Frequently Asked Questions
Getting started...
Is therapy for me?
If you’re asking the question... probably. Therapy isn’t only for crisis. It’s for people who are curious about themselves. People who feel stuck in patterns. People who look “fine” on the outside but feel something unsettled underneath. You don’t need certainty — just a willingness to be honest.
What if I struggle to open up?
That’s completely okay. Defences exist because they’ve been necessary. We don’t tear them down. We get to know them. Openness tends to happen naturally when the space feels safe enough.
What if I’m afraid of what I might find?
That makes sense. Looking inward can feel risky. The work isn’t about digging up pain for the sake of it — it’s about gently understanding what may already be shaping your life. We move at a pace that feels steady and manageable
What if I don’t know what to say?
You don’t need to perform in therapy. Silence, confusion, and even “I don’t know” are welcome. Often, the most meaningful work begins there.
What if I’m not “bad enough” for therapy?
There’s no entry exam. You don’t need a dramatic story or rock bottom moment. If something feels heavy, repetitive, or difficult to untangle on your own, that’s enough.
Will you try to fix me?
No. You’re not a broken appliance.
Therapy isn’t about fixing you, it’s about understanding you. When people feel deeply understood (sometimes for the first time), change follows in a way that feels integrated rather than forced.
The Process..
Will you challenge me?
Gently, yes. Therapy isn’t about agreeing with everything. Patterns, blind spots, and contradictions are explored with care — not criticism. The aim is awareness, not shame.
What happens if I cry?
Then you cry. Nothing dramatic happens. There’s no clipboard ticked with “breakthrough achieved.” Emotions are welcome here — tears, anger, confusion, even laughter. They’re part of being human.
What if I’m the problem?
That’s a brave question. Therapy isn’t about deciding who’s “the problem.” It’s about understanding the dynamic. Most relationship struggles involve patterns between people, not villains and victims. When one person becomes more aware, the dynamic often shifts.
I’m very self-aware already. Will therapy still help?
Insight is valuable — but insight alone doesn’t always shift patterns. Many people understand why they react the way they do, yet still find themselves repeating it. Therapy helps create the conditions where awareness becomes lived change, not just intellectual understanding.
Do you give advice?
Not really. Oprah gives advice — and to be fair, it’s usually pretty good.
Therapy is different. It’s less about being told what to do and more about understanding why you do what you do. When you can see your own patterns clearly, your decisions tend to become wiser and more grounded than any advice someone else could give you.
Will therapy make me happy?
Therapy isn’t about chasing constant happiness. It’s about becoming more real, more grounded, and more able to meet life as it is — including the difficult parts. Many people find that as they become more honest with themselves, they experience greater clarity, steadiness, and meaning. Happiness often follows, but it’s not the goal — authenticity is.
Working With Couples And Teenagers
How Does Therapy Work WIth Adolesence
By creating a space where young people feel respected and able to speak openly. Parents are kept appropriately informed, but confidentiality within sessions is important for building trust. If concerns about safety arise, they are handled carefully and communicated clearly.
What if one of us is unsure about couples therapy?
That’s not unusual. One partner is often more motivated at the beginning. Therapy isn’t about deciding who is right or wrong, but about understanding the dynamic between you. Both perspectives are respected.
Will I be updated on my child’s progress?
To help young people feel safe to talk openly, what they share in sessions is kept private. That said, Stephen can offer general updates about how things are going where appropriate. The aim is to balance a young person’s need for trust with a parent’s wish to stay informed.
What if we love each other but something still isn’t working?
It’s possible to care deeply for one another and still feel stuck in certain patterns. Therapy helps explore what is happening beneath the surface and supports couples in finding new ways of relating.
What if my teenager doesn’t want to attend?
that’s common. Therapy works best when a young person feels some choice in being there. Stephen works gently to build trust and create a space that feels different from being lectured or corrected. If engagement isn’t possible, this will be discussed openly.
What if we want to grow together but don’t know how?
Many couples sense a desire for change but feel unsure where to begin. Therapy offers a space to reflect on the relationship, clarify what matters to each person, and move toward a more intentional way of relating
Practicality and fees
Do I have to commit long term?
Nope. Some people come for a focused period of support. Others stay longer to explore deeper themes. We regularly reflect on whether the work feels useful and aligned.
Is therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is a central part of therapy. What you share is kept private so you can feel safe to speak openly.
The only exceptions involve situations where there is a serious risk of harm to you or someone else, or where disclosure is legally required. If any concerns ever arose, they would be handled with care and discussed with you.
What are your fees?
Individual sessions are €70. Adolescent sessions