Ballinteer Counselling & Psychological Services
Looking into therapy can feel like a significant step. You want to find the right fit, someone you can trust with the parts of yourself you don’t show everyone. Hesitation is completely normal. Most people who eventually start counselling spend weeks or months thinking about starting therapy before they have their first session.
If your emotions have felt off-kilter lately, or you’ve been pushing through difficulties that haven’t resolved on their own, speaking with a therapist might help. Therapy offers a different kind of conversation. Not the advice-giving of friends, but something more structured and focused on understanding what’s actually going on beneath the surface.
Mind and Body Works provides counselling and psychotherapy for people in the Ballinteer area in three south Dublin centres as well as online. We work with adults, teenagers, couples, families and children. For those facing financial constraints, we offer low-cost counselling. This could be suitable for you if you are a student, on a reduced income, or if you are working part-time.
Why People from Ballinteer Seek Therapy
The decision to contact a therapist usually comes after a period of internal debate. Something has been building, whether for weeks or years, and you’ve reached the point where managing it all on your own no longer feels sustainable.
Aware’s 2024 national survey found that nearly half of Irish adults who experience anxiety feel it frequently rather than occasionally. That persistence is often what eventually prompts people to seek help. When worry, sadness or stress becomes your constant backdrop rather than an occasional visitor, the need for support becomes harder to ignore.
Common concerns that bring Ballinteer residents to our practice include anxiety that interferes with daily life, depression that drains motivation and pleasure, relationship difficulties with partners or family members, stress from work or life circumstances, OCD and intrusive thoughts, grief and loss, and experiences from the past that continue affecting the present.
What Therapy Involves
Counselling at Mind and Body Works is a collaborative process. Your therapist won’t tell you what to do or judge the decisions you’ve made. Instead, they’ll help you examine your thoughts, feelings and patterns more clearly, so you can understand yourself better and make changes that actually stick.
The first session is introductory. You’ll discuss what’s brought you to therapy and what you’re hoping to work on. Your therapist will ask questions about your current situation and relevant history. They’re also assessing whether they’re the right person for you. This matters. Not every therapist suits every client, and that’s expected.
Sessions typically happen weekly and last 50 minutes. The amount of sessions that you will need depends entirely on what you’re working through. Some people find six to twelve sessions are enough to address a specific issue. Others prefer longer-term work that goes deeper into established patterns. You and your therapist will review progress regularly and adjust as needed.
Approaches Our Therapists Use
Our therapists are trained in multiple evidence-based methods and will draw on approaches suited to your particular needs.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connections between thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Research from the Cochrane Database supports CBT as an effective treatment for depression and anxiety, helping people identify and challenge thinking patterns that contribute to distress.
Psychodynamic therapy explores how earlier experiences, particularly relationships from childhood, shape current difficulties. This approach suits people interested in understanding the roots of their patterns rather than focusing purely on symptom management.
Person-centred therapy provides a non-directive space where you determine the focus of sessions. The therapist offers acceptance and empathy rather than interpretations or techniques.
Couples and marriage counselling helps partners communicate more effectively, understand each other’s perspectives, and work through conflict or disconnection.
Child and adolescent therapy uses age-appropriate approaches, including play therapy for younger children and adapted talking therapies for teenagers.
Professional Standards
Every therapist at Mind and Body Works holds accreditation with recognised professional bodies: the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP), or the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).
This accreditation means verified training, adherence to ethical codes, ongoing supervision, and accountability. When you’re sharing vulnerable parts of your life, knowing your therapist meets professional standards provides important reassurance.
Each therapist’s profile on our website includes their biography, qualifications, specialisms and fees. This allows you to make an informed decision about who might suit you best.
Professional Standards
Every therapist at Mind and Body Works holds accreditation with recognised professional bodies: the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP), or the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).
This accreditation means verified training, adherence to ethical codes, ongoing supervision, and accountability. When you’re sharing vulnerable parts of your life, knowing your therapist meets professional standards provides important reassurance.
Each therapist’s profile on our website includes their biography, qualifications, specialisms and fees. This allows you to make an informed decision about who might suit you best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to start therapy?
No. You can contact Mind and Body Works directly without involving your GP. Some people choose to inform their doctor as part of taking a comprehensive approach to their health, but it’s not required.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
If something’s been weighing on you enough to search for counselling services, that’s usually a good indication that speaking with someone could help. You don’t need to reach a crisis point before therapy becomes appropriate. Many people attend while functioning well outwardly, precisely because they want to address things before they escalate.
What if I don’t connect with my therapist?
Not every therapeutic relationship works, and that’s completely normal. If your first choice doesn’t feel right after a session or two, switching to someone else is straightforward. Mind and Body Works has a large team, making it easy to try a different approach.
Is what I say confidential?
Confidentiality is fundamental to therapy. What you discuss remains private, with very limited exceptions required by law, such as imminent risk of serious harm to yourself or others. Your therapist will explain these boundaries at the outset.
How much does therapy cost?
Each therapist sets their own fee, which you’ll find on their individual profile. We also offer low-cost counselling for students, people who are unemployed, and those experiencing financial difficulty.
Can I attend sessions online?
Yes. Mind and Body Works offers online therapy through secure video platforms. For many concerns, online sessions prove as effective as face-to-face work and offer flexibility for those with demanding schedules or caring responsibilities.
Ready to take the next step? If you’re in Ballinteer and have been considering therapy, the hardest part is often taking the first step to reach out and find support. You don’t need to have everything figured out first. Our team can help you find the right therapist for you.
This accreditation means verified training, adherence to ethical codes, ongoing supervision, and accountability. When you’re sharing vulnerable parts of your life, knowing your therapist meets professional standards provides important reassurance.
Each therapist’s profile on our website includes their biography, qualifications, specialisms and fees. This allows you to make an informed decision about who might suit you best.
How to Arrange an Appointment
You have two main options for getting started.
Browse therapist profiles directly. Visit the Therapists page on our website, filter by your preferred location, and book an appointment with a therapist whose background appeals to you. When you make your booking you can include a short message to the therapist about what you would like to work on.
Ask for a recommendation. If you’re unsure who would suit you best, email enquiries@mindandbodyworks.com or phone 01 677 1021. Our team can suggest therapists based on your situation, preferences and schedule.
Your first appointment is an opportunity to discuss what’s brought you to therapy and how you might work together. The opening sessions are introductory for both of you. As you begin to feel comfortable and supported, the deeper work becomes possible.
Mind and Body Works operates three therapy centres across south Dublin, each accessible from Ballinteer.
