Good school counselling options in Singapore

School counselling setups that support mental health in students are an important consideration when you’re choosing schools. Many schools have programmes and therapies that support those who are facing challenges. Here’s what’s available at two of the internationals schools in Singapore, including supporting learning difficulties, emotional issues, special needs and general mental health in youths.

Integrated International School – support for mental health in students

The Integrated International School (IIS) provides a wide range of support for families when addressing mental health in youths. Both individual and group counselling sessions are available. These focus on helping students identify emotions, manage stress, enhance self-awareness and develop problem-solving skills.

Further supporting the mental health in students at IIS are the following:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: This helps assist students in recognising and altering negative thought patterns, promoting resilience and positive behavior.
• Expressive Therapies: Art therapy, play therapy and psychodrama are utilised to provide experiential outlets for emotional expression. They aid in emotional regulation and self-expression.
• Occupational and Speech Therapy: These support the development of sensory, motor, and communication skills, contributing to overall well-being and day to day functioning.

IIS uses an inclusive education approach, which integrates therapeutic approaches to support mental health in students of the school. These include:

• Additional Learning Support
• Naturalistic Behavioural Interventions
• Counselling such as Talk Therapy or Expressive Therapies
• Social Skills Training
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Language Therapy
• Von Auer Collaborative Teaching Approach (CTA)

The Von Auer Collaborative Teaching Approach is developed by Dr Vanessa Von Auer, a clinical psychologist who is also the school’s founder and CEO. The approach enhances communication, compromise and collaboration, and promotes inclusivity among child, student and school.

School counselling tips for parents from Dr Vanessa

#1 Be open about your concerns

“If you’ve noticed areas where your child may need extra support – socially, emotionally or academically – don’t hesitate to share this with us. Early conversations allow us to monitor and offer tailored interventions that make a real difference. Staying in close touch with the school ensures your child gets the right help at the right time.”

#2 Ask questions anytime

“Therapy and school support can feel like a maze. You know your child best, and we bring professional insights to the table. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about services, goals or progress – together, we can build a support plan that works beautifully.”

#3 Celebrate small wins

“Every step forward counts! Sharing the little victories your child experiences at home helps us reinforce those strengths at school too.”

#01-01 Capital Square Two, 21 Church Street
6466 4475 | iis.edu.sg

Australian International School counselling

Australian International School says that it makes the academic wellbeing of students an absolute priority. It strives to ensure that students and families receive the best care and up-to-date advice from their school counsellor and wellness team.

The school uses what’s known as C.A.R.E.S. (Connection, Attitude, Relationships, Engagement, Safety), a self-reflection and reporting tool. It’s a way for the school community to identify, monitor and address the social and mental health in students. This simple survey happens twice a term through the AIS pastoral programme, capturing a snapshot of how students are feeling at a given point in time. This data is then used to have informed conversations about academic wellbeing with students, teachers and families.

Tips for parents from AIS to support mental health in youths

#1 Minimise screen time

“Screen time can be part of a healthy lifestyle for teenagers when it’s balanced with other activities that are good for issues of mental health in youths. Physical activity keeps teenage bodies and minds fit and healthy. Teenagers need at least one hour of moderate exercise every day; this needs to be planned to balance it with other activities, including screen time.”

#2 Making the most of the time with the family

“It’s important to make the most of family time in an intentional and mindful manner. This is the opportunity to get creative with family time and strengthen the bonds or even explore new aspects of relationships. You can always invite family or friends in Singapore to join or include the overseas extended family in a game of virtual charades, for example.”

– The AIS Wellbeing Team

1 Lorong Chuan
6664 81274 | ais.com.sg

Enjoyed reading this article on school counselling Singapore? Find out more about international schools in Singapore, including parent reviews, and take a look at some fun things to do in Singapore with kids and cool kids’ birthday party places. 

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