What does a psychologist do?

A qualified professional guided by ethics

A psychologist works to assess, protect, maintain and improve a person’s psychological well-being. Psychology includes a range of theoretical and clinical approaches. A psychologist may specialise in a particular approach or work in an integrative way, drawing on different evidence-based methods according to the person’s needs.

Clinical psychologists are trained to understand psychological functioning, behaviour, personality and interpersonal relationships. In France, the title of psychologist is legally protected and requires postgraduate university training in psychology, supervised clinical placements and research. In Singapore, psychologists may also be registered through the Singapore Psychological Society’s Singapore Register of Psychologists.

Emmanuelle Mollet O’Grady is a French-trained, bilingual clinical psychologist based in Singapore. She works with children and adolescents and provides psychological therapy as well as cognitive, attention, ADHD and autism assessments in English and French. Parents, schools and other professionals may be involved when this is appropriate and agreed.

A professional code of conduct

Psychologists follow professional and ethical standards. These include respecting confidentiality, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, keeping their knowledge and skills up to date and working within the limits of their competence.

Emmanuelle is registered with the Singapore Register of Psychologists. Before working in private practice, she spent more than three years in the psychology service at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore.

Values that guide psychological work

Compassionate neutrality

This means creating a respectful space in which a person can speak freely without fear of judgement. The psychologist remains attentive and empathetic while maintaining the professional perspective needed to understand the difficulty objectively.

Confidentiality

A psychologist does not share information about a client with other people without prior consent, except where professional or legal safeguarding responsibilities require action. The decision to consult a psychologist and the content discussed during sessions are otherwise confidential.

Therapeutic alliance

The relationship between the psychologist and the person attending is a fundamental part of therapy. The approach is centred on each person as a unique individual, with their own history, needs and strengths.

Empathy

Empathy involves understanding another person’s perspective and responding to their emotions with care. It requires respectful, attentive listening and an effort to understand what the person is experiencing.

Supervision

Clinical supervision allows psychologists to reflect on their work with another qualified professional. It supports the development of knowledge, skills and professional judgement and helps psychologists continue improving their practice.

Humility

Professional humility involves recognising the limits of one’s knowledge, remaining open to reflection and learning, and seeking additional guidance or referral when this would better serve the person receiving care.

Psychologists are human too

Psychologists also think, feel and experience emotions. Their training, ethical framework and compassionate neutrality enable them to support children, adolescents and their parents while maintaining a safe and professional therapeutic relationship.