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MindServe SG — Subsidised Mental Health Support for Public Sector Workers in Singapore

MindServe SG is a privately funded program that provides subsidised psychotherapy — including EMDR Therapy — to public sector and public-facing workers in Singapore.

It reduces the cost barrier that stops many essential-service workers from seeking psychological support, by offering subsidised and affordable private-practice therapy at Acorntherapy to people such as social workers, counsellors, psychologists, healthcare staff, teachers, police, security and law enforcement personnel.

The program is run and entirely self-funded by Acorntherapy. It receives no government or other subsidy. Fees for the first five sessions are subsidised by 50%, followed by a sliding-scale subsidy of 10–50% for subsequent sessions, based on a gross monthly salary of up to $8,000.

Acorntherapy is a boutique mental health practice in Singapore, specialising in EMDR therapy and trauma-focused psychotherapy. It was founded in 2015 by Ms Wang Yi Shing, a Certified EMDR Practitioner, who has been in practice since 2011.

Why does the program focus on public-facing workers?

Public-facing workers are the pillars of Singapore’s critical essential services. But their work can be very challenging. They may carry work-related stresses, and, at times, work-induced trauma. Despite growing institutional attention, some workers may feel more help is needed, or simply want an alternative to existing support schemes in the public sector.

However, many find private sector psychological support in Singapore expensive, and end up “grinning and bearing it”. That could quietly erode their wellbeing, relationships, and ability to perform their public duties.

MindServe SG is created to support these workers so that they can function well, at the personal and relationship levels, and perform optimally at work to benefit the Singapore community.

What kind of issues does the program help with?

The issues faced by public-facing workers fall broadly into two categories: work-related matters, and those triggered or induced by work issues. Both of these could also touch on their personal history. The work issues could range from the dramatic, to seemingly mundane, but nonetheless traumatic and difficult for the workers involved. Examples include:

  • A child protection case being investigated, or appears in media headlines
  • A patient committed suicide, or died in the course of treatment
  • Secondary and vicarious trauma
  • Repeated exposure to crime scenes, or learning of aversive details of violence and abuse
  • Confrontation with parents of students
  • Feeling unjustly criticised, blamed, discriminated against, or intimidated at work
  • Feeling overwhelmed by workload without adequate support
  • A collision of challenges at work and in private life

What symptoms might such a worker be experiencing?

Common signs include:

  • Disturbed sleep, insomnia, nightmares
  • Loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of focus, feeling depressed or anxious
  • Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, images, and physical reaction
  • Compassion fatigue, feeling helpless, stuck, guilt, shame, blaming self or others
  • Sad, scared, on edge, irritable, aggressive
  • Hypervigilance, emotional numbing
  • Other symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • Burnout, an impulse to quit and avoid the sector, withdraw socially
  • Re-experiencing distressing childhood or early family, relationship or work memories, that recent events have stirred up

What kind of issues does the program help with?​

The issues faced by public-facing workers fall broadly into two categories: work-related matters, and those triggered or induced by work issues. Both of these could also touch on their personal history. The work issues could range from the dramatic, to seemingly mundane, but nonetheless traumatic and difficult for the workers involved. Examples include:

  • A child protection case being investigated, or appears in media headlines
  • A patient committed suicide, or died in the course of treatment
  • Secondary and vicarious trauma
  • Repeated exposure to crime scenes, or learning of aversive details of violence and abuse
  • Confrontation with parents of students
  • Feeling unjustly criticised, blamed, discriminated against, or intimidated at work
  • Feeling overwhelmed by workload without adequate support
  • A collision of challenges at work and in private life

What symptoms might such a worker be experiencing?

Common signs include:

  • Disturbed sleep, insomnia, nightmares
  • Loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of focus, feeling depressed or anxious
  • Flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, images, and physical reaction
  • Compassion fatigue, feeling helpless, stuck, guilt, shame, blaming self or others
  • Sad, scared, on edge, irritable, aggressive
  • Hypervigilance, emotional numbing
  • Other symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
  • Burnout, an impulse to quit and avoid the sector, withdraw socially
  • Re-experiencing distressing childhood or early family, relationship or work memories, that recent events have stirred up

How does the therapy work?

The work comprises two components. First the client learns skills to regulate and calm their emotions, followed by EMDR Therapy, an evidence-based, trauma-focused and brain-based approach that goes beyond talk therapy. It engages the body’s natural ability to heal at the nervous system, cognitive, emotional and physical levels. By resolving the source of symptoms, it delivers results that are generally deep and sustained.

If you work in a 
public-facing role

and have been carrying something heavy inside, you don’t have to keep bearing that alone. You can reach out to MindServe SG at Acortherapy to

Make an Appointment

Contact us

By +65 9023 1691 , or

By Emailcontact@acorntherapy.sg 

The program and EMDR therapy at Acorntherapy are provided by its founder, Ms Wang Yi Shing, who is a Certified EMDR Practitioner and has been in practice since 2011.

If you work in a 
public-facing role

and have been carrying something heavy inside, you don’t have to keep bearing that alone. You can reach out to MindServe SG at Acortherapy to

Make an Appointment

Contact us

By +65 9023 1691 , or

By Emailcontact@acorntherapy.sg 

The program and EMDR therapy at Acorntherapy are provided by its founder, Ms Wang Yi Shing, who is a Certified EMDR Practitioner and has been in practice since 2011.

Frequently Asked Questions

MindServe SG is a subsidised mental health support program for public sector and public-facing workers in Singapore. It provides access to subsidised private psychotherapy — particularly EMDR Therapy — at Acorntherapy so that the cost of care is less of a barrier to getting help.

Fees for the first five sessions are subsidised by 50%, followed by a sliding-scale subsidy of 10–50% for subsequent sessions, based on a gross monthly salary of up to $8,000.

No. The program is entirely self-funded by the founder of Acorntherapy. It does not receive any government, organisational or other subsidy.

The first five weekly sessions help clients build confidence in managing their emotions, reach a greater sense of calm, and experience first-hand the positive effect of therapy. Where the trauma stems from a single episode, it may be well on the way to resolution by the end of these five sessions.

Yes definitely. Acorntherapy is happy that your employer is supportive of your wellbeing.

No. All sessions are confidential, except where a client threatens to harm themselves or others, or in the unlikely situation where a court orders disclosure of the therapy. Therefore, your employer or any other person will not learn of the therapy, unless you disclose that information yourself, or you consent to its disclosure.

Yes, that is possible. The program has in the past included staff working in the non-profits, start-ups, and people who need therapy help but lack resources. So please get in touch to discuss, through:

WhatsApp at +65 9023 1691, or

EmailEmail at contact@acorntherapy.sg 

Yes. The list of symptoms above is not exhaustive. In any event, Acorntherapy welcomes workers who wish to better manage their personal issues through therapy.

Yes, if the insurance policy covers psychotherapy. Our clients have successfully claimed from their insurance companies with our receipts. We suggest you first seek your insurer’s confirmation.

The number of sessions varies according to the nature, complexity and therapy goals of each client. Some clients experience significant relief within a few sessions, while others benefit from a longer course of therapy. At Acorntherapy, we will discuss with you a personalised therapy plan after the initial assessment. From time to time during the course of therapy, we will review progress with you so you can keep tabs on where you are in your journey.

WhatsApp at +65 9023 1691, or

EmailEmail at contact@acorntherapy.sg 

Make an Appointment


Contact us

By +65 9023 1691 , or

By Emailcontact@acorntherapy.sg