How to Deal with Passive Aggressive Colleagues

Picture this scenario: Jenny is a customer service executive at a logistics firm. Recently, a new employee, Sam, was hired and Jenny is tasked with helping to train Sam. Rather than acting as a mentor to Sam, Jenny instead constantly ignores Sam’s emails, gives him the silent treatment, jokes about him behind his back, and refuses to train him to the best of her ability. Whenever Sam suggests a potential improvement to the workflow, she quickly rejects his viewpoints and gives off an air of superiority. 

These behaviors exhibited by Jenny are considered passive-aggressive ones. But what exactly is passive aggressiveness? 

Passive aggressiveness occurs when a person harbors negative feelings towards an individual and expresses those feelings in an indirectly harmful manner.

A person may feel negative feelings like anger or jealousy, but instead of communicating honestly, they mask their emotions through indirect hostility.

These are some examples of displays of passive aggressiveness at the workplace: 

  • The silent treatment 

  • Chronically procrastinating on tasks 

  • Intentionally neglecting their share of the workload or shirking responsibilities as a form of “retaliation” 

  • Withholding information 

  • Disguised insults and non-compliments 

  • Downplaying or ignoring other people’s achievements 

  • Sarcasm 

  • Spreading rumors 

  • Being silent, sulky, sullen and resentful to get attention or sympathy 

Passive aggressive behaviors are usually not immediately recognizable as “aggression”. After all, it is easier to notice aggression when people lash out at you. However, in the workplace, such behaviors create a toxic workplace environment, which comes along with a host of negative consequences such as burnout and lowered morale. Considering all these negative consequences, it is therefore important for passive aggressiveness to be carefully and effectively dealt with.

How should I respond to a passive aggressive colleague?

Responding to a passive aggressive colleague is tough and a great deal of patience is usually needed. This often comes with a hefty amount of stress and anxiety on your end too. However, equipping yourself with these skills goes a long way in making you a more confident and effective person!

Ψ Remove the reward

With many kinds of behaviors, a person will be more likely to engage in an action again if it is met with reinforcement. In the context of workplace passive aggressiveness, if you respond to a colleague’s behavior by going tit for tat, your response may actually end up reinforcing that colleague’s behavior such that it becomes even more likely for them to engage in passive aggressive behaviors again.

It can be difficult to resist the urge to respond to provocations by similarly being sarcastic or saying “it’s fine” when it actually is not. However, doing so is unlikely to get you anywhere and may even further escalate the conflict by perpetuating the person’s bad behavior. Instead, try to focus on keeping cool so you will remain composed and not act impulsively. The best way to achieve this is by giving the person objective, emotionally neutral responses whenever appropriate. For example, instead of using “you”, use first-person pronouns such as “I”, “we”, and “our”.

Ψ Ensure that expectations and deadlines are clearly and explicitly set at the start of any task or project

This is a good habit to carry out regardless of whether you have a passive-aggressive colleague or not. After all, communication is key! Ensure that you communicate diligently and set crystal clear expectations on the scope, expectations, and deadlines of any given project. To do this, confirm any discussions that you have about deadlines and actions in writing, send follow-up emails after meetings, or draft a performance agreement.

When this occurs, reasons such as “I did not know” become less plausible and it increases behavioral accountability. By ensuring that all communication is clear and understood by everyone, a passive-aggressive colleague will have to take responsibility for their own actions and have fewer opportunities to blame others for their mistakes.

Ψ Try to adopt an empathetic approach and understand the reasons behind their actions  

Why is your colleague acting this way? Do they derive happiness from making others feel manipulated? It might be easy to simply write off their behaviors as being due to a nasty personality or intentionally being difficult. However, studies have found that passive aggressive behavior is often driven by deep seated fears of being rejected, a lack of self-esteem, as well as insecurity or as a maladaptive way of handling conflicts. When we take on an empathetic approach, this enables us to better understand why people act the way that they do, and to select a more appropriate means of responding.

Ψ Create a Safe Environment

Finally, foster an environment where your colleagues know that it is safe for them to raise concerns and issues with you in an open, direct, and constructive manner, rather than in covert ways. Let your colleagues know that they can always approach you if they are facing any problems rather than letting them bubble beneath the surface. 

Of course, you will have to walk the talk too! You can create an encouraging and supportive workplace culture by fostering genuine, positive relationships with your colleagues.

Should you have any concerns about the well-being of your work team or wish to further support your employees, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) aims to help employees in Singapore, from staff to managers, manage work- and personal-related issues that may otherwise result in a negative impact on their emotional well-being and job performance.

Coping with Insecurities

Feeling emotionally insecure puts you in a constant state of vulnerability, and this can be exhausting. You may feel a lot of self-doubt, questioning your capabilities and achievements. You may be engaging in negative self-talk – “No one wants to hang out with me because I’m ugly, boring, and useless”.

Interacting with an emotionally insecure person may also be difficult because (1) you may find it challenging to think of an appropriate reply to their expressed negativity, and (2) some individuals can get very defensive when topics of their personal insecurities are brought up, regardless of intentionality.  

 

Why do people feel insecure?

Ψ Insecure parent-child relationship and attachment

Emotional security develops from as early as childhood, when personal parent-child relationship(s) are critical.

When an individual does not have a secure base during childhood (inconsistent support, caregivers(s) not readily available to meet their needs, lack of validation and comfort during distress, etc), they may grow up with an insecure attachment. An insecure attachment refers to feelings of uncertainty and fearfulness of what is to come. During adulthood, this manifests as individual charactered by a poor self-image and high levels of anxiety.

People who experience high levels of insecurity also tend to have a highly critical inner voice. This critical inner voice may stem from traumatic or painful early life experiences that the individual either experienced or witnessed firsthand, or indirectly through close others.These experiences can be unconsciously integrated as one grows up and expressed as patterns of destructive/sabotage-like thoughts towards oneself and/or others. 

