Quick answer. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MOH-registered specialist) who can diagnose, prescribe medication and manage severe or complex conditions. A clinical psychologist is postgraduate-trained in psychological assessment and evidence-based talk therapy such as CBT, but cannot prescribe medication. A counsellor, psychotherapist or therapist provides talk therapy and emotional support, with varying training, so checking credentials matters. See a psychiatrist if you may need medication or have severe, complex or high-risk symptoms; see a psychologist or counsellor for mild-to-moderate concerns, coping and talk therapy. Many people see both a psychiatrist and a therapist together. As a rough guide, private psychiatrist consults often run about S$150-S$400, psychologists around S$150-S$310, and counsellors roughly S$80-S$250 per session, with subsidised options available.
Mental health support in Singapore is delivered by several different professionals, and the titles can be confusing. The key differences come down to medical training, whether they can prescribe medication, and the type of help they provide. This guide explains what psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors or therapists do, when to see each, how to access them, and the typical costs in 2026, so you can choose the right starting point for your situation.
At a glance
| Professional | What they do / when to see | Typical cost per session |
|---|---|---|
| Psychiatrist | Medical doctor (SMC-registered, MOH specialist). Diagnoses, prescribes and manages medication; handles severe, complex or high-risk conditions. See if you may need medication or a formal/diagnostic medical need. | ~S$150-S$400 (private); subsidised at IMH/public clinics |
| Clinical psychologist | Postgraduate-trained in psychological assessment and evidence-based therapy (e.g. CBT). No medication. See for assessment and structured talk therapy. | ~S$150-S$310 (private) |
| Counsellor / psychotherapist / therapist | Talk therapy and emotional support for stress, relationships, grief, adjustment. Training varies – check credentials (e.g. SAC registration). Good accessible first step for mild-to-moderate concerns. | ~S$80-S$250/hour; ~S$40-S$170 with subsidy for eligible clients |
| GP / polyclinic doctor | Initial assessment, basic mental health support, prescriptions for common conditions, and referral to a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. | Standard GP/polyclinic consult fees (subsidies for eligible patients) |
| Seeing both (psychiatrist + therapist) | Common combined approach: psychiatrist manages diagnosis and medication while a psychologist or counsellor provides ongoing therapy. | Combined fees of the two providers above |
The three roles, briefly
Understanding who does what is the first step to getting the right help.
- Psychiatrist – a medical doctor who has completed several additional years of specialist training in mental health. In Singapore, psychiatrists are registered with the Singapore Medical Council and recognised as specialists under the Ministry of Health (MOH). They can make a formal medical diagnosis, prescribe and manage medication, order investigations, and treat severe, complex or high-risk conditions.
- Clinical psychologist – a postgraduate-trained (Master’s or PhD) professional specialising in psychological assessment, formulation, and evidence-based talk therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Psychologists in Singapore do not prescribe medication.
- Counsellor / psychotherapist / therapist – provides talk therapy, counselling and emotional support, often for life stress, relationships, grief and adjustment. ‘Therapist’ is a general, unregulated term, and counsellors’ training and qualifications vary widely, so checking credentials is important.
How professionals are registered in Singapore
Knowing how each professional is regulated helps you verify credentials before booking.
- Psychiatrists are fully regulated: they must be registered medical practitioners with the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and accredited as specialists by MOH.
- Psychologists are currently registered through the voluntary Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP), maintained by the Singapore Psychological Society. In 2025 MOH announced plans to move towards a mandatory registration framework for psychologists, citing client-safety concerns, so the landscape is evolving.
- Counsellors can register voluntarily with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) as a Registered Counsellor, which requires postgraduate counselling training plus supervised clinical practice hours.
Because not every title is legally protected, it is worth asking about qualifications, registration (SMC / SRP / SAC), and areas of expertise before your first session.
Who should you see, and when?
Your symptoms and goals point to the right professional.
- See a psychiatrist if you may need medication, have severe, complex or worsening symptoms, need a formal medical diagnosis, or are at higher risk (for example thoughts of self-harm, psychosis, or conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia).
