Elsie Tan, M.Coun
Professional Counsellor
Registered Counsellor, SAC
Master of Guidance and Counselling, James Cook University
About Elsie
Elsie has been providing counselling services for more than 12 years and is a Registered Counsellor and Clinical Member with the Singapore Association of Counselling. She has a Bachelor in Behavioural Science degree from Monash University and a Masters in Guidance and Counselling with James Cook University. She has worked in both government organizations and non-government agencies with a wide range of clientele, both individuals and couples from diverse backgrounds and social economic status.
She does not believe in a “one size fits all” approach to therapy. She is invested in emphasizing a more integrative, dynamic, and holistic approach to mental health. She is particularly concerned with the impact of loss and trauma and improving interventions to support trauma recovery for better emotional, physical, and relationship health. Her style is collaborative, warm, compassionate, interactive, respectful and unconditionally accepting.
When she was working in schools, she had the opportunity of working with both adolescents and staff. With these adolescents, some challenges faced included academic performance pressure, fitting in and being socially accepted by peers, managing relationships, struggle with existential questions like who they are and why they exist? Some are not able to find meaning and purpose to their existence and they resort to self-harming thoughts and actions. For the staff, she helped in their mental wellbeing by being empathetic and providing them a safe space to talk about the stress and challenges of their job.
While working in the hospital, she encountered many patients, particularly the elderly who often felt useless, worthless and lonely. When reflecting on their past, they could only recall regrets and unfulfilled dreams. Coupled with poor health and sickness, it brought them further into despair and discouragement. For the more abled elderly, they too struggled to be heard, accepted and understood. Some of them even mourned the loss of their loved ones and struggle to adjust back to singlehood.
Elsie is determined to work with clients to
Certifications and Qualifications
- Registered Clinical Member, Singapore Association of Counselling
- Master of Guidance and Counselling, James Cook University
- Bachelor of Behavioural Science, Monash University
Focused Population
Adults, Youth, Couples, Children
Specializations
Abuse, anxiety and depression, trauma and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality, obsessive compulsive disorder, anger management, self-esteem, social anxiety, job loss, marital, family and relationship issues, stress and burnout, existential issues, grief and bereavement, addictions and career counselling.
Therapeutic Approach
Person Cantered Approach, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy and Emotions Focused Couple Therapy, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Family Systems Theory.