Dr David Teo Choon Liang

Dr Teo prioritises fostering a trusting therapeutic relationship with his patients. His approach involves a sensitive exploration of his patients’ values, experiences, relationships, and life circumstances to understand the person behind the symptoms. Collaborating with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals, he formulates personalised treatment plans that holistically integrate evidence-based medications and psychotherapy to address the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of each patient’s challenges. His goal is not only to alleviate symptoms but to support personal growth and self-discovery, helping patients thrive and find fulfilment in their lives.

Dr Teo graduated from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, and is a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) and an accredited psychiatrist with the Singapore’s Specialist Accreditation Board. He completed advanced training in Psychosomatic Medicine (Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry) at Columbia University Medical Centre under the prestigious Health Manpower Development Plan Fellowship Award, gaining expertise in treating complex psychiatric and medical comorbidities. Dr Teo also trained in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Group Analysis, enhancing his capacity to provide integrated person-centred care.

Prior to private practice, Dr Teo was Senior Consultant Psychiatrist with the Departments of Psychological Medicine and the Department of Sleep Medicine, Surgery and Science at Changi General Hospital (CGH) where he served for over a decade playing leading roles in the Adolescent, General Adult, Consultation-Liaison, Sleep and Psychodynamic Psychiatry Services, gaining a wealth of experience in treating Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Bipolar Disorder, Psychosomatic Disorders, Insomnia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Psychosis, Personality Disorders, Grief, Stress, Burnout and more.

Dr Teo headed CGH’s Health Wellness Programme (ASCAT CGH), the first community mental health collaborative care programme for youth and adults in the SingHealth cluster. Under his leadership, this interprofessional team won the 2023 SingHealth Excellence (Distinguished Team) Award for its instrumental role in enhancing mental health services in the community. He also established CGH’s Fast Track Clinic to improve timely access to specialist mental health care. Additionally, he founded CGH’s Medical Humanities Programme, drawing on the arts and humanities to promote person-centred care and address burnout among healthcare professionals. A strong advocate of occupational mental wellness, Dr Teo facilitated Balint Groups for fellow healthcare and designed workshops on self-care and addressing patients’ values in clinical decision-making. He also led CGH’s primary care liaison and psycho-dermatology services, supporting medical and surgical colleagues in the psychobiological care of medically ill patients. Dr Teo is also experienced in military psychiatry. During his military service with the Singapore Armed Forces, he served as medical officer-in-charge of the Psychological Medicine Inpatient Centre and later visiting psychiatrist at the Medical Classification Centre, CMPB, caring for servicemen with mental health difficulties.

A dedicated educator, Dr Teo has taught and mentored future doctors and other healthcare professionals, earning teaching awards for his contributions. His academic roles include Clinical Assistant Professor with Duke-NUS Medical School and NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine; Clinical Teacher with NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine; and faculty with the National Psychiatry and SingHealth Family Medicine Residency Programmes. He also lectures for the College of Family Physicians and Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Health Sciences.

An active researcher, Dr Teo has published extensively in international journals and textbooks. He co-authored Guide to Psychiatry in Primary Care and was section editor of Tasman’s Psychiatry, 5^th edition, where he contributed a chapter on combining psychotherapy and somatic treatments. He serves on the international advisory board of Psychodynamic Psychiatry and regularly speaks at local and international conferences. He was the organising chair of the inaugural CGH Psychodynamics Conference 2024.

Dr Teo is deeply committed to promoting mental health awareness and quality mental healthcare in Singapore and beyond. He serves on various national workgroups and is active in volunteer work. He frequently speaks at community forums, government agencies, corporate events, schools, and religious organisations, and has led cross-sector initiatives such as with the Singapore Judicial College to promote occupational mental wellness and destigmatise mental illness. He also serves as Secretary of both the World Psychiatric Association’s Psychotherapy Section and the Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Academy of Medicine Singapore and member of the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Committee on Fostering.

In private practice, Dr. Teo continues his mission of providing collaborative, compassionate, and holistic care. Fluent both in English and Mandarin, he provides culturally sensitive care to help patients achieve self-understanding and co-create positive changes for lasting recovery and meaningful personal growth.

Media Articles and Engagements

• ‘They look like zombies’ – Teens here using ‘Kpods’ drug vaporisers; The dangers of Kpods: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/they-look-like-zombies-teens-here-using-kpods-drug-vaporisers-cnb-hsa-monitoring-situation
• 医学人文以人为本, Lianhe Zaobao: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/lifestyle/health/story20210706-1165272
• 助医疗工作者 走出职业倦怠, Lianhe Zaobao: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/zlifestyle/beauty-health/story20181016-899389
• On Movies and Medicine, Singapore Medical Associationhttps://www.sma.org.sg/news/2021/March/on-movies-and-medicine
• Money 89.3 FM Health Suite: Burnout And The Importance of Self-Care

Professional Experience and Appointments

• Programme Director, Health Wellness Programme (ASCAT CGH)
• Secretary, Section of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
• Fellow, College of Psychiatrists, Academy of Medicine, Singapore
• Clinical Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS Medical School
• Clinical Assistant Professor, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore
• Secretary, World Psychiatric Association Psychotherapy Section
• Co-Chair, World Psychiatric Association Psychotherapy Section, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry SIG
• Clinical Teacher, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University-Imperial College London
• Clinical Core Faculty, NHG Psychiatry Residency Programme
• Physician Faculty, SingHealth Family Medicine Residency Programme
• Lecturer, School of Health Sciences, Nanyang Polytechnic
• Lecturer, College of Physicians Singapore, Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine
• Faculty, SingHealth Duke-NUS, Institute of Patient Safety and Quality
• CGH Lead and EXCO Member, Office of Medical Humanities, SingHealth Duke-NUS Medicine Academic Clinical Programme
• Member, International Advisory Board, Psychodynamic Psychiatry
• Member, Singapore Medical Association
• Member, National Community Mental Health Resource Network Workgroup, Ministry of Health, Singapore
• Member, SingHealth Population Mental Health Committee for Youth
• Member, Implementation Committee for the Tiered Care Model for Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Singapore
• Member, Taskforce on Mental Health and Well-being, Ministry of Health, Singapore