How Much Does Therapy Cost in Singapore?

Therapy costs in Singapore depend on the provider, session length and type of care. My private psychotherapy fees are S$160 for 60 minutes or S$220 for 90 minutes, with a free 20-minute discovery call. Public and community routes have different fees and eligibility rules, so compare what each appointment includes.

You may be ready to talk to someone and still pause at the price. The fee for one appointment only answers part of the question. You also need to know what happens if you continue, whether there are other charges and what help is available if the cost is difficult to manage.

Money can be part of that conversation from the start.

What does a private psychotherapy session cost?

Here are my current fees at Rui Psychotherapy. Sessions are available in English or Mandarin, online or in person in Singapore.

The discovery call gives us a chance to discuss what you are looking for and whether working together makes sense. It is an initial conversation rather than a psychotherapy session. You can find the practical arrangements and cancellation policy on the services page.

If you are facing financial difficulty, you can ask about a subsidised rate for up to five sessions. We would discuss your circumstances and the arrangements before agreeing on a reduced fee. Ask about the available options and confirm the fee before deciding whether to book.

Knowing what the appointment includes makes the fee easier to plan around.

At another practice, check the session length and what you are booking. A psychiatric consultation, a psychological assessment and an individual psychotherapy session can involve different work. The guide to counsellors, psychologists and psychiatrists in Singapore can help you decide which service to ask about.

What else should I check before comparing prices?

Ask whether the quoted amount is the final charge, including any tax. Check whether reports or letters cost extra and what happens if an appointment runs longer. If you are seeking a formal assessment, ask whether the price includes the written report and feedback appointment.

Cancellation terms belong in the budget too. Find out how much notice is required and whether a late cancellation is charged. You can also ask when payment is due. Getting these details clear before you begin is easier than trying to resolve a surprise bill afterwards.

Price can help you plan, while questions about the practitioner’s training and experience help you judge whether the service fits what you need. A higher fee does not tell you what the appointment includes or how the work will be reviewed.

Public and community routes have their own arrangements

You can consider these routes alongside private practice. The examples below were checked on 5 November 2026. Confirm the current charges and availability with the provider before relying on a figure.

Community counselling

Shan You Counselling Centre publishes an individual first-session fee of S$90 for 90 minutes. Its subsequent individual sessions are S$80 for 50 to 60 minutes or S$100 for 90 minutes. There is a S$20 surcharge for weekday sessions starting at or after 6pm and an extra-time charge of S$20 per 15 minutes. Ask for the final charge for the appointment you need.

Shan You also considers further subsidies through a financial assessment. Reduced fees depend on that process. When contacting a community provider, ask about eligibility and the support it offers, as well as when an appointment is available.

Subsidised medical care

A GP or polyclinic can assess what is happening and discuss treatment or a referral. For subsidised care at IMH, its referral guidance specifies a polyclinic referral or, for CHAS cardholders, a referral from a participating CHAS clinic. Eligibility and subsidy level still need to be checked.

IMH’s published adult outpatient charges, effective from 1 September 2026, list subsidised first consultations for Singapore citizens at S$33.44 to S$78.02 and repeat consultations at S$31.90 to S$74.44. These figures include GST and vary with the subsidy level. Extended consultations can attract extra charges.

These are medical consultation fees. They do not quote a 60-minute private psychotherapy session or establish the total cost of medication, tests or other services. Ask the clinic what your proposed care is likely to involve and what you would need to pay.

Can MediSave or CHAS help?

Under the Chronic Disease Management Programme, MediSave withdrawals in 2026 are up to S$500 per patient a year for simple conditions or S$700 for complex conditions. The clinic must confirm eligibility. These are savings withdrawals with a shared annual limit, not an extra grant for therapy.

A 15% cash co-payment generally applies. Eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents receiving CDMP treatment at their enrolled Healthier SG clinic do not need that cash co-payment, within the withdrawal limits. From 1 January 2027, the announced limits rise to S$700 and S$1,000 respectively.

