frequently asked questions
why do people attend psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is for anyone who’s struggling, feeling stuck, or simply wanting to understand themselves better. You don’t need to be in crisis or have a formal diagnosis to benefit from therapy. People come to therapy for all sorts of reasons, including:
- Anxiety or panic that’s hard to manage
- Feeling overwhelmed or like you’re barely coping
- Navigating stress or recovering from difficult life events
- Low self-esteem or persistent shyness
- Processing the impact of past or recent traumas
- Ongoing feelings of sadness, anger, numbness or hopelessness
- Intense mood changes that feel hard to predict or control
- Challenges in building or maintaining healthy relationships
- Sexual concerns or intimacy issues
- Grieving a loss: whether through bereavement, separation, illness, or major life change
- Struggles with addiction, disordered eating, or unhelpful coping patterns
- Self-harming behaviours or thoughts of suicide
- Exploring questions around sexuality, gender identity, or gender expression
Therapy can also be a space for curiosity and personal growth — not just for “problems,” but for deepening your connection with yourself and others.
is it confidential?
Yes — everything you share in therapy is treated with respect and confidentiality. There are some legal and ethical limits to this, which I’ll explain clearly in our first session. I may also revisit these boundaries at points during our work together, especially if questions or concerns arise.
Confidentiality is a key part of building a safe and trusting space, and I’m always happy to talk through how it works at any time.
how much does it cost?
I charge €60 per 50 minute session.
how many sessions will i need?
There’s no set number of sessions, it really depends on you, your needs, and what you'd like to explore in therapy. Some people come for a short period to focus on a specific issue, while others choose to work longer-term at greater depth.
We’ll check in together as the work unfolds to see what feels right for you. While it’s rare for therapy to feel complete in just a few sessions, there's no pressure to commit to anything beyond what feels manageable. Whether it’s a few sessions or something more open-ended, we’ll go at a pace that supports your process and respects where you’re at.
Do I need to do anything before the first session?
Before your first session, I’ll email you a short intake form. If you’re able to complete and return it ahead of time, that’s great — but if not, we can simply go through it together during our first meeting or short introductory phone call.
I’ll also send over a copy of my counselling agreement, which outlines some of the practicalities of working together... things like confidentiality, cancellations, and contact outside of sessions. If you're planning to attend online, I’ll ask you to sign and email it back before we begin. If you're coming in person, there’s no need to print or return anything in advance — I’ll have a copy ready for us to go through and sign together in the room.
what will the first session be like?
The first session is a gentle starting point; a chance for you to get a feel for how therapy works and whether I might be someone you feel comfortable opening up to. We’ll talk about what’s brought you to therapy, what you’re hoping for, and anything that feels important for me to know at this stage.
We’ll also go through the intake form and counselling agreement together, so you’re clear on how I work and what you can expect. This includes things like confidentiality (and its limits), session structure, and how to get in touch between sessions if needed.
There’s no pressure to share everything all at once; the first session is really about beginning to build connection and seeing whether it feels like the right fit for you
how often will i need to attend?
Therapy sessions are usually held once a week, unless we agree otherwise. Regular weekly sessions help to create a sense of rhythm and consistency, which can be especially important when you're exploring personal or emotional challenges.
Having a steady space to return to each week allows us to build trust, maintain momentum, and give your thoughts and feelings the time and attention they need. Of course, if your circumstances change or we feel a different pace might suit you better, we can always talk about that together.
Will my private health insurance cover this?
At this time, sessions are not covered by private health insurance. While I’m a registered psychotherapist with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland (APCP), I do not yet hold full accreditation, which is often a requirement for insurance reimbursement.
If this changes in the future, I’ll update the information here.