Psychotherapists are grouped into five sections based on their different therapeutic approaches. Each section has training standards, a code of ethics and complaints and disciplinary procedures. Each adheres to the study and training standards set down by the Irish Council for Psychotherapy in order to maintain high standards.
Constructivist Therapy
This aims to help clients make sense of their experiences. It is based on the premise that the stories we experience and live out are informed by the variety of ways we have of making meaning of our lives. The therapist aims to understand the anticipations, both conscious and unconscious, which clients are using in their lives and which may be problematic for them. The therapist then works with the client to develop alternative, less problematic anticipations and ways of acting. Read More >>
Couple and Family Therapy
In couple and family therapy, the client and therapist examine the emotional, psychological and interpersonal problems which arise in the way people understand and make sense of their experiences and their relationship to others. When two or more people live in close proximity, we can expect that differences, and inevitably conflicts, will ensue.
This is part of the rich weave of our lives which continue to challenge us and to teach us. Sometimes our adult lives may be thrown into turmoil by difficulties which would be relatively small or manageable difficulties for others and even for ourselves in somewhat different circumstances. Options are provided for different ways to respond and relate to problems.
Goals are usually achieved over a relatively small number of meetings with intervals of two to four weeks between appointments. Read More >>
Humanistic and Integrative Therapy
This approach invites people to develop awareness as to what may be preventing them from accessing their own true nature in the inner and outer expressions of their life. It is aimed at the person as a whole: body, feelings, mind and psyche. It invites people through the therapeutic relationship to develop awareness and insight leading to an integration of the internal and external self. It explores each person’s own resources and capacity for self-determination and ability to improve their lives. Read More >>
Psychoanalytic Therapy
This endeavours to reach the underlying, often unconscious sources of a person’s distress. Together with the therapist, the client can explore feelings, memories, fantasies, free association and dreams, relating to both past and present.
It is aimed at achieving a new and better understanding of long-standing difficulties.
This section is composed of seven organisations. Read More >>
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
The philosophy underpinning this approach is that a person learns to act and think in certain ways as a result of their lifetime experiences and how they perceive those experiences. This learning is a life long process.
Sometimes a single life event or experience can trigger off the problem and have major repercussions in the long term, resulting in a number of anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia with or without panic attacks, panic disorder, clinical depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The therapist and client work together to empower the client to improve his or her quality of life. The therapy is time limited and is achieved by developing effective strategies and skills to resolve problems which are distressing them in the way the person thinks, acts and feels. The therapist uses an educational approach to teach new skills to the client. Read More >>