FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is normal to have a few questions before starting therapy. I hope this section will answer some of them. If not contact me directly and I will be happy to help.
  • What is Therapy?
    Therapy is short for psychotherapy, which really means “talk therapy”. Psychotherapy refers to a range of treatments that can help people with problems, emotional challenges, psychiatric disorders and mental health. Psychotherapy, Counselling and Behavioural Therapy are forms of talk therapy but can include other methods of communication such as brainstorming, journaling, worksheets, role- play, dream work, art, bodywork, music, mindfulness and breathing techniques. Sometimes we need support to make a change and it can really help to talk to someone and see our lives from a different perspective. The focus is on helping you feel supported and learn more constructive ways to deal with the issues and stresses in your life while gaining better coping skills.
  • What do you speacialise in?
    I am a psychodynamic, humanistic, integrative psychotherapist. I am trained in psychotherapy, counselling, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relationship therapy, stress management and relaxation, therapeutic life coaching, mindfulness, and meditation. The areas I work with include all relationships, parental and family issues, non-traditional relationships, bereavement and loss, career issues and stress, conflict, bullying, body image, self-esteem and confidence, anxiety, depression, alternative sexualities, gender identity, sexual issues, phobias, LGBTQIA++, loneliness, emotional difficulties, neurodiversity and ASD. For a bit more detail please see  If you have a problem that is not included here contact me and we can discuss it. I am familiar with many schools of therapy, coaching and personal development so I may still be able to help you or even refer you to another therapist who might be more appropriate for your needs.  
  • Is it expensive?
    Many therapists offer a sliding scale based on several circumstances; the time and duration of the appointment and the type of therapy provided, the training and experience of the therapist and whether it is individual or couples therapy.  Some therapist have a number of places reserved for low cost counselling and may also offer discounts if payment is made in bulk or the work is long term. It is best to contact the therapist to enquire about their rates. My own rates vary from €50 (low cost for unwaged clients) to €120.  Please contact me directly to enquire further.
  • How do I apply for low cost counselling?
    If you are a full time student, unwaged or experiencing financial difficulty please talk to me about low cost counselling. As all of our circumstances are different and I hate the idea of therapy being inaccessible I reserve a number of my appointments for low cost therapy. Depending on your preferred appointment time there could be a waiting list, however contact me to discuss this further and we will see what we can do.
  • What is your cancellation policy?
    If you need to cancel an appointment please call me on 083 853 2459. If you do need to cancel or reschedule your appointment please note there is a 3 working day cancellation policy. A cancellation fee will be incurred for less than 3 days’ notice. In the event I have to cancel for any unforeseen circumstance I will contact you as soon as possible and reschedule.
  • Is there a contract?
    Is there a contract? I am fully compliant with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which requires your consent to keep information on file. A therapeutic agreement will be contracted before the therapy begins along with GDPR consent. Do you do therapy online? Yes, not all clients can make it to Dublin to work with me in person or some clients like to stay in therapy while they are travelling. I offer appointments by phone, Skype or Facetime so that I can connect with my clients wherever they are in the world. What kind of workshops and talks do you do? Please see the section of my website dedicated to seminars and workshops.
  • Do you do therapy online?
    Yes, not all clients can make it to Dublin to work with me in person or some clients like to stay in therapy while they are travelling.  I offer appointments by phone, Skype or Facetime so that I can connect with my clients wherever they are in the world.
  • What are the benefits of therapy?
    By talking with a trained professional you will begin to gain a deeper understanding of who you are and why you are this way. A therapist can give you a new way at looking at your problems, giving you more awareness of the situation. You may find ways to deal with the demanding pressures of everyday life and feel more confident, improve relationships and solve difficult situations. My focus is on promoting a healthy life by helping people work on stress management, mental wellbeing, self-acceptance, self-awareness and emotional health. Overall therapy can help people live healthier, happier and more productive lives.
  • Is there a difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
    Both counselling and psychotherapy are talking therapies and overlap in many ways. Counselling is usually shorter term, quite structured and looks at patterns of behaviour or a specific situation, helping the client take steps to address the problem. Psychotherapy, or therapy for short, tends to be longer term and draws insights from the unconscious. It brings about awareness of emotional difficulties and understanding your feelings and works on the root of the problem and underlying issues. A psychotherapist is trained to offer counselling and tends to study for a minimum of four years. Someone who solely studies counselling may not necessarily have studied psychotherapy and the training can be over a shorter timeframe. Both are very effective and an integrative therapist will usually use both styles in the course of the therapy.
  • What should I expect on the first appointment?
    As the first appointment can seem a little formal, two strangers meeting for the first time to assess each other, it can be different to the following sessions.  Over time you will hopefully grow more comfortable working with me. In the first appointment I will discuss the therapeutic framework, this is the contract we will agree on which will include details such as confidentiality, payment and cancellation policy. I will also talk with you about what has brought you here and what you hope to get out of working with me.
  • What about confidentiality?
    Confidentiality is of the utmost importance and all information disclosed to me is treated as confidential. Even the fact that you are seeing me is confidential. However, in exceptional circumstances, confidentiality may be broken, where I have a legal obligation to ensure your safety and the safety of others. If any of these circumstances should arise, I will endeavour to discuss fully with you what may need to be done. I am fully compliant with EU General Data Protection Regulation.
  • How many sessions will I need?
    There is no definitive answer to this question. ​ Ultimately this depends on you; what you hope to achieve, what brings you to therapy, how comfortable you feel working with me and what style I use. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Personal Development & Career Coaching and Stress Management tend to be shorter term therapies than other styles. You may attend for a short time to address pressing issues and then leave when you feel those matters are resolved.  Or you may decide to continue on an open ended basis and explore your concerns and patterns in more depth. ​Some forms of psychotherapy last only a few sessions, while others are long-term, lasting for months or even years. The sessions are usually for 45 – 120 minutes depending on the type of therapy and are usually held once a week.  It really depends on your wants and needs.
  • Is there a contract?
    I am fully compliant with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which requires your consent to keep information on file.  A therapeutic agreement will be contracted before the therapy begins along with GDPR consent.
  • What kind of workshops and talks do you do?
    Please see the section of my website dedicated to seminars and workshops.  Click Here 

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