Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: 17 May 2026
This page will be updated regularly. If your question is not answered here, please reach out via the Contact Me form, and I will be happy to help.
About Dr. Alefiya and PositiveLinks.net
Who is Dr. Alefiya and what does she specialise in?
I am a Singapore Registered Psychologist with over 30 years of experience supporting individuals and families. My current work focuses on women's mental health and wellbeing, with particular expertise in midlife transitions, ADHD in women, anxiety, depression, and the intersection of cultural identity and psychological health. I serve clients across Asia Pacific, South Asia, and the Middle East.
Is PositiveLinks.net a medical clinic?
No. PositiveLinks.net is not a medical clinic, and Dr. Alefiya Nomanbhoy is not a medical doctor. Dr. Alefiya holds an Allied Health Qualification: a Doctorate in Learning Disabilities and a Master of Psychology (Clinical). She is a Singapore Registered Psychologist, which is a distinct profession from medicine and psychiatry.
As a psychologist, Dr. Alefiya provides counselling, coaching, and psychological support. She does not prescribe medication. If you require a medical assessment, psychiatric evaluation, or medication management, please consult a medical doctor or psychiatrist. Your GP can provide a referral if needed.
Are you registered and qualified to practice?
Yes. I am a Singapore Registered Psychologist (SRP), a full Member of the Singapore Psychological Society since 1999, and a Member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS). My qualifications include a PhD in Communications Sciences and Disorders, specialising in Learning Disabilities from Northwestern University, and a Master of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from James Cook University.
Is This the Right Fit for You?
Who do you typically work with?
My practice focuses primarily on women navigating midlife transitions, perimenopause and menopause, ADHD, anxiety, depression, burnout, grief, and the particular challenges of balancing cultural and family expectations with personal wellbeing. I also support educators navigating the mental health demands of their profession. My clients are based across Singapore, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.
Do you work with men?
My practice currently focuses on women. However, I consider enquiries from men on a case-by-case basis, particularly for ADHD, anxiety, and depression support. Please reach out to discuss whether my approach would be a good fit for you.
Do you work with people under 18?
Generally, I work with adults 18 years and above. On a case-by-case basis, I may work with young people aged 16 and above, with parental consent required. Please contact me to discuss your specific situation.
Do you work with people outside Singapore?
Yes. The majority of my clients are based outside Singapore. I offer online sessions via Zoom to clients across Asia Pacific, South Asia, and the Middle East. As long as online therapy is permitted in your country and you have a stable internet connection, we can work together.
How do I know if you are the right fit for me?
If you are a woman navigating midlife, ADHD, anxiety, or the weight of cultural expectations, and you are looking for a psychologist who understands the particular worlds many of us carry, there is a good chance we are a strong fit. If you have questions before booking, please reach out via the Contact Me form and I will be happy to respond before you commit to a session.
Types of Support
What is the difference between counselling, coaching, and therapy?
Counselling offers a space to explore how you are thinking and feeling, to make sense of what you are experiencing, and to work through challenges with professional support. Coaching is more goal-focused, supporting you to move toward specific personal or professional intentions with a defined plan. Therapy is a broader term that encompasses both and often involves deeper exploration of patterns, history, and underlying psychological processes. In practice, many of my sessions blend elements of all three, and together we will find the approach that fits your needs.
What therapeutic approaches do you use?
I draw from a range of evidence-based approaches depending on what is most appropriate for you. These include Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Schema Therapy, Trauma-based Therapies, and NLP Coaching. Most sessions blend more than one approach. I do not work from a rigid framework. I work from what you need.
What is This Season, Yours?
This Season, Yours is an ongoing webinar series for women in midlife, covering topics such as perimenopause, ADHD, identity transitions, and the particular pressures of navigating cultural expectations alongside personal wellbeing. Sessions are held online and are open to women across the Asia Pacific, South Asia, and the Middle East. Visit the This Season, Yours page for more information and to join the waitlist.
Do you offer support groups?
Online support groups for women are available on request, tailored to specific experiences such as midlife transitions, ADHD, and the challenges of navigating cultural expectations alongside personal wellbeing. Groups are formed based on interest and availability. If you are interested, please reach out via the Contact Me form to express your interest.
Practical Logistics
Where do sessions take place?
All sessions are held online via Zoom, making them accessible wherever you are based. Face-to-face sessions are available exclusively in Singapore for those who prefer an in-person experience. Please contact me to discuss availability.
How long is each session?
Sessions are typically 50 minutes. In some circumstances, sessions may run longer, on a case-by-case basis.
What do I need for an online session?
A good online session starts with a little preparation. Here is what I recommend.
Device: A laptop or desktop computer is strongly recommended over a mobile phone or tablet. A larger screen allows for better eye contact, clearer facial expressions, and a more natural conversational flow, all of which contribute to a more connected and productive session.
