Clinical Director / Co-founder
MSPS, PCMSAC, MCoun, BA(Psych), Spc Dip Career Counselling, P Dip Psychotherapy
The Lion Mind
As a Clinical Director (Principal Counsellor) of The Lion Mind, James provides affordable counselling and psychotherapy services to clients, and facilitates public talks, webinars, workshops, and seminars. He also provides clinical directions and guidance to the organization, and fosters a nurturing environment where junior clinicians can enhance both their clinical skills and personal development.
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
James has over 14 years of diverse experience spanning across multiple industries, including education, healthcare, mental health, non-profit organizations, and social services. As a strong believer in using evidence-based practice in psychology, he provides high-quality counselling and psychotherapy services to his clients. He is well versed in multiple counselling approaches, including Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). He is able to provide addiction counselling, career counselling, and psychiatric rehabilitation.
James works well with the working adults, young adults , millennials, NSFs, tertiary students, and youths (13 to 35 years old). He also provides personal therapy to students pursuing counselling postgraduate studies.
In addition to counselling and psychotherapy, James is familiar with the various psychological assessments and tests. He has received formal education in administering, scoring, and interpreting them.
James also believes strongly in continuing education and life-long learning. To date, he has a Master in Counselling from Monash University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the National University of Singapore (NUS). His other professional qualifications include a Professional Diploma in Psychotherapy from The School of Positive Psychology, a Specialist Diploma in Career Counselling from Republic Polytechnic, a WSQ Certified HR Professional (Recruitment & Selection) from Human Capital (Singapore), and a WSQ Advance Certificate in Learning and Performance (ACLP) from the Institute of Adult Learning (IAL) Singapore.
Professional Membership
James is a Full Member (membership no. FM019005C) with the Singapore Psychological Society (SPS), and a Provisional Clinical Member (membership no. D0582) with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC).
James was a affiliate member of the Australia Psychological Society from 2013 to 2021, full member (membership no. COSIRS0027) of the Australian Counselling Association, College of Supervisors from 2021 to 2023, and a Level 4S full member (membership no. A084) of the Association of Psychotherapists And Counsellors (Singapore) (APACS) from 2013 to 2024.
Other Experiences
James has served as the Honorary Treasurer and an Executive Committee (EXCO) member of APACS from February 2020 to February 2022. As a representative of APACS, James worked closely with other mental healthcare practitioners, and policymakers to shape the local mental healthcare scene. Through the APACS-HSEU-NTUC retainer clinic programme, James provides counselling to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital staff from 2020 to 2022.
In addition to his work with The Lion Mind, James is an Associate Lecturer with Republic Polytechnic, School of Sports & Health. He facilitates healthcare-related modules such as ‘Advanced Integrated Care Planning’, ‘Advanced Care Coordination & Navigation’, ‘Biopsychosocial Aspects of Ageing’, ‘Communication & Health Coaching’, ‘ Social & Family Dynamics’, ‘Sociology of Health and Social Care’, and ‘Multidisciplinary & Multisectoral Care for Seniors’.
James has presented in two oral presentations during the 5th Asia Pacific Rim International Psychotherapy and Counselling Conference 2017 in Singapore, and has published a peer-reviewed paper in the Australia Counselling Association (ACA)’s Counselling Australia Magazine.
Operations Director / Co-founder
MAPACS, GradCert Psychotherapeutic Approaches (CBT), BBA, Dip Mar Trnsp Mgt
The Lion Mind
Weiren is the Co-founder and the Operations-In-Charge with The Lion Mind. He has extensive working experience in both logistics and business operations. As the Operations Director of the organisation, he provides directions for the operational aspects of the organisation, overseeing and ensuring smooth operations in the organisation. As the Co-founder, he represents the organisation when working with both the community partners and corporate partners in promoting mental wellness. He also plays a vital role in nurturing the growth of team members, maximizing their potentials.
On behalf of The Lion Mind, Weiren has co-presented in the Happiness Conference 2020 on the topic “Empathy Matters“, sharing and demonstrating the importance of having empathy. He had also presented on the topic “Transiting Healthily into the Workplace – Coping with Anxiety, Stress & Burnout” to Republic Polytechnic, School of Sports, Health & Leisure students on 14 July 2021.
Academic & Professional Qualifications
He has a Bachelor of Business Management from NHL University of Applied Sciences Netherlands, Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz (Netherlands), and a Diploma in Maritime Transportation Management from Singapore Polytechnic. He has completed an accredited course (ACA, APACS) on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. He is a certified Psychological First Aider by the PSS Institute (2020 to 2022).
Professional Membership
Weiren is an Ordinary member (membership no. A219) with the Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Singapore (APACS).
Other Experiences
In addition, Weiren was a member of Appassionata Limited. He is committed to bringing chamber classical music to the masses through partnering with established musicians. He also aims to help provide the necessary platform for aspiring and professional musicians to showcase their talents in Singapore.
Weiren was an Executive Committee member of APACS, heading the Marketing & Publicity Sub-Committee from February 2020 to February 2022. His leading portfolio includes maintaining the official social media platform, and managing a team of content creators for the association’s e-magazine, The Gazette (issue 0 to 5).