About
Get to know me and how the process of therapy may help you
Hey there! I’m Oisin
Counsellor & Psychotherapist
As a qualified humanistic therapist, with an honours (BSc) degree in counselling and psychotherapy, I place a strong emphasis on the importance of creating a warm and collaborative therapeutic relationship. I’ve previously practised in a busy Dublin city centre counselling service and I also volunteer with SOSAD in Drogheda. I hold pre-accredited membership with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), I’m also an associate member of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT) and maintain a keen interest in the therapeutic value of expression through art-making. To ensure my practices are informed and current I engage in regular continuous professional development and clinical supervision.
My journey into the field of psychotherapy has been shaped by a 16-year career in social care, where I worked with adolescents and young adults within the Irish Youth Justice Sector. Working closely with young people and families who have faced cross-cultural relationship issues, mental wellness challenges and identity issues, has given me a deep appreciation of how childhood development impact’s our sense of well-being.
My Approach & Values
My core training encompasses various models of counselling and psychotherapy, including humanistic, psychodynamic and evidenced-based approaches, like CBT. I find the most suitable approach is that which the client will naturally gravitate towards. I strongly believe in the benefits creative expression brings to the therapeutic process and am excited to have returned to higher education to complete a Master of Science, in Child Art Psychotherapy with UCD. Creating an image therapeutically can act as a bridge for conscious to unconscious expression, providing an opportunity to explore that which may otherwise have remained hidden. Creative expression is an alternative to traditional talk therapy and can be helpful to release tension and express what is locked away in the unconscious.
In working with existential issues, where the focus is on identifying the difficulty and then working together towards your personal growth. I have found this can result in gaining a better understanding of personal responsibility and open doors to choices you may have thought had been closed. My objective is to help you feel free instead of fearful and to uncover new possibilities for change and personal growth.
My Education
- MSc. Child Art Psychotherapy*
– University College Dublin
- BSc (Hons) Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy
– PCI College/Middlesex University
- Certificate in Critical Incident Stress Management
– Carlow I.T.
- Certificate in Art Therapy
– Dublin Art Therapy Studio
- Level 7 Degree in Social Care
– Open University Ireland
* Presently studying.
My Memberships
- Pre-accredited member: Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy [IACP]
- Associate member: Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists [IACAT]
- Student member: Association of Child Art Psychotherapists [ACAP]
Lots of Options
In Person
Face-to-face counselling appointments are available in a confidential and safe setting.
Phone or Online
Online therapy appointments via your phone, computer or tablet from the comfort of home.
Walk & Talk
An alternative approach to traditional therapy. Think of it as a moving counselling session.
In Person
Face-to-face counselling appointments are available in a confidential and safe setting.
Phone or Online
Online therapy appointments via your phone, computer or tablet from the comfort of home.
Walk & Talk
An alternative approach to traditional therapy. Think of it as a moving counselling session.
What Happens In Therapy?
About Therapy
Counselling and Psychotherapy are broad areas that are difficult to briefly define and differentiate. Mainly though, counselling and psychotherapy share many similarities, with both being types of talk therapy that involve helping clients to explore their thoughts and feelings. Whilst the terms are used interchangeably throughout this website, psychotherapy is considered to address deeper and broader issues than counselling, which focuses on shorter-term issues.
Use of different the terms – ‘counsellor’, ‘therapist’ and ‘psychotherapist’, is a result of the broad range of therapeutic approaches and backgrounds. Similarly, clients and their reasons to attend therapy may also vary. Often people attend therapy to talk about a specific issue or issues (e.g., grief, depression, anxiety, identity, relationship, or trauma) or an issue that’s vague yet comes with the strong feeling that things “aren’t quite right”, this variance in the clinical presentations has resulted in a broad variety of terms to describe therapists.
Client is Primary
Ideally, the pace of the counselling process is dictated by the client, as client and therapist journey together as fellow travellers. Counselling should feel like a safe place for clients, where feelings and emotions are felt and explored. The counselling space should be one of acceptance, where the client feels safe and secure in being vulnerable and free from judgment.
Client's Space
The process of therapy is one where the client is free to explore and gain a better understanding of their own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values. Where they may feel validated and heard in a non-judgemental, confidential and patient way. The aims are to grow, gain insights, create (better) ways to cope, adapt behaviours, see choices, increase control, find direction, feel better and improve quality of life.
Connecting
Counselling is about relationships. Ideally, the intended goal is for the client to have a positive experience. This can be dependant on how well the client and therapist connect, in a genuine and trusting environment. Therapy is a process, where there is a willingness on the part of the client to continue the work inside and outside of the therapy room. Naturally, the clients’ experiences can vary and gains can be immediate or gradual, lifelong or brief, huge or minimal, but when it works, it’s the ultimate gift.
Past, Now, Future
Counselling can focus on the past, present and/or the future, depending on clients’ presenting issues, needs, goals or preferences. Clients can gain clarity, closure and/or understanding of what has occurred in their life. In terms of the future, our dreams, goals and plans can be more achievable through the creation of an understanding of needs and expectations. Counselling can help us to gain clarity and review where we were, are and are going.
Get in Touch
For appointment bookings or questions about my services, please fill in your details below.