes a non-judgemental, collaborative, empathic and respectful approach to create a safe and supportive environment for her clients. Pip is cognisant of the uniqueness of everyone’s own experiences, and tailors her approach to best support each client.

Attending to Year 1 and Year 2 students only
 
Tara is currently studying her Masters of Counselling through Monash University and is completing her placement at Yale-NUS Counselling Centre.
 
As a Yale-NUS alumnus from the Class of 2017, Tara is personally aware of the intense nature of the College’s ever-evolving context and the unique experiences it affords to its students. She hopes her time at Yale-NUS will help her deeply connect with students, while recognising that each individual has their own perspective on the school.
 
Tara’s academic background in creative writing shapes her often unorthodox approach to the world and her enthusiasm for stories, multifaceted truths, and inner reflection. She is particularly fascinated by questions of identity, relationship, and belonging. Tara warmly welcomes students from any background to reach out to her, as she believes authentic connection and unconditional positive regard are among the most important ingredients in the therapeutic relationship.

Isobel (Izzy) is currently working to complete her Masters in Counselling through Monash University and is attached to Yale-NUS Counselling Centre for her practicum placement.
 
Originally from the UK, Izzy majored in Economics and History and has worked in both the finance and education sectors in Asia and Europe. Prior to commencing her Masters, she was a Careers and University Guidance Counsellor at an international school in Singapore. She has a good understanding of living in, and adjusting to, different countries and is experienced in helping students with a wide range of concerns, including study stress and anxiety, self-esteem, grief, relationships, career management and identity.
 
Izzy draws on a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and adopts a collaborative approach to counselling which is non-judgemental, empathetic and respectful, guided by the client’s particular needs. Through evidence-based practice, her goal is simply to help you achieve yours.

Appointments are available by request from existing clients only
 
Alex is currently completing her Masters in Counselling with Monash University. She is attached to the Yale-NUS Counselling Centre for her professional placement. A philosopher by training, she has lectured for 20 years in tertiary institutions in the Asia Pacific in both philosophy and psychology departments. She is particularly interested in issues surrounding identity, community and belonging. Her philosophical and counselling interests intersect in humanistic therapeutic orientations that emphasise both a holistic appreciation of the human person and the practical problem-solving characteristics of cognitive-behavioural approaches.
 
Alex believes that a deep respect for human dignity and autonomy is an essential foundation for all relationships. Because every person is unique, her counselling approach is eclectic. She aims to help her clients find solutions based on a collaborative process which emphasises what the client values, how they see themselves and what they think of as a meaningful life.
 
Alex has also served in a voluntary capacity for non-profit organisations – particularly with the LGBTQI+ community — for more than 20 years in multiple capacities and is therefore sensitive to the particular difficulties faced by clients from marginalised and/or minority communities. She welcomes and values working with people of all nationalities, races, ages, socio-economic groups, sizes, sexual dispositions and religious commitments.