Padma Jairam Curriculum Vitae

I am a counselling psychologist with more than a decade of experience providing counselling, psychotherapy, psychological assessment and group interventions to individuals, couples, and families across community, forensic, healthcare, and educational settings. I am diligent, an independent worker, and highly organized, and I take pride in always endeavouring to give my best in what I undertake. I am privileged to have had the varied opportunities of working in various organizations both in Singapore and in British Columbia, Canada as well as the invaluable experience of combining my experiences in the legal, education, and psychological fields. Having previously headed an academic department in a pre-university institution, I also know the importance of aligning my work with larger organisational objectives. I love languages and connecting with people. I am fluent in English, Bahasa Malaysia, and Tamil. I also speak basic Bahasa Indonesia, conversational Italian, Spanish and Mandarin, having travelled widely to understand different peoples and cultures. I have provided clinical supervision to postgraduate psychology trainees, mentored junior colleagues and conducted mental health training for teachers and prison officers, and am willing to step up to take on higher responsibilities, if needed. I pay attention to detail while keeping the big picture in mind in whatever I do. I am very comfortable working independently and can take instructions as well as take my initiative to do things. My background includes qualifications to practice law, to teach and provide counselling in Singapore’s public school system as well as to provide clinical counselling and psychotherapy in varied settings.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Redwood Psychology

Associate Practitioner
Singapore
Feb 2023 to present

• Plan and implement individualized intervention plans for individual clients, families, and couples.
• Co-facilitate Positive Psychotherapy Group (PPG) for MSF.

Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)

Associate and Course Leader, BSc Psychology, School of Humanities & Behavioural Sciences
Jul 2020 to present

• Developed and taught an elective module on Counselling Psychology in Singapore for the part-time Psychology undergraduate degree programme.
• Providing clinical supervision for Masters in Forensic Psychology students.
• Developed a new practical module on counselling skills for Honours students in the BSc Psychology programme (launched in January 2021).
• Developed and currently teaching a new module on managing and understanding mental health and psychopathology in Singapore for Honours level Psychology undergraduates.
• Teaching and writing assessments for modules taught.

Associate, BA in Counselling, School of Human Development & Social Sciences
Jul 2013 to Jan 2019, Jan 2025 to present

• Taught several modules, namely Assessment of Psychological Disorders, Group Facilitation, Multicultural Counselling, Cross-cultural Counselling, Theories and Techniques of Counselling and The Helping Relationship.
• Taught Cross-Cultural Counselling for Honours students of the BA Counselling programme.
• Developed and taught modules on Multicultural Counselling & CBT for Anxiety and Depression.
• Developed and taught a module on co-developed Group Theory and Group Dynamics and Group Facilitation and Group Counselling modules.
• Provided professional supervision for undergraduates in both individual and group settings.

Padma Jairam – Counselling Psychologist

Owner, Practitioner
Singapore
Jun 2021 to May 2025

• Plan and implement individualized intervention plans for individual clients, families, and couples.
• Plan and facilitate workshops for organizations
• Contribute expert opinions on mental health in media interviews, e.g. Suria, Tatler Asia

Singapore Prison Service

Locum Psychologist, Psychological Correctional Unit (PHU)
Singapore
Aug 2022 to Dec 2024

• Screen mentally ill inmates to ascertain individual needs for intervention
• Manage case files of inmates who were referred to me for individual psychological intervention
• Plan and implement intervention plans for individual inmates

Institute of Mental Health (IMH)

Senior Psychologist, Forensic Psychiatry Department
Singapore
Jul 2014 to Mar 2021

• Developed and currently facilitating HOME (Hope in Creating Meaningful Experiences) Pre-Release Programme for mentally ill inmates who are close to their release date, at Changi Prison, Psychiatric Housing Unit (PHU).
• Developed and currently facilitating Accepting Change (AC) group for mentally ill inmates at Changi Prison, Psychiatric Housing Unit (PHU)
• Developed and facilitated Sleep Well Group for mentally ill male inmates at Changi Prison, Psychiatric Housing Unit (PHU)
• Planned and implemented intervention plans for individual inmates for both male and female mentally ill inmates.
• Conducted violence risk assessments for inmates prior to release.
• Planned and implemented intervention plans for individual outpatients at IMH.
• Developed and facilitated Communicating Happily Together (CHAT) group to teach appropriate communication skills in social situations for inpatients in the male inpatient forensic ward at IMH.
• Co-developed structured group programmes for theft and sex offenders who are outpatient at IMH.
• Planned and implemented intervention plans for individual forensic inpatients at IMH.
• Regularly participate in emergency preparedness exercises as part of the IMH Crisis Team.

Singapore Prison Service

Psychologist, Psychological Intervention Services Unit (PISU)
Singapore
Jun 2013 to Apr 2014

• Conducted violence risk assessments to ascertain inmates’ suitability for community-based programmes
• Screened mentally ill inmates to ascertain individual needs for intervention
• Managed case files of inmates who were referred to me for individual psychological intervention
• Planned and implemented intervention plans for individual inmates
• Managed the Psychiatric Housing Unit (PHU) Psychological Clinic services
• Conducted basic counselling skills and understanding mental disorders’ training for prison officers at the PHU
• Selected for the Supervisors-in-Training programme within the Psychological Services Division
• Selected to participate in a national special operation as a CARE officer

Jericho Counselling

Graduate Intern Counsellor
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Jan 2012 to Dec 2012

• Managed client case files including consults for potential clients
• Planned and implemented intervention plans for individuals and couples
• Designed presentations for marketing purposes

Forensic Psychiatric Hospital

Graduate Intern
Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
Jun 2012 to Dec 2012

• Co-facilitated Emotion Coping Skills group
• Developed material for an abridged Anger Management module
• Led an Anger Management group
• Counselled individual patients to manage anxiety and anger management issues
• Managed case files of individual patients referred to me for intervention
• Planned and implemented intervention plans for individual patients

Innova Junior College (IJC), Singapore

Head of Department, English
Aug 2007 to Dec 2008

• Managed the Literature, Project Work and General Paper teams which comprise 27 teachers in total
• Aligned the different subject teams’ directions to that of the department’s and the College’s larger mission
• Structured the individual duties of the Subject Heads of Project Work, Literature and General Paper to be aligned to the department’s and college’s goals.
• Co-ordinated with other HODs to ensure student well-being and workload balance are maintained in school academic programme
• Set direction and guided junior teachers on interventions for at-risk students and interactions with parents
• Developed and monitored the college’s academic programme as well as academic performance of students with the other academic department heads
• Planned and implemented workload distribution of the whole department and directly supervised ten heads/teachers

Teacher Counsellor
Jan 2005 to Dec 2008

• Counselled troubled students and assisted them in exploring solutions for their problems
• Conducted in-house counselling training and led sharing sessions among teachers
• Advised teachers on suitable intervention for certain students
• Consulted with college management and families of troubled students when necessary

Chief Teacher Advisor, Students’ Council
Jan 2005 to Jul 2007

• Conceptualized the IJC Students’ Council and IJC Parliament (an organization of all student leaders representing interests of the student body) and drafted the IJC Parliament Constitution determining the various student leaders’ roles and responsibilities
• Conceptualized the broader leadership programme for all students
• Mentored the student councillors’ overall development as young leaders and guided their organization of college-wide activities

Lecturer, General Paper
Jan 2005 to Dec 2008

• Taught General Paper for both Year 1 and Year 2 (graduating year) students
• Specialized in conducting lectures on Politics, Education and Mass Media for students

Raffles Girls’ School (RGS) Secondary, Singapore

Jan 2003 to Dec 2004

Teacher, Gifted Education Programme (GEP)

• Taught English to Year 3 (15-year-old) and Year 4 (16-year-old) girls in the Gifted Education Programme (an advanced learners’ programme for the top 1% of Singapore’s high school cohort)
• Mentored two groups of students who represented the school in Moot Parliament Project (a conference where students draft bills on social issues and debate them at a mock Legislative/Parliamentary session among students from other GEP schools)

Teacher Counsellor

• Consulted with the Gifted Education Branch at Ministry of Education (MOE) to monitor special needs of gifted children
• Counselled GEP students with emotional and psychosocial issues

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Singapore

Teacher, Gifted Education Programme (GEP)
Jan 2002 to Dec 2002

• Taught English and English Literature to Year 1 (13-year-old) boys in the Gifted Education Programme (an advanced learners’ programme for the top 1% of Singapore’s high school cohort)

Clementi Town Secondary School, Singapore

Teacher, English Language and Literature
Jul 2000 to Dec 2001

• Taught English language to graduating students in the Normal (Technical) stream, who are academically weak students at the bottom 15% of Singapore
• Taught English language and English Literature to students ranging from Secondary One to Four.

Messrs. Tan, Rajah & Cheah

Law Pupil
Singapore
Dec 1998 to Jun 1999

• Assisted senior litigator with research, drafting of mitigation pleas and other court documents in preparation for court hearings
• Assisted senior litigators and solicitors during client meetings; Liaised with clients and managed case files

EDUCATION

Adler University

Masters in Counselling Psychology
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
2013

The Open University

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology with Sociology (2^nd Class Upper Honours)
United Kingdom
2009

National Institute of Education

Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Credit)
Singapore
2000

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Singapore
1998

AWARDS

Outstanding Teaching Award, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)	2026
Excellence in Teaching, Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)	2025, 2021, 2016
Singapore Institute of Management Scholarship	2005

PAPERS PRESENTED

“Hope in creating Meaningful Experiences’ (HOME) – A Customised Pre-release Programme for Offenders with Mental Disorders in Singapore Prisons”

5-8 November 2020 in Singapore

• Co-presenter at “Psychiatry, Psychology and Law: Collaboration and Challenges Across the Global South”

PUBLICATIONS

Mohamed Zain, R., Tay, G., Yeung, J., Haniff, R., & Jairam, P. (2020).

• Managing inmates with mental disorders: The Psychiatric housing unit in Singapore Prison Service. Advancing Corrections Journal, 9, 168-183.

RESEARCH/VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant, “Same-sex bi-national couple migration”

Jul 2010 to Jul 2011

• Research team leaders are Dr Anusha Kassan, UBC & Dr Nadine Nakamura, University of La Verne (was at SFU until May 2011)

Providing Alternatives to Counselling and Education (PACE)

Volunteer
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
May 2010 to Nov 2010

• Providing support to survival sex workers.
• Assisting members in writing grant applications

Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture (VAST)

Volunteer
Mar 2010 to Jul 2010

• Providing trauma counselling for refugees.

Emancipasia Limited, Singapore

Volunteer
May 2013 to Dec 2019

• Heading sub-committee organizing drama competition to create awareness on modern slavery and human trafficking issues.

Lotus Culture Limited, Singapore & Cambodia

Volunteer
May 2013 to Dec 2017

• Providing psychologist support services to the AFESIP Centre and Clinics in Cambodia which help women, girls and children rescued from the sex trade.

National CARE Hotline, Singapore

Volunteer
Jun 2020 to Dec 2022

• Providing psychological support services over the telephone, in a service launched during the Circuit Breaker period in Singapore.

OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS

SUSS Podcast on Mental Health

Co-Guest speaker
4 Mar 2021

• “Silver Linings – The Need to Invest in Mental Health”

Singapore Psychological Society Talk series

Presenter
10 Dec 2020

• “The Assessment and Management of Violence in Routine Outpatient Practice”

SURIA Channel

Expert Contributor
Jul 2021

• Misteri Minda, Episode “Gen Z dan Stress”

AskST Jobs Story (The Business Times)

Expert Contributor
22 Jun 2026

• “How important is it to laugh at your boss’ jokes?”

The Straits Times

Expert Contributor
7 July 2023

• “Students, parents upset over ‘morbid’ O-level Chinese listening comprehension passage”