FAQs

The purpose of this section is to provide some answers to questions that you might have. Such questions are often asked of me by potential or new clients. The questions below are written from the readers' perspective: the answers are written from my perspective.

What issues do you work with?

I am experienced in helping people with a wide variety of issues, including, but not limited to: anxiety, bereavement, depression, existentialism, general counselling, grief and loss, identity, LGBT, men’s issues, personal growth, relationships, sexuality, self-harm, and shame. I counsel individuals (adults and adolescents) one-to-one and I counsel couples.

How much do you charge?

The initial consultation is half-price. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss your needs and to assess if I am a suitable counsellor for you. I explain how I work and I get some contact details from you. For individual, one-to-one counselling the fee is €25; for couples the fee is €30. There is no commitment to proceed any further.
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After that initial consultation, if you decide to start therapy, the cost for individual, one-to-one counselling is €50 per session; for couples the fee is €60 per session. Arrangements can be made to suit your budget or financial circumstances, and we can agree individual rates if there are a series of sessions involved. 

What type of counsellor/ psychotherapist are you?

Whilst I take an eclectic approach, my central thread is person-centred counselling mainly applying the tenets of Carl Rogers. However, I also integrate many different approaches and techniques depending on the clients I see.  Other theorists I adhere to are William Glasser, Irvin Yalom, Dominic Davies, Charles Neal, Steve Biddulph, Bruce Perry, Viktor Frankl, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Eckhart Tolle, John Gottman, R.D. Laing, Brian Thorne, Martin Buber, to name a few. I counsel individuals (adults and adolescents) one-to-one and I counsel couples.

Is there a difference between counselling and psychotherapy?

Yes (and No). Psychotherapy is considered to be work used for broader issues, exploring further with clients than counselling does which is considered to be shorter-term work that does not explore as deep or broad. As such, psychotherapy can require more theory (on behalf of the therapist) and include more sessions than counselling would. In the main though, there is little difference between the two which incorporate many similar techniques and theories and require exploration of a client's inner world-view and feelings. Indeed, some organisations, e.g., the IACP, do not distinguish between counsellors and psychotherapists.

Whilst I use the terms counselling and psychotherapy interchangeably, I more frequently refer to myself and my work in terms of counselling as it seems to be more accessible with people but I consider myself to be a counsellor and a psychotherapist. 

How long is a session?

For individual, one-to-one counselling sessions last 50 minutes; for couples sessions last 60 minutes.

Are sessions confidential?

Yes, my counselling is confidential; however, there are some limits to this confidentiality as laid down by the IACP Code of Ethics.  These include:

• I regularly present my work in clinical supervision.  The aim of this is to monitor and improve clinical work undertaken. All supervision is done on a one-to-one confidential basis;
  
• If I evaluate that the client is a danger to self or others; and
  
• If a disclosure with identifiable information of abuse involving a minor (under 18 years) or any other child protection issue emerges.

If it was necessary to break confidentiality, it would be done with the client's knowledge when possible and with the aim of making sure that the client (or others) are cared for and safe at all times. This is an extension of care rather than a breach of confidentiality.

Additionally, to aid effectiveness, I keep summary notes of sessions. In accordance with the Data Protection Act (GDPR 2018), notes are encrypted to maintain confidentiality. Notes and administration sheets, which are available on request, are securely stored in my personal office. Records are destroyed after 7 years or upon your request.

Where are you based?

I work from 3 locations in Carlow and Kilkenny.  I provide counselling in Carlow at Teach Bhride, Tullow, Co. Carlow and New Oak Community Centre, Carlow, and I provide counselling in Kilkenny at 4 Watergate, Kilkenny.  Click here for maps of locations.

Are your offices wheelchair friendly?

Whilst the Carlow offices are wheelchair accessible, unfortunately, the Kilkenny office is not.

Why should I go to you?

​I will provide you with a safe, confidential place to talk about the things that are troubling or confusing you. I will listen to you, empathise with you, and support you. I will not advise, judge, diagnose, or in any way dis-empower you from finding your own solutions. From time-to-time I will provide some theoretical insight. Hopefully, through our working together, you will find a way to change what is possible and/or accept better that which you can not change. Hopefully, by our working together, you will find your way to better live your life.  

​What should I expect in the first session?

We'll sit in a room with comfortable chairs. Mainly, you'll talk and I'll listen. Initially, I'll take some of your background details from you and explain how I work. We’ll go through our contract and I’ll then ask you to outline why you have come to counselling and what you would like to get from it. This takes 50 minutes for individuals and 60 minutes for couples and contains no obligation to proceed. At the end of this stage I’ll ask if you think we would be good to work together and I’ll share my feeling on that too. If we are happy to proceed, we start the therapy. Naturally, if you would like more time to decide whether or not to proceed in therapy with me that is ok too.

