+ Why would I want to talk to a psychotherapist?

There are many reasons why a person might benefit from working with me. I’ve listed a few below, but any issue bothering you can be discussed.

• You want things to be different but are not sure how to make that happen. Sometimes we’re just not happy with the ways things are going in our lives. We feel stuck, unfulfilled, isolated, alone, under attack, overwhelmed, or scared of being ‘found out’. Somehow we’re not ‘ok’ or not ‘good enough’. Such feelings are common to most people at some time. For some of us, they linger for too long. Working with me can help you understand your situation and work out how to make things better for yourself.

• You are repeating learnt patterns of behaviour that are no longer working for you. We all learned how to cope when we were small and relatively powerless. Sometimes, however, these learned patterns of behaviour become detrimental to our wellbeing as we get older. Working with me can help you understand what these behaviours are, how they helped in the past, and why they are no longer useful. This will leave you free to choose a way of responding that works better for you.

• You have experienced trauma in the past and want to find a way to heal. Things that have happened in the past can have a traumatic impact. We often think of trauma as ‘big’ events, such as the sudden death of a loved one or an assault, but it could also be avoiding the crossfire of parental arguments or being bullied. Working with me can help you understand how your trauma is impacting you today so that you can find a way to minimise it.

• You are suffering from physical symptoms that are not adequately helped with medical treatments (e.g. heart conditions, stomach aches, headaches, or muscle tension). Research has shown that many of our physical ailments have their origins in our emotional, psychological, spiritual, and social wellbeing. Over time, working with me can help you deal with these issues and reduce your physical symptoms.

• You are becoming dependent on mood altering substances or behaviours to manage daily living. Most people use mood altering substances (alcohol, exercise, or food) to bring pleasure, calm, or enjoyment to their life. However, some of us develop a pattern of dependence or compulsion. Gradually, this takes over our lives and causes significant problems. I can help you assess your current situation and make sustainable changes.

• Your couple relationship is going through a rough patch or falling apart. We all experience difficulties at some time when we are part of an emotionally bonded couple. However, sometimes professional help is needed to prevent the relationship from moving beyond repair. By understanding the personal and interpersonal factors affecting your relationship, you and your partner can work to better satisfy your mutual needs and expectations.

+ Will a psychotherapist give me advice? I don't want anyone telling me what to do...

We don’t need anyone telling us what to do because the answers to our current situation lie within us. Sometimes, we just need help unpacking them. Human beings understand ourselves through our thoughts, emotions, and the somatic sensations in our bodies. Most of us, however, have been taught to predominately rely on our minds, so that the wisdom of our emotions and physical bodies is often lost to us. I will work with you to bring your own thoughts, emotions, and somatic sensations into your awareness so that you can respond to them in your own best interest.

+ How long does psychotherapy last?

There is no precise length of time for therapy; it all depends on our individual issues. Sometimes effective work may be done in 6 – 8 weekly sessions, after which a mutual review can guide the next best step for you.

However, when we have been badly hurt, especially by those who are supposed to be close and trustworthy, healing is a slower process. It takes time to develop trust so that our childhood ways of coping can be transformed into more effective adult ways. Of course, you have the right to discontinue at any time and I will strive to ensure that you do so in as safe a manner as possible.

+ How much does psychotherapy cost?

I work with adults aged 18 and over for both one-to-one therapy and couples Therapy.

One-to-one sessions last approximately 50 minutes and the fee is Euro80. Couples sessions last approximately 75 minutes and the fee is Euro120.

Fees are payable immediately on completion of each session.

+ What is the difference between counselling & psychotherapy?

The terms ‘counselling’ and ‘psychotherapy’ are often used interchangeably, but there is a significant distinction. Counselling generally refers to short-term work and is applicable for immediate issues that are more easily resolved on a conscious, more superficial, level.

However, many of our issues originate during our personal development and their resolution involves longer-term, more intensive psychotherapy. Uncovering the root causes of our problems helps us understand our lives in the profound and reflective manner necessary to experience fundamental change. Ultimately, my aim is for you to be empowered to free yourself from the grip of unconscious processes through increased self-awareness and self-agency.

+ Why am I struggling to pick up the phone?

It’s never easy to pick up the phone and talk to someone about a personal issue. When we blame ourselves for whatever is happening, we are even more likely to avoid that call. However, research shows that avoidance makes things bigger, so making that call gets harder and harder the more we put it off. Does this sound familiar?

+ What happens when I make that call?

I am always happy to have a short conversation on the phone to understand your reason for calling. Alternatively, I offer a short Zoom session for you to get a sense of how I work. At the end of these conversations, we can decide how to move forward. Of course, there is no pressure for a next step. What you do next is always your choice.

+ How confidential is the personal information I share in therapy?

Confidentiality is a critical part of the psychotherapeutic relationship and will form part of the agreed contract between us. I am a pre-accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and adhere to their ethical guidelines concerning respect for the rights and dignity of the client, competence, responsibility, and integrity. Details of these guidelines can be found at IACP Code of Ethics.

As required by law, I may have to disclose information where there are grounds for believing that you will cause physical harm to yourself or others. This is done so that you can be supported to keep safe and I will strive to obtain your consent in advance of any such disclosure.

In the case of a disclosure of child sexual abuse, a therapist is regarded as a Mandated Person under the Children First Act 2015. Therefore, I am required to report to Tusla if I believe or suspect that neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, or sexual abuse is being perpetrated, or likely to be perpetrated, against a person under the age of 18 years.