The expression of negative affect from one’s parents during childhood until adolescence also contributes to emotional insecurity. Examples include hostility and/or irritability expressed towards the child or another individual in the presence of the child. 

Ψ Personal experience coupled with internalization problems  

Emotional insecurity can stem from negative experiences encountered by an individual. Examples of such experiences include: failing a task, being rejected by another individual, lack of validation for effort and results). While the effects of negative experiences differ from person to person, we can all agree that being judged by another individual is often daunting and discouraging. 

Ψ Personal difficulties 

An individual with anxiety or depression may be more prone to emotional insecurity due to their core beliefs about themselves and/or others. Perfectionist may also find it difficult to keep up to their high and sometimes unrealistic expectations consistently, which leads to feelings of insecurity. 

 

Managing your emotional insecurities

We are often our biggest and harshest critic.

“How can I be so stupid?” 

“If only I did this and that, it is all my fault.” 

Sounds familiar?  

Getting out of a spiral of negative self-talk is easier said than done. It may seem almost impossible to manage these discouraging thoughts. They can be loud and incredibly persuasive. That said, with sufficient practice, this can be overcome.

  1. Establish a clear boundary when it comes to negative self-talk. Instead of having your inner voice speak in first person, attempt to have them in second person. For example, instead of “How can I be so stupid?”, try “How can you be so stupid?”. This allows you to internally process the critics as external rather than internal criticisms. This may be a tough and emotional first step but trust the process.  

  2. Think about what thoughts and feelings are triggered when you speak critically towards yourself in a second person perspective. Does it trigger some memories in the past? Do some of the words sound familiar from early life experiences, be it from your parents or friends? This step is helpful in revealing some root causes of the harsh self-criticism(s) and some discrepancies between your true and critiqued self. 

  3. This next step may feel a little awkward or unnatural, but stay with us. Pick up a pen or a recorder and write or vocalize in second person one criticism or insecurity. Answer the criticism or insecurity truthfully just like you would to a friend. This step can help debunk some deep-rooted untrue fact(s) about yourself in the present moment. For example, you could have an insecurity about your bloated tummy after a meal. Think about how much your body has done and is doing for you, and the natural processes that occurs before, during and after a meal. Writing or speaking to yourself just like how you would to a friend can bring out the rational and logical side of you, easing the process of debunking some negative self-talks you may experience in your daily life. 

  4. Think about how these negative self-talks are influencing/affecting your day-to-day life. Do you catch yourself being highly defensive when someone speaks to you about an insecurity? Catch how these negative self-talks is affecting your life  in terms of your thoughts, opinions, feelings and actions. 

  5. This is the last, and possibly the hardest step. Take small actionable steps to change the influence your negative self-talks have on your behavior. For example, if you are internally thinking: “You are going to be rejected from that job.”, and if this usually deters you for going for a potential opportunity, attempt step three, and go for it. It is time to interrupt those negative thoughts depriving you from new opportunities and experiences, unleash your true self. You will feel some form of internal discomfort, from greater anxiety to louder negative inner voice. However, do not give into those voices, pull yourself apart from what they are telling you and through perseverance, they will weaken over time. Think of negative self-talks as evil creatures trying to lure you into their little bubble, depriving you of potentially good life experiences and fruitful learning opportunities.  

 

Emotional insecurities are normal… until it’s not 

Everyone goes through periods of uncertainty and doubt for various reasons. So, when do you know that your emotional insecurities are getting out of hand?

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does it affect your day-to-day functioning?

  • Are you able to get out of the rut and move on with your day after getting your work proposal rejected?

Should you find yourself struggling to move on with this feeling of inferiority that is disrupting your daily living, reach out for professional help. Our clinical and counselling psychologists strive to create a safe and non-judgemental space to work with you through this journey towards confidence and well-being. Being your vulnerable authentic self helps your psychologist help you.   

Seeking professional help  

Differing based on each individual’s needs, wants and goals, the psychologist will work closely with you to help you better manage your underlying and present difficulties. Behavioural, cognitive and/or affective approach(es) may be adopted. These approaches all have one overarching aim: 

  • To challenge unhealthy thoughts/feelings you may have towards yourself 

  • Teaching you techniques to overcome these thoughts/feelings 

  • Making actionable steps to change your behaviour caused by those thoughts/feelings 

These insecurities may seem tough, or even impossible to overcome. If you find yourself struggling to get by the day due to those internal voices, do not feel afraid to reach out to a mental health professional. Take it day by step and applaud all that progress you make, regardless of how small it may be. You’re not alone in this battle.  

Coping with Betrayal

When someone you love breaks your trust & heart


Betrayal can hurt as badly as a physical wound. Do you allow the hurt feelings to hold you captive or put them behind you? How do you move past the hurt and begin to heal?

What is betrayal?

Betrayal comes in many forms. Not limited to infidelity, betrayal can include breaking promises, lying or withholding information, not prioritising a relationship, or disclosing information that was shared in confidence. It can be experienced by anyone, and is not exclusive to any gender. 

Why does betrayal hurt so much?

Betrayal entails the violation of someone’s trust and confidence. When people enter a committed relationship, they agree to live by the core values of a relationship (e.g., trust, commitment, respect). When one partner breaks the bond of trust, it erodes the foundation of the relationship. It affects the betrayed partner’s self-esteem and makes them doubt their self-worth. It also leaves the betrayed partner feeling confused as they begin to doubt everything the betrayer has said and done. People who have been betrayed may find it difficult to trust people, which hinders them from forming meaningful relationships.

How do I cope with betrayal in a relationship?

Ψ Acknowledge the betrayal 

The betrayal might have come as a shock to you. It is often difficult to wrap our minds around how and why a trusted confidante would betrayed you. However, to heal, you need to recognise and accept that the betrayal has happened. This does not mean that you are fine with it but as a stepping stone, you need to acknowledge that the act took place. 