For the initial and future sessions, the therapy room will be a secure place for you to be you and to explore what is on your mind, how you are feeling, your hopes for the future, etc. I'll deeply listen, empathise, and genuinely feedback, whilst you talk about what it is that is troubling or confusing you. 

Will counselling/psychotherapy help me?

Chances are that if you are on this website, there is something in your life that is causing you concern or confusion. Perhaps there is something you want support with and/or clarity on. However, I can't say that counselling/therapy will definitely help you. What I can say is that the vast majority of people who I've seen have benefited from our work. (Click here for testimonials.) Naturally though, not every therapist is compatible with every possible client. So it depends...It depends on how well clients and counsellors connect; mainly, how well they communicate. Does the therapist have experience with the issue you want to deal with? Does it feel like a "good fit" between you and the (potential) counsellor? Are you willing to explore and take the risk to share and be open? Are you ready to work? If you answer yes to any of these questions, I reckon therapy could be good for you.  

How many sessions should I do?

It depends on what brings you to therapy and what may arise during it. What is it you want to work on? How is it impacting on you? What level of understanding do you have of yourself or the issue at hand? However, Short-term Therapy is often appropriate for a specific problem (perhaps one that has recently arisen), to help reclaim control in life, and usually entails 6-12 sessions to be truly effective. Long-term/Open-ended Therapy is often appropriate for difficult, historical, and on-going issues to facilitate a deeper exploration and awareness of the problems, possible solutions, understandings, and/or acceptance. I often “check-in” with clients during sessions to see how we are getting on and how the therapy is working. These mini reviews help to see if we are on the right track and how things need to be altered if not.

How frequent are sessions?

Ideally, sessions take place weekly and missed sessions are kept to a minimum. Best outcomes occur with consistent and regular meetings which will help us to connect more and make the process more fluid, trusting, and meaningful. Naturally, life events get in the way of attending every week; however, commitment is an important feature of success in therapy.

What if I can't make a session?

If you need to cancel your appointment due to illness or emergency, I would look for as much notice as possible. In all other cases, a minimum of 24 Hours notice period for cancellation of an appointment is required. This helps me schedule my work as best as possible for me and all my clients. Frequent cancellations indicate that something is not working and will necessitate our re-negotiating terms of our contract. A cancellation fee charge commences after multiple cancellations under 24 Hours notice. Failure to attend two sessions in a row without notifying me will be considered as disengagement from the service and could jeopardise your place.

What if I tried counselling/psychotherapy before and it didn't work?

Although counselling can be monumental when it works, sometimes it doesn't work. It’s unfortunate if you tried counselling before and it didn't work for you. I encourage you to consider giving therapy another go but to also consider why it didn't work for you. Was the therapist right for you? Was how the counsellor worked right for you? Were you ready at that time for therapy? Whatever the reason, explore this with a phone call or in the initial consultation with which ever counsellor/psychotherapist you decide to call or meet.

Will counselling/psychotherapy work for me if I find it hard to talk?

​Counselling/ psychotherapy can help us to express ourselves more clearly, more precisely, or indeed, for the first time. It can help to find the words as well as the feelings. It can help to explore our own value systems and beliefs too. Whereas a therapist with whom you can connect can ask you the right questions at the right time to help you explore, a therapist may also know when to say nothing to give you a comfortable space for you to more easily find your words to express yourself. A part of my job is to help clients find their way to express themselves and to do so at their own pace. 

​Does counselling/psychotherapy work for men and women?

​Society dictates what “male behaviour” and “female behaviour” is. Traditional rules require men to be tough, independent, and unemotional and women to be soft, dependent, and emotional. However, things are changing: whereas modern rules coming to the fore, permit men to ask for and to receive help, to be stuck and to be unsure, to have and to express emotions, these new rules also permit women to be strong and in charge of themselves. Society has changed.  As such, reasons for attending counselling, experiences in counselling, and counselling techniques can vary with men and women.  However, regardless of gender, counselling can support you and help you understand yourself better and help you deal with the confusion or difficulty being experienced.  Counselling can help you express your values, beliefs, concerns, and feelings, and therefore give you clarity in your life.

Can I use medication and see a counsellor/ psychotherapist?

Whether or not you are on medication does not preclude you from attending therapy with me.  Furthermore, I will not advise you on the best course of action regarding your use or not of medication.  I will, however, be willing to explore with you your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, etc. on any issues you are experiencing in this area if this is relevant.

What if I have another question that isn't asked here?

I'd be happy to give more clarity or answer any other questions if I can. As above, you can contact me by clicking here, by email, or by phone 085 147 30 40.

How do I make an appointment?

If you would like to make an appointment, or to seek more clarity about my work, you can contact me by leaving your name, email address, and a message by clicking here, by email, or by phone 085 147 30 40 (if I don't answer you can leave a message with your name and number on my voice mail). All modes of contact are only accessible by me. Please note that due to the nature of the work, I am not always available but I will aim to reply to your contact within 24hrs.