In brief
Physician-led TCM can support sleep, mood, and stress patterns that sit with Shen (spirit) and Heart, Liver, or Spleen imbalance. When nights, low mood, or worry need structured psychological work as well, PULSE Allied Health psychotherapy can sit beside TCM on a named pathway. Visits are separate. Care complements, rather than replaces, psychiatry or prescribed medication.
- MOH-registered TCM
- Optional psychotherapy
- 15 TCM clinics
Shen, sleep & mood
When stress, sleep, and mood need a clearer path
Stress, restless nights, low mood, and anxiety often travel together. Short spells under pressure are common. When disruption lasts for weeks, causes distress, or blunts daytime function, pick the pathway that matches what weighs heaviest today.
In TCM, mental wellness often reflects the calm of Shen and balance across Heart, Liver, and Spleen. Liver qi stagnation may sit with stress, irritability, and night-waking. Heart and Spleen deficiency may sit with overthinking, restless dreaming, and difficulty settling. MOH-registered physicians name the pattern in plain language, then may add acupuncture and safety-regulated herbs. Treatments follow TCMPB guidelines. For medical emergencies, seek conventional medical attention immediately. Not sure which pathway fits? Book a consultation and we will help you choose.
Choose a pathway
Choose a TCM × PSYCH pathway or TCM-only Sleep & Stress care. Explore the pathways
How visits are organised
Separate TCM and psychology visits
You may use TCM alone, psychotherapy alone, or both. Diaries stay separate so each clinician can do their work without rushing a combined appointment.
TCM visits
Physician consultation with acupuncture or herbal prescription as agreed.
- About 45 to 60 minutes at PULSE TCM clinics islandwide
- Pattern care for sleep, mood, and body signs
- Complements, rather than replaces, psychiatry or prescribed medication
Allied Health psychotherapy
Structured psychology with a PULSE Allied Health clinical psychologist.
- About 60 minutes per session at Allied Health
- CBT-I, CBT with Behavioural Activation, or CBT with exposure by pathway
- Booked as its own visit, not the same chair as TCM
These pathways are not crisis care. Seek urgent mental-health help for severe mood change, panic, or thoughts of self-harm. In Singapore, the IMH Helpline is 6389 2222.
Locations
Find mental wellness care near you
TCM in private treatment rooms islandwide, near MRT. Psychotherapy is scheduled separately at PULSE Allied Health (programme guidance currently points to Camden Medical Centre and The Woodleigh Mall for TCM + Allied Health).
- 15 TCM clinics islandwide Including ION Orchard, Great World, Paragon, Woodleigh, Millenia Walk, Raffles Place, and neighbourhood locations across Singapore.
- Allied Health psychotherapy Psychologist sessions are booked at PULSE Allied Health. Ask the team when you book if you want both TCM and psychotherapy in the plan.
Quick answers
Before you book
Three frequent questions. Full answers sit further down the page.
- Which TCM × PSYCH programme should I choose?
- Choose Insomnia when nights lead, Depression when low mood and energy lead, or Anxiety when worry and avoidance lead. We may redirect after assessment.
- Is TCM or psychology better for anxiety or low mood?
- They answer different layers. TCM works on pattern and body signs; psychotherapy rebuilds thoughts and habits. Many people use both as separate visits.
- How is this different from Sleep & Stress?
- Sleep & Stress is TCM-only for sleep, tension, and burnout. The three TCM × PSYCH pathways can add Allied Health psychotherapy.
FAQs
Questions, answered
Choosing a pathway, TCM versus psychology, medications, crisis care, and booking.
Which TCM × PSYCH programme should I choose?
Start with the concern that weighs heaviest. Choose Insomnia when falling asleep, night-waking, or sleep skills lead; Depression when low mood, energy, and motivation lead; Anxiety when worry, body tension, panic signals, or avoidance lead. After consultation we may point you to a sibling pathway if another layer is clearer.
Is TCM or psychology better for anxiety or low mood?
Neither replaces the other. TCM physicians work on qi, organ pattern, and body signs that sit with sleep or mood. Allied Health psychotherapy rebuilds thoughts, behaviours, and skills (CBT-I, CBT, Behavioural Activation, or graded exposure by pathway). Many people use both as separate visits. If you want TCM only for sleep, tension, or burnout, see Sleep & Stress.
Can I see only a TCM physician or only a psychologist?
Yes. On booking, choose your concern and add Psychology under services if you want the psych arm, or mention both in the note. Combining clinicians often helps when behavioural or thought patterns sit beside a TCM picture, but neither is mandatory.
Where are psychotherapy sessions held?
Psychotherapy is conducted at PULSE Allied Health (programme guidance currently points to Camden Medical Centre and Woodleigh for TCM + Allied Health). TCM sessions remain available at PULSE TCM clinics islandwide. Same-day dual visits may be possible but will be at different locations.
Can I combine TCM with psychiatric medication?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine are often used alongside prescribed psychiatric medicines. For herbs, leave about a two-hour gap from other medicines unless your physician advises otherwise, and check with your prescribing doctor first. We never advise stopping prescribed medication without that clinician’s supervision.
What if I am in a mental-health crisis?
These pathways are complementary, not crisis care. If you have severe mood change, panic, or thoughts of self-harm, seek appropriate mental-health support promptly. In Singapore, contact the IMH Helpline on 6389 2222 or go to the nearest emergency department.
How is Mental Wellness different from Sleep & Stress?
This page helps you choose among integrative TCM × PSYCH pathways (Insomnia, Depression, Anxiety) that can include Allied Health psychotherapy. Sleep & Stress is physician-led TCM for sleep, tension, and burnout without a psychotherapy arm.
How do I book TCM mental health care in Singapore?
Use the online booking form, WhatsApp, or phone. Select Mental health as the concern. Add Psychology under services when you want the psych arm, and mention the pathway you prefer in the note. You can also open a specific programme page and book from there. If you are unsure, book and tell us whether nights, low mood, or worry feel hardest.
References
Sources & page citations
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board. Registration & practice standards for TCM physicians. Ministry of Health, Singapore. healthprofessionals.gov.sg/tcmpb
- Ministry of Health Singapore. TCM practitioners (Healthcare Professional Portal). hpp.moh.gov.sg/tcm-practitioners
Clinically reviewed
Reviewed by Dr Sim Beng Joo
Advisor (Science & Strategy) / Consultant Physician · TCMPB T1303003A
MOH-licensed TCM physician and biomedical scientist, with clinical work spanning gastrointestinal syndromes, pain management, and sleep, fatigue, or concentration patterns.
View full profileEducational information based on clinical experience and TCM principles. Not a substitute for personalised consultation. Speak with your healthcare provider before starting new treatments. TCM and Allied Health psychotherapy complement (and do not replace) psychiatry, prescribed medication, or urgent Western medical care. If you have persistent low mood, panic attacks, or thoughts of self-harm, seek appropriate mental-health support promptly. For crisis support in Singapore, contact the IMH Helpline on 6389 2222.
Book
Not sure which pathway fits?
Tell us whether nights, low mood, or daytime worry feel hardest. We will help you book TCM, Allied Health psychotherapy, or both, and point you to the clearest pathway.