 

Ψ Name your emotions 

Anger, sadness, disgust, insecurity, and loneliness — You might experience a whirlwind of emotions in the aftermath of a betrayal. These are legitimate feelings of betrayal. Do not deny or suppress them. Label these feelings. You may even want to write them down. 



 Ψ Spend time apart 

Avoid the person physically and electronically, if possible. Taking time away will reduce the intensity of your negative emotions, placing you in a better position to rationally think and process what had happened. You should not feel pressured to make a decision in response to the betrayal.

An example of a thought journal to help you to better understand the links between your thoughts and feelings, and make sense of them

Ψ It’s ok to grieve

Allow yourself to grieve the relationship that you have lost. In some cases, you may also be grieving the future that you had imagined. During the recovery process, you may experience the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Note that this is not a linear process. You may find it helpful to journal your thoughts and what you felt are your losses.

  

Ψ Resist the temptation to retaliate 

It is normal to feel the urge to get back at the person who betrayed you and make them suffer. Planning revenge will only delay your healing process, and prolong your pain. 

Ψ Talk to a confidante 

Emotional support from your loved ones will be crucial during this stressful time. Speak with someone whom you trust. If you are not comfortable, you need not share what happened. You can share your feelings and thoughts about the incident, or just seek companionship from your loved ones. It would be best to find someone who can stay neutral, and not add fuel to the fire. 

Ψ Reflect on the relationship  

Examine your relationship, and be realistic about it. Some issues might have existed in your relationship before the betrayal. Your relationship did not turn sour overnight. It would be a good time for you to figure out how much the relationship means to you to determine if you should salvage or end the relationship. After gaining insights into the problems, you could then think about how things need to change should you and your partner wish to continue the relationship. 

 

Ψ Have a conversation with the person 

When you feel ready, have a conversation with the person who betrayed you. Let the person know how their actions made you feel. To prevent the person from getting defensive, try to focus on the impact on you rather than what they did. One way would be to use the “I” statements which starts with “I”, e.g.., “I felt hurt and angry when you…”. 

Allow the person to share their side of the story too so that you can understand how the betrayal came about. Note if they are trying to defend their actions or genuinely seeking forgiveness. 

 

Ψ Try to forgive 

See if you can forgive the betrayer. Forgiveness does not mean condoning the action; it is deciding to move past the hurt and move on with your life. Forgiveness is for you, not for the other person. Feelings of resentment and bitterness from the lack of forgiveness will take a toll on your physical and emotional well-being. 

If you wish to continue the relationship, forgiveness will be crucial to bring the relationship forward. You could let the person know that you have decided to forgive them but explain that it will take time for you. 

 

Ψ Decide how to take the relationship forward 

You have to decide if you want to forgive the person and rebuild the relationship, or end it for good. You may also consider a temporary separation as an option. Some considerations underlying this decision include: 

  • Is the person a repeat offender? 

  • Was it unintentional? 

  • Does the person acknowledge the pain that they have inflicted on you? 

  • Is the person genuinely remorseful? 

  • Has the person accepted responsibility for their actions? 

 

Ψ Be kind to yourself 

You may feel somewhat responsible, and wonder what you might have done wrong. Do not blame yourself for the betrayal. The person has to take responsibility for their actions. 

Forgive yourself for saying and doing things on the spur-of-the-moment when you discovered the betrayal. 

Be patient with yourself. Recovering from the hurt is a tough journey. Do not rush yourself to move on. Engage in self-care activities such as eating well, getting enough sleep, and spending time doing things you enjoy. 

 

Ψ Seek professional help 

If you find yourself ruminating on the betrayal and hurt, or your behaviours have changed since the betrayal and they are impairing your daily life, seek guidance from a mental health professional. Professional help could also address the damage the betrayal has caused to your sense of identity, self-esteem, and sense of security. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.  

If you are dealing with romantic betrayal, you could speak with our marriage and family therapists (Ling Ling and Wendy) and our clinical psychologists who have experience working with couples who struggle with marriage and family difficulties (e.g., Yuka).  

Moving past from the hurt of a betrayal is a painful and difficult journey. Some days may be tougher than the rest where you just wish to wallow in self-pity and wound the betrayer back. These responses and acute negative emotions are normal. The key is to remain kind to yourself and lean on your loved ones throughout this recovery process.  

Coping with Suicidal Thoughts: You Are Not Alone

Staying afloat in what seems like a rip current


You’re in pain. You feel numb. This is a time in your life that the pain is so overwhelming that it seems like there is no way out. When this happens, suicidal thoughts may swarm your mind, (erroneously) presenting itself as the only solution.

Often, it’s not that you want to end your life, but rather, are seeking an escape from the unbearable pain and numbness.

You are not alone. Many others have experienced this pain and entertained suicidal thoughts – in 2020, Singapore recorded 452 suicide deaths while Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) reported over 39,000 suicide and crisis related calls. 

Many, however, struggle alone with their pain in our local mental health landscape where suicide is deemed taboo. It’s high time we embrace conversations around suicide. Let’s start by going through what may keep you afloat in what appears to be a rip current.


How to Cope with Suicidal Thoughts

Ψ Focus on getting through today

Your pain and suicidal thoughts may seem overwhelming in the moment. You don’t have to act on your thoughts now. You may have had them previously. Recall how the distressing emotions and suicidal thoughts came and left. How you feel today may not be how you feel tomorrow or the week later - feelings will pass.

Ψ Create a crisis/safety plan

The gist of a safety plan is to list the key things you can do to keep yourself safe during a crisis. This is an extremely important step, and we care for you and have created a template for your own safety plan. Fill in the plan and keep it somewhere you can easily access and refer to it whenever the urge to hurt or kill yourself arises.

