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@SereneLee Suicide is often viewed as the tragic end of an individual’s pain. Still, for the family, friends, and community left behind, it marks the beginning of a long, complex journey of grief, confusion, and unanswered questions. In my profession as a psychotherapist, I have seen how the loss of someone to suicide creates a ripple effect - reaching far beyond the immediate circle and into every aspect of life. While the pain of the individual ends, the impact on loved one

@SereneLee In Singapore and many cultures around the world, living with our elderly parents has long been a symbol of love, respect, and filial duty. It is a tradition woven into the fabric of our upbringing - one that tells us we owe our parents the care they once gave us. But as the world changes, so do our responsibilities, our priorities, and our perspectives. Somewhere along the way, the question arises:   Is living with aging parents a blessing or a burden? There is no

@SereneLee Written from the perspective of the elderly father, as if he were speaking his heart to his children and to the world - touching on pain, loneliness, and a longing for connection.  Even a man who has failed in love still longs for it in his final days. "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.  Some days, I sit quietly in the corner of the room, pretending I am dozing off - but really, I am listening…... hoping to hear my name,

@SereneLee In the helping profession, both   counsellors   and   social workers   play crucial roles in supporting individuals, families, and communities. While their work often overlaps and they may collaborate closely,   they are fundamentally distinct in their training, approach, and purpose .   In recent years, there has been increasing discussion about merging their roles - especially in policy or manpower planning. But doing so could risk diluting the essence and effect

@SereneLee In today’s rapidly evolving world, schools often emphasize the importance of developing critical thinking, creativity, and confidence in self-expression. Yet, paradoxically, some educational environments seem to suppress these very qualities through rigid authority and an intolerance for differing opinions. Recently, a student shared with me her experience of writing an essay about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on human cognition and creativity. In her

@SereneLee Artificial Intelligence is everywhere - from your child’s homework to your boss’s emails (and possibly your fridge that now “talks back”). However, while AI can make life easier, it also subtly alters the way we think, work, and even   feel .   “The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like humans, but that humans will begin to think like computers.” ~  Sydney J. Harris In this article, I am going to highlight to you how AI is shaping, and sometim

@SereneLee If you have ever said yes to hosting a spontaneous dinner party while secretly wishing for a peaceful evening at home, or taken on a project that makes you feel exhausted, all because saying "no" felt like a heavy weight in your throat...... Welcome. You're not alone. Saying “no” can sometimes feel like trying to swallow a pineapple whole. You realize you ought to say no, you genuinely wish to, yet your mouth betrays you, and out comes, "Of course, no problem!" Bef

It often doesn’t happen in a dramatic moment. It is not a scene from a movie. It is in the quiet, ordinary stillness after the storm. Maybe it is the moment you have just snapped, “Because I said so!” to your questioning child, and the phrase hangs in the air, echoing not in your voice, but in the memory of your own parents. Maybe it is when you see your daughter flinch at a raised voice, and a shard of your own childhood fear lodges itself in your heart. Or perhaps it is whe

Written by: @SL Serene Lee You do not need to be  clinically depressed , have  panic attacks , or carry a formal diagnosis to walk through a therapist’s door. Sometimes, you are just tired - but not the kind of tired that sleep can fix. Sometimes, you are holding it all together in public but silently falling apart in private. Sometimes, you do not even know what is wrong, only that something feels  off , and you cannot quite name it. A young woman once told me,  “I feel like

Inner Child Wounds - Why Grown-Ups Sometimes Are So Emotional and Cry Like Children Ever cried over something that “shouldn’t” hurt that much - a forgotten birthday, a partner raising their voice, or a friend not texting back? It is not because you are weak. It is often because   your inner child just got triggered. 🌱 The Echoes of Childhood Deep inside every adult is a child who once wanted to be held, heard, or protected - but was not. That unmet need does not simply disap