It has been proven time and again through research that the most important component which predicts the success of Counselling Therapy is the relationship which forms between Therapist and Client (often referred to as the Therapeutic Alliance). It is significantly more important than the Therapist's method or approach, and even the experience levels of the Therapist. We at Harmony Counselling recognise the importance of this relationship and put building this connection at the forefront of all we do.
We provide individual counselling & coaching, couple & family counselling, teen & adolescent counselling, group therapy, as well as a range of corporate services. We also provide Walk & Talk Therapy, a format for Therapy that we pioneered in Singapore, which is especially helpful for those who find expressing themselves uncomfortable in traditional, office-based settings. |
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Our Team
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| Director & Counsellor |
| Martin Williams |
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Martin has been involved in a wide variety of activities in both his work and personal life. Based in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region since 1990, he has had multiple experiences of living in remote locations and in challenging conditions which few professional people can match. His work in small, medium and large organizations has been invaluable in giving him direct insight into the many forms of anxiety in the workplace, including stress, bullying, discrimination, difficulties in adaptation, handling difficult managers and colleagues, burn out and the specific challenges associated with overseas postings. Martin’s personal and career experience has given him a high level of cultural sensitivity and understanding and an outlook on life which is both balanced and informed.
Martin’s path into counselling began in 2002 following a personal tragic and unexpected bereavement. While his heart lay in counselling and helping others, it was only in 2015 that he committed fully to this path. He then started working with clients through individual and group therapy and long-term support to help them make real and lasting changes, enabling them to lead more fulfilling lives. |
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Martin connects with people of all ages in a genuine and empathetic manner and believes his own successes and failures have helped him develop his core personal value of respect for others. He is passionate about working with individuals, couples & families to help them make the best use of their strengths and resources in order to improve their lives. It is his belief that, in knowing and understanding ourselves, we become stronger and happier people and better equipped to deal with life’s challenges.
Martin founded Harmony Counselling in early 2020, recognising that what he has learned through hard-won experience could be of value to others. He is a Clinical Member and Registered Counsellor with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC). |
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| Counsellor |
| Anna-Mari Abdullah |
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Anna-Mari is a British born Counsellor who works with children, teenagers and adults. Anna-Mari completed her BA in Childhood Studies, Guidance and Counselling with the University of Northumbria and attained her Masters in Counselling with Monash University. In addition to counselling, Anna-Mari has worked in multi-national organizations throughout her career, and has provided mentorship and guidance to colleagues in dealing with work related stress.
With Welsh and Greek parents, Anna-Mari lived in the UK, Greece, France and United Arab Emirates as a child and fully understands the opportunities and challenges of expat life. She has lived in Singapore for over nine years and, with a Singaporean husband, she embraces both the local and expat communities. She continues to volunteer with NGO agencies in Singapore, supporting clients presenting various issues such as childhood trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, stress and borderline personality disorder.
Anna-Mari’s professional health training includes therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectal Behavioural Therapy (DBT). She is passionate about supporting her clients though behavioural change through a safe, holistic approach, teaching and sharing skills on how to move to their desired future. |
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| Director & Counsellor |
| Cordelia Fernandez |
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Cordelia completed a Master of Counselling degree with Monash University in October 2020 and began practicing professionally in April 2021. Her many years’ experience as an educator has given her a distinct set of skills: her empathy stems from having interacted with hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds over decades, listening to their stories, learning to ask questions that promote reflection and increase understanding. Having spent most of her adult life helping others, she hopes to continue doing so through compassionate counselling.
Cordelia is an advocate of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, as she strongly believes that it is our thoughts and corresponding beliefs that hold us back or help us thrive. However, in her practice, she integrates evidence-based techniques from a wide range of approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centred Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, adapting her approach to suit her clients’ issues, situations, needs, and strengths.
Cordelia has helped her clients through difficult life changes and challenges such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, work stress, relational conflicts and trauma. Taking a curious and non-judgemental approach, she seeks to increase her clients’ flexibility, self-awareness and self-agency to bring about deep and enduring transformation. |
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How Does Counselling Help?
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| Providing Insight |
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| We can gain an understanding of the origin & development of emotional disturbances, which leads to an increased capacity to take rational control over our feelings and behaviours. |
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| Relating to Others |
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| We become better able to form and maintain meaningful & satisfying relationships. |
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| Empowerment |
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| We find the strength and ability to heal by taking responsibility for our own lives. |
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| Self-Awareness & Enlightenment |
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| We can achieve better understanding of a situation and our reaction to it through improved knowledge of ourselves. |
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| Problem Solving |
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| We can better manage future problem situations as they arise by developing our competencies. |
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| Psychological Education |
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| We increase our understanding of how we feel, think and behave. |
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Enabling Cognitive or
Behavioural Change |
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| We can address our self-defeating thoughts and behaviours. |
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Encouraging Positive
Systemic Change |
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| We can help our families to interact in happier and healthier ways. |
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