You could write down the people whom you can contact to help you feel better and the places where you would feel safe (e.g., your bedroom, friend’s house).

Stay away from things that you could use to harm yourself, such as pills and razor or even keys that unlock your window grills. Get a trusted friend or family member to safeguard them on your behalf until you are more in control of your thoughts and feelings.

Ψ Ground yourself in the present reality

Grounding techniques work when we might feel like our mind’s just spiralling out of control, and we’re being pulled in all directions because of it.

To gather back the control of our minds or focus, take a few moments to try out the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique:

  • Name 5 things you can see (like the colours on this page),

  • Name 4 things you can feel (like the phone or device in your hand),

  • Name 3 things you can hear (like birds, music or people talking)

  • Name 2 things you can smell (like hand creams, perfumes, coffee)

  • Name 1 thing you can taste (like a mint, tea, food)

Ψ Engage in activities you enjoy (or once did)

This could look like spending time with your family and friends even if you do not talk about your feelings, going for a walk in the park, watching a movie and playing games. 

Engage in those activities even if your body and mind tell you not to, and note how you feel after.

Ψ Create a gratitude (or ‘reasons why’) list

Make a list of the things that you are thankful for in your life. Think about your family and friends whom you love, the sights and sounds that you can experience and delight in. You could also affirm your strengths.

These are the reasons you continue going, the kind of reality you wish to build for yourself that helps make space for your pain, but also comforts you in the hard moments. This is the version of you, and your life, that you would be proud of.

Ψ Seek support and reach out

Don’t fight this battle alone.

Asking for help is hard, but it is the bravest thing you can do for yourself. Reach out to someone you trust to share your feelings and how you have been coping or struggling. They may be startled when they first hear about it but know that they want to help. Let them know how you want them to support you if you have an idea (e.g., check in on you every night, call the emergency hotline for you during a crisis). 

Besides approaching your friends and family, you could join a support group. It is a powerful tool that helps you feel supported. People with similar experiences would come together to share their struggles and tips to overcome them.

If you find it too hard to talk to a loved one and you just want to hear a voice, call the crisis helpline. They could help to direct you to relevant resources or professional help. 

Lastly, connect with an experienced mental health professional who will work with you to manage your difficult emotions and suicidal thoughts in a safe, nonjudgmental, and supportive space.

How to Cope with Guilt about Breaking Up

中文版: 如何应对分手后的负罪感

It is okay to feel

The Emotional Complexity of Initiating a Breakup

It is commonly misunderstood that people who initiate a breakup will cope better than the person they break it off with. This is not always true. Initiators can experience complex emotions such as guilt on top of sadness upon the breakup. Experiencing guilt for initiating a breakup is common, even if the relationship ended off in amicable terms.

If you have just initiated or are thinking of initiating a breakup and are experiencing guilt, know that it is okay to feel. It is normal to feel this way after a relationship ends. Your emotions are valid but that does not mean that you did anything wrong, or that you deserve to feel this way. While guilt is an empathetic response and a feeling of being responsible for the effects of your actions on them, it can cause a lot of distress.

Here are some ways to cope with guilt about a breakup: “S.E.L.F-C.A.R.E”

S - Seek social support and help (to manage breakup guilt)


Express or disclose your feelings of guilt to a close family member or friend who you trust. Do not be afraid to let them know how they can best support you. It is okay to turn to others for support as you lose your main pillar of support. Be comfortable initiating outings with your close friends and surround yourself with people who care for you.

Going for therapy can help you cope with difficult emotions and address the guilt in a helpful and adaptive manner. If you would like to share and process your emotions with someone, you may consider speaking to our clinical psychologists, like Dr Annabelle and Stephanie, who have extensive experience with providing guidance on relationship difficulties, emotional dysregulation, and equipping clients with the coping skills needed to get through this difficult time. You do not have to go through this alone.

E - Engage in self-reflection (to understand your feelings of guilt)


Reflect on the reasons for your feelings of guilt. Are you feeling guilty about hurting your ex-partner or are you feeling guilty for not trying harder for the relationship? Or perhaps you are feeling guilty because of how your family and friends react to your breakup? Everyone has their own unique reasons and it is always beneficial to be aware of the reasons behind your emotions so that you can take active steps to understand the validity of these reasons.

There may also be times where you do not know you are feeling a certain way after a breakup. When that happens, take the time you need to figure this out yourself, with your loved ones or a clinical psychologist.

L - Look at your relationship objectively to overcome guilt


Guilt can cause you to second guess your decision on ending the relationship and forget about all the negative experiences or the reasons for the breakup. Remind yourself of your intention to leave the relationship.

Grab a piece of paper and pen, and list out the reasons. Refer to them as many times as you need. This can also serve to remind you that building and sustaining a healthy relationship is a shared responsibility; it is not one person’s sole responsibility that the relationship has come to an end.

F - Focus on putting your own needs first


Hurting isn’t a competition. It may be painful for your partner to experience losing you now, but his or her pain is not more important than yours. It is okay to put your own needs first and that does not make you a selfish person. If being in your current relationship is painful or does not serve your needs, you have every right to let it go.

C - Come to realise what breaking up is not

“The only thing worse than breaking up is not breaking up when you know you are supposed to.” - Adonis Lenzy

Breaking up is not a wrong thing to do. It is not disregarding your ex-partner’s feelings. It is not ruining your ex-partner’s life. Ending a relationship does not make you a horrible person.

A - Acknowledge that you are being honest when you end the relationship


You owe your partner honesty and respect; not unwavering commitment when you know you no longer can or will not. It takes a lot of courage to be honest about your feelings in a relationship. It is not an easy decision to make, even if it is the right thing to do. Acknowledge that this is the right thing to do, and this hard decision is the best for both of you, including your partner, in the long term. 

