Welcome to our mental health blog!
Never stop learning with our blog bites. Here, we'll share strategies and insights into counselling, psychotherapy, psychology and common concerns. From relaxation strategies and self-improvement tools to managing anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns, as well as introductions to different therapeutic approaches, we’ve got it all covered!
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How Parents Can Build Emotional Intelligence in Children Through Safe Space Responses
Parents play a powerful role in shaping their children’s emotional intelligence. When children feel safe expressing their emotions, they develop stronger resilience, empathy, and communication skills. Counsellor & Parenting Coach, Paula Brunning, explores how “safe space responses” help children understand and regulate their emotions, strengthening both their wellbeing and family relationships.
Feeling Lost After Becoming a Parent? Understanding Identity Shift
Many parents don’t feel burnt out — they feel lost. Somewhere between caring for everyone else, they stop recognising themselves. This quiet identity shift — sometimes called a parent identity crisis — is more common than people realise. Psychologist Ho Shee Wai explains why it happens and how you can find your way back.
Expatriate Parenting: Raising your Children in a New Country
Moving your family to Singapore as an expatriate can feel like a dream, until the honeymoon fades and real parenting begins. Without grandparents or familiar friends you carry the invisible work of helping kids feel safe, seen, and settled. Let’s explore how how you can best support your family during the transition.
Does My Child Need an Autism Assessment? How Psychologists Get Clarity (Including ADOS)
Most parents don’t wake up thinking, “I should get an autism assessment.” They wake up thinking, “Something doesn’t feel quite right.” Whether it’s delayed communication, emotional outbursts, or a child who seems bright but socially lost, many parents spend months wondering whether to wait or seek help. An autism assessment isn’t about rushing to a label — it’s about understanding how your child experiences the world and what support may help. In this article, psychologist Ho Shee Wai explains how clinicians assess autism and where tools like ADOS fit in.
Why the Men in Your Life Feel So Hard to Understand (Father, Husband, Son)
Many women didn’t come to counselling because they want to change the men in their lives. They came because they feel confused, exhausted, or alone — trying to connect with a father who won’t talk, a partner who shuts down, or a son who seems unreachable. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Why is he like this?” — not in anger, but in longing — this article is for you. Counsellor, Psychotherapist & Parenting Coach, Ben Ang, discusses how you can understand the men in your life.
When Love Becomes Too Entangled: Understanding Codependent Parenting
Many deeply loving parents unknowingly slip into patterns of emotional over-involvement that can place heavy pressure on their children. Counsellor, psychotherapist, & Parenting Coach, Shifan Hu-Couble, explores the hidden signs of codependent parenting, how it shapes a child’s emotional development, and how families can restore balance, connection, and healthy boundaries.
Breathe for Calm: Family Emotional Health
In today’s fast-paced world, many children and parents feel overwhelmed, anxious, and constantly “on edge.” The good news is that calm can begin with something as simple as a breath. Counsellor & Parenting Coach introduces easy, science-based breathing techniques families can use together to strengthen emotional regulation, reduce stress, and build lifelong resilience.
Modeling Holiday Priorities: How Parents Can Create Calm, Connection & Meaning for Their Kids
The holiday season promises joy, connection, and festive magic—but for many parents, it also brings overstimulation, expectations, and an endless to-do list. Children don’t learn holiday values from what we tell them; they learn from what we model. When our behaviour shows connection, gratitude, empathy, and emotional regulation—even in busy seasons—we give our children a powerful roadmap for how to navigate stress and celebrate meaningfully. Counsellor & Parenting Coach, Paula Brunning, discusses what will help you prioritise what truly matters and teach your children the heart of the holidays through your everyday actions.
A Psychological Guide to Creating Christmas Magic for Your Children
Let’s explore the psychology behind why Christmas feels so powerful for children, how to support their emotional needs during the holidays, and how to create that Christmas magic to make this season more meaningful (and manageable) for your whole family.
Parental Guilt: Why It Shows Up & 7 Proven Ways to Soften Its Grip (Even When You Feel Like You’re Failing)
Parental guilt shows up in the smallest moments—a sharp tone you regret, a milestone you fear you missed, or the quiet sting of comparing your real life to someone else’s curated parenting highlight reel. It’s one of the most universal yet least openly discussed parts of being a parent. Guilt isn’t proof that you’re failing—it’s evidence that you care deeply and want to protect, show up, and do right by your child. But when guilt becomes automatic and constant, it can drain confidence, overload your nervous system, and turn everyday parenting into a heavier emotional load than it should be. This article unpacks why guilt appears, the thinking traps that keep it looping, and the gentle, therapist-approved ways to soften its grip so you can parent from connection, resilience, and self-compassion—without chasing an impossible standard of perfect with Counsellor, psychotherapist, & parenting coach, Shifan Hu-Couble.
Asking Questions as a Strategy to Build Cooperation and Problem Solving in Your Child
Instead of telling your child what to do, try asking questions that spark thinking, problem solving, and confidence. Discover how curiosity-based parenting builds independence and strengthens your bond with Counsellor & Parenting Coach, Paula Brunning.
Gaslighting Parents: How to Recognize the Signs, Understand the Impact, and Begin to Heal
You may know what gaslighting looks like in romantic relationships — but what happens when it starts in childhood, from the people meant to protect you? Learn the subtle signs of gaslighting parents and how to reclaim your reality with this blog post.
How Do I Motivate My Child or Teen? A Practical Guide
Every child wants to do well—when they feel they can. If your child or teen seems “unmotivated,” it’s usually not laziness. It’s a signal: I’m overwhelmed, unsure, or exhausted. Psychologist, Ho Shee Wai offers calm, practical steps to rebuild motivation at a pace that actually works—without shouting matches or endless nagging.
Welcoming a New Baby and Preparing Your Toddler for Change
Welcoming a new baby is a joyful milestone, but it can stir a whirlwind of emotions for your toddler and for you. Jealousy, confusion, and regression are common as your child adjusts to sharing your attention. This blog offers practical tips for both the parents and your toddler, to feel seen and secure during this big change.
How to turn sibling rivalry into opportunities for growth
There they go again — shouting, crying, wrestling over toys or snacks. You feel like a full-time referee, worried constant fighting will damage their relationship forever. The good news? Sibling rivalry doesn’t have to be destructive. With the right tools, it can become a pathway for growth, teaching kids resilience, empathy, and communication. In this guide, counsellor & parenting coach, Shifan Hu-Couble, unpacks the causes of sibling rivalry and share strategies to transform tension into connection.
Healing from Parental Heartache
Parental heartache is one of the most hidden forms of grief. While society speaks openly about break-ups or romantic heartbreak, few acknowledge the deep pain parents feel when their child rejects them, cuts off contact, or is tragically lost. This silence can leave parents carrying invisible wounds, wondering where to turn for healing. In this article, psychologist Ho Shee Wai explores the realities of parental grief, why it hurts so deeply, and how parents can begin the journey of healing from rejection, estrangement, or loss.
The Impact of Screen Time on Childhood Development: What Parents Need to Know
Are screens shaping your child's future? Discover the surprising truth about the impact of screen time on childhood development and physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Learn how to strike a balance to promote healthy habits and a positive relationship with technology for a brighter future.
What to Say to Your Toddler When You’re Emotionally Overwhelmed
What we say to our toddlers in moments when our stress peaks and emotions run high can shape their sense of safety, love, and boundaries. Discover alternative phrases to stay grounded and connect with your little one, even when you're feeling overwhelmed.
Little People, Big Emotions: How to Support Your Child’s Emotional Development
Parenting is full of surprises — from joyful milestones to emotional meltdowns over the “wrong” sandwich cut. In this blog, psychologist & parenting coach, Stacey explores why children experience such big emotions, how parents can support them with empathy and calm, and why these moments are essential for raising resilient, emotionally healthy humans.
Redefining Teen Success: Support Their Growth Without Sacrificing Mental Health
Is your teen chasing success—but struggling silently under the pressure? In a world of high expectations and social comparison, today’s teens need more than just grades to thrive. Counsellor & Parenting Coach, Paula Brunning, explores how parents can support their child’s journey with emotional resilience, healthy communication, and a new definition of success.