A space whereall of youare welcome.

Free 30-Min Consultation
James Chia · He/Him · MS (Counselling)
Mental Health Counselling · Singapore

About Me

Hi, I'm James (He/Him)

I'm a mental health counsellor working with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions that shape how we see ourselves and our place in the world. Our work together expands beyond what you're struggling with and into how your experiences, relationships, and systems you've lived within have contributed to your unique circumstances. I believe that your struggles are not personal failures; they reflect patterns of coping that once served you, but no longer do.


My practice welcomes anyone moving through difficult life transitions, burnout, relationship difficulties, grief, or that quiet, persistent, but hard-to-name sense that something isn't just right. I also have a particular focus on supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those managing the tension between their own identity and expectations of what their family, culture, or society have of them.


I hold an MSc in Clinical Mental Health Counselling at Johns Hopkins University and am certified in EMDR, an evidence-based approach for processing distressing memories. My work is trauma-informed, meaning I attend to how your past experiences live on in the body, not just your thoughts and feelings. Sessions are tailored to what works for you, whether that's practical tools for symptom management, or deeper exploration of how you relate to your inner world and the world around you.


Therapy with me is collaborative, honest, and paced by you. The relationship we build is an equally integral part of the work itself. We will create a space that is safe, yet also empowering for you.


If you've reached this point and would like to learn more, I offer a free 30-minute consultation for you to clarify any questions you might have. Think of this more as more of a vibe check to see if working together feels like a good fit, without the pressure for further commitment. All enquiries are strictly confidential.

James Chia

My Approach

Dimensions of Healing

Within

This is the relationship we share with ourselves.

Within us is a world of experiences to be held, honoured, and celebrated. No emotion or thought is unwelcome. Expanding on this relationship improves our understanding of our body and nervous system — how it shifts with our patterns and circumstances. It's about building a home within ourselves that feels safe, secure, and grounded enough to weather the storms that life brings.

Between

This is the relationship we share with others.

We are social creatures made for connection. This means that we're constantly navigating relationships with others, whether it's a family member, a loved partner(s), a friend group, colleagues, or even the passersby on the street. Expanding on these relationships improves our ability for communication and connection. Learning how to identify and build a community that's protective gives us the comfort we need during times of hardship.

Around

This is the relationship we share with the world.

We exist across various systems, from our immediate community to the larger society. Our narratives are shaped by the cultures we grew up in. Expanding on our relationship with the world improves how we show up for the communities important to us. It's clarifying our values and interests and building towards a life that is enriching for not only ourselves but the world around us.

Practice Values

Authenticity
Come as you are, unfiltered and raw. There is no right or wrong way to show up. All parts of you are welcome in our space.
Groundedness
Our work is rooted in both science and safety. This sets the foundation for healing and change.
Commitment
I am fully invested in our work together, whether it's in the tiniest detail of your story, to my commitment for growth as a practitioner so my approach remains relevant and effective.
Kinship
The relationship we build sets the precedence for the relationships you share with yourself, your communities, and the world around you.
Advocacy
I will advocate for your healing so that you may learn to advocate for yourself. Normalising conversations about mental health is how we reduce stigma and widen access to care.

Services

Individual Counselling

A space for healing. A space for growth. A space for you.

Specialisation

Anxiety

e.g. stress, burnout, panic, and unwanted thoughts that won't turn off

Specialisation

Complex Trauma

e.g. unresolved wounds, unexplainable reactions to everyday events, feeling "triggered"

Specialisation

LGBTQIA+ Affirming Care

e.g. navigating identity, cultural dissonance, sex-positive and kink-allied stance

Therapeutic Approach

Somatic

Attuning to how your body responds to distress and identifying ways to build safety in yourself

Therapeutic Approach

Trauma-Informed

Attending to how past experiences live in the body and shape present patterns

Therapeutic Approach

Relational & Systemic

Understanding how your relationship and interactions with systems (e.g. family, community, society) shape your narrative and experiences

Who I Work With

We might be a good fit
if any of the following resonates with you...

