FAQ's

Some answers to your practical questions about counselling...


Crea Counselling provides counselling/psychotherapy support online, face-to-face, or a blend of both, depending on clients' needs and location. To keep everyone healthy and safe, if you are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness or have been in close contact with someone who is unwell, I recommend shifting to our online format.


Getting started


  • How do I arrange an appointment?

    The first step is filling out my contact form with details about your availability and a very short description of what brings you to therapy.  


    Once you have registered your interest,  I will contact you  directly if/when I have an appointment available that matches your needs.


    I am in solo practice and unfortunately I cannot accomodate all inquiries. While I do take into account when people first registered their interest, I no longer keep a traditional waiting list and only answer emails when I have a suitable appointment to offer.

       

    I know it can be hard to find the right therapist at the right time. If I  am unable to see you in a timely way I hope you'll keep looking until you find a colleague who can. If, by the time I contact you, you have found another therapist you work well with,  that's of course absolutely fine and I wish you well on your therapy adventure.

  • How soon can I expect to start therapy?

    This varies quite a bit depending on my current availability and how well my open slots match what you're looking for. Sometimes I might have something suitable within a few weeks, other times it could be longer. 


    I wish I could give you a more definite timeframe, but since I work mostly on an open-ended basis with clients, it makes openings for new clients harder to predict.


    I keep inquiries on my interest list for three months. If I haven't been able to offer you something by then, I'll remove your inquiry from my system. If you're still interested after that time, please feel free to reach out again - things change and I'd be happy to hear from you.


    If you feel that you need to start therapy more urgently, I am unfortunately not able to assist you at this time. 


    For some pointers on how to find the right therapist, you can click here




  • What about frequency, duration and ending?

    Most of my clients find that weekly sessions work well, especially when starting therapy. This gives us consistent momentum while allowing time between sessions to process and practice what we've discussed. 

    Some people prefer fortnightly sessions, particularly once we've established a good working relationship.


    As for duration, this really depends on what brings you to therapy and your personal goals. Some people find what they need in a few months, while others benefit from longer-term work. We'll talk about this together and check in regularly about how things are feeling for you. You're always in control of how long you'd like to continue, and there's no pressure to commit to a specific timeframe upfront.


    I'm flexible about adjusting frequency as we go - what works at the beginning might change as your needs evolve. 

  • What if I've worked with you before?

    If you're a former client wanting to return, please get in touch! I'm always happy to hear from people I've worked with previously. I can offer both ad-hoc sessions for specific issues that come up, or we can discuss resuming regular therapy if that feels like what you need. 

    Just drop me a line and we can chat about what would work best for you.


Counselling fees


  • What are the fees per therapy session?

    Crea counselling/psychotherapy fees 2025- 2026


    €90- per 60 mins weekly session 

    Counselling/psychotherapy


    €110 - per 80 mins session 


    Depending on circumstances, I will offer fortnightly or ad-hoc sessions to clients I have had an initial number of weekly sessions with. Fees will vary depening on frequency and duration of sessions. 



    Relationship Counselling / Couple sessions fees


    Block-booking Reduction

    A €20 reduction applies when 4 weekly sessions are booked and paid in advance. 



    Counselling/Psychotherapy fees are subject to yearly review 

  • Do you offer sliding scale rates?

    I am aware that people's incomes vary greatly and that therapy is costly. I offer a limited number of therapy slots on a sliding scale.


    If you wish to discuss this option please let me know in your initial email and in advance of booking your first therapy session. For low/no cost counselling please check the resource page.


    **Sliding scale counselling fees only apply to weekly therapy on a time-limited counselling contract (up to 8 sessions).  



  • Is counselling covered by my heath insurance?

    IACP updated information on Irish Health Insurers Cover for counselling sessions with IACP accredited  therapists


    VHI

    Members are encouraged check their benefits on their own plans via their policy documents or directly with Vhi

     


    Irish Life Health 

    Any benefits that allow for visits with either a psychologist/ psychotherapist or counsellor allow members to claim a contribution towards visits to a practitioner who is an accredited member of the IACP. The following benefits offer contributions towards a practitioner who is a member of the IACP (where eligible and up to the amount listed on their plan): 

    • Child Psychologist

    • Child/ Teen counselling

    • Psychologist

    • Psycho-oncology counselling

    • Psychotherapy and counselling benefit

    • Counselling

    These benefits are available on a wide range of plans.

     

    Laya Healthcare

    AI am an approved laya healthcare psychotherapist/psychologist under therapist Id: 11026. Adult Counselling claim back amount depends on the plan. The counsellor or therapist must be a full member of the Irish Association of Counsellors and Pyschotherapists (IACP),

    Members on the ExcelCare, 360 Care, and 360 Care Select, Care Select, ConnectCare, Connect Choice, Connect Choice 500, Connect Simplicity, Control 150 Create, Health Secure Plus, Inspire, Inspire Plus, Prime, Principle, Simply Health Choice, Simply Health Plus, Simply Health Plus 500Total health Complete 175 and Total health Plus are eligible to claim this benefit.

    All claims are assessed in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the policy.







Counselling Policies


  • Confidentiality & Exceptions

    CONFIDENTIALITY AND EXCEPTIONS

    As an accredited IACP member, I maintain strict confidentiality with limited exceptions where professional and legal obligations require disclosure:

    • Risk to children 
    • Risk of harm to you or others
    • Medical consultation (only with your permission and consent)

    SUPERVISION AND RECORDS

    I attend regular clinical supervision to maintain professional standards. Your identity remains confidential.

    I keep minimal records on session themes and interventions used, but no personal history, diagnoses, or identifying details. Records are securely stored and are disposed of after therapy ends.


    ONLINE THERAPY CONSIDERATIONS

    Sessions are conducted from my secure counselling room using encrypted platforms (Zoom)

    You should ensure a private, quiet space free from interruptions

    Switch phone to flight mode and use headphones for better privacy and audio quality


    Important: I do not provide assessments, reports, or materials for insurance claims, mediation, or legal disputes.


  • Cancellations and time-keeping

    I require 48 hours notice to change or cancel appointments, allowing me to offer your slot to another client.


    You may switch to online format up to 10 minutes before our scheduled session by email.


    Full fees apply for cancellations with insufficient notice if I cannot accommodate an alternative slot that week.


    Please text if you're running late - delays reduce your session time as appointments cannot be extended.

  • Health and Safety Guidelines

    I am committed to maintaining a safe environment for all clients through regular sanitization of contact surfaces (door handles, chair arms) and ventilation.



    Client guidelines:

    • Tissues are available but I ask you to please dispose of your own after sessions.
    • If experiencing cold/flu symptoms: Please contact me to arrange an online session instead of attending in person
    • If you become unwell: Let me know as soon as possible if you need to cancel due to illness - standard cancellation policies apply
    • Therapist illness: If I develop mild symptoms of any contagious illness, I may offer online sessions until no longer contagious
    • Online options: Telephone and video sessions (via Zoom) remain available for clients outside Galway or those temporarily unable to attend in person.

Crea Counselling Online Therapy


  • What's it like having therapy online?

    I know meeting with a therapist online for the first time can feel a bit strange or unfamiliar. Many of my clients are surprised by how quickly we can connect despite the physical distance - the therapeutic relationship can develop just as naturally through a screen as it does in person. 

    All you need is a reliable internet connection, and a sufficiently private space where you can speak freely, without fear of being overheard or interrupted.

    No special preparation is required for our online session. I'll send you a Zoom link shortly before our appointment time and we can get started.

  • What happens in our first online session?

    We might need to sort out a few technical bits at the beginning - making sure the audio and video are working well, and that you're in a space where you feel comfortable talking freely and confidentially. This is part of creating that secure therapeutic space we both need.We'll also go through our counselling agreement and talk about any specific considerations for working online together.

    If we haven't worked together before, you can start sharing what you'd like to address in therapy, and feel free to ask me anything about how I work or what to expect from the process. I might ask some questions about your background and current situation, but please know that trust takes time - I'll always respect your choice about how much or how little you feel comfortable sharing.

    At the end of our session, we can talk about how it went for you, and if you'd like to continue, we can arrange another appointment. There's absolutely no pressure to commit to ongoing therapy after just one meeting.

  • What if online therapy doesn't feel right?

    As we welcome the return to face-to-face counselling. I remain committed to regularly reviewing health and safety procedures in order to protect all my clients.


    Precautions I am taking:

    • Sanitizer is available in the therapy room for you to use.  
    • Tissues are available in the therapy room but I kindly ask clients to dispose of their own tissues after the session. 
    • Contact surfaces in the therapy room, such as door handles and chair armrests, are sanitized regularly.
    • Windows are opened regularly for ventilation.
    • If I contract Covid-19 or any other flu-like virus but my symptoms are mild, I may offer sessions online until I am no longer contagious.

    What I am asking of you:

    • If you are experiencing cold/flu like symptoms and would still like to attend your appointment, please contact me so that we can arrange your session online. Telephone and online video sessions (via Zoom) are offered as alternatives for clients who live outside Galway or are momentarily unable to attend in person. 
    • Please let me know as soon as possible if wish to cancel your session because of illness. My usual cancellation policy will apply.