The Changi General Hospital, Singapore’s Department of Psychological Medicine provides psychological and psychiatric care for both inpatients and outpatients. Treatment is voluntary and individually tailored and is provided for by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, medical social workers and occupational therapists.
DISORDERS TREATED
The types of psychiatric problems and mental disorders we treat include the following:
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ASSESSMENTS AND TREATMENTS
- Diagnostic psychiatric assessment and evaluation
- Medication / psychopharmacotherapy
- Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)
- Medico-legal Assessment
- Testamentary capacity (fitness to draw up valid will)
- Competency assessment (mental capacity to manage personal affairs / financial affairs)
- Psychoeducation
- Marital therapy
- Group therapy
- Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, or therapy, involves the use of one or more psychological approaches to help patients understand and manage difficult issues in their lives. The different therapy approaches we use include the following:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) / Cognitive Therapy
CBT is a skills-based treatment in which the therapist and patient work together to identify problematic thinking and behavioural patterns, and develop skills to changes these patterns. CBT may involve the use of several techniques, such as psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, behavioural analysis and modification, anxiety management, and anger management.
- Dynamic Psychotherapy
Dynamic Psychotherapy assumes that the current difficulties of patients are often due to unresolved, and usually unconscious conflicts stemming from unhappy childhood experiences. Therapy, therefore, involves exploring childhood experiences, understanding the impact of these experiences on the current lives of the patients, and helping the patients not only to cope better with these experiences and their accompanying emotions, but also to learn new ways of relating with themselves and other people.
- Schema Therapy
Schema therapy is an integrated approach that combines cognitive, behavioural, interpersonal and experiential techniques. The main goals of Schema Therapy are to help patients identify early unhelpful core beliefs (schemas) and coping styles, change these schemas and life patterns, and learn new skills and experiences so that they can be empowered to live happier and more meaningful lives.
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is a specialised therapeutic procedure to help patients process traumatic or distressing memories. Clinical research indicates that it is an effective technique to deal with and resolve traumatic experiences. Therapists may use a combination of the above approaches and / or other techniques (e.g.: stress management skills, assertive skills training, clinical hypnosis) to tailor treatment to the individual needs of patients. Therapy sessions can be arranged for individuals, couples or groups.
- Occupational Therapy Assessment and Treatment
Occupational Therapists provide individual therapy, group therapy, creative arts, and intervention in activities of daily living. Specialized assessments may also be conducted, such as:
- Allen's Cognitive Level Screen (ACLS)
- Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS)
- Assessment of Vocational Skill
Hydrotherapy
Conducted by the Occupational Therapist, hydrotherapy involves the use of water, music and relaxation techniques to enhance the learning of self-relaxation. The hospital has a heated indoor pool with regulated temperature. This programme complements with stress, anxiety and sleep management.
- Psychological Assessment
- Assessment of Intellectual Functioning
Assessment of Intelligence (or IQ testing) involves an assessment of a patient’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses, for vocational, educational placement or other official purposes. It includes testing for learning disabilities in children and youth (e.g. dyslexia screening).
- Neuropsychological Assessment
An intensive evaluation of a patient’s cognitive capacities and disabilities using various psychological instruments, can help to identify signs of brain damage and changes in cognitive functioning. Patients assessed usually include those who have head injuries, stroke or dementia.
- Personality Profiling
Personality tests can be conducted for personal awareness and self-enhancement, as well as to assist in clinical diagnoses.
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WORKSHOPS & PROGRAMMES
- Stress management
- Anxiety management
- Anger management
- Triple P: Positive Parenting Programme
Triple P: Positive Parenting Programme is an internationally acclaimed & clinically proven programme, to help parents learn effective methods to prevent and manage behaviour problems in their children. At CGH, the programme can be provided as individual sessions with parents, or as a 4-session parenting group workshop.
For more information on Triple P, please click here
- Coping with insomnia
- MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND OUTREACH PROGRAMMES
- Public forums
Annual public forums are conducted in conjunction with the “World Mental Health Day”.
- Lunch-time psychoeducational talks
- COMMUNITY PSYCHOGERIATRIC PROGRAMME (CPGP)
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INPATIENT SERVICE
The Department of Psychological Medicine has a dedicated ward, which provides a safe and therapeutic environment for the physical, psychological and social needs of the patient. All admissions have to be approved by the psychiatrist on duty.
SUBSPECIALTY CLINICS
Psychogeriatric Clinic
This clinic is a collaboration between the
Department of Geriatric Medicine and the Department of Psychological Medicine.
Memory Clinic
This clinic is another collaboration between the
Department of Geriatric Medicine and the Department of Psychological Medicine. Its main aim is to assess, investigate and assist in the management of patients over the age of 50 with memory loss and dementia.
Psychotraumatology service offers an integrated approach to provide holistic care to support patients in their recovery from a traumatic experience.
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Appointment
To make an appointment, call our Appointment Centre at 6850 3333 or go to our
Online Appointment Booking page.
Staff Members
For information about our
doctors.
RESOURCES
- Health Education articles on common mental health problems in our Health Library :
- Books:
These books are sold at the CGH Retail Pharmacy and on our online pharmacy.