What to Expect
One of the questions I'm asked most often is, "What actually happens in therapy?"
It's a very fair question. If you've never been before, it can be hard to picture what those fifty minutes might actually look like, and our minds have a funny way of filling in the gaps. Thankfully, therapy is usually much less intimidating than people imagine.
Sessions last around 50 minutes and, where possible, we'll meet at the same time each week or fortnight. Having that consistency can create a steady space where conversations have room to unfold, rather than feeling like you're starting from scratch each time.
I offer both online sessions and a small number of in-person appointments in Douglas, Cork. Online sessions are available to clients anywhere in Ireland.
The first session is really just the beginning of a conversation. We'll spend some time getting to know one another and talking about what's brought you here. Sometimes people arrive knowing exactly what they'd like to work on. Other times, they arrive saying, "I'm not really sure where to start." Both are completely okay. In fact, I've come to think that not knowing where to begin is a perfectly good place to begin. You don't need to organise your thoughts beforehand, have a timeline prepared, or worry about saying things in the "right" order. Life rarely makes sense in chronological order anyway, so I certainly don't expect you to tell it that way.
Some sessions naturally centre around what's happening right now. Others might wander into older experiences, relationships, or patterns that still seem to echo in the present. Often, we move between the two without really planning to. That's simply how conversations tend to unfold.
The work is collaborative, and we'll move at a pace that feels manageable for you. There'll never be any pressure to talk about something before you're ready, and it's absolutely okay if there are moments where you don't quite know what to say. They tend to happen more often than people expect, and they're rarely a problem.
People sometimes imagine therapy as being serious all of the time. It certainly can be emotional. There may be sessions that feel difficult, uncertain, or leave you with plenty to think about afterwards. But there can also be laughter, moments of relief. The odd observation that suddenly makes everything click into place.
Being human is rarely one emotion at a time, and therapy isn't either.
We'll also spend a little time covering practical things like confidentiality, cancellations, and how sessions work, so you know exactly what to expect. Just as importantly, the first session gives you a chance to get a sense of me too.
Finding the right counsellor or psychotherapist matters, and I genuinely believe it's important that you feel comfortable with the person you're sitting opposite. If, for whatever reason, it doesn't feel like the right fit, there's absolutely no obligation to continue. I simply ask that you let me know, so I can offer the appointment to someone else.
If you have any questions before getting in touch, you're always welcome to ask. And if you're reading this thinking, "I still don't know if I'm ready," that's okay too.
You don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Sometimes all you need is enough curiosity to begin the conversation.
