Frequently Asked Questions
To book an counselling appointment in Ireland and online, go to the home page or the online therapy page. All bookings are via Acuity Scheduling, an online software booking system.
No. Sometimes I am at full capacity with existing clients and I do not have the availability to accept new clients or couples depending on demand. When I am fully booked, you will see a notification on the online booking system.
Yes. Client therapist confidentiality is at the core of the counselling process. Your data and sessions are confidential. No one will be aware you are attending therapy unless you disclose this to them yourself. A GP, employer or family members can not request any data about private therapy sessions. There are some legal limitations to confidentiality which the therapist will help you understand in the first consultation. When you commence private sessions, you will sign a Client-therapist Confidentiality Agreement, which protects your privacy and outlines exceptions to confidentiality.
There are legal exceptions to confidentiality in Ireland. The therapist may not legally keep the following disclosures confidential for legal and ethical reasons and a reporting process is in place. There are four main areas 1. Serious harm to self such as suicidal plans 2. Harm, and intentional or potential harm to any others i.e all forms of abuse, online offending, sharing images, stalking, exploitation & child protection concerns. 3. Disclosure of illegal and criminal activity, including CSAI content, images, and related content. 4. Disclosures regarding abuse of minors and child welfare concerns, sexual trauma and child protection concerns. A reporting process is in place for the above exceptions, which the therapist can explain in detail to each client. Retrospective disclosure of childhood sexual abuse are required by law to be reported to TUSLA for investigation with or without the consent of the client. This is in line with the Children’s First Act 2015
It is suggested when you commence therapy to begin with six to eight sessions/hours on a regular basis. This provides time to understand the therapy process, explore many aspects of the problems you are experiencing, development of a relationship with the therapist and time for an assessment period. Up to eight sessions is considered short term therapy.
No. This is a private self-referring practice. It is important that the individual uses their own autonomy to book their individual private therapy sessions and must have the conginition to do so themselves. It is best for individuals to seek out a suitable therapist themselves.
I provide psychotherapy to men, women and couples over the age of 21 years of age.
All psychotherapists are mandated reporters which means we have a legal and ethical obligation to report to the relevant services i.e. Tusla and An Garda Siochana on specific concerns such as child protection and criminal activity.
I provide psychotherapy for addiction and recovery counselling, psychosexual, clinical sexology and intimacy problems, anger management, fertility and infertility, pregnancy and miscarriage, relationship problems, sexual addiction and recovery, pornography addiction and addiction partner support.
As a Specialist Psychotherapist, I work primarily with specific problems and fields based on my training, qualifications and areas of passion and interest. I do not currently provide any form of crisis counselling, suicidal intervention or work with clients with severe psychological and psychiatric illnesses. For clinical, ethical and insurance reasons, I do not provide psychotherapy support to clients who engage in sexual exploitation, sexual offending, online offending, intimate partner abuse or to those currently awaiting legal charges and sentencing. Please refer to the specialist areas list I work with for more information.
Yes. I provide written reports for clients who have attended six or more standard counselling sessions for clients who are actively engaging in the therapeutic or assessment process. There is an hourly charge for written reports.
Yes. Private health insurers are now covering private psychotherapy with IACP accredited psychotherapists with a receipt. You will need to contact your insurer directly for further information to understand the claims process. I am unable to provide any details regarding health insurance cover.
No. I do not provide services for any EAP providers.
No. I am an independent private Specialist Fertility Counsellor which means I am not affiliated with any specific fertility clinic. My clients are accessing fertility treatment from a range of fertility clinics and organisations in Ireland and abroad.
The cancellation policy for standard one hour appointments is 24 hours and 48 hours for 2 hour appointments. If you cancel or do not attend an appointment with less than the relevant notice the full sessional fee is retained. Clients who cancel/no show regularly are asked to take a break from therapy.
You can cancel an appointment using the cancel appointment link at the bottom of your booking confirmation email. If you are cancelling outside of the 24 hour notice period you will be issued with a full refund.
Yes the system allows you to reschedule your appointment up to 24 hours before your appointment. Click on the reschedule appointment on the bottom of your booking email.
Yes. A Psychotherapist may end therapy with an individual at their discretion and when there is abuse, disrespect, threatening and harmful behaviour. The therapist has a right to report threatening behaviour to An Garda Siochana, this does not breach confidentiality agreement.
Yes. The multi-disciplinary approach is important to me and I am happy to accept referral letters when booking and collaborate with your healthcare professionals and providers.
No. This is a private self-referring service and you do not need a referral letter to book appointments. The multi-disciplinary approach is important to me and I am happy to accept referral letters when booking and collaborate with your healthcare professionals.
A confirmation booking email is sent at the time of booking to the email address you provided. An incorrect email address will mean you will not get a confirmation email. Please contact me and I can correct your email address details and resend the confirmation email.
No. I do not provide crisis counselling to clients who are not already in treatment. This is because my diary is often booked weeks in advance and I have no immediate availability to support clients in need of urgent support. Please visit www.iacp.ie to find a crisis counsellor.
Do you provide couples therapy in dual locations? Yes. Please get in-touch for more information.
Yes. I provide online therapy to english speaking clients residing and travelling outside of Ireland and Irish expats who are living around the world.
A conflict of interest is a situation or consideration which prevents me from being able to provide therapy to an individual. This can be a legal reason, ethical concern, relational and interpersonal reason which would interfere with the therapeutic process. A conflict of interest prevents therapists from working with close family members, friends of those already in therapy.
Yes. Please contact me by email or phone to let me know if you wish to take a break from therapy sessions or to finish therapy. This means I can close your file and make space available for new clients.
Yes. I am happy to provide referral letters to clients engaging in therapy.
Please make your therapist aware of any concerns or complaints directly so that they can be addressed. Alternatively, full details can be found on the www.iacp.ie website regarding the complaints process. (https://iacp.ie/complaints)
Clinical notes are private and confidential and are the property of the Psychotherapist. Clients are welcome to make their own notes in sessions for record. Clinical notes may not be requested by a legal profession without the full written consent from the client and the approval of the therapist. Client notes may/can be subpoenaed by the courts system.
It is important that both parties have a desire to engage in the therapeutic process and are attending sessions of their own free will. I suggest engaging in your own individual therapy until your partner feels ready to consider couples therapy.
Yes. I can help you with the assessment of dependency and addiction and we can discuss the best course of intervention, treatment and rehabilitation available. Treatments centres will complete their own independent assessment prior to admission.
Yes. It is recommended to consider attending regular self-help support groups. Research shows that those engaged in recovery and regular self-help group support have more successful outcomes in recovery and a lower relapse rate.
You can read the IACP code of practice and ethics here on the www.iacp.ie website. (https://iacp.ie/iacp-code-of-ethics)
Yes, in-fact many of my online clients are Irish expats living abroad all around the world who feel comforted working with a familiar Irish therapist.
