Mental health & counselling (category guide)

Most EP/DP group medical plans carve out outpatient mental health — assume cash until HR confirms psychiatry, psychology, and counselling lines in writing. Private counselling/psychology commonly runs S$160–300 per session; weekly care becomes a budget line, so trial-fit two clinicians rather than locking a package. Public IMH and hospital psychiatry accept foreigners, but citizen/PR subsidies generally do not apply — polyclinic referral helps sequencing, not foreigner pricing. Use GP/panel clinics for medication bridges and crisis routing; IMH appointments are by referral/appointment, and psychotherapy waits can be long. Match modality to need: counsellor for adjustment stress, clinical psychologist for structured therapy, psychiatrist when medication or risk assessment is on the table — including child ADHD stimulant continuity (methylphenidate / Concerta peers), where foreign Rx do not refill and Adderall-style products often need a planned switch. Nationality-aware or English-fluent clinicians matter for expat isolation topics — ask explicitly. Emergencies and active risk go to A&E / I-CARE / crisis lines first, not a directory search. This is a category guide, not a ranked clinic list — verify fees, credentials, and insurance panels yourself. Dual-career parental burnout and employer EAP session limits are a common EP/DP ask — see the parental burnout & EAP guide before assuming “unlimited counselling.” Family ops note: sideline politics and academy FOMO can spike parental stress — belonging rails should stay low-pressure, not another performance review. Family ops: first overnight camps can spike separation anxiety — name the emergency contact and keep the coverage plan boring.