Internet connection: A stable connection of 4G or better. If possible, connect via ethernet cable or sit close to your router rather than relying on a weak wifi signal. Poor connectivity is the most common disruptor of online sessions.
Private space: This is important. Please find a space where you will not be overheard or interrupted for the duration of the session. If privacy at home is difficult, some clients use their parked car, a quiet room at work, or book a private space elsewhere. Your ability to speak freely, without concern about being heard, directly affects the quality of our work together.
Headphones: Using headphones with a built-in microphone significantly improves audio quality for both of us and gives you an additional layer of privacy.
Zoom app: Please download the latest version of the Zoom app before your first session. Do not rely on the browser version as it has limited functionality.
A few minutes to settle: Please sign in two to three minutes before your session start time. Use that time to take a breath, have a glass of water nearby, and set aside whatever you were doing before. Arriving mentally present makes a difference.
Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive a Zoom link and any relevant information by email. If you have any technical difficulties on the day, please contact me immediately via email so we can find a solution together.
What time zones do you work across?
I accommodate clients across multiple time zones. When booking through the scheduler, select your time zone to view available slots in your local time. Singapore is GMT+8. I offer evening and early morning slots to accommodate clients in South Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.
How far in advance can I book?
New appointment slots are made available 14 days in advance. If you do not see a suitable time, please check back or contact me directly, and I will do my best to accommodate you.
What happens in the first session?
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. I will take time to understand what has brought you here, what you are hoping for, and how I can best support you. From there, I will propose a therapeutic approach that fits your needs, and we will build from there. There is no pressure to have everything figured out before we begin.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Research consistently shows that online therapy is effective for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, and ADHD support. Many clients find the flexibility and privacy of online sessions particularly beneficial, especially when balancing family, work, and cultural considerations around seeking support.
However, online therapy is not appropriate for everyone or every situation. It is generally not suitable for those experiencing a mental health crisis, severe psychiatric symptoms, or conditions requiring close clinical monitoring. In these situations, in-person support from a psychiatrist or mental health team is strongly recommended.
There are also personal preferences to consider. Some people find that the absence of physical presence affects their sense of connection. If you are unsure whether online therapy is right for you, please raise your concerns before booking, and we can discuss honestly whether it is a good fit for your situation.
If you are currently in crisis, please do not book an online session. Seek immediate support through the resources listed at the end of this FAQ.
Fees, Payment, and Policies
Where can I find information about fees, payment, and cancellation?
Full details are available on the Session Options and Fees page and the Payment Policy page.
Where can I find information about confidentiality and data privacy?
Full details are available in the Privacy Policy.
Cultural Sensitivity
Do you understand the cultural context I am coming from?
Yes. My clients come from across Asia Pacific, South Asia, and the Middle East, and I bring genuine cultural sensitivity to every session. I understand the particular worlds many of us carry, including the expectations of family and community, the complexity of being a woman in contexts where women's inner lives are not always given space, and the intersection of faith, identity, and mental health. You do not have to explain your world before we begin.
Do you work with Muslim women specifically?
Yes. I have experience working with Muslim women navigating the intersection of faith, cultural expectations, and personal wellbeing across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.
It is important to be clear about what I offer and what I do not. As a psychologist, my role is to support your mental and emotional health, help you understand your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, and develop practical strategies for wellbeing and growth.
I am not a religious authority, and I do not provide guidance on Islamic jurisprudence, religious rulings, or matters of faith practice. Questions of religious obligation or spiritual interpretation belong with qualified Islamic scholars and religious leaders. My role is to work alongside your faith, not in place of it. The two are complementary, not competing.
What I can offer is a psychologically informed, culturally sensitive space where your faith is respected as an important part of your identity and where you do not have to set aside your values or your culture to access support.
While this question specifically asks about Muslim women, I welcome women of all faiths and none. Whatever your background, beliefs, or cultural context, you will find a space here that respects who you are and how you see the world.
Can family members be involved in my sessions?
This can be discussed and arranged on a case-by-case basis. I understand that in many cultures, family involvement in important decisions, including the decision to seek psychological support, is significant. If you would like to explore how family members might be included, please raise this in our first session.
Getting Started
How do I book a session?
You can book directly through the Book Your Session page, where you will find available slots in your time zone. If you have questions before booking, please use the Contact Me form.
What if I am not ready to book but want to stay connected?
You are welcome to join the waitlist for This Season, Yours, my ongoing webinar series for midlife women. It is a lower-commitment way to experience my approach and take a first step when you are ready. Visit the This Season, Yours page to join the waitlist.
What if I am in crisis?
I am not a crisis service. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis helpline immediately.
Singapore: Samaritans of Singapore, 1767, available 24 hours
Malaysia: Befrienders Kuala Lumpur, 03-7627 2929
India: AASRA, 91-9820466627
UAE: Dubai Crisis Line, 800-4673
For other regions, please contact your local emergency services or go to your nearest hospital.