About me
I am a fully accredited therapist with the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP). I hold an honours degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy from CIT/MTU, and a Diploma in Integrative Adolescent Psychotherapy
I work with people experiencing a broad range of difficulties. I am especially interested in work around neurodiversity, gender & sexuality, self worth, developmental trauma, adoption and matters of identity. I am visually impaired and passionate about supporting people through sight loss, as well as other chronic and long-term health presentations. Working with trainee therapists is also work I am keen to pursue.
I am drawn to working as a therapist because in a world that can be superficial, it’s the most real thing to be allowed sit with someone and work through what is causing them distress. I balance my private psychotherapy practice based in Douglas, Cork with my work as a school counsellor.
What is therapy?
Therapy is a collaborative space where we can slow down, tune into what you are experiencing, and make sense of what feels confusing, painful, or stuck. It’s not about being “fixed” or told what to do, but about having a steady, confidential space where you are listened to with care and curiosity.
Sometimes people come to therapy because something specific has happened; other times there’s a more general sense that life feels overwhelming, empty, or off‑track in a way that’s hard to put into words. Together we can explore your history, relationships, and ways of coping so that you can understand yourself more fully and begin to move towards a life that feels more grounded and authentic.
How I work
My aim is to provide you with a confidential and safe environment in which to explore the issues or difficulties that are causing you distress or worry, and to find the best ways to cope with them. I work in a collaborative way, as more of a facilitator than expert. It’s about helping clients unlock their own answers rather than me offering advice or telling people what to do.
I see therapy as an active process for the client – something you do, rather than is done to you. I strongly encourage clients to ask questions, to say how they feel about therapy, their experience of it and our relationship – without being overly concerned with protecting me! I encourage you to be as honest as you can bear. I don’t dictate what we discuss so it can help to come to each session with a view of what you hope to explore.
I am an integrative therapist which means I draw from and blend many theories and lens when working with clients. I rely heavily on the theories of Person-Centred Therapy, Gestalt and Internal Family Systems. My approach is both relational and existential. I also provide EMDR therapy.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality and ethics are of paramount importance, and I work within the Code of Ethics of the Irish Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy. Except in very particular circumstances, no information about you will be disclosed to anyone else without your consent.
If limits to confidentiality arise in our work together, I will discuss it with you first and foremost. I may be obliged to comply with legal and ethical requirements and take action that would involve disclosing information about you or others. All attempts will be made in the first instance to discuss this with you, unless the situation is such that this isn’t possible or the risk is so immediate that I would be obliged to act without consulting you first. I am also supervised by an accredited supervisor, with whom I discuss my clientwork with no identifying details presented.
Clodagh O'Rourke | Counselling & Psychotherapy 