Counsellor and Psychotherapist
I help individuals and couples to discuss personal and relational issues openly in a safe environment without judgement.
Therapy
Anxiety
Depression
Relationship Issues
Therapy
Work/Life Balance
Bereavement/Loss
Personal Development
Therapy
Stress
Trauma
Self-Esteem
Hi! I’m Deirdre
Counsellor and Psychotherapist
As a therapist, I focus on creating a confidential, safe and trusting space for clients to explore issues. I believe that when properly supported, every person has the capacity and strength to understand and resolve their issues. I work collaboratively with the client to gain insight and understanding of the aspects underlying the issues they present with. I strive to create a mutually developed therapeutic relationship as a key component of this support. By being non-judgemental, empathic and by actively listening, I provide the conditions necessary to develop this relationship.
I offer both short-term, solution-focused and long-term client work on a one to one basis with adults on a wide range of issues including bereavement, relationship issues, anxiety, stress, depression, work/life balance and trauma. I also offer advice and support in the area of positive personal development and growth helping clients to identify and change unhelpful or negative thought patterns which may be impacting the results they are getting in their daily life.
I offer hour-long appointments to individual clients and 90 minute appointments to couples in a face-to-face environment.
I use an integrative approach in my work which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches depending on the needs of the client. I also use a person-centred approach which simply means that you as the client are the expert in your life and therefore the sessions will be led by the client and not directed by the therapist.
I also offer counselling support to couples to explore relational issues, thereby helping them identify, gain understanding and change ineffective patterns in their relationships.
“Sometimes asking for help is the bravest move you can make. You don’t have to go it alone”
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My Expertise
I am a qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist with a person-centred and humanistic training from Munster Technological University (MTU) (formerly Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)).
I am a fully accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and follow a strict code of ethics. I regularly attend supervision and undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to support my work.
I also adhere to reporting responsibilities as a mandated person under the Children’s First Guidelines.
Having worked in the public sector for over 30 years, most recently in the area of staff well-being, I bring a lot of experience to the issues clients may encounter in the work environment such as:
- sustaining healthy work relationships,
- achieving work goals,
- preserving a healthy work/life and family balance,
- managing the challenges experienced by working parents and
- adapting to a new way of coping in a post-Covid work environment.
As a parent of adult children, I also have experience in understanding and providing support to clients on the parenting journey – from babies to the empty nest and all stages in between as well as the impact that each of these phases may have on relationships.
I have completed a Professional Certificate in Couples Therapy with the Institute of Couples Therapy in Ireland, as well as completing extensive training on the Developmental Model with the Couples Institute in the US.
“Happiness is not the absence of problems, it is the ability to deal with them“
Steve Maraboli
Getting Started in 3 Simple Steps
1) Get in Touch
2) Book
3) Appoinment
Frequently Asked Questions
How can counselling help me?
Counselling provides a confidential and safe space where you can explore issues that may be impacting your day to day life, causing you distress or worry and find the best ways to cope with them. Asking for help and support can be difficult for many people and some may even see it as a sign of weakness. However, reaching out and asking for help is actually a sign of strength. It allows you the opportunity to say I am not okay and remember that it is okay not to be okay. By reaching out and getting support you gain insight and awareness as to how you operate personally and in relationship with others. This provides you with an opportunity to identify unhealthy thought patterns and make changes in your life or find constructive ways of dealing with a situation that is beyond your control.
Is this a confidential service?
Yes, confidentiality is an essential part of the counselling/psychotherapy process. There are however some circumstances where I may be obliged to comply with legal and ethical requirements and take actions that would involve disclosing information about you to others and these are:
- If there is concern that you or another person may be at serious risk of harming yourself or others,
- If there is disclosure of criminal behaviour,
- If there are child protection issues
All attempts will be made in the first instance to discuss this with you, unless the situation is such that this isn’t possible or the risk is so immediate that I would be obliged to act without consulting you first.
How long does a session last?
Each session is one hour in duration.
How long will I need to attend counselling for?
This will be dependent on the issues that you present. In some cases, a short number of sessions can help to get you back on track. For others, it may take longer to work through the underlying issues. At the onset, we will discuss the best approach for you.
Do you provide therapy for children?
No, I provide one to one counselling and psychotherapy for individuals and couples (over 18s) only.
What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling tends to be a short term process and focuses on the presenting issue for the client to help them regain understanding, balance and well-being in their life. Counselling helps a client to work through or process strong emotions like grief and anger or deal with the causes of stress and anxiety in their life. It also provides a space for clients to explore new and alternative options available to them in various aspects of their life.
Psychotherapy is a longer process that helps a client to gain a deeper understanding of their life. It explores early relationships, past experiences and beliefs that the client has developed over their lifetime and from which they may currently operate. It provides a space to explore the impact of these beliefs and attitudes and their influence on the quality of their present life and relationships. This new awareness provides the client with an opportunity to understand themselves, identify unhelpful and often unconscious thought patterns and behaviours and make changes necessary to lead a happier, self-led life.
Contact Me
Ask a question or book an appointment below
For emergencies call 999 or visit your nearest hospital
Beech Tree Clinic, East End House, Poulavone, Ballincollig, Cork P31 Y309
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