Quick answer. At public services like the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) or a restructured hospital, a subsidised first psychiatrist consultation is roughly S$40 (about S$37 for follow-ups) after a polyclinic or CHAS referral, while non-subsidised/private rates run from about S$100 to S$400 for a first consult and S$100 to S$200 for follow-ups. Psychological therapy or counselling sessions typically cost S$150 to S$300 per session in private practice, with subsidised and free community options available. Importantly, MediSave can be used (up to S$500/S$700 a year, with co-payment) for treating approved chronic mental-health conditions – schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety – under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), and CHAS cardholders can get further GP subsidies for these conditions. Low-cost and free help, including national mindline 1771 and VWO counselling, exists for those who need it.
Worrying about the cost of mental-health care should never be a reason to delay getting help, and in Singapore there are pathways at every budget. Your final bill depends mostly on whether you go through the subsidised public system or a private psychiatrist, whether it’s a first or follow-up visit, and what add-ons (tests, medication, therapy) are involved. This guide sets out typical 2026 cost ranges, explains how MediSave and CHAS can subsidise approved chronic mental-health conditions, and points to free and low-cost options.
At a glance
| Service / pathway | Typical cost | Notes (subsidy / MediSave) |
|---|---|---|
| IMH / public psychiatry, subsidised first consult | ~S$40 | Requires polyclinic or CHAS referral; follow-ups ~S$37 |
| Public psychiatry, non-subsidised first consult | ~S$100-S$150 | No referral subsidy |
| Private psychiatrist, first consult | ~S$150-S$400 | No referral needed; some seniors charge more |
| Private psychiatrist, follow-up | ~S$100-S$200 | Medication, tests billed separately |
| Clinical psychologist / counselling session | ~S$80-S$300+ per session | Usually out of pocket; means-tested subsidy schemes can lower fees |
| Chronic mental-health condition (CDMP) management | Co-payment after subsidy/MediSave | MediSave up to S$500/S$700/yr + 15% co-pay (waived at enrolled Healthier SG clinic); CHAS subsidies apply |
| national mindline 1771 / mindline.sg / SOS | Free | 24/7 support; no diagnosis or referral required |
Subsidised public mental-health care (IMH, polyclinics, restructured hospitals)
The most affordable route is the public system. To get government-subsidised rates at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) or a restructured hospital’s psychiatry department, you generally need a referral from a polyclinic doctor (or from a CHAS clinic if you are a CHAS cardholder).
As a subsidised patient at IMH, a first specialist consultation costs around S$40, with subsequent (follow-up) consultations around S$37. These are consultation charges only; medication, blood tests, ECGs and psychological assessments are billed separately, though subsidised patients also pay subsidised rates on many of these.
You can also start at a polyclinic, where a GP can assess milder concerns, prescribe common psychiatric medication, manage stable chronic conditions, and refer you onward if specialist care is needed.
Private psychiatrist fees: first consult vs follow-up
Private psychiatrists offer shorter waiting times and continuity of care, and you do not need a referral letter to see one. The trade-off is higher fees and limited government subsidy.
Typical private market ranges:
- First consultation: about S$150 to S$400, depending on the psychiatrist’s seniority and the length of the appointment (first visits are usually longer).
- Follow-up consultation: about S$100 to S$200 per visit.
Some senior specialists charge S$350 or more per session. On top of the consultation, expect separate charges for any medication dispensed, laboratory tests, or longer therapy components.
What affects your final cost
The headline consultation fee is only part of the picture. Key cost drivers include:
- First vs follow-up visit – the initial assessment is longer and costs more.
- Medication – antidepressants, mood stabilisers and antipsychotics vary widely; generics are far cheaper than branded drugs.
- Tests – blood tests, ECGs or psychological/neuropsychological assessments add to the bill.
- Therapy add-ons – psychotherapy or counselling sessions are usually charged on top of, or separately from, the psychiatrist’s medication-management visit.
- Subsidised vs private setting – and whether you qualify for MediSave/CHAS support (see below).
Cost of psychological therapy and counselling
Talk therapy (psychotherapy, CBT, counselling) is often provided by clinical psychologists or counsellors rather than psychiatrists, and is usually paid out of pocket in private settings.
Typical per-session ranges:
- Clinical psychologist: around S$200 to S$300+ per session.