R - Release your responsibility to your ex-partner


When the relationship has ended, release your responsibility to them and focus on healing yourself. You are no longer his or her partner and thus, you are no longer liable for their care, and neither are they.

Ψ Recognize what you can control and what you cannot. What is within your control is your honesty and respect towards your ex-partner. How they respond and take care of themselves emotionally are, unfortunately, out of your control.

Ψ Establish healthy boundaries with your ex-partner. If your ex-partner is causing you distress about the breakup, even unintentionally, maintaining some physical and emotional distance may be necessary. Do not feel obligated to respond when your ex-partner reaches out to you. This is not easy, especially if he or she seems vulnerable or expresses feelings that mirror your own. Remind yourself that you both need time and space to work through those difficult emotions.

E - Engage in self-compassion during and after a breakup


Be kind to yourself.

Ψ Imagine a close friend experiencing the same thing as you, what would you say to that friend? Try using the same words for yourself. Write a letter to yourself.

Ψ Remember that your thoughts are not always accurate reflections of reality.  Notice your critic and remind yourself of the positive effects of ending the relationship.

Ψ Reframe negative self-talk. Changing negative thoughts to positive thoughts can be quite a jump, you can try working towards neutrality first by lowering the intensity of your language. For example, changing “I can’t stand this” to “this is challenging”, “I am an extremely horrible person” to “I am having a thought that I am a horrible person”.

Ψ Practice self-forgiveness. This can be done by expressing remorse and regret instead of shame, viewing the breakup as a learning experience and accepting yourself as an imperfect being, just like the rest of us.

Breakups are never easy, but when you’re dealing with feelings of guilt on top of heartbreak, moving on can feel impossible. If you’re struggling with breakup guilt, acknowledge your feelings, engage in self-reflection, and be kind to yourself — these are all important steps in overcoming guilt and moving on with your life.

How to Practice Active Listening

How to Be A Good Listener

Are you really listening to someone?


Have your loved ones felt worse after sharing their experience with you? Or have you felt misunderstood and not heard by your loved ones after confiding in them?

These are common encounters and it is frustrating to not be able to help our loved ones feel better. So how can we prevent such situations and improve on our understanding of others? The answer is to practice active listening! 

What is active listening?

Active listening is a technique of listening and responding that encourages in-depth comprehension and enhances mutual understanding. It emphasizes the importance of both nonverbal and verbal behaviours, unconditional acceptance, and unbiased reflection of the speaker’s feelings and experiences.

Active listening is commonly used in situations such as during counselling, training, getting feedbacks, and solving disputes. It is also an important part of effective communication and building trusting relationships! 

The powerful benefits of being an active listener

1. Build trust and stronger bonds through active listening 

Knowing that they will not be judged or interrupted when sharing, people will feel safe and comfortable to confide in you. This is very important when it comes to building trust and relationships. And when you engage in more conversations and sharing with others, you will get to know the speaker more and form a stronger and closer bond together! 

2. How active listening resolves miscommunication issues  

Any miscomprehension of information can be corrected and processed to prevent further misunderstanding. When we ask questions, we are gathering the information we need to solve any communication problems. We will get to clarify the intentions and true feelings of others, which may have come across to us differently.   

3. The role of active listening in capturing and retaining key information 

Research has shown that we can remember conversations better when we are actively contributing to the conversation. Active learning allows us to listen and participate in the conversation such that we won’t miss out on important information and can remember them better.    

4. Emotional benefits of active listening 

Active listening creates a sense of emotional awareness that helps the speakers feel better as the listeners acknowledge their feelings. The neutral setting and non-judgemental environment also help the speakers to keep calm and not get defensive. This also prevents them from bottling up their emotions, which will only make them feel worse and result in more problems in the future.

Now that we know the importance and impact of active listening in our day-to-day interactions, it’s time to learn about the skills involved! 

Mastering active listening skills to become a better listener, for better communication 

Ψ Be Present In The Conversation 

  • Face the speaker with an open posture (e.g. arms and legs uncrossed) to show your interest in the conversation and that you are giving your full attention. 

  • Maintain eye contact to show respect to the speaker and that you are actively listening.  

  • Give small nods or a simple verbal comment (e.g. uh-huh/mm hmm) to encourage the speaker to continue sharing without being interruptive.  

  • Avoid turning your attention to surrounding factors and put aside distracting thoughts! 
     

Ψ Do not interrupt when the speaker is sharing 

  • Allow the speaker to finish talking before asking questions or responding. 

  • Do not prepare to counter with a rebuttal — we are not here to put down anyone or make counterarguments to determine who is right or wrong!  

  • Have a short wait time after the speaker spoke as it will sometimes prompt him/her to add on more details that he/she is reluctant or hesitate to share previously  

Ψ Be observant during conversations  

  • Observe the speaker’s body language — is he/she showing signs of nervousness or anxiety despite saying he/she is fine?   

  • Notice the tone of his/her voice.  

  • Listen between the lines — what does the speaker want, how does he/she truly feel? 

Ψ Clarifying questions 

  • Does the speaker want solutions or advice from us or simply just want us to empathize with him/her? 

  • This allows better understanding as our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can distort what we hear and understand.  

  • E.g. “I don’t understand what you meant by…”, “What do you mean when you said...”, “Would you prefer if I suggest solutions or just be a listening ear?”
     

Ψ Rephrase or summarise what you heard 

  • This will help you process and reflect on what you heard. 

  • The speaker can correct you if there is any misinterpretation. 

  • The speaker will feel heard and understood by you. 

  • E.g. “Am I right to say that...”, “….is that what you mean?”, “Sounds like you are saying...” 




Fun fact: Did you know that our short-term memory can only hold information for up to 30 seconds?