Relationship Challenges

Family, friends, loved ones: the closer they are, the more they tend to hurt

Workplace Struggles

Stress, burnout, confidence, or the purpose around why you do what you do

LGBTQIA+

Navigating identity, family dynamics and acceptance, community, or systemic stressors that don't align with or affirm who you are

Expat / Cross-cultural

Adjusting to life in Singapore, or simply returning home, and grappling with a sense of belonging, identity, and what home means

Adolescence & Schooling (>15 y.o.)

Exploring and coping with the stressors that accompany the coming of age, identity formation, peer pressure, and academic stress

Life Transitions

Plans don't always go accordingly, and adjustments can sometimes alter huge parts of who we are

Fees & Sessions

$180
Per session
  • 50-min individual therapy
  • In-person sessions across three locations
  • Virtual sessions held via secure video call
  • Sliding scale available
Free
30-Min Initial Consultation
  • A chance to ask questions before committing
  • No obligation to continue
  • Available via phone or video

I believe that financial difficulty shouldn't restrict access to care. If the full fee exceeds your capabilities for sessions at the moment, please reach out and I would be more than happy to have a conversation about it.

Common Questions

FAQ

Starting therapy can feel daunting, regardless of whether you've done it before. The process begins with a free 30-minute consultation call for you to clarify any questions and learn more about whether we would be a good fit working together. Should we decide to move forward, our first session will focus on understanding who you are as a person more: what brought you here, what you're hoping for, and what has not worked for you in the past. You don't need to feel like you have everything figured out, that's what our sessions are for.
Our sessions will be collaborative and conversational. There will be some sessions where we focus on learning new coping tools, while others might be more exploratory. No two sessions are alike; I encourage clients to provide regular feedback on their experiences in our space, whether sessions have been helpful, so that we can continually shape and tailor interventions to meet your needs.
There is no set timeline. Some people report first recognisable changes around 8-12 sessions into therapy, while others prefer longer-term work, especially when concerns are more complex and longstanding. We check in regularly with what's useful and what's not, with you at the helm of what works best for you.
I offer both in-person and virtual sessions. I offer spaces across Singapore's downtown that are accessible to get to via public transport. Virtual sessions are conducted over a secure video platform and are available for clients in Singapore and abroad.
Yes. Everything shared in session is held in strict confidence. There are few legal exceptions to the rule: primarily if I deem an imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or someone else; if there is suspect of child or elderly abuse or neglect; or if I am subpoenaed by a court. If these are of concerns to you, we can always discuss how to navigate them in a way that is still protective of the safety of you and those around you.
Our 30-minute consultation is designed exactly for this. This is a no-pressure vibe check for you to ask me any questions about my work and our time together, to decide for yourself if you could build a therapeutic relationship with me. The relationship you share with your therapist facilitates your healing and growth, and I would love for you to be with the right one over a convenient one.
Counsellors minimally hold master's degree and work with individuals on emotional, relational, and psychological distress. Psychologists hold at least a similar or higher level of training (Ph.D./Psy.D.) and can additionally conduct formal psychological assessments and diagnose conditions like ADHD, autism, or other neurodivergent conditions. Psychiatrists are medical doctors trained to diagnose and treat mental health disorders, and is the only profession of the three allowed to prescribe medication as part of their treatment plan. If your needs are outside of my scope of care, I will let you know and do my best to point you towards resources that can address your concern.
Sessions are $180 and last for 50 minutes. In an effort to increase accessibility to care, I offer a sliding scale to clients experiencing financial difficulty. If this is your situation, please reach out and we can have that conversation. I am currently not affiliated with insurance providers.
I have a late-cancellation/no-show policy of 48 hours notice. My late-cancellation/no-show fee is the full session fee. However, I understand that life can sometimes throw curved balls and send us in a loop. If something comes up, please let me know as soon as you can and we will work something out.

Get in Touch

Let's connect.

Ready for your first step? Fill out these details about yourself and I will reach out to schedule our consultation call.

Email james@greycirclecounselling.com
WhatsApp +65 8338 3036
Instagram @greycirclesg
Locations The Adelphi Sunshine Plaza Sim Lim Tower

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Ready for a no-pressure conversation to see if we're a good fit?

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