Dian Karnina

Counselling Psychologist

MSRP | MSPS
Registered Psychologist in Singapore (SRP)
Masters in Psychology
Advanced Diploma in Counselling Psychology
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Psychology with Counselling
Bachelor of Arts (Communication)

(she/her)

Dian is a Counselling Psychologist who obtained her Masters in Psychology from Webster University, Netherlands. She is registered with the Singapore Register of Psychologist (SRP). Dian provides both individual and couples therapy in both English and Bahasa Indonesia.

While she respects the rigour of psychological training and believes in the lifelong development of her psychological skillset, Dian also considers her life experiences as significant teachers of what it means to be human. Some of these experiences include leaving home at the age of 18, being a long-term caregiver, as well as leaving a decade long corporate career to pursue deeper meaning and fulfilment.

Having grappled with these experiences, Dian is no stranger to failures, rejections, and insecurities. Yet, Dian strongly believes in the ability to widen one’s capacity for possibilities and opportunities – especially in the midst of hardships.

Dian focuses on empowering adolescents, adults, and couples in various areas of growth, such as:

  • Understanding and processing one’s thoughts and emotions

  • Working with unhelpful patterns of behaviours

  • Processing trauma

  • Managing mood and behavioural challenges (depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, etc.)

  • Addressing relational issues (personal, professional, family, etc.)

  • Life transitions (e.g., retirement, grief, migration, etc.)

  • Navigating difficulties related to sexuality and gender identity

  • Managing emotional and behavioural challenges in older adults (including dementia)

  • Addressing caregiving-related concerns


Seeing that every person is unique and special, Dian employs a person-centered approach where she works with clients' innate strengths and resources to navigate life and achieve growth. Dian is passionate about helping her clients gain stronger access to their sense of autonomy, self-compassion, curiosity, and connection. Her therapy approach is inclusive, LGBTQIA+ affirming, culturally-sensitive, and trauma-informed.

Dian provides needs-based and goal-directed therapy, where she draws on her training in a range of therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Schema Therapy, Internal Family System-informed therapy. Dian has also completed Weekend 2 of EMDR training and Level 3 of Gottman Methods Couple Therapy Training. Additionally, Dian remains invested in her ongoing personal and professional growth by keeping up to date with evidence-based treatment, attending courses, receiving supervision, and attending her own personal therapy.

An advocate for increasing mental health accessibility, Dian writes on the social media account @therapywithdian on Instagram. She was also a regular speaker at the Healthy Workplace Ecosystem mental health talks, offered in partnership with the Health Promotion Board (HPB). Other past public engagements include speaking at the Singapore Mental Health Film Festival, Public Health & Occupational Medicine Conference, Enabling Festival, Singapore Mental Health Film Festival, Dementia Singapore, and Alzheimer’s Disease International.

Born in Indonesia, Dian has spent most of her adult years as a student, strategic planner, and market researcher in various countries, including The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Singapore. Her diverse experiences with different cultures and her corporate background enhances her ability to assist with the intersectional changes and challenges individuals may face at different life stages.

In her free time, Dian loves to snuggle with her cats (and mediate fights between them), take long walks and explore dog-friendly places around Singapore with her two Singapore Specials, Gumbo and Maya.