THE COUNSELLOR

Hello, my name is Hui Chern (she/her) and I'm the counsellor at ThirtySeven Counselling.Let me tell you a bit about myself.The education bit
My tertiary qualifications are a Master of Counselling degree from Monash University (Australia) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from the National University of Singapore.I'm presently an Allied Member of the Singapore Association for Counselling.My counselling approach
I am a neurodiversity-affirming counsellor. This means I don't think your neurodivergence makes you broken and at the same time, I recognise it's been more challenging for you to navigate life and relationships.If you are neurospicy and have specific therapeutic approaches that you prefer or reject (due to past experiences), do let me know.At the heart of my integrative practice is the person-centred approach. The underpinning principles of the person-centred approach are focused on the counsellor being authentic, non-judgmental, and fully accepting whilst allowing the client to lead and set the pace. I aim to offer you these conditions as best as I can during our therapeutic relationship.Where appropriate and with your permission, I pull in tools and coping techniques from other therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to support your needs and counselling goals.Volunteer work
I've been an active volunteer counsellor at the secular counselling centre run by Singapore Buddhist Free Clinic since 2020.I've also been volunteering with the National Cancer Centre of Singapore since 2015 by helping terminally-ill cancer patients write their wills and giving talks on end-of-life planning to cancer patients and caregivers.Work history
My previous work experiences include practising as a lawyer in Singapore and conceptualising and operating a specialty food store in Singapore.My interests
I enjoy reading, writing, learning, and meditating.And I always look forward to playing the daily Wordle together with my autistic son.

• Book an appointment

• Back to Homepage

COUNSELLING FEESFor video/audio counselling (duration of 50 minutes): S$120 per sessionFor email counselling (up to 1,000 words per email): S$120 per email exchangeNote:1. To secure your appointment slot for video counselling, please pay the counselling fee at least 48 hours in advance.2. Payment is to be made via PayNow (for those residing in Singapore) or PayPal. The payment details will be sent to you.

• Book an appointment

• Back to Homepage

COUNSELLING SERVICESThirtySeven Counselling offers online counselling to adult individuals in these areas:* parenting stress
* anxiety & panic attacks
* interpersonal difficulties
* self-discovery / self-improvement
* issues relating to living with autism, ADHD, AuDHD (including self-identified traits)You have the choice of engaging in counselling through any of these modes of communication:
1. Video (via Zoom)
2. Audio (via Zoom)
3. Email****************************************How Online Counselling Works(a) Video / audio counselling (via Zoom)The video platform is a way for you to see your counsellor face to face from your computer or smartphone whilst engaging in counselling. I will set up a Zoom meeting and send you the access link at least one day before your scheduled appointment.Each session is 50 minutes in length.Being able to see your counsellor gives you more of the benefits you get from face-to-face counselling but with the convenience of online therapy. By talking, you get to hear tone of voice which is a way to convey empathy and through video, you see non-verbal communication such as facial expressions.If you prefer to turn off your web camera during a Zoom session, that's fine too. Your counsellor will also turn off her web camera, and the counselling session will proceed like a phone call.Neither you nor the counsellor will record any part of the video or audio counselling sessions without the other party's prior consent.(b) Email counsellingEmail counselling offers you the opportunity to consider what you wish to say before you send your email. It also gives you time to reflect on the information you have received from your counsellor.Emails are exchanged once a week.Your weekly email needs to be sent to huichern@thirtysevencounselling.com by an agreed day of the week. I aim to reply to all emails within 72 hours of receiving them.Each of your emails should be no longer than 1,000 words. I recommend that you put aside 50 minutes of your time to reflect on what you want to share with me and to write out your email. I will do the same at my end for the email responses that I send to you.One consideration of email counselling is the time delay between your email and the return email and this makes email counselling ineffective if urgency is a priority for you.

• Book an appointment

• Back to Homepage

Why ThirtySeven?Below are 5 fun facts about the number 37.Accompanying these fun facts are metaphors that align with my evolving philosophy about the counselling process.1. The temperature of a regulated human body is around 37 degrees Celsius.I see this as a metaphor for how regulating our moods is as important as regulating our body temperature.2. All repeating 3-digit numbers (e.g. 111, 333, and 888, known as angel numbers to some people) are divisible by 37.This is like a metaphor for how you are surprising and possess potential in ways that you don't yet realise.3. If you reverse any multiple of 37 (e.g. 185) and insert a zero between each digit, that new number (i.e., 50,801) is also divisible by 37.This is akin to how I will be holding up metaphorical mirrors (the zeros) in the counselling space for you to gain new insights about yourself.4. If you insert any repeating 3-digit number (e.g. 222) into a multiple of 37 (e.g. 777), that new and much larger number (i.e., 722,277 or 772,227) will also be divisible by 37.I see this as a metaphor for how when we put some distance between ourselves and our thoughts/feelings, we can gain fresh perspectives on our problems.5. For any 3-digit number that is divisible by 37 (e.g. 629), if you shift the first digit to the end, the new number (i.e., 296) will still be divisible by 37.This is like a metaphor for developing flexible thinking through counselling. The more flexible our thinking, the better our mental well-being.

• Book an appointment

• Back to Homepage

Why Online Counselling?Benefits of online counselling- Therapy at a time, place, and pace that suits you.
- You won't be seen physically entering a counselling practice.
- Secure encryption software offers confidentiality and peace of mind.
- Flexibility to choose the technology you feel is best for you: video, audio, or email.
- Some people find it easier to express their feelings by writing them down instead of verbally expressing them.
- Online counselling supports those with mobility or health issues that make it very challenging for them to turn up in person for counselling.
- Email counselling supports those who are self-conscious about their appearance or speech (or lack of speech) and those who have social anxiety.
- Simply writing down what is bothering you is in itself therapeutic and you may find yourself feeling less burdened after you finish writing your email.
- When engaging in email counselling, you can review what you are saying before sending your email. You will also have a record of your counsellor’s responses to review and reflect on your progress.Limitations / Things to consider- Do you have access to good internet connection?
- Do you have access to a private space to attend video counselling?
- Are you comfortable using a video platform to speak to your counsellor?
- Do you have a strong preference to see your counsellor in person?
- Do you feel you can express your feelings well through writing?
- For written communication, there are no nonverbal cues or body language for you or the counsellor to read and this may lead to misunderstandings.

• Book an appointment

• Back to Homepage