Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Your first session is a chance to get to know each other and talk about what brings you to therapy. You’ll discuss your background, current challenges, and what you hope to achieve. 

It’s also an opportunity to ask questions and see if the fit feels right for you. Many clients describe the first session as a gentle introduction, focused on understanding your needs and planning a way forward together.

Counselling often focuses on specific issues and helps you navigate current challenges or life changes. Psychotherapy tends to explore deeper patterns that may have developed over time, often linked to past experiences. 

In Ireland, there is no direct classification for each discipline currently, however, CORU is currently in the process of proposing regulations to classify each discipline separately. 

At Mo Chara Counselling, both approaches are integrated so that therapy can be short-term, solution-focused, or more in-depth depending on your needs.

The number of sessions varies for each person. Some people attend for a few weeks to address a specific issue, while others prefer longer-term support. 

You can discuss your goals and preferred pace with your therapist, and review progress regularly. Sessions typically last 50 minutes and it is recommended tha they take place weekly.

Mo Chara Counselling uses a CBT-informed, humanistic and integrative approach. This combines structured techniques from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with person-centred and mindfulness-based practices. 

The goal is to help you understand thought and behaviour patterns while building emotional awareness and self-compassion. While this is the foundation to our approach, we are very fluid and adapt to your needs.

Yes. Everything discussed in sessions remains confidential, in accordance with the IACP Code of Ethics. 

There are only a few legal or ethical exceptions, such as if someone is at risk of serious harm to themselves or others. These limits are always explained clearly at the start of therapy.

Yes. Mo Chara Counselling offers secure online therapy sessions via an encrypted video platform. Research shows that online counselling can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many issues, especially anxiety, stress, and mood difficulties. 

It’s ideal if you have a busy lifestyle, cannot make it to the centre, have mobility challenges, or live outside Dublin.

No referral is needed. You can contact Mo Chara Counselling directly to arrange a session. 

Many clients are referred by their GP or a friend, but self-referral is completely normal and welcomed.

Counselling can support you with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, self-esteem, relationship challenges, addiction, and life transitions. It can also help with neurodivergence support, burnout, and general emotional wellbeing. 

The aim is to help you understand yourself better and move toward positive change.

You can talk about anything that feels important to you. This might include current struggles, past experiences, or goals for the future. 

Therapy is your space to explore thoughts and emotions safely. There’s no “wrong” topic, and your therapist will guide you at your own pace.

Counselling fees in Dublin range from €20-€150 per session. 

At Mo Chara Counselling, we offer in-person sessions at €80 per 50 minutes and online sessions at €60. 

We also offer limited low-cost sessions are also available from €20 to support those on reduced income.

Yes. A number of low-cost appointments are available for clients experiencing financial difficulty. These sessions are delivered to the same professional and ethical standards as all others. Fees start from €20 per session, depending on individual circumstances.

Mo Chara Counselling also offers a sliding-scale structure to make therapy as accessible as possible. While standard in-person sessions are priced at €80, fees can be adjusted to reflect what feels fair and affordable for each client’s situation.

Each session lasts 50 minutes. Most clients attend weekly, as regular sessions help maintain momentum and consistency. 

Frequency can be adjusted to suit your needs and schedule as therapy progresses.

Cancellations require at least 48 hours’ notice. Sessions cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged in full. 

This policy ensures that appointment times can be offered to others who may need support.

Some Irish health insurance providers offer partial refunds for sessions with IACP pre-accredited or accredited therapists. 

It’s best to check your policy directly with your provider, such as Irish Life, VHI, or Laya, to confirm your level of cover.

Yes. Counselling can help you identify the triggers and thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and panic. Using CBT-based tools, you’ll learn grounding techniques and strategies to manage physical symptoms and reduce overthinking. 

Therapy also supports you in understanding the root causes of your anxiety.

Absolutely. Therapy provides a safe space to explore difficult emotions, understand negative thinking patterns, and find ways to rebuild motivation and self-worth. 

Through compassion-focused and CBT techniques, clients often experience increased clarity, emotional resilience, and renewed balance.

Yes. Grief can affect people in many ways, emotionally, physically, and socially. Counselling offers a gentle, supportive space to express feelings of loss and gradually make sense of life after bereavement. You don’t need to face grief alone.

Mo Chara Counselling offers confidential support for those affected by substance misuse, directly or indirectly. 

Therapy focuses on understanding triggers, developing healthier coping strategies, and rebuilding self-trust and stability in everyday life.

Yes. Many clients seek therapy to manage stress, burnout, or work-life imbalance. 

Counselling can help you recognise signs of overwhelm, establish boundaries, and create sustainable habits that support mental and physical wellbeing.

No. Mo Chara Counselling is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or feel unsafe and need immediate help. Visit the HSE website where all emergency contact numbers are listed.

Yes. Confidentiality is a cornerstone of ethical practice. All sessions are private and handled according to IACP’s Code of Ethics. 

Any limits to confidentiality, such as immediate risk of harm or legal obligations, are explained clearly during your first session.

All personal data is securely stored and managed in compliance with GDPR and IACP data protection standards. 

Client notes are confidential, stored offline, and never shared with third parties without consent, except where legally required.