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Mental health isn’t a taboo topic in Singapore anymore. It’s finally getting the attention it deserves. With rising awareness, government-backed strategies and a growing need for qualified professionals, there has never been a better time to pursue a postgraduate counselling qualification.
Whether you are a working professional considering a meaningful career shift or someone already in the care sector looking to formalise your skills, here is why the counselling field is booming and how to position yourself at the forefront.
The Singapore Mental Health Study found that about 78% of adults with a mental illness did not receive treatment. That is a significant treatment gap, and it is one the government is actively working to close.
In 2023, the Inter-agency Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being launched the National Mental Health and Well-being Strategy. A dedicated National Mental Health Office has since been established, and over 160,000 frontline personnel and volunteers have been trained to identify individuals in mental distress.
The message is clear: Singapore is investing heavily in mental health. But investment in systems and awareness only works if there are enough trained counsellors to meet the demand.
Counselling is one of the fastest-growing professions in Singapore. According to a MOH parliamentary reply, the number of practitioners voluntarily registered with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) nearly doubled from 969 in 2022 to 1,838 in 2025.
Even so, demand continues to outstrip supply. A 2025 study published in Frontiers in Public Health found that patients face waiting times of two to three weeks just for a referral to a counsellor. Social service agencies, hospitals, schools and community health centres are all actively recruiting.
For professionals thinking about where to direct their next career move, this shortage represents a real opportunity. A Masters in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy gives you the credentials to step into a field with genuine, growing demand across nearly every sector.
The Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) recognises a range of postgraduate programmes, from Graduate Diplomas to Master’s Degrees. However, a Master’s Degree offers a deeper foundation in theory, research and clinical practice, which is especially valuable if you plan to work independently or take on senior roles.
This 2-year, part-time programme is delivered on weekends, making it ideal for busy professionals. You will not need to pause your career to level up.
The programme covers three major therapeutic traditions: person-centred, cognitive and psychodynamic. It includes:
· 333 hours of face-to-face teaching and practical training
· 70 hours of personal therapy sessions
· 200 practicum hours with clients under qualified supervision
· 11 modules across 2 years, assessed through 100% coursework
Graduates of this programme are equipped to work across a wide range of settings, from family service centres and hospitals to schools, clinics and private practice.
Career paths include:
· Senior Principal Counsellor
· Principal Counsellor
· Senior Counsellor
· Associate Counsellor & Counsellor
According to the FY2025 Skills and Salary Guidelines, counsellors can expect starting salaries from S$3,850 up to S$13,560.
This is a manageable structure designed with working professionals in mind.
If you are ready to turn your passion for mental health into a professionally recognised career, pursuing a Masters in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy through Aventis and Roehampton is one of the strongest pathways available today.
You can also contact our Programme Leader, Mr Melvyn, on Whatsapp at +65 8071 5768
Find out more: https://aventis.edu.sg/masters-integrative-counselling-psychotherapy-roehampton-london/