- Counsellor / therapist: around S$80 to S$200 per hour, with some private clinics charging S$180 to S$310 per 50-minute session.
Means-tested subsidies can bring this down substantially: for example, some non-profit counselling centres adjust fees to roughly S$40 to S$170 per session for eligible Singaporeans and PRs. Note that one-off consultations and standalone therapy/counselling are generally not claimable from MediSave or MediShield Life.
Financing: MediSave (CDMP) and CHAS for chronic mental-health conditions
While general consultations and therapy are usually out of pocket, treatment for approved chronic mental-health conditions can be partly financed:
MediSave under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP): CDMP covers schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety. You can use MediSave (under the MediSave500/700 scheme) of up to S$500 a year, or up to S$700 a year if you are treated for two or more CDMP conditions, or for at least one CDMP condition with a recognised complication. A 15% cash co-payment normally applies, but this co-payment is waived when you receive CDMP treatment at your enrolled Healthier SG clinic.
CHAS subsidies: CHAS cardholders can claim chronic-condition subsidies at participating GP clinics – roughly S$50 to S$125 per visit depending on card tier (Blue/Orange/Green), up to about S$500 a year for chronic visits. Pioneer and Merdeka Generation cardholders receive additional support. This makes ongoing management of a chronic mental-health condition at a community GP much more affordable.
Low-cost and free mental-health options
Help does not have to be expensive, and several options are free:
- national mindline 1771 – Singapore’s free, 24/7 national mental-health helpline and textline (launched June 2025); no diagnosis or referral needed.
- mindline.sg – free online self-assessments, resources and a directory of mental-health service providers.
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) – free, confidential crisis and suicide-prevention support on 1767.
- Community / VWO counselling – voluntary welfare organisations and Family Service Centres offer means-tested, low-cost counselling.
- Polyclinics – an affordable, subsidised first point of contact and a gateway to subsidised specialist referrals.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, call national mindline 1771 or SOS at 1767 right away.
Where to access psychiatric care in Singapore
This is a general cost guide rather than a single clinic page, so there is no one building to direct you to. Psychiatric care is delivered across several settings, each with its own access route and fee structure. The most affordable starting point is the public system: the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the psychiatry departments of restructured hospitals offer subsidised consultations to eligible Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents who arrive with a polyclinic or CHAS referral. Polyclinics themselves sit in most major housing estates and are usually well served by nearby MRT stations and bus routes, with taxi and ride-hailing drop-off available; many also have HDB or hospital visitor carparks close by. Private psychiatric clinics are spread across medical centres in the city and the suburbs, and you can contact them directly without a referral. Because the right setting depends on your budget, the urgency of your symptoms and whether you qualify for subsidies, it is worth deciding which pathway you are using before you book, so you know roughly what to expect on the bill.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, you do not need to travel anywhere first: the national mindline 1771 helpline and the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) line on 1767 are free, confidential and available around the clock.
What this cost guide covers
This guide explains the typical 2026 cost ranges for seeing a psychiatrist in Singapore and the financing that may reduce what you pay. It distinguishes between the subsidised public route (IMH, polyclinics and restructured-hospital psychiatry) and private practice, and between a first consultation, which is longer and more expensive, and shorter follow-ups. It also separates the headline consultation fee from the add-ons that often make up the rest of the bill, such as medication, blood tests, ECGs, and psychological or neuropsychological assessments. Talk therapy and counselling are covered separately because they are usually delivered by clinical psychologists or counsellors rather than psychiatrists, and are generally paid out of pocket in private settings. Crucially, the guide sets out how MediSave under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP) and CHAS subsidies can partly finance treatment for approved chronic mental-health conditions, and it points to free and low-cost community options so that cost need never be the reason care is delayed.
What to expect at a first psychiatric consultation
Knowing what a first appointment involves helps you understand why it usually costs more than a follow-up. A first psychiatric consultation is typically longer because the psychiatrist takes a detailed history: your presenting concerns, how long they have lasted, their effect on sleep, appetite, work, relationships and daily function, and any past episodes, treatments or hospital admissions. They will ask about medication you currently take, alcohol and substance use, family history of mental-health conditions, and any thoughts of self-harm. A mental-state examination forms part of the visit, and the psychiatrist may arrange investigations such as blood tests or an ECG to rule out physical causes or to check baseline health before starting medication. The visit usually ends with a working diagnosis or formulation and a discussion of options, which may include medication, referral for psychological therapy, lifestyle measures, or a combination. Follow-up visits are shorter and focus on reviewing progress, side effects and dosing, which is why they sit at the lower end of the fee range.