- See a clinical psychologist if you want structured psychological assessment and evidence-based talk therapy (such as CBT) for conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma or OCD, without necessarily needing medication.
- See a counsellor or therapist for emotional support and talk therapy around life stress, relationships, parenting, grief, work issues or adjustment difficulties, particularly mild-to-moderate concerns. This is often a practical, accessible first step.
These roles are complementary, not mutually exclusive. Many people see both – for example, a psychiatrist managing medication alongside a psychologist or counsellor providing ongoing therapy. If you are unsure where to start, a GP or psychologist can help point you in the right direction.
How to access care and referrals
There are several routes into mental health care in Singapore.
- Private practice: you generally do not need a referral to see a private psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor – you can contact a clinic directly to book.
- Public sector: through polyclinics, GPs or the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). A GP or polyclinic doctor can refer you to a public psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor, and subsidies apply for eligible Singapore Citizens and PRs.
- Workplace and insurance: some employers offer an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with confidential counselling sessions, and certain insurance plans include limited mental health benefits – check your specific policy.
- Community and subsidised: Family Service Centres, AWARE, and schemes such as the Counselling Fee Subsidy Scheme offer lower-cost counselling for those who qualify.
Typical costs and MediSave / subsidies
Fees vary by provider, experience, setting and session length, so treat the figures below as typical market ranges rather than fixed prices.
- Private psychiatrist: roughly S$150-S$400 per consultation (sometimes higher for complex cases or longer first visits).
- Clinical psychologist: roughly S$150-S$310 per session, with some practices charging more.
- Counsellor / therapist: roughly S$80-S$250 per hour in private practice; subsidised community counselling can be considerably lower (for example a range around S$40-S$170 per hour after subsidy for eligible Singaporeans/PRs, and means-tested rates at bodies like AWARE).
- Public sector (IMH / polyclinics): eligible subsidised patients pay substantially less than private rates.
MediSave and subsidies: psychiatric medical outpatient treatment for chronic conditions – including major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia – can be partly covered under the Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP), with MediSave withdrawals of up to about S$500-S$700 per year subject to limits and a cash co-payment. Stand-alone therapy and counselling are usually paid out-of-pocket unless delivered as part of a recognised medical programme. Always confirm current eligibility, rules and amounts with the provider, MOH or your insurer.
Where to access these professionals in Singapore
This is a general comparison guide rather than a single clinic page, so there is no one building to direct you to. Psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and counsellors practise across a range of settings, each reached differently. In the public system, you typically start at a polyclinic or with a GP, who can assess you and refer you onward to a public psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor — including at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH); polyclinics sit in most housing estates and are usually well served by nearby MRT stations and bus routes, with taxi and ride-hailing drop-off available. Private psychiatrists, psychologists and counsellors work from clinics and consulting suites across the city and suburbs, and you can usually contact them directly to book without a referral. Some employers offer an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with confidential counselling, and community bodies such as Family Service Centres and AWARE provide accessible, often means-tested, sessions. Because the right professional depends on your needs and budget, it helps to decide which role you are looking for before choosing where to go.
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, you can reach free, confidential help around the clock through the national mindline 1771 and the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) on 1767 without needing to travel anywhere first.
What the three roles cover
The core difference between these professionals comes down to medical training, whether they can prescribe medication, and the kind of help they provide. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, registered with the Singapore Medical Council and recognised as a specialist by the Ministry of Health, who can make a formal diagnosis, prescribe and manage medication, order investigations, and treat severe, complex or high-risk conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or psychosis. A clinical psychologist is postgraduate-trained in psychological assessment and evidence-based talk therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) but does not prescribe medication; they are well suited to structured assessment and therapy for conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma or OCD. A counsellor, psychotherapist or therapist provides talk therapy and emotional support for life stress, relationships, parenting, grief, work issues and adjustment difficulties. Because “therapist” is a general, unregulated term and counsellors’ training varies, it is worth asking about qualifications and registration before booking.