Therefore, we need to actively listen to one another to make sure there is no miscommunication and we can bring our message across accurately. It is also important to treat others in a way that you think they would appreciate or you would want them to treat you. It takes time and conscious effort to become a better listener, but with practice and love for your loved ones, you will definitely master active listening quickly! 

You may also wish to seek professional help with one of our experienced clinical psychologists together with your loved ones to have an in-depth discussion on how to improve your communication skills and forge stronger relationships! 

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Understanding Healthy Boundaries: What Are They and Why Are They Important?

Boundaries set intangible and tangible limits to life. Boundaries are essential yet often difficult to establish.  

“I don’t want conflicts, it’s just easier this way.” 

“Sigh, my boss asked me to OT out of nowhere, I already had plans, I wished he told me sooner.” 

“I only gave in to him (intimate partner) because I’m afraid he would think that I don’t love him otherwise.” 

Do these statements sound familiar?

Many times, we struggle to set boundaries in our daily lives in fear that it will cause unnecessary conflicts or it will make us look bad. As a result, we may face inconveniences; be it doing things out of our way or getting bullied into doing things we may not be 100% comfortable with.

This is fortunately very common and you’re not alone for the sole reason that we, humans, are social creatures. We place great value in the relationships around us, and sometimes in the process, may forgo ourselves and our own needs.

However, setting healthy boundaries are essential for our mental and physical health, because your needs matter too! Here are some steps to kickstart creating healthy boundaries in your life:

The Art of Enforcing Boundaries: Tips for Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Limits

1. Take a step back and think about what matters most to you 

Some questions to get the ball rolling: 

  1. What is important to you?  

  2. What are your values?  

  3. What are some things that make you uncomfortable?

  4. What are some things you have difficulty asking for?  

This helps you organize your thoughts and understand what you feel strongly for, what your values are, and what your priorities are. Doing so allows you to gain a clearer idea on what boundaries you would like to put in place.  

2. Be clear and precise when stating what matters to you 

You want to be heard and understood with clarity. Allowing others to first understand your boundaries will reduce misunderstandings, and stop the vicious cycle of constantly feeling like your boundaries are being violated. 

Here’s an example:

You may have a personal boundary of not wanting others to invade your personal space. When you fail to let this boundary be known, and get upset or angry when your personal space is being violated, others may misunderstand this as you being upset further violated your personal space with the intention to comfort you. This could result in you feeling more uncomfortable as your personal space is being violated. This can be avoided with the communication of your boundary. 

You may want to attempt this with those you’re most comfortable with, such as your partner, family members, or close friends. 

An example of being clear and precise when delivering your boundaries to others:  

 
 

3. Be assertive when stating your boundaries and follow through with the consequences you’ve stated should the boundary be violated 

Avoid engaging in the subsequent feelings of guilt or shame of that boundary, you may waiver in that situation. Not following through with the consequences you’ve stated will reduce the respect one has for the boundary you’ve stated. 

An example of delivering your boundaries assertively:  

 
 

In this case, if individual still proceeds with vulgarities, leave the conversation instead of continuing to engage in the conversation.

4. Don’t be sorry or afraid when asking for help, even with the possibility of rejection  

We tend to subconsciously start off a sentence with “I’m sorry but…” when asking for help. It is completely normal to ask for help, so be confident about it. Your needs are as important as other people’s needs. Asking for help does not mean you are incompetent, but rather, a task could simply require additional clarification or it could be out of your area of expertise - this happens to even the best of us.

However, there are times where help may not readily come your way when you need them. Respectfully accept the “no” just like how you would like your “no” to be respectfully accepted and find someone else who can help you.

5. Don’t be afraid to say “no” 

This may be difficult for some in fear of “looking bad” or “being viewed as lazy or not a team player”. However, as much it is important to help others, it should not be done at the expense of yourself. This is in not suggesting that you be selfish or self-centered, but to respect the boundaries of your personal time, personal capabilities, and what may be out of your control.   

Saying “no” can be done assertively yet respectfully.  

Examples of ways you can say “no” assertively yet respectfully:  

 
 

6. Be in charge of your own needs  

This will require you to understand what matters most to you. You know yourself best, including your needs. Avoid depending on others to meet your needs or to tell you what is best for you. Setting boundaries based on your own needs is in no way being selfish, but a form of self-love and self-care. Be fair to yourself and be mindful about putting yourself in avoidable situations that may end up being undesirable.   

Establishing clear healthy boundaries may be uncomfortable for some, but remember that your needs matter too. Start off with those closest to you to build your confidence! 

How to Forgive Someone

The Art of Forgiveness

How do I forgive someone when they have brought me so much hurt?

Who hasn’t been hurt by the actions or words of another? Be it from your family or friends (or even a stranger!), we are likely to encounter situations where others say or do something that hurts us deeply. When this occurs, it is normal to experience and to cling onto feelings of anger, resentment, and pain. On the other side of the same coin, forgiveness is challenging – in fact, it is one of the toughest things to do.

What is forgiveness?

Even the term “forgiveness” is a tricky one. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean entirely forgiving the person or condoning their actions. Instead, forgiveness means that you make an active decision to accept what has happened rather than hanging onto the “could’ve” and “should’ve”. It involves letting go and freeing yourself from the hurt and pain that others have caused. Forgiveness can even lead to feelings of understanding, empathy and compassion for the one who hurt you and brings a kind of peace that helps you go on with life.

Why should I forgive others? Why should I make the effort to forgive when holding onto the negative feelings seem so much easier? 

Forgiving someone can certainly be difficult and it is even harder when the other party does not seem apologetic. Despite this, forgiveness is the healthiest path forward. Forgiveness comes with an array of positive benefits on our mental and physical well-being, including increased self-confidence, optimism, reduced stress, and having a more positive outlook on life.

How do I forgive someone? Understanding and Letting Go of Anger and Resentment

One way to look at the situation is from an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach. ACT involves acknowledging and accepting unwanted experiences that are beyond your control and committing to engage in concrete actions that will improve and enrich your life instead.  

