We are pleased to offer a low cost counselling service , subject to certain conditions.
Low cost counselling is offered by therapists-in-training, all of whom need to complete 200 hours of clinical work with clients as part of their training. Our therapists-in-training are fully supervised within Sandyford Wellness Centre, by their college and by a trained and accredited external supervisor.
How does the low cost counselling service work?
Therapists-in-training cannot work with every client or issue. It is important that each client has a chat with a fully qualified, accredited therapist first to ensure they are suitable to work with a trainee therapist.
Suitable issues include stress, anxiety, mild to moderate depression or low mood, grief and loss and relationship issues – individuals only, couples counselling is a specialist service.
Issues that are unsuitable and require a fully qualified, experienced therapist are any addiction issue, any form of disordered eating, psychosexual or sexuality issues, infertility, abuse or trauma.
Step 1 is to request a low cost counselling assessment. This is a 10-15 minute phone or zoom call to see if it is appropriate for you to work with a trainee therapist.
Step 2 If it’s appropriate you will be connected to a trainee therapist to arrange your first appointment.
If it is not appropriate, the therapist taking the assessment will advise you of your options – usually to attend one of the qualified, accredited therapists at the centre. Alternatively you may choose to look for a low cost or free service elsewhere.
Step 3 Currently all appointments with therapists -in-training are on Saturday mornings. If you cannot attend on a Saturday morning, our service won’t be a fit for you.
Step 4 The fee for our low cost service is €25 and is paid by card only – we cannot accept cash for these appointments.
Is it confidential?
All counselling is confidential, however as your therapist is a trainee, they will be anonymously sharing some details of the work they do with you with their supervisors. The purpose of supervision is not to discuss the client or any details about them, it is to support the trainee therapist in their work.
If your trainee therapist raises any issue in supervision that suggests the issues being worked on are beyond the scope of a trainee therapist’s skill, you will be referred back to your assessing therapist for review.
In all cases, any decision made is always in your best interest to ensure you get the best and highest level of support you need.
To request low cost counselling, please use the form on our Contact Us page to request a call for an initial assessment.
