Couples and Marriage Counselling in Singapore
Couples and Marriage Counselling
Rebuilding Connection, Understanding, and Emotional Safety in Relationships
Every relationship begins with love, but over time, the busyness of life — careers, children, responsibilities, and unspoken hurts — can slowly erode emotional closeness.
Many couples find themselves functioning as teammates or co-parents rather than intimate partners.
The daily logistics of life begin to overshadow the tenderness and affection that once came naturally.
As emotional distance grows, what often remains is a deep yearning — the desire to feel loved, seen, and understood.
Yet that yearning can turn into arguments, criticism, or silent withdrawal, creating a painful cycle of disconnection.
Both partners may feel stuck — one pursuing closeness, the other pulling away to protect themselves — when underneath, both are longing for the same thing: a safe and loving bond.
Our Approach: Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT)
At Sylvia Tan Psychology, we use Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) — a research-based, evidence-supported approach developed by Dr. Sue Johnson — to help couples rebuild emotional connection and strengthen their attachment bond.
EFT helps couples move beyond surface-level conflict to understand the emotions and unmet needs driving their patterns.
Through this process, couples learn to:
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Recognise and break repetitive cycles of conflict or disconnection
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Express emotions and needs in ways that draw partners closer, not push them apart
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Rebuild trust and emotional safety
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Deepen intimacy and compassion for one another
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Strengthen your sense of partnership and teamwork in navigating life’s challenges
Couples therapy isn’t just about communication skills — it’s about reconnecting emotionally, so both partners feel safe, valued, and understood.
Couples counselling can help if you are:
Arguing frequently or struggling to communicate without blame
Feeling emotionally distant or disconnected
Recovering from betrayal, resentment, or hurt
Balancing parenting and work but losing touch with each other
Wanting to rekindle love and closeness in a long-term relationship
Whether you are newly married or have been together for decades, couples therapy can help you rediscover connection, rebuild trust, and renew your sense of partnership.
What to Expect in Couples or Marriage Counselling
Couples therapy provides a safe, confidential space for both partners to slow down, be heard, and understand each other’s deeper emotions and needs.
It’s not about deciding who’s right or wrong — but about rebuilding emotional safety and connection, so both partners can feel secure, understood, and close again.
At Sylvia Tan Psychology, couples therapy typically includes:
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Initial joint session (90 minutes): to understand your relationship history, challenges, and shared goals.
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Individual sessions (if appropriate): to explore each partner’s emotional experience in greater depth.
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Ongoing joint sessions: using Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to identify negative interaction cycles and strengthen emotional bonds.
Most couples begin to experience meaningful change within 8 to 20 sessions, depending on the complexity of issues and the couple’s readiness to engage in the process.
Sessions are usually held weekly or fortnightly, and may be spaced out as the relationship stabilises and communication improves.
You can expect to:
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Understand the emotions and needs driving conflict or distance
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Learn to express vulnerability and respond to each other’s needs safely
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Rebuild trust and emotional closeness
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Strengthen communication and partnership
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Experience moments of genuine reconnection and renewed intimacy
EFT is a gentle yet transformative process that helps couples move from disconnection and defensiveness to emotional safety, understanding, and secure bonding.