FAQs
It’s not a sales pitch — it’s simply a chance for us to meet.
You’ll have the opportunity to briefly share what’s bringing you to therapy and ask any questions you might have. It’s also a space for you to get a feel for whether I’m the right person to support you.
At the same time, I’ll ask a few basic questions to make sure I’m the right fit for you at this moment. There’s no pressure to decide anything straight away — it’s all about finding the right match for you.
Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other.
I’ll go over some basics, like what you can expect from me, what I’ll expect from you, and make sure you’re comfortable with my confidentiality policy. Then we’ll explore in a bit more detail what’s bringing you to therapy.
Some people worry they won’t know what to say — don’t worry, I’ll help guide you through it.
Before we finish, I’ll usually share a rough treatment plan with you, and you’ll have time to ask any questions. If you’d like to book another session, we’ll plan for that together and find a time that suits.
Depending on the type of therapy we decide to use, I might suggest a small piece of work for between sessions — like an exercise or something to reflect on.
Yes, online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions.
If you’d asked me a few years ago, I might have said no — but the COVID-19 pandemic changed how many of us work. During that time, psychologists and therapists were pleasantly surprised to find that online therapy was just as effective as in-person therapy. Research has backed this up, showing no significant differences in outcomes.
Some clients still prefer meeting in person, while others appreciate the flexibility of online sessions. It’s all about what feels right for you.
You’ll need a PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone with a front-facing camera, and a good internet connection. All online sessions are held on Zoom — I’ll send you a link to join, and you won’t need to download anything in advance.
For privacy and better sound quality, you might want to use a headset or earphones with a built-in microphone.
It’s important that you’re in a safe, private space where you won’t be disturbed, so you can get the most out of your session. Therapy isn’t suitable while driving or doing other tasks — it’s time just for you.
Yes, I understand that weekdays can be busy, and it’s not always easy to make time for therapy during working hours. That's why I offer appointments on Saturdays from 9 am to 4 pm — so you have more flexibility to find a time that works for you.
Yes, I offer a limited number of evening appointments on weekdays.
For more details on my current availability, feel free to get in touch, and I’ll do my best to find a time that works for you.
This varies from person to person. Some people might find six sessions are enough, while others may need twenty or more.
At the end of our initial assessment, we’ll discuss a rough treatment plan, including an idea of how many sessions might be helpful for you. We’ll review this as we go — you’re never locked into anything.
We’ll always check in together about whether you’d like to continue, and if at any point it seems like therapy isn’t helping, we’ll talk openly about the best next steps.
Sessions are usually weekly where possible, but less frequent sessions are also an option - we can discuss this in more detail at our initial meeting.
Yes, in certain circumstances.
You’re welcome to contact me if you need to clarify or change an appointment, or if you have a quick question about any outside-of-session work we’ve discussed.
However, if you find that you need more frequent support between sessions, it may suggest that a different service would be more suitable for you at this time. In that case, I would recommend contacting your GP for additional support.
Please note that I am not a crisis or emergency mental health service.
If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of harm, please call 999 or 112. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can go to the emergency department at your local hospital.
More information about getting urgent help can be found here.
Yes. I understand that sharing sensitive personal information can feel difficult, and it’s important you know that anything you share with me is handled safely and respectfully.
As a Chartered Psychologist and accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, I follow strict ethical guidelines around confidentiality. All personal data — including your contact details, bank transfer information, and clinical notes — are stored electronically with advanced password and virus protection.
I am fully compliant with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) standards, ensuring your information is used and stored responsibly. You can read more about this in my privacy and confidentiality policy.
All appointments — whether face-to-face, telephone, or online — take place in the privacy of my clinic space, so you can feel comfortable and secure.
No, I do not offer couples therapy.
I believe in providing the best support, so I focus on areas where I have specific expertise. If you're looking for couples therapy, I can direct you to professionals who specialise in that area.
No, I do not offer therapy to children or adolescence. I work with adults exclusively.
Chartered Psychologist status is a mark of high professional standards.
In the UK, the British Psychological Society (BPS) oversees the Chartered Psychologist (CPsychol) title, ensuring it reflects the highest levels of psychological knowledge and expertise. Only psychologists who meet these standards can use this title. The title Associate Fellow of The British Psychological Society (AFBPsS) is awarded to Chartered Psychologists in recognition of several years of experience and contribution to the field of psychology. This is a mark of experience, competence and reputation of psychological knowledge through the field
In Ireland, the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) regulates the title “Chartered Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland” (C.Psychol. PsSI). Only Chartered members of PSI, with the required qualifications and experience, are allowed to use this title.
Chartered Psychologist status assures clients that the therapist has achieved the highest levels of expertise in psychology and is committed to ongoing professional development and ethical standards.
If you’d like to verify the status of a psychologist, you can check the relevant registers here and here.
Contact
If you have any questions about anything you’ve read here or if you’d like to arrange an initial appointment, I’d love to hear from you.
Our first conversation is a chance to talk about what’s bringing you here, whether therapy could be helpful for you right now, and whether I’m the right fit to support you. There’s no charge for this or any pressure — just a space to explore things at your pace.
All enquiries are confidential. You can fill out the form below, if you’d prefer to chat first, feel free to give me a call or leave a message at 089 210 9211. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have before booking anything in.
© Dr Darragh O'Shea
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