Coverage depends on the approved condition, treatment and participating provider. These limits do not mean that all private psychotherapy is covered. If you need to use MediSave, confirm the specific service with a participating medical clinic before booking.

CHAS also provides subsidies for selected chronic conditions at participating GP clinics. Anxiety and major depression are among the listed conditions, with mental health claims available only at selected clinics. Ask whether the clinic offers the relevant care and what you would pay after any subsidy.

What about employer benefits or insurance?

Ask your employer whether it offers an Employee Assistance Programme or another mental health benefit. The Ministry of Manpower’s workplace advisory includes EAPs among the support employers can consider. Check which provider you can use, what the benefit includes and how access works. Do not assume that booking independently will be reimbursed.

For insurance, ask about your own policy and the specific service you want to use. MoneySense’s guidance recommends checking what treatment is covered alongside exclusions and claim limits. Ask whether a referral or prior approval is needed and what documents would be required. A receipt alone does not confirm that a claim will be accepted.

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Planning beyond the first appointment

At S$160 a session, two appointments total S$320 and four total S$640. You can use those figures to think about your budget. Discuss frequency and review dates separately with your practitioner, according to the care you need.

There is no session count I can promise before understanding your situation. Ask how you would agree on a starting plan and review whether it is helping. It is reasonable to discuss affordability before committing to ongoing appointments.

A budget belongs in the plan for care, including the first conversation.

If the cost is difficult, say what you can realistically manage. You can ask about reduced-fee arrangements or another suitable service. Spacing appointments differently needs a conversation about whether that would fit your needs; it should not be a decision you have to make quietly on your own.

Before enquiring, write down the fee you have been quoted and the amount you could sustainably set aside. What would you need to ask so that the next step feels manageable?

Common questions, answered quickly

Is a free discovery call the same as free therapy?

My free 20-minute call is an initial conversation about what you are seeking and whether the practice may fit. A psychotherapy appointment is a separate session with an agreed fee.

Can I use MediSave for any private psychotherapy session?

Eligibility depends on the approved service and participating provider. Confirm it before booking rather than assuming that any appointment described as therapy qualifies.

What if I cannot afford the published fee?

Ask about reduced-fee arrangements and how they are assessed. You can also explore community services, eligible public care or employer benefits. Check what you would actually pay and whether the service fits what you need.

How much should I budget for a full course of therapy?

Start with the session fee and a plan discussed with the practitioner. Agree when you will review progress and costs. A useful estimate depends on your needs and how the work develops, rather than a fixed number of sessions for everyone.

Further reading

• Rui Psychotherapy, private practice. Services and Session Fees. Current practice information (accessed 5 November 2026). Fees and arrangements.
• Shan You, social service agency. Shan You Counselling Centre. Published fees effective 1 April 2024, checked 5 November 2026. Fees and subsidy information.
• Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. Charges and Payments. Outpatient charges effective 1 September 2026, checked 5 November 2026. Current charges.
• Institute of Mental Health, Singapore. Appointments and Referrals. Patient information (accessed 5 November 2026). Referral requirements.
• CPF Board, Singapore. How the Chronic Disease Management Programme Can Help Manage Healthcare Costs. Educational resource (16 October 2026). MediSave rules.
• CHAS, Singapore. Chronic Conditions. Scheme information (accessed 5 November 2026). Covered conditions and clinic eligibility.
• Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Tripartite Advisory on Mental Well-being at Workplaces. Workplace guidance (accessed 5 November 2026). Employer support.
• MoneySense, Singapore’s financial education programme. What to Ask Before Buying Health Insurance. Consumer guidance (accessed 5 November 2026). Questions about cover.

A note on this post

This post is educational and is not a substitute for psychotherapy or medical advice. Fees and scheme rules can change, so confirm the current arrangements with the provider. If you would like to discuss psychotherapy with me, you are welcome to Book a Consultation or Explore Working Together.