What to Expect: A Gentle Guide to the Process

Sessions last around 50 minutes and, where possible, take place at a regular weekly or fortnightly time. Having that consistency can help create a steady, reliable space where conversations can develop over time.

I offer sessions online, as well as a small number of in-person appointments in Douglas, Cork. Online sessions are open to clients based anywhere.

My aim is to offer a space that feels calm, respectful, and grounded, where you can speak openly, without feeling judged or rushed.

At the beginning, we’ll spend some time getting a sense of what has brought you to therapy, and what you might be hoping for, even if that feels unclear. Some people come with something specific they’d like to work through. Others arrive with more of a general sense that something isn’t quite sitting right anymore. Both are welcome.

And it’s also okay if what you’re hoping for isn’t fully clear yet. Part of the process can be discovering that together. Sessions tend to unfold through talking things through, at your pace.

You might find yourself speaking about current stresses, relationships, or experiences from the past that still seem to shape how things feel now. At times, we may begin to notice patterns that have developed over time. At other points, the focus might stay closer to what feels most helpful in the present.

You don’t need to have the right words, or to explain things perfectly. Part of the work is making sense of things together, as we go. The work is collaborative, and your sense of what feels helpful or not is always important here. There’s no pressure to speak about anything in particular before you feel ready. We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Some sessions may feel easier to talk through. Others may feel more emotional, or a little uncertain. All of that is part of the process. There’s space for whatever comes up. And there can be moments of lightness or humour in sessions too. It doesn’t all have to feel heavy. We’ll also talk through practical details at the beginning, such as scheduling, confidentiality, and cancellations, so you know what to expect.

The first session is also an opportunity for you to get a sense of whether working together feels comfortable.

Finding the right counsellor or psychotherapist is important, and there’s no obligation to continue if it doesn’t feel like the right fit. I just ask that you let me know, so I can offer the space to someone else.

If you have any questions, or feel ready to take the next step, you’re very welcome to get in touch, whenever it feels right for you.