Kelly Heng, Counsellor in Singapore
I'm Kelly Heng, founder of The Rooted Way. Counselling is the heart of my work. I also coach leaders and professionals, drawing on more than twenty years in corporate life alongside my training as a counsellor.
My Path to Counselling
Having spent more than 20 years in financial services, most recently as a Managing Director at a global financial institution, I understand what a corporate career can ask of a person. Long hours, high expectations, significant responsibilities and constant change can weigh heavily, even on those who appear to be coping well. What I found most meaningful throughout those years was the opportunity to sit with people, understand their experiences and support them as they navigated challenges and found their own way forward.
Over time, I came to appreciate that behind capable professionals are often stories that few people see. People can appear confident while carrying uncertainty beneath the surface, hold significant responsibilities while feeling overwhelmed, or achieve success yet feel disconnected from themselves. Those experiences reinforced my belief that every person is more than their role or achievements, and that everyone deserves to be seen, heard and understood.
While continuing my corporate career, I completed a Master's degree in Counselling and began practising in community settings. I felt increasingly drawn to walking alongside people in a deeper and more intentional way. In time, I left my corporate role to establish The Rooted Way. It continues to be a privilege to witness people find renewed hope and steadiness, gain the courage to make choices that reflect what matters most to them, and discover that they do not have to carry life's challenges alone.
Outside the counselling room, you'll usually find me at the gym, exploring nature trails with friends along the park connectors and Rail Corridor, or unwinding at the Botanic Gardens, my favourite spot in Singapore. I enjoy lingering in art museums, seeking out neighbourhood cafés when I travel, and spending unhurried moments with a journal and a kopi-o-kosong or long black. These simple rhythms help me stay grounded and attentive, and I hope clients experience that same sense of calm and presence when we meet.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Bachelor of Accountancy, Nanyang Technological University
- Master of Business Administration, Tsinghua University, Beijing
- Master of Arts in Counselling, TCA College, Singapore
Experience & Training
- Counsellor (Volunteer), Wesley Counselling Services, Jun 2021–present
- Provisional Clinical Member, Singapore Association for Counselling
- Trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Therapy
- Professional Certificate in Coaching, TPC Leadership & Singapore Management University Academy
Previously At
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Monetary Authority of Singapore
How We'll Work Together
I believe counselling is not about telling you what to do or having all the answers. It's about creating a space where you can slow down, make sense of your experiences, and find choices you can stand behind. My role is to walk alongside you with curiosity, compassion and respect, trusting in your capacity to make decisions that are genuinely your own.
Who I Work With
I work with individuals across different life stages, from young adults navigating identity, relationships and early career pressures, to professionals under pressure at work, and seniors facing loss, change and questions of meaning.
A significant part of my work is with professionals balancing demanding careers alongside family and caregiving responsibilities. Having spent more than 20 years in that world myself, I understand what those environments can ask of a person. If you're experiencing burnout, career uncertainty, workplace stress, or a growing sense that something in your life needs to change, these are conversations I welcome.
What to Expect in Sessions
I work at your pace because every person's story and process are different. I'll sit with what you're carrying without judgement, helping you make sense of your experiences. Being heard and accepted can be an important part of healing, and I hope you'll experience that sense of safety and steadiness in our time together.
Culture, Faith and Belief
I welcome clients from different cultural backgrounds and faith traditions. These are part of who you are, and we'll make space for them in our conversations where they are meaningful to you. My Christian faith informs how I see people and the way I walk alongside them, with care, hope, and a deep belief in the worth of every person. At the same time, I respect each person's beliefs and will only integrate faith into our work if it is something you would find helpful.
My Approach: ACT and Narrative Therapy
Across all clients, I work towards the same goals: developing a deeper understanding of yourself, reconnecting with your values, and making choices that reflect what matters to you.
My work is informed primarily by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Therapy. Both approaches recognise that your values, your identity and your story matter. As we explore these together, new perspectives and possibilities often begin to emerge. I also draw on other evidence-based approaches when they are appropriate, while ensuring that our work remains centred on you and your unique circumstances.
Areas I Work With
I have experience supporting clients through grief and bereavement, stress, anxiety, anger, trauma, workplace issues, relationship conflict, life transitions, self-esteem, and questions of identity and purpose.
There's a quote by Viktor Frankl that I return to often:
Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.
That space is where I believe counselling can make a meaningful difference. When we create room to pause, reflect and understand ourselves more fully, we often find greater clarity, renewed courage, and the freedom to choose our next steps with intention.
Sessions are held in English, in person in Singapore or online.
Every Season Holds a Story
The Rooted Way's logo is a tree ring, the pattern revealed when a tree is cut. Each ring marks a season of growth, change, loss or renewal. Together, they tell the story of a life that has continued through every season.
Like trees, no two lives unfold in exactly the same way. Every season we live through, whether joyful or painful, leaves its mark and becomes part of our story. Even the seasons we would never have chosen can shape us in ways we only come to understand with time.
At The Rooted Way, we believe there is a grounded path forward. Counselling offers a space to make sense of your experiences, reconnect with yourself, and move towards a life that reflects what matters to you.
Our Vision
We believe every person has the capacity to live with courage and meaning, even after life's difficult seasons.
Our Mission
To provide a safe and compassionate space where people can heal, find hope again, and live bravely, in a way that reflects who they are and what matters to them.
Ready to take the first step?
If something here resonates, write to me to arrange a first session.
Request Your First Session