Our Team
James Atkins
James, native of Canada and resident of Singapore, obtained three Bachelor degrees majoring in Economics, Information Technology, and Education from prestigious Universities in Canada. After his undergraduate degrees, James continued to pursue his Masters in Guidance and Counselling.
James has worked as a teacher for the last nine years in Canada and Singapore with the majority of his teaching career spent in an international school. He has experience working in the area of special needs with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and his other treament interests include but are not exhaustive of mood disorders, grief, couple's and marital counseling, work-related stressors, eating disorders, and addctions. James is drawn to the approaches of relationship-oriented and action-based models of psychosocial development, specifically including the approaches of Reality, Cognitive Behavioural, and Gestalt based therapies. These approaches challenge dysfunctional belief systems, emphasise empowerment, and support the development of self-awareness.
James has worked as a teacher for the last nine years in Canada and Singapore with the majority of his teaching career spent in an international school. He has experience working in the area of special needs with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and his other treament interests include but are not exhaustive of mood disorders, grief, couple's and marital counseling, work-related stressors, eating disorders, and addctions. James is drawn to the approaches of relationship-oriented and action-based models of psychosocial development, specifically including the approaches of Reality, Cognitive Behavioural, and Gestalt based therapies. These approaches challenge dysfunctional belief systems, emphasise empowerment, and support the development of self-awareness.
Dr. Ralitsa Peeva (Counselor)
Ralitsa, a native of Bulgaria and resident of Singapore, obtained a Bachelor of Science (Sociology) at Columbia College of South Carolina and holds a Masters of Science (Sociology) and PhD (Sociology) from The New School for Social Research, New York. She is currently completing a Masters in Counselling from Monash University. Ralitsa’s professional experience has always been entirely people-centred. She was the campaign manager for the election campaign of the Bulgarian President in 2001 and later the manager of numerous projects leading teams of sociologists, anthropologists and political scientists. Ralitsa arrived with her husband and two children in Singapore nine years ago, after living for six years in the United States and six years in Paris, France. In 2009, Ralitsa decided to pursue her passion even further by pusruing her degree in counselling.
Ralitsa’s friendly approach, open mind, her experience living in Europe, America and Asia, allow her to relate easily to children, teenagers and adults with anxiety and mood disorders, relationship issues and difficulties in transitions. She integrates therapies such as Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client Centered Therapy. She hopes to empower her clients in their search for a better lifestyle and wonderful relationships.
Dr. Ralitsa is available on Mondays and Fridays.
Ralitsa’s friendly approach, open mind, her experience living in Europe, America and Asia, allow her to relate easily to children, teenagers and adults with anxiety and mood disorders, relationship issues and difficulties in transitions. She integrates therapies such as Solution Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client Centered Therapy. She hopes to empower her clients in their search for a better lifestyle and wonderful relationships.
Dr. Ralitsa is available on Mondays and Fridays.
Kris Pubalan (Counseling Psychologist)
Kris holds a Bachelor of Science (1st Class Honours) in Psychology from the Open University (United Kingdom) and Master of Arts with Gold Award in (Applied Psychology) from the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore). He read modules in Educational and Counselling Psychology at the Master's level. Currently, Kris is on a full scholarship to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Psychology) at the Nanyang Technological University (Singapore).
Kris' clinical interests lie in supporting children with psychological difficulties and special education needs to achieve their fullest potentials. He also extends psychological testing and psycho-educational assessment services to children.
Kris has served in various ministries and voluntary welfare organisations in the last 10 years, providing psychological care to children, families and the elderly. He has also worked in a research setting, extending neuropsychological assessments to participants in a longitudinal study on childhood behavioural disorders. Prior to embarking on his doctoral degree, Kris lectured students pursing Psychology education at a local tertiary institution.
Kris offers psychological services in English and Tamil. He is available for appointments on Saturday mornings.
Kris' clinical interests lie in supporting children with psychological difficulties and special education needs to achieve their fullest potentials. He also extends psychological testing and psycho-educational assessment services to children.
Kris has served in various ministries and voluntary welfare organisations in the last 10 years, providing psychological care to children, families and the elderly. He has also worked in a research setting, extending neuropsychological assessments to participants in a longitudinal study on childhood behavioural disorders. Prior to embarking on his doctoral degree, Kris lectured students pursing Psychology education at a local tertiary institution.
Kris offers psychological services in English and Tamil. He is available for appointments on Saturday mornings.
Eileen Su (Behavioral Therapist)
Eileen has always been intrigued in how young children learn and adapt to intricate social situations. This intrigue led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the Singapore Institute of Management. She was able to realize her passion for working with children when she underwent training in Naturalistic ABA, which led her to join the VA Psychology Center as a Behavioral Therapist.
Eileen has become popular with her child clients and parents alike for her consistent, patient and nurturing teaching approach.
