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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Relationship, Couple's Counselling, Emotional Support The Counselling Place Relationship, Couple's Counselling, Emotional Support The Counselling Place

Why Relying Only on Your Partner for Emotional Support is Hurting Your Relationship

When your partner is your only emotional outlet, the weight of your world can crush the romance and lead to burnout. It’s time to move from enmeshment to interdependence. Learn why diversifying your support system is the ultimate act of love for your relationship.

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Relationship, Emotional Labour, Intimacy The Counselling Place Relationship, Emotional Labour, Intimacy The Counselling Place

Why Mental Load Can Quietly Kill Sexual Desire in Relationships

Many people who feel they have lost sexual desire in a relationship are not actually losing attraction — they are carrying too much mental load. Many people describe feeling constantly responsible for what needs to happen next—remembering, anticipating, organising, and holding everything together. Over time, this invisible mental responsibility can quietly reshape emotional and sexual intimacy within relationships. Sex Therapist & Relationship Counsellor, Dr Martha Tara Lee, explains how when the mind is constantly managing life, there may be little space left for desire.

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The Trailing Spouse: A Guide for Expatriates in Singapore

No one warns you that moving to Singapore can mess with your sense of self. Your partner has a new role, new colleagues, and instant structure. You? You’re rebuilding from scratch, often while trying to look grateful, upbeat, and “lucky.” That gap can create loneliness, resentment, and a weird dependency you didn’t sign up for. If you’re feeling peripheral in your own life, this guide will help you understand the psychology behind it, and map a way back to you.

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Boundaries, Relationship, Couple Counselling The Counselling Place Boundaries, Relationship, Couple Counselling The Counselling Place

How to Set Boundaries in Relationships Without Feeling Guilty

Setting boundaries isn’t an act of rejection; it’s an act of relational survival. In cultures where sacrifice is equated with love, asserting your needs can feel like betrayal. Discover how to dismantle "conditioned guilt," protect your mental energy, and transform resentment into a sustainable, respect-based connection that actually lasts

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International Women’s Day: Understanding the Invisible Mental Load Women Carry in Relationships

International Women’s Day invites us to celebrate women’s achievements and contributions. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the invisible mental and emotional load many women carry in relationships and families. In counselling, Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Ben Ang, often sees how unspoken expectations around work, caregiving, and emotional support shape relationship dynamics over time.

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When Weekly Couples Therapy Isn’t Enough: How a Gottman Couples Marathon Can Help

Many couples try weekly therapy and still feel stuck — not because they’re failing, but because the format doesn’t always allow enough time for real repair. When issues are complex or emotions run high, a different structure may be needed. Counsellor, Lim Swee Chen, discusses how Gottman Marathon therapy can work.

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When Intimacy Is Chosen — But Not Wanted

Sex Therapist & Relationship Counsellor, Dr Martha Tara Lee, explores the psychology of consensual unwanted sex — situations where intimacy is chosen but not truly desired, and where consent exists without genuine wanting — how intimacy can become a form of obligation, why desire fades in these dynamics, and what it means for emotional and relational wellbeing.

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Trauma & Recovery, Relationship, Narcissism The Counselling Place Trauma & Recovery, Relationship, Narcissism The Counselling Place

Narcissistic Injury: What It Is, Why It Happens, and How to Respond

A narcissistic injury is a deep emotional wound that occurs when a person with narcissistic traits feels their self-image has been threatened, exposed, or challenged. While narcissists may appear confident and self-assured, their self-esteem is often fragile and unstable — and when that self-image cracks, the emotional response can be intense and disproportionate. Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Shifan Hu-Couble, explores what narcissistic injury is, why it happens, and how to respond when you find yourself on the receiving end.

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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.

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How to Speak Your Partner’s Language in a Cross-Culture Relationship

Feeling like you don’t speak your partner’s language, despite both of you communicating in English? Or maybe you’re struggling with cultural differences? Learn to truly speak your partner’s language by decoding communication styles and building a shared Third Culture today.

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Love Maps: Our Internal World in a Relationship

Many couples talk every day yet feel increasingly misunderstood. Over time, assumptions replace curiosity, conversations become task-focused, and emotional distance quietly grows. Counsellor, Lim Swee Chen, explores the powerful concept of Love Maps, developed by Dr. John Gottman, and how updating them helps couples rebuild emotional closeness, deepen understanding, and stay connected through life’s changes.

