Q: What is counselling and psychotherapy?
Sometimes life can feel overwhelming and challenging. If you are feeling anxious, depressed, in crisis, or want to change your life it can help to talk with an experienced professional in a safe, confidential setting.
Counselling and psychotherapy (therapy), can help you feel understood and learn tools to deal with your problems. Without help we can stay trapped in patterns and beliefs that hold us back. With help you get to choose the life you want.
Q: What is the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
Counselling tends to be relatively short-term, dealing with a specific problem or situation. Psychotherapy is more long-term for those wishing to deepen their understanding of themselves and their relationships with others. Frequently counselling and psychotherapy overlap and are used interchangeably.
Q: Do I need therapy?
We all have stuff going on in our lives. Therapy is a safe space to talk about your problems and difficulties. And it can be so much more. It gives you the opportunity to change yourself and heal your life.
People choose therapy for many different reasons. I see people from all walks of life and backgrounds, all age groups from teenagers to pensioners, all genders and sexual orientations.
Q: How can therapy help me?
Everybody needs a little help from time to time. And there’s nothing wrong in asking for it. No matter what’s going on in your life, I can support you to find a way forward and to make changes in your life.
My warm yet challenging style creates a safe and trusting environment to support your growth and healing, to feel better about yourself and enjoy more satisfying relationships with the important people in your life.
Q: Why do people come to therapy?
Counselling and psychotherapy gives you the opportunity to make sense of the difficulties and emotional pain you are experiencing in your life. It can be difficult and distressing to manage these thoughts and feelings on your own and talking to those close to you may not be possible.
People choose therapy for different reasons. Some reasons include “feeling down”, “anxious all the time”, “don’t feel right”, “something is missing in my life”, “feeling lost”, “sad”, “angry and resentful”, “stuck”…to name just a few. Therapy can help with these thoughts and feelings.
Q: I don’t want to just talk about my feelings. I want things to change in my life.
Sometimes people think that therapy means just talking and talking about the past without ever taking action in the present. Therapy does involve creating space to talk about your past and the feelings that surface as we explore this. However, we also practice tools and techniques to help you improve your life.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Carl Rogers
Q: Is there something wrong with me to need therapy? Why can’t I just deal with things on my own?
It can be daunting to admit that we need help. Making the decision to seek out therapy isn’t a sign of weakness. At times we need to engage the services of a trained professional e.g. a doctor for medical matters or a solicitor for legal affairs.
When it comes to your mental and emotional health it’s no different. Reaching out for support from a professionally trained therapist can make all the difference in addressing challenges and overwhelm in your life.
Q: How do you work as a therapist?
I practice mindfulness based relational psychotherapy, working in a humanistic and integrative way. Meaning I believe in the inherent goodness of every human being and I integrate different techniques to tailor the therapy to each individual person. My specialist certifications include IFS therapy and EMDR therapy.
One of the most important aspects of successful therapy is the connection between you and your therapist. My warm yet challenging style creates a safe and trusting environment to support your growth and healing, helping you enjoy more satisfying relationships with the important people in your life.
Q: What kind of clients do you work with?
I see individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds, all age groups from teenagers to pensioners, all genders and sexual orientations. Special interests include anxiety, stress, trauma, addiction, sexuality, and working with young people over 18.
While some of my clients have been to therapy before, the majority are first-timers. What they all share is that they are at a point where they want to deal with their pain, to commit and invest in themselves to change and create something different in their lives.
Q: What can I expect in my first session?
Taking the first step towards counselling can be daunting. So here’s what you can expect in your first session. On arrival, I’ll come to greet you in the waiting room and bring you to my office.
The first session gives you an opportunity to talk about your reasons for coming to counselling at this time and the difficulties you are having. People arrive for therapy with different needs and expectations. We can discuss what your expectations are and any anxieties you might have.
The first session is a chance for you to have a trial run and check me out to see if I’m a good fit for you.
Q: What does confidentiality mean?
In our first session I’ll explain the importance of confidentiality and the rare instances in which it may be broken. Confidentiality is the guarantee that what you disclose to me in counselling cannot be disclosed to a third party without your permission. Some exceptions include if required by law, or if you are at risk of danger to yourself or others. Your information is always treated in the strictest of confidence.
Q: How long does counselling last?
The number of sessions can be mutually agreed or open-ended. I usually suggest that we meet for six weekly sessions initially and then review our work together to check whether you are getting what you need. The length of time people attend therapy varies from person to person.
My commitment to you is to work effectively to minimise the number of sessions. However, our work together can carry on for as long as you like or need it to.
Q: Where are you located?
My room is in the Crescent area of Galway City, on the first floor of Devon House. The address is Devon House, 2 Devon Place, The Crescent, Galway, H91 EPN1. I also offer the convenience of online counselling by telephone or video call.
Q: What if I need to cancel?
Your appointment is reserved for you. Cancelations or rescheduling must be made at least 48 hours in advance of session start time. Sessions that are cancelled or rescheduled any later must be paid for in full. Failing to attend an appointment without notice must also be paid for in full.
Q: How long is each session?
50 minutes.
Q: What does it cost?
Each 50 minute session costs €80. A discount is available if you pay for six or more sessions in advance. The cost of six sessions is €450.
Q: How do I make an appointment?
Please feel free to call or text me on 087 6171472. If I don’t answer please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Or you can email me at info@marietierney.ie or contact me through the online form on my website.
I’m happy to answer any questions and there’s absolutely no obligation to book an appointment