Eileen treatment interests include working with children on the Autism Spectrum, with Developmental Delays and behavioral/social challenges. Eileen is available on Mondays to Fridays, 2.30pm to 6pm.
Eileen has become popular with her child clients and parents alike for her consistent, patient and nurturing teaching approach.
Eileen treatment interests include working with children on the Autism Spectrum, with Developmental Delays and behavioral/social challenges. Eileen is available on Mondays to Fridays, 2.30pm to 6pm.
The VA Psychology Center is pleased to announce our newest collaboration with the Counseling & Hypnotherapy Hub's
Dr. Wolff von Auer (Associate Counselor & Clin. Hypnotherapist)
Dr. Wolff von Auer is an Associate Counselor of the VA Psychology Center. He is also a certified, clinical Hypnotherapist and his company, the Counseling & Hypnotherapy Hub (CHH) offers inidvidual counseling, corporate services and hypnotherapy sessions. The individual counseling services can focus on a wide range of life challenges such as Relationship Problems, Anger, Anxiety, Fear, Panic, Phobia, Guilt, Stress, Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Bereavement, Loss, or Abuse etc. His corporate services have been highly sought after because of his ability to customize soft skills training workshops & interactive talks for private and public companies/institutions and international clients with the focus on psychological health of the workforce.
Dr. Wolff is fluent in English and German. He is available for after office appointments.
Dr. Wolff is fluent in English and German. He is available for after office appointments.
Vanessa von Auer (Clinical Director/Psychologist)
Vanessa’s training began in America. She lived, studied and worked there for four years. She received her Bachelor of Arts Psychology (Honor’s) from Claremont McKenna College, USA. She then continued with her advanced education pursuing her Master’s in Counseling. She is also one of the few EMDR certified therapists in SIngapore and is a NGH certified Hypnotherapist.
Vanessa established the VA Psychology Center, which provides therapeutic services to children, teenagers, adults and families. She also established the Integrated International School, one out of only two international school to offer both mainstream and special needs education (for children with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDNOS, etc.).
In addition, Vanessa consulted as a Senior Psychologist at the Child Development Unit, at the National University Hospital for 3.5 years. She is also qualified to conduct psycho-educational assessments to help identify and diagnose disorders and learning difficulties. Vanessa has been featured in a multitude of print, TV and radio media releases.
Vanessa believes that every child and adult has the potential to lead a happy, fun and fulfilling life! Vanessa has therefore spent her career helping parents learn effective parenting strategies, has helped children process their emotional difficulties in healthy ways and has helped families grow closer in their dynamics with one another. Vanessa’s other treatment areas include helping individuals with adjustment/expatriation difficulties, anxiety disorders, anger management, chronic pain, grief, stress management, as well as couples, marriage and family therapy. Vanessa uses an integrative approach to her counseling session, which consists of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Expressive Therapy approaches. She conducts sessions in English (all clients) and German (children only).
Vanessa is available for appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Vanessa established the VA Psychology Center, which provides therapeutic services to children, teenagers, adults and families. She also established the Integrated International School, one out of only two international school to offer both mainstream and special needs education (for children with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDNOS, etc.).
In addition, Vanessa consulted as a Senior Psychologist at the Child Development Unit, at the National University Hospital for 3.5 years. She is also qualified to conduct psycho-educational assessments to help identify and diagnose disorders and learning difficulties. Vanessa has been featured in a multitude of print, TV and radio media releases.
Vanessa believes that every child and adult has the potential to lead a happy, fun and fulfilling life! Vanessa has therefore spent her career helping parents learn effective parenting strategies, has helped children process their emotional difficulties in healthy ways and has helped families grow closer in their dynamics with one another. Vanessa’s other treatment areas include helping individuals with adjustment/expatriation difficulties, anxiety disorders, anger management, chronic pain, grief, stress management, as well as couples, marriage and family therapy. Vanessa uses an integrative approach to her counseling session, which consists of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Expressive Therapy approaches. She conducts sessions in English (all clients) and German (children only).
Vanessa is available for appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Julia Ford (Admin./Marketing Manager)
Julia is originally from England but has been living here in Singapore as an expat for over 4 years with her husband, Ben. Julia began working with children who have special needs in a variety of international schools as a Shadow Support Specialist while adjusting to Singapore's exciting lifestyle. After working in the international schools for 2 years, Julia wanted to return to the executive world but knew she wanted to continue working with families and children, which brought her to the VA Psychology Center.
Julia loves interacting with people, which makes her the perfect person for the first point of contact between client and therapist. At the VA Psychology Center, Julia is in charge of daily operations and attending to each client's respective needs.
Julia loves interacting with people, which makes her the perfect person for the first point of contact between client and therapist. At the VA Psychology Center, Julia is in charge of daily operations and attending to each client's respective needs.
