FAQs

Why do people attend Therapy?

People usually attend therapy because they are experiencing difficulties and distress in their lives. Sometimes people can feel isolated even where an individual has supportive family and friends and they can find it difficult to explain why, for example they may be feeling anxious or depressed. Or it may be easier to talk about personal family or relationship issues with a person who is independent of friends and family. There are many life issues which can be difficult to deal with – bereavement, divorce, health issues, bullying, redundancy, ongoing stress. However, you do not have to be in crisis, or on the verge of one, before choosing therapeutic help. You may be experiencing underlying feelings of dissatisfaction with life in general or be seeking balance or meaning in your life. All of these reasons and more will bring people into therapy.

What is Counselling & Psychotherapy?

In counselling or psychotherapy, you work closely with a qualified therapist who is either a counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist, to enable you to explore thoughts, beliefs and behaviours that affect your life negatively. Through counselling and psychotherapy you are given the support and safety to explore and understand these thoughts, beliefs and behaviours in the strictest confidence.

The personal growth that can then take place can free you from the limitations of old patterns. This can allow more realistic and effective ways of improving the quality, contentment and satisfaction of your life to emerge.

​You can benefit from counselling and psychotherapy at any stage in your life. However, it is more usual that you are likely to consider counselling when you are seeking to deal with changes, events or transitions in your life, or when you are facing a personal crisis

Are all of your Therapists qualified?

It is very important that you choose a therapist who is fully qualified, fully accredited (to practitioner level) and is experienced, especially in the area that concerns your personal issue. At OCC, every therapist is interviewed, has professional indemnity insurance and are Garda vetted. Our therapists have – full qualifications, to Degree level (or to Masters level) – full accreditation with a recognised and reputable professional organisation with its own code of ethics and practice. We also have a Therapist’s who are qualified but are working towards accreditation or are in their final year in training. They provide a low cost service to those who are not in a position to pay for therapy.

How long is each session and for how long will I have to attend?

Each session will be about 50 minutes. How long you may have to continue attending depends on many factors ie: the nature and depth of the issue which brings you to therapy, the type of outcome you desire, your own willingness and motivation to change etc. In other words, each client’s situation is unique. The therapist will be happy to discuss this with you in the first session and will be happy to agree to review and evaluate with you on a regular basis in relation to this and any other issue. Most therapists will suggest an initial number of sessions, usually six. This will enable the therapist to get to know you and your circumstances in more detail and give you an opportunity to become more relaxed and more open in talking about your difficulties in therapy.

What is the cost of each session?

Fees vary depending on the type of therapy you are attending for. The fee is due at the end of each session and is payable directly to the therapist. If this does not suit alternative arrangements can be made directly with the therapist. Receipts for payment of fees can be requested from the individual therapist. The therapist will give at least one month’s notice of any change in the fee.

Is Therapy Confidential?

Counselling and psychotherapy is a totally confidential service in almost all situations. However it is important to point out that in certain circumstances ethical and legal obligations must be considered, such as the Child Protection Act protects the rights and welfare of children and minors. Confidentiality this will be fully explained to you in the first session.

How do I make an appointment?

Our phone lines are open from 9am-6pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours you are welcome to leave a confidential message and contact number on our voicemail and you will be contacted as soon as possible. Please feel free to telephone us on 0864685027 to ask any questions or for any information you would like. We can also be contacted via our contact form or at info@oldcastlecounsellingcentre.ie. We will endeavour to respond to you within 24hrs.

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