Preparing for your appointment
A little preparation makes the consultation more useful and can reduce the need for repeat visits or duplicated tests. Bring your photo identification (NRIC or FIN) and, if you are using the subsidised public route, your polyclinic or CHAS referral letter, which is needed to access subsidised rates. It also helps to bring:
- A current list of all medications and supplements you take, including doses, as some interact with psychiatric drugs.
- Previous records, discharge summaries, or results of any past blood tests or assessments.
- A written list of your main symptoms, when they started, and how they affect your daily life.
- A symptom or mood diary if you have been keeping one, which is particularly useful for tracking sleep, anxiety or mood swings.
- A list of questions you want answered, including any concerns about medication, costs or how long treatment may last.
If a family member or friend knows your history well, bringing them along can add helpful detail and support.
After your consultation and follow-up
After a first visit you will usually be given a plan and, often, a follow-up appointment to review how you are responding. If medication is started, early follow-ups check for side effects and confirm the dose is working before it is adjusted. Any reports or test results are typically discussed at the next visit or released to you on request; in the public system these may be linked to your medical record. Stable chronic conditions can often be managed with periodic reviews, sometimes shared between a psychiatrist and a polyclinic or GP. You may be referred onward for psychological therapy, further tests, or other specialists where appropriate. Continuity matters in mental-health care, so try to keep to scheduled reviews and to use the same clinic where possible. You are always entitled to seek a second opinion. Seek urgent help — through 1771, SOS on 1767, or a hospital emergency department — if symptoms worsen sharply or you have thoughts of harming yourself.
Booking, referrals and fees
You generally do not need a referral to see a private psychiatrist; you can book directly with the clinic. To obtain subsidised rates in the public system, however, a polyclinic or CHAS-clinic referral is usually required. MediSave may be used under the CDMP for approved chronic mental-health conditions within annual limits, and CHAS subsidies can lower the cost of ongoing management at participating GP clinics; stand-alone consultations and counselling are usually out of pocket. Because actual charges vary by clinic, doctor seniority, appointment length and what add-ons are involved, confirm the current consultation fee and any expected extra costs directly with the clinic when you book, and ask which financing schemes you are eligible for.
Common questions
Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist?
No referral is needed for a private psychiatrist. For subsidised public care at IMH or a restructured hospital, a polyclinic or CHAS-clinic referral is generally required.
Can I use MediSave to pay for psychiatric treatment?
MediSave can be used under the Chronic Disease Management Programme for approved chronic conditions such as major depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, within annual limits and usually with a cash co-payment. One-off consultations and stand-alone therapy are generally not claimable.
Why is the first consultation more expensive than follow-ups?
The first visit is longer because it involves a full history, examination and often initial investigations. Follow-ups are shorter reviews of progress and medication, so they sit at the lower end of the fee range.
Are there free or low-cost options if I cannot afford private care?
Yes. The national mindline 1771 helpline, Samaritans of Singapore on 1767, mindline.sg resources, polyclinics and means-tested community or VWO counselling all provide free or low-cost support.
Related guides
- Best Psychiatry & Mental Health Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- psychiatry & mental health clinics directory
- Adult ADHD: assessment & treatment
- Anxiety & depression treatment
- Therapist vs psychologist vs psychiatrist
Sources
- IMH (NHG Health) – Outpatient Charges & Payments
- MOH – MediSave for the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)
- MOH – Accreditation of clinics for mental-health treatments under CDMP
- MOH / CHAS – Community Health Assist Scheme
- MOH – National mindline 1771 round-the-clock mental-health support
Related conditions & guides
Related conditions and guides you may find useful:
- Bipolar Disorder in Singapore
- Eating Disorders in Singapore
- Insomnia Treatment in Singapore
- OCD Treatment in Singapore
- Panic Attacks, Panic Disorder & Phobias in Singapore
- Postnatal Depression in Singapore
- Using MediSave for Medical Treatment in Singapore
Part of our Mental health guides · Browse all health topics