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Navigating Change in Long-Term Relationships

After years together, every couple experiences shifts—some expected, some surprising. You may still love each other deeply, yet feel more like teammates than partners. You may notice more distance, fewer conversations, or a growing sense that life is about managing, not connecting. If this resonates, it doesn’t mean your relationship is failing. It means you’re human, and your partnership is evolving. Counsellor Lim Swee Chen explores why long-term relationships change and how couples can reconnect with empathy, curiosity, and intentional effort.

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Relationship, Couple Counselling, Alcohol, Substance Use The Counselling Place Relationship, Couple Counselling, Alcohol, Substance Use The Counselling Place

How to Support your Partner Through an Alcohol Use Issue

Supporting a partner through alcohol concerns can feel overwhelming, but understanding Alcohol Use Disorder and its impacts is a powerful first step. Whether you're just recognizing early signs, or navigating long-standing challenges, this blog post offers practical strategies and hope for moving forward together.

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Couple Counselling, Marital Counselling, Relationship The Counselling Place Couple Counselling, Marital Counselling, Relationship The Counselling Place

When One Partner Isn’t Ready: How to Understand & Ease Resistance to Couples Therapy

It’s common for one partner to feel ready for couples therapy while the other feels unsure, anxious, or defensive. This doesn’t mean they don’t care — often, it means they are afraid of being blamed, judged, or misunderstood. In this article, Counsellor Lim Swee Chen explores where that fear comes from and how couples can approach therapy together in a way that feels safer, more respectful, and collaborative.

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Debunking 8 Sexual Myths That Quietly Hurt Intimacy

We live in the information age—yet sexual myths still shape what happens in the bedroom. This guide by Sex Therapist & Relationship Counsellor, Dr Martha Tara Lee, dismantles eight big misconceptions with research-based truths you can actually use, so you can swap shame for confidence and build deeper intimacy.

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Divorce, Post-Divorce, Dating, Online Dating, Relationship The Counselling Place Divorce, Post-Divorce, Dating, Online Dating, Relationship The Counselling Place

Navigating Dating After Divorce: Rebounds, Readiness, and Real Connections

Dating after divorce can feel like stepping into another world. Some jump in quickly and end up in rebounds, while others avoid dating altogether, worried about getting hurt again. The truth? There’s no single “right time” to start. What matters is understanding your readiness, learning from the past, and approaching dating as a chance for growth and authentic connection. This guide by sex therapist & relationship counsellor, Dr Martha Tara Lee will help you navigate dating after divorce with confidence—whether you’re seeking companionship, fun, or a long-term partner.

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The Unspoken Truths About Long-Term Relationships Nobody Warns You About

Long-term love isn’t always butterflies and fireworks—and that’s not a bad thing. From the quiet routines that hold couples together to the unglamorous admin of life, discover the unspoken truths about relationships that Hollywood never tells you with Sex Therapist & Relationship Counsellor, Dr Martha Tara Lee.

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Setting Boundaries with Care: How to Say No Without Guilt and Strengthen Your Relationships

Do you feel overwhelmed from always saying yes — even when it drains you? You’re not alone. In this compassionate guide, relationship counselor and clinical sexologist Dr. Martha Tara Lee shows you why setting boundaries is not selfish but necessary. Learn gentle, practical ways to say no, protect your energy, and strengthen the relationships that truly matter.

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Help! My Partner Has ADHD: How to Understand, Cope, and Strengthen Your Relationship

Living with a partner who has ADHD can feel confusing, exhausting, and sometimes heartbreaking. You may find yourself wondering: is this forgetfulness, distraction, or impulsivity because of ADHD — or do they just not care? In this blog, psychologist Ho Shee Wai unpacks what ADHD really looks like in relationships, what’s reasonable to expect, and how couples can move from frustration to teamwork and connection.

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Understanding Boundaries: A Guide for Healthy Relationships

Healthy boundaries are the foundation of fulfilling relationships and personal well-being. Yet many of us struggle to recognise when our boundaries are too porous—or too rigid. In this guide, Counsellor, Paula Brunning, explores the three main boundary styles, how they affect your relationships, and how you can move toward healthier, more assertive communication.

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