Cordelia Fernandez

Counsellor – Psychotherapist – Therapy for Individuals and Groups (18 and Above) – In person and online, in English – Master of Counselling – B.A (Hons) (Eng Lang)- Associate of the Guidhall School of Music and Drama

My Approach To Counselling

I believe in partnership above all. A lot of the time people “know” what they should be doing – the information is out there on every corner of the internet: how to relieve anxiety, how to talk to your partner, how to banish procrastination, and so on.

So why do so many people still struggle with these issues?
It’s tough to tackle them on your own.

A partner is one that asks the questions to start you thinking about your own response to these issues, one that challenges you and at the same time cheers you on. A partner doesn’t judge, recoil or lecture, but takes the time to understand you before gently suggesting a potential direction. That’s what I hope to be for my clients.

Background

I have spent most of my professional life as an educator: a Communications Lecturer at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film and Media Studies – where I taught, mentored and counselled students (and their parents) for over 20 years; a Drama Coach at notable institutions such as NYU TISCH (Asia) and North London Collegiate School; an English Instructor to government officials across ASEAN. While teaching still brings me much enjoyment and satisfaction, it has also been a natural gateway to my late-in-life passion for counselling.

I completed a Master of Counselling degree with Monash University in October 2020 and began practicing professionally in April 2021

Why I am a Counsellor?

I believe that my background in theatre as well as teaching has really primed me for counselling. Through theatre, I have become so used to looking at underlying feelings and motivations of characters in both mundane and extreme situations, and that curiosity has carried on through the rest of my life.

My experience as an educator has given me a distinct set of skills that has been heightened through my Masters progamme: my 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. My time in the classroom has shown me the importance of clear thinking – unclouded by intense emotion – and of seeking multiple viewpoints and approaches.

Most of all, having spent most of my adult life helping others, I hope to continue doing so through compassionate counselling

Accreditation and Counselling Education

Master of Counselling (Monash University)
Member of the Singapore
Association of Counselling (Provisional – still working on my hours as I continue to teach)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Trauma (Russ Harris)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Grief and Loss (Russ Harris)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Anxiety and Depression (Russ Harris)
Trauma Informed Care Training (Safe Circle)
(In Progress) The Gottman method for Healthy Relationships

Approach and Issues

I am an advocate of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as I strongly believes that it is our thoughts and corresponding beliefs that hold us back or help us thrive. However, in my practice, I integrates evidence-based techniques from a wide range of approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, and I will adapt my approach to suit my clients’ issues, situations, needs, and strengths.

I have helped clients through difficult life changes and challenges such as

Anxiety
Depression
Clear Communication
Low Self-esteem
Work Stress
Life Transitions
Grief
Anger Management
Building Resilience
Relational Conflicts
Sexual wellness
LGBTQ+ Issues
Trauma

I take a curious and non-judgmental approach to increase my clients’ flexibility, self-awareness and self-agency to bring about deep and enduring transformation.

The goals? Clarity, understanding, peace of mind, and a life of meaning and fulfilment.

Testimonials

I undertook professional counselling facilitated by Ms Cordelia Fernandez. I will admit, I was reluctant to do so, as previously I had also undertaken counselling in Australia, which I did not find to be a good experience and frankly did not find the counsellor to be either skilled or interested in addressing my issues at the time.
In contrast, however, I was extremely pleased to find Ms Fernandez not only sincerely interested in developing possible solutions to my troubles, but also her innate wisdom, patience and empathy to address my situation to be invaluable. Her insightful questions and our thought-provoking conversations led me to think at a deeper level, and to utilise my own resources to effectively manage my issues and my situation.
I firmly believe Ms Fernandez has the appropriate character, maturity, knowledge and professionalism to be a significant benefit to any counselling organization where direct contact with people experiencing personal issues is required.