FAQ

What is psychology? Dublin Psychologist

Psychology is the scientific study of human mind and behaviour: how we think, how we act, how we react and interact, both individually and as groups.

Psychologists work in many different areas of society and are concerned with practical problems such as:

Helping people to overcome depression, stress, trauma or phobias
Easing the effects of parental divorce on children
Speeding up recovery from brain injury
Helping to stop or prevent bullying at school or in the workplace
Ensuring that school pupils and students are being taught in the most effective way
Making sure that people are happy at work and perform to the best of their abilities
Helping the police, courts and prison service to perform more effectively
Helping athletes and sports people to perform better

What is the difference between a counsellor and a psychologist?

This is a confusing area for the public, as most people generally regard all counselling as being the same. The difference between a counsellor and a psychologist can be seen in the length and type of training and in terms of regulation.

Counselling in Ireland is not regulated. According to The National Counselling Institute of Ireland there are over 60 different bodies that claim to be accrediting bodies. Not being regulated means that, at present, anyone can call themselves a counsellor and open a practice regardless of whether they have a degree or completed a weekend training course.

I trained as a psychologist in the UK, where psychology is regulated. What this means for the public, is that in order for someone to call themselves a psychologist they have to meet a strict criteria. Training for psychologists involves

1. Minimum of 3 years full time degree in psychology

2. This is normally followed by a Masters in Psychology and/or experience in a psychology setting, followed by

3. 3 year full time professional training at doctorate level.

Statutory regulation is maintained by The Health Professions Council which was set up to protect the public against the risk of poor practice. It works by setting agreed standards of practice and competence by registering those who are competent to practise and restricting the use of specified protected titles (psychologist) to those who are registered.

More information on the Health Professions Council, including my own membership details, can be found here.

How to choose a Counsellor

How to choose a Counsellor | Psychologist | Therapist

People often ask me, How do I choose a Counsellor? How do I know what their qualifications are? I always reply – Ask!

All reputable counsellors, psychologists, therapists and coaches will be happy to discuss their training with you, after all they are providing a service.

The following questions may help you decide on how to choose a counsellor that is suitable to your needs.

Ask;

If the counsellor does not have a recognised degree or post graduate training, ask them what their training entailed

How many years did the counsellor study?
Was the course full time, or weekends, and if so, how many weekends did they study?
What models of therapy did the counsellor study, for example, if they are advertising Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, it’s acceptable to ask where they completed their training, again, how many years did it involve, who provided the training, what professional body accredited the training?

If your counsellor has a degree, ask if it is in an area relating to counselling.

If you are seeking counselling for a specific condition, such as anxiety or depression, ask

What mental health training does the counsellor have?
Was their training supervised – did they have counselling placements during training, and if so, what was their duration?

If you don’t understand the letters some counsellors put after their name, again, ask.

What experience does the counsellor have relating to the issues you want to discuss?

What models of therapy does the counsellor work in?

Are the counsellors available models of therapy recommended for the issue you want to discuss? (not all models of therapy are suitable for all issues. There are best practice issues and research that inform the counsellor as to what model of therapy is recommended for a certain issue.)

What to look for in the first meeting with the counsellor

Does the counsellor explain what they can offer and how they propose to facilitate getting you from where you are now, to where you want to be?

Is the counsellor open to answering your questions

It’s important for you to ask questions and most counsellors will be happy to answer any questions you may have in order that you may find the best match for the issues you want to discuss.

What is a counselling psychologist?

Counselling psychologists work with clients to examine mental health issues and explore the underlying problems that may have caused them. They work across a diverse range of human problems, such as bereavement, past and present relationships, mental health issues and disorders. If you interested in examining the wider causes of a particular problem or condition, counselling psychology may be for you.

Do I need to see a psychologist?

You may wish to make an appointment for various reasons. You might be undergoing a change in your life for which you seek guidance. Personal and relationship problems are another reason people may wish to talk with a psychologist. People often contact psychologists for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety, stress or panic attacks. Self Development is another popular reason why individuals decide to work with a psychologist.

What can you help me with?

People come to the Dublin Clinic for a wide variety of issues including anxiety (panic attacks, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, social anxiety, phobias, work related stress, relationship stress and work-life imbalance, relationship difficulties (marital break-up, loneliness, relationship problems, jealousy, anger), eating problems, depression, low self-esteem and confidence building, self-development programs, wanting to cultivate positive emotions and happiness and life coaching.

How long will I have to come for?

This really depends on what you are coming to therapy for. After your initial consultation I will be able to state clearly how long the sessions should continue for. Most of my work is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which is a short-term solution focused model. Usually this consists of 6 sessions at the outset, (although you may need less than this) and is then reviewed. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a short term model and is usually between 6 and 20 sessions depending on the individual and your individual difficulty.

How much does it cost?

Inidividual sessions : €80

Couples: €100

How do I pay?

You can pay by cash or cheque. We do not have facilities to process credit card payments. If you have been referred by an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), please refer to your EAP provider for payment details,

How do I make an appointment?

You can arrange an initial consultation by either calling 086 7933456 or e-mailing info@mytherapist.ie

Counsellor Dublin | Psychologist Dublin | Life Coach Dublin | 20 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 Ireland