What to expect at a first consultation
What happens at a first visit depends on which professional you see, but all begin with understanding your situation. A psychiatrist takes a detailed history of your symptoms, their duration and effect on daily life, past treatments, medication, and any risk of self-harm, performs a mental-state examination, and may arrange blood tests or an ECG before discussing a diagnosis and options that can include medication, therapy referral or both. A clinical psychologist focuses on psychological assessment and formulation, sometimes using questionnaires, then explains a therapy plan and how many sessions might be involved. A counsellor’s first session is usually a conversation to understand your concerns, agree goals and explain how the sessions will work. Across all three, the first appointment is typically longer than later ones because it establishes the full picture; subsequent visits focus on reviewing progress, adjusting medication or continuing therapy.
Preparing for your appointment
A little preparation helps whoever you see make the most of the session. Bring your photo identification (NRIC or FIN) and, if you are using the subsidised public route, any GP or polyclinic referral letter, which can also help with subsidies. It is also useful to bring:
- A current list of all medications and supplements you take, with doses, especially relevant when seeing a psychiatrist.
- Any previous records, discharge summaries, or results of past assessments or blood tests.
- A written list of your main concerns, when they began, and how they affect your daily life and relationships.
- A mood or symptom diary if you keep one, which helps track sleep, anxiety or mood over time.
- A list of questions, including what to expect from treatment, likely duration, and costs.
Asking about registration — SMC for psychiatrists, the Singapore Register of Psychologists for psychologists, and SAC registration for counsellors — is a reasonable way to check credentials before you commit.
After your consultation and follow-up
After a first visit you will usually leave with a plan and, often, a follow-up. With a psychiatrist this may involve starting or adjusting medication and reviewing side effects at early follow-ups; with a psychologist or counsellor it usually means a course of regular therapy sessions working toward agreed goals. Reports and results can be discussed at review or released on request. Many people see more than one professional — for example a psychiatrist managing medication while a psychologist or counsellor provides ongoing therapy — and good communication between them supports continuity of care. You are always free to seek a second opinion or to change provider if the fit is not right. Seek urgent help — via 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, psychologist or counsellor; you can contact the clinic directly. For subsidised public care, a GP or polyclinic referral is usually needed and subsidies apply for eligible Singapore Citizens and PRs. MediSave may be used under the Chronic Disease Management Programme for approved chronic conditions managed by a psychiatrist, within annual limits and usually with a co-payment, while stand-alone therapy and counselling are typically out of pocket. Some employer or insurance plans include limited mental-health benefits, so check your policy. Because fees vary by provider, experience, setting and session length, confirm current charges and your eligibility for subsidies directly with the provider before booking.
Common questions
What is the main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose and prescribe medication; a clinical psychologist is postgraduate-trained in assessment and talk therapy but cannot prescribe. Many people see both.
Who should I see if I am not sure where to start?
A GP or polyclinic doctor can assess milder concerns, provide basic support and refer you to the right professional, making them a sensible first stop if you are unsure.
Can I see a counsellor without a diagnosis or referral?
Yes. You can usually book a private counsellor directly without a referral or diagnosis, which makes counselling an accessible first step for mild-to-moderate concerns.
Do subsidies or MediSave apply to therapy?
MediSave under the CDMP can help with psychiatric medical treatment for approved chronic conditions within limits. Stand-alone therapy and counselling are usually out of pocket, though means-tested community subsidies may lower the cost.
Related guides
- Best Psychiatry & Mental Health Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- psychiatry & mental health clinics directory
- Adult ADHD: assessment & treatment
- Anxiety & depression treatment
- Cost of seeing a psychiatrist
Sources
- Institute of Mental Health (IMH) / NHG Health – Outpatient charges and payments
- Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) – Becoming a Registered Counsellor
- Singapore Psychological Society – Singapore Register of Psychologists (SRP)
- MOH – Extending MediSave use to schizophrenia and major depression (CDMP)
- MOH HPP – MediSave for the Chronic Disease Management Programme
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
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