Frequently Asked Questions

Imagine sitting down for the first time with someone who's here just for you - ready to listen, understand, and help you feel heard and seen. That first session is more than just an introduction - it's the beginning of a journey towards healing. 

It's a safe space where you can ask questions, speak your mind, and share your worries and hopes about what therapy might hold for you. 

I will ask some questions about your past and present, so that we can gain a deeper understanding of what led you here today. It's not just about gathering information - it's about creating a connection, a relationship built on trust and understanding. 

My fees are €80 for an individual session and €120 for a couple/family session.

As an IACP-accredited psychotherapist, sessions may be eligible for reimbursement through private health insurance, depending on your individual policy. I am recognised by VHI, Laya, and Irish Life Health for eligible psychotherapy claims.

As cover varies between plans, I recommend checking your policy directly with your insurer to confirm the amount and number of sessions you can claim for before booking. I provide receipts for all sessions to support insurance claims.

Each session lasts between 40 - 50 minutes. In-person therapy takes place in Swords, Co. Dublin. Online sessions take place via a secure telehealth platform.

You have the freedom to end therapy whenever you feel it's right for you. However, I usually suggest committing to at least six sessions before deciding whether to continue, as it often takes a number of sessions to begin experiencing the full benefits of the therapeutic work. 

In cases of longer-term therapy, it's helpful to take time to prepare for a meaningful and supported ending when the time feels right.

Yes - I am a fully qualified and accredited psychotherapist.

I've completed extensive training and continue to develop my practice through ongoing professional learning. You can find more details on my about me page.

I provide a supportive and collaborative space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences at your own pace.

Together, we work to understand the deeper roots of what you're going through, helping you move toward meaningful change, increased self-awareness, and a stronger sense of self.

You can learn more about me and how I work on my about me page.

I support adults and adolescents experiencing a range of emotional and psychological challenges, including low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. I often work with people who feel stuck in patterns such as prioritising others at their own expense, struggling to express their needs, or feeling overwhelmed by their thoughts and emotions.

Some of the areas I support include:

• Eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image
• Anxiety, stress, burnout, and depression
• Low self-esteem and identity-related challenges
• Relationship and family difficulties
• Trauma and PTSD
• ADHD and neurodiversity-related challenges
• Addiction and codependency
• Anger management and behavioural difficulties
• Bereavement and loss
• Coping skills and emotional regulation
• Domestic abuse and complex relationship dynamics
• Hoarding behaviours
• Self-harm and suicidal ideation

If you're unsure whether what you're experiencing fits into any of the above, please don't hesitate to reach out, and we can explore and make sense of it together.

Explore my areas of support page to learn more.

Yes, I work with people experiencing eating disorders, disordered eating, body image difficulties, emotional eating, binge eating, food restriction, compulsive exercise, and difficult relationships with food.

I offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space where we can explore what may be underlying these patterns and gently work toward greater understanding, self-acceptance, and recovery.

You may also find these pages helpful:

• Learn more about my eating disorders, disordered eating & body image support page.
• Read recovery isn't about becoming someone else - a reflection on why recovery isn't about changing who you are, but reconnecting with yourself.

Some clients have kindly chosen to share reflections on their experience of working with me. These are shared anonymously and with confidentiality in mind. 

You can read client experiences here.

Yes - I often work with people who feel stuck in low self-esteem, struggle to express their needs, or find themselves prioritising others at their own expense.

Therapy can support you in building healthier relationships, both with yourself and with others, and in developing greater confidence and emotional clarity.

• Learn more about my self-esteem & self-worth support page.

Psychotherapy offers deep, compassionate support for those who feel stuck in challenging emotions, unhelpful thoughts, or patterns of behaviour that seem impossible to break. It's about going beyond the surface to explore long-standing issues rooted in past experiences - whether from trauma, neglect, or painful memories. 

It can support you with struggles such as persistent anxiety, panic attacks, disordered eating, or the weight of depression. 

Together, we can gently unpack these difficult parts of your life in a safe and non-judgmental space, helping you gain clarity and understanding. Over time, psychotherapy helps you make sense of your experiences and find a path toward greater well-being, healing, and lasting change.

If you're wondering whether therapy might be right for you, my atvira journal contains articles exploring common emotional experiences and the therapy process.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy grounded in the neurobiology of safety. It uses music filtered through a patented algorithm to help shift the nervous system from defence toward regulation and connection. By supporting a felt sense of safety, it enhances clients' capacity for presence, connection and engagement, which is known to accelerate therapeutic progress. 

SSP is used to support clients experiencing trauma, sensory challenges, difficulties with social engagement and communication, anxiety, and emotional regulation difficulties.

Yes. SSP can be accessed as a standalone programme, so you do not need to be attending psychotherapy with me to take part. As an SSP-certified provider, I offer SSP packages with delivery and pacing tailored to each individual.

If you would like to explore whether SSP may be suitable for you, or enquiry about current packages and pricing, please get in touch.

The Rhythm of Regulation® helps us make sense of experiences such as overwhelm, anxiety, shutdown or disconnection through the lens of the nervous system. It helps clients better understand their patterns and build greater capacity for regulation, safety, and connection. I had an opportunity to learn this approach firsthand from Deb Dana, whose work has been instrumental in bringing Polyvagal Theory into therapeutic practice.

I have trained with the IFS Institute to further enhance my psychotherapy practice, including specialised training in healing interventions for protective systems. This approach applies IFS to experiences involving trauma, substances, food, and other presentations, and can be particularly helpful for clients whose systems organise around escape, control, shame, food, substances, overwork or other protective strategies.

Working through this lens can involve mapping these complex systems, building trust with protective parts, and developing a greater understanding of what these patterns may be trying to protect. The aim is to support movement towards healing without forcing change.

Counselling is for those moments when life feels overwhelming - whether you're facing relationship struggles, stress at work, recent losses, or a deep sense of dissatisfaction you can't quite shake. It's about having someone by your side during tough transitions or times of crisis, offering you a safe, non-judgmental space to make sense of it all. 

Together, we can unpack what's been weighing on your mind, find clarity, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself during the process.

Yes - I provide workshops, talks, and group sessions for schools, organisations, and community groups. 

Topics can include eating disorders, body image, emotional well-being, relationships, and mental health awareness. Each session is tailored to the group's needs, with a focus on creating a safe, engaging, and supportive environment. 

For enquiries or bookings, please feel free to contact me directly:

contact@atvirapsychotherapy.ie

You can also read more about my workshops and professional work on my about me page.