Counselling and psychotherapy are often considered one and the same. A counsellor is someone who will listen to you as you discuss your issues and can often give you advice or suggestions on how to alleviate the suffering you are experiencing. The idea is that the counsellor listens and has the solutions in mind to support you based on your circumstances. Counselling sessions are counsellor-led. They ask the questions and draw out the answers.

A psychotherapist, particularly a humanistic one like me, encourages sessions that are client-focussed. This person-centric approach means that the client is the one who makes up their mind about what to talk about, what areas they want to focus on and why, and the approach they feel most comfortable using. A client-centric approach gives those doing therapy an opportunity to learn that despite their traumas and difficulties, they are capable of deciding what is best for them and choosing how to react and investigate their issues. The psychotherapist guides the process and offers an environment where the client can explore and better understand their own situation and themselves.

Therapy is an opportunity to express your emotions and life circumstances as they are for you right now in a non-judgmental space. Sometimes clients are searching for an objective observer of their issues. Others feel lacking in support or understanding in their relationships and benefit from a consistent therapy practice as a way of having someone who is able to listen and understand them. Therapy can also provide a regular safe space for those experiencing trauma or abuse.

This will depend on what issues you choose to concentrate on in our sessions, and often, what difficulties or traumas you are experiencing. Part of the 30 minute consultation is to discuss the different therapy methods available to you. Some clients are seeking a sense of relief and tools to develop better mental health while others require more specific trauma-sensitive methods to support them through this exploration of a difficult experience in their lives. Sometimes a client has a desire to work with a particular method. For example, clients who have difficulty communicating their trauma find art and sand therapy incredibly beneficial and eye-opening. The type of therapy used is something we decide on during our sessions together.

We always start with a Free 30 Minute Consultation

This is an information session, not a therapy session. It is a chance for you to ask me any questions you have about my practice and the type of therapy I offer. We also decide together if this feels like the right fit. Having this information session is key to making sure you feel comfortable and that, if you do decide to start therapy with me, that an open, honest and healthy client-therapist relationship is created from the very beginning.

Each session lasts 1 hour and costs €50. Concession rates are only available to those not in full-time employment.

This is something we discuss and decide together. I encourage all new clients to attend six sessions initially. This is generally enough time to initially discover what issues you are dealing with and how we can work together. Some of my clients want to work on something specific and short term while others have several areas of their lives they would like to address. I see some clients for weeks while others have been with me for 2-3 years as part of their mental health routine.

Yes, I offer both. Clients love the flexibility and accessibility of the online and phone options as it can make fitting therapy into their lives easier.

Confidentiality is essential to building trust and a healthy relationship between us. There are three exceptions which I am professionally bound to uphold - threats to self, threats to others, and child and vulnerable adult abuse. If you have any concerns about confidentiality during our sessions, I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have.