About Us

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 5^th 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.