ACTing Towards Forgiveness

Let’s take a look at how the 6 core processes of ACT can be helpful with the process of forgiveness:  

1. Cognitive Defusion  

Cognitive defusion involves learning to recognize that thoughts, memories, feelings, and other cognitions are simply bits of language and images that are nonthreatening, nor are they hard truths and facts. To do so, take on a third-person perspective when looking at what is going on in your mind – just like stepping back and viewing your reflection in a mirror! Separate the unpleasant and unwelcome cognitions from yourself. The opposite of this is known as cognitive fusion, where you get entangled in your thoughts, memories, and feelings. 

Rather than replaying the event and wallowing in anger, there’s a better way to cope. One method is through journaling, which turns thoughts and worries into mere words that are not related to you. 

It sounds difficult, that’s for sure. But with practice, you should ultimately learn to face negative experiences and come out the other side with a decreased fixation on the hurt and pain experienced.

2. Acceptance  

When others cause us any form of hurt, it is normal to experience negative emotions. In fact, it is often these intense emotions that make it so hard to forgive someone. Whenever we experience hurt and anger, it is practically instinctive for us to try to avoid it and quash them. After all, no one enjoys wallowing in negativity. Rather than suppressing those emotions, try practicing accepting them instead. Acceptance involves allowing those unpleasant experiences to exist and embracing them without trying to deny or change them. It does not necessarily mean endorsement or justification, but simply acknowledging that you don’t have power or control over the past. 

For example, you may feel resentment towards your parents for failing to spend time with you as a child. You may feel upset and resentment as a result. However, it has already happened and there is nothing you can do to change the past. So, if you’re feeling angry, it is okay to acknowledge that you feel that way.  

By opening up and allowing your unpleasant feelings to come and go without struggling with, running from, or giving them undue attention, we find ourselves much less bothered by them. This also enables those feelings to move on more quickly, instead of hanging around and bothering us. 

3. Contact with the Present Moment  

How often do you find yourself mindlessly going back in time, revisiting something that happened and imagining all the other ways it could have panned out? 

This step requires you to re-focus on your present environment and self in a non-judgemental manner, and less on what has happened in the past or may happen in the future. When you experience the present world with more openness, interest, and receptiveness, you will have a greater ability to behave in a manner that is more in line with the values that you hold. 

Let’s say you are upset at a friend who stabbed you in the back. You may spend time reliving the moment, critiquing your friend’s actions, or regretting not telling them off.  

Although it is natural for negative experiences to grab our attention (this is known as the negativity bias!), we also have to acknowledge that past events are irreversible. You could have responded better, you should have known better, but you cannot change the past — so why not try to accept what is happening right now? As you immerse yourself in the present, describe events to yourself in an objective manner as they occur without placing any judgments or labels on them. Doing so will free you from the hurtful past (or future) and give you more control over your behaviour. When you start focusing more on the present, you spend less time judging and criticising both yourself and others. 

4. The Observing Self 

When we think of our self, what commonly comes to mind is our physical self (our body) and our thinking self (our mind). This “thinking self” is always hard at work as we try to understand the world and problem-solve whenever we can. However, there is another part of our self that steps back and simply observes without getting involved in the battle of our thoughts. This is the “observing self”. 

The observing self is not a thought or a feeling per se, but more of an awareness that you are thinking and feeling because you are aware of your thoughts and emotions.  

“I am my body, and I am more than my body; I am my feelings and I am more than my feelings; I am my mind and yet I am more than my mind.” 

As we go through life, our thoughts and feelings constantly change: at times you feel anxious, sad, angry, or frustrated. Instead of dwelling about your thoughts and judging your own emotions, why not try to simply observe and be aware of your own flow of experiences without attachments and investments? When this happens, defusion and acceptance is fostered. The observing self will allow you to observe difficult thoughts, feelings, and memories as peripheral aspects of ourselves, but as they constantly change, they are not the essence of who we are. By engaging the observing self as we encounter unpleasant experiences, we often find that things we were dreading become much less bothersome than they were before, giving us the capacity to disidentify from pain and unhappiness, making experiences more bearable. 

5. Values – What matters to you? 

Now that we’ve learnt to embrace our internal experiences and to observe them non-judgementally, the next step is to get to doing. 

How do we do this? We use our core values to guide our behaviour. Think of values as the qualities you care the most about. They have to do with what sort of person you want to be, what principles you want to stand for in life, and what you ultimately experience as your true drive that you choose to work towards. Values help you to steer your actions toward what is meaningful to you and is important in motivating you to make significant changes so you can lead a fulfilling life. When we are guided by our values, not only do we experience a greater sense of purpose and joy, but we also see that life can be rich and meaningful even when “bad” things are happening to us. 

Sometimes, when we get caught up with life, we may lose track of our values or even be unclear of what they are. Although this is not ideal, we can acknowledge that it happens, and make an effort to be mindful of our values moving forward. 

How then, can we be mindful of our values? One way is to take some time to think about how you want to be remembered, or the things that you would disapprove of if others did them. Perhaps you may realize that you value empathy and compassion. While these values may clash with the hurt that you are experiencing, the reality is that we sometimes must prioritize one value of another, asking ourselves “What is most important at this moment in my life that will help me be the person I want to be so I can lead a meaningful and fulfilling life?”

6. Take Committed Actions According to your Values 

You’re almost there, this is the final step! 

Now that you have a clearer sense of the values you wish to live by, the last step is to engage in actual behaviors that are guided by your values even in the presence of obstacles. You can do so by setting goals that are in line with your personal values and beliefs. This allows you to create a fulfilling and satisfying quality of life! 

Committed actions means engaging in large patterns of effective action that are driven and guided by core values. To be effective, you must be willing to be flexible. Life will inevitably change, throw different kinds of challenges at you, and there will be occasions where your behaviours fall short. Being flexible means that you take the time to reassess your actions and get them back in line with your values. This can be achieved by setting realistic goals based on your values and gets easier with time and practice!

Indeed, forgiveness is challenging. The thought of forgiving someone who has hurt you comes along with a host of overwhelming emotions stemming from both the person and the event itself.

Conversely, forgiveness is also powerful. While we’re unable to change the past, we can control how we respond to future events. Applying these strategies will initially be tough, and that is alright. Your feelings and reactions are normal (and shared by many people in similar circumstances). Know that with patience and time, it will get easier!

Supporting a Person Whose Friend or Family Completed Suicide

How do I help someone who lost a friend or family to suicide?





In 2019, 400 lives were lost to suicide in Singapore, and suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged between 10 – 29 years old. 

There are at least 2 sides to every suicide: The person who took his or her life, and those left to grieve.

It can be challenging to support someone who has lost a family or friend to suicide. What should I say? What if I say something that only makes them feel worse? Should I even say anything? These worries are perfectly understandable. After all, many people struggle to talk about suicide. While we may feel awkward or uncomfortable when talking about suicide, this should not stop us from showing support and offering assistance.  

While it may be challenging, your support can make a real difference in helping a person through their loss. 

Supporting Those Affected by Suicide Loss: A Guide for Compassionate Responses


Here are 3 key areas that that we will cover below that will guide you in your efforts to support someone who has lost a friend or family member to suicide: Being a good listener, the do’s and don’ts of what to say, and warning signs to look out for. 

How do I be a good listener to a grieving person? 


One of the most helpful things you can do for a grieving person is to simply lend a listening ear. This means to sit with him/her and listen to their feelings in a non-judgemental manner without imposing your personal opinions. Do not try to problem solve either.   

ACTIVE LISTENING is a great way of doing so!  

While our conversation partner is still speaking, we often get caught up in trying to formulate our response. A consequence of this is that we end up failing to fully grasp and understand what the other person is trying to convey. Instead of trying to find the right words, it is more important to let the grieving person express themselves and share with you the nature of the loss. Here are some useful tips on being a good active listener to a grieving person: 

  • Accept all feelings. Let him/her know that is okay for them to cry in front of you, break down, scream, or even laugh. They may be struggling with a whole array of new and even conflicting emotions like guilt, despair, blame, anger, and regret. These can be uncomfortable emotions, but it is better to let them out rather than bottling it up. Accept the emotions that they are experiencing and know that it will pass. There is no correct way to feel about loss. Ultimately, the person should feel free to express their feelings in a space that is free of judgement, argument, or criticism. 

  • Silence is okay. Be prepared for moments of awkward silences. Do not force the person to speak if they are not ready to. Instead, be willing to be present and show that you are ready to listen when they are ready to speak. 

  • Offer comfort without minimizing or trivializing the loss. Statements such as “It could be worse” do not help. Do not give unsolicited advice, claim to know what the person is feeling, or compare your grief with theirs. Such words are rarely helpful. Instead, let the person know that what they are feeling is okay and that it is a normal reaction to the situation.

What should I say to a grieving person? 

  • Acknowledge the situation and check in on how the grieving person is feeling. Do not assume to know or understand how the person is feeling. Assumptions often worsen the situation as they invalidate a person’s intense emotions. Instead, start off by acknowledging the situation so the person knows that you are willing to openly discuss the loss they have experienced. Next, give them the opportunity to express their feelings. For example, “I heard that ___ died by suicide. I’m sorry to hear this happened and I’m here when you need me. How are you feeling?” 

  • Reflecting and paraphrasing. This is a really useful way to show the grieving person that you are hearing their story! It helps to foster a better empathetic connection, which makes the person more comfortable in continuing to share their thoughts and emotions with you. For example, the person might say “I don’t even know where to start, everything feels terrible.” In response, consider saying something along the lines of “It sounds like you feel very overwhelmed and upset, this situation is taking an emotional toll on you.” See how you would be reflecting their underlying emotions back to them? 

  • Do not use cliches or platitudes to comfort. We often feel compelled to comfort the grieving person by saying things such as “time will heal” and “they are in a better place now”. While it comes from a place of good intentions, such words can minimize the depth of the person’s pain, leaving them feeling misunderstood and more isolated. Instead, check on how they’ve coped so far and explore what resources they've tried so far. 

Samaritans of Singapore Hotline: 1800 221 4444 

Institute of Mental Health’s Helpline: 6389 2222 

Singapore Association of Mental Health Helpline: 1800 283 7019 

You can also find a list of international helplines here.

Keep an eye out for warning signs 


It is not uncommon for a grieving person to feel depressed, angry, or disconnected from others. These emotions usually decrease in intensity over time. However, it might be indicative of a bigger cause for concern if the intense emotions don’t subside over time and the person does not appear to be capable of coping with the overwhelming emotions on a day-to-day basis. They may also display significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, interpersonal, or other important areas of functioning. Here are some other warning signs to look out for: 

  • Extreme focus on the death 

  • Talking about wanting to escape the pain / statements indicating they are considering ending their life 

  • Withdrawal from others 

  • Diminished experience pleasure from the things they used to enjoy 

  • Feelings of hopelessness 

  • A lack of concern for personal welfare or hygiene 

  • Excessive consumption of alcohol or other substances 

  • Trouble sleeping 

If you are concerned about a person in distress, it can be helpful to recommend that they see a psychologist. Let them know that it’s absolutely alright to seek out other additional help they may require.

Remember, everyone’s healing process is different, and healing takes time.

Sometimes, lots of time. 

Grief after losing someone to suicide can feel like a rollercoaster, but with support (from someone like yourself!), the ride can become significantly less scary.