This document provides information about counselling and psychotherapy services offered at the Johnstown Therapy Centre. It discusses the training and accreditation of therapists, what psychotherapy involves, how it can help with mental health issues and life challenges. Research shows psychotherapy is effective for a wide range of issues and provides medical cost savings compared to not receiving therapy. The document aims to explain psychotherapy and address common questions about the process.

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Counselling &
Psychotherapy at the
Johnstown Therapy Centre
Accreditation, Training, Understanding, Expectations,
How it can help; frequently asked questions
© Anne Burke 2013
MSc., BSc., MIAHIP, MIACP, MEAPA, MIAPPC
Psychotherapist/Supervisor – Practitioner of Therapeutic Play

2. Introduction to our Therapists
and the service we can offer
• Therapists Training & Accreditation
• What is Psychotherapy?
• What is the difference between
Counselling and Psychotherapy?
• Expectations, Explaining how it might
help, Aims of Therapy
• Mental Health Issues
• Effectiveness and Benefits of
Psychotherapy
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Professional Accreditation
• All the Therapists at the Centre are
accredited with either the IACP or the
IAHIP or both.
• The therapists have received extensive
and professional trainings at many of the
well known Psychotherapy Colleges such
as Tivoli Institute, PCI College, DBS and
The Institute of Creative Counselling &
Psychotherapy.

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What is Psychotherapy?
• It is a general term for many different
types of talking therapies.
• At the Johnstown Therapy Centre we
offer Counselling & Psychotherapy to
individuals, couples, children &
adolescents and Groups.

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What’s the difference between
Counselling & Psychotherapy?
• There is very little difference between
Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Counselling originated from a more
community based setting e.g. Addiction or
Bereavement Counselling.
• Psychotherapy comes from a more
Academic Background.
• Counselling is more short-term and
solution focused.

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Counselling & Psychotherapy
• Psychotherapy tends to be longer-term
• Explores thoughts, behaviours, feelings,
value systems, self confidence.
• The approach therapists use at the Centre
is integrative which means our work
incorporates other modalities such as
Psychodynamic, Gestalt, CBT, Humanistic,
Art Therapy and Therapeutic Play Skills
when working with children.

7. Why Counselling/Psychotherapy?
• Both Counselling & Psychotherapy are
useful in helping you to understand how
you see yourself today and how your past
history or relationships may be influencing
your behaviour patterns today.
• You may also be dealing with a life change,
or crisis and could use some extra support
in dealing with stress or anxiety.
• It can help to build confidence, resilience
and increase motivation.
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What should I expect?
• You will be offered an appointment
with a therapist at whatever time is
convenient for both you and the
therapist.
• With the therapist you will explore
what has brought you to therapy and
what your expectations/hopes are
from the therapy.
• Sessions are 50mins to 1 hr
depending on the therapist

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Why explore the past?
• If we have had a difficult childhood or
suffered some kind of trauma and we did
not receive a compassionate ear, or didn’t
feel understood we may have assumed
that this is way it has to be.
• Many people feel that they cannot be
supported in their difficulties or that they
have to manage on their own, and at times
do not realise the many supports that are
available to help..

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Family
• Family is the first system we learn in
• What we learn here about
relationships whether it is positive or
negative will be brought into other
areas
– school, social circles, work
environments
• Family work is done not to blame but
to understand.

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Aim of Therapy
• Psychotherapy/Counselling gives you the
opportunity to explore these and other
issues in a safe, confidential and non-
judgemental environment.
• Provides the client with the opportunity to
look at how they might want to change
– handling difficulties in a different way
– understanding and managing their emotions
– welcoming life’s challenges instead of fearing
or avoiding them.

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Living is an Art
“Living is seen as an art. As with every art,
the artist improves only through practice.
Insight into the secrets of the art is gained
through making mistakes. While many
people learn the art of living successfully
by their own efforts through the years,
they can also benefit from an extra tutorial
now and then.” (Emmy van Deurzen 2002:
p 19)
Ref: Existential Counselling & Psychotherapy in Practice
2nd Edition

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Mental Health Issues
• Mental Health is a serious issue in
Ireland today.
• According to the World Mental Health
Organisation one in four people have
significant mental health problems.
• These problems if not addressed can
cause a severe impact on the quality
of life for the sufferer and for families.

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Effectiveness of Psychotherapy
• Professor Alan Carr from UCD completed a
Report in July 2007 on the effectiveness of
Psychotherapy.
• Psychotherapy is very effective for a
majority of cases with common
psychological problems.
• Psychotherapy is effective for both adults
and children.
• Psychotherapy alone or as a multimodal
programme is effective for many problems.
Ref: The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy a Review of Research by
Prof Alan Carr http://www.psychotherapy-ireland.com/wp-
content/uploads/2007/09/executive-summary.pdf

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Benefits of Psychotherapy
• Psychotherapy has a significant medical
cost-offset.
• Those who participate in psychotherapy
use less other medical services and are
hospitalised less than those who do not
receive psychotherapy.
• Clients who have more rapid access to
psychotherapy and who spend less time
on waiting lists to psychotherapy are more
likely to engage in therapy.
Ref: The Effectiveness of Psychotherapy a Review of Research by
Prof Alan Carr http://www.psychotherapy-ireland.com/wp-
content/uploads/2007/09/executive-summary.pdf

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Therapeutic Relationship
• The therapeutic alliance is the most
important single common factor in
psychotherapy.
• In a good therapeutic alliance the therapist
is empathic and collaborative and the
client is co-operative and committed to
recovery. (Prof Alan Carr)
• Ref: The Effectiveness of psychotherapy a Review of Research by
Prof. Alan Carr Carr) http://www.psychotherapy-ireland.com/wp-
content/uploads/2007/09/executive-summary.pdf –

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Who comes to Psychotherapy?
• Relationship difficulties/Separation
• Loss & Bereavement issues
• Stress & Anger Management
• Low Self-esteem
• Anxiety or Panic Attacks
• People coping with a long-term illness
• Suicide Intervention
• Bullying
• Life crisis
• Mental Health

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In Conclusion
• Psychotherapy/Counselling strives to
empower the client.
• It is an opportunity to explore
behaviours and assists the client in
identifying changes that they may
need to make.
• It is also about identifying strengths
and supports that the client may not
realise are there.

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The End
• This is a quote from a 6-year old boy,
whose Mum needed therapy after the
death of her father.
• Jamie said to his schoolteacher, “Today, I
am walking on air with my very happy
face”. When asked why he said
“Someone’s helping my Mummy with all
the bad weather in her heart. It was
making my family very cold and wet!”
Ref: Source unknown at present

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Contact Details
Anne Burke MSc., BSc. MIACP, MIAHIP, MIAPPC,
MEAPA
Director
Psychotherapist/Counsellor/Supervisor/
Practitioner of Therapeutic Play
Johnstown Therapy Centre,
35A Johnstown Road,
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
Phone: 01 2024837 Mobile: 086 2400 329
email: anneb@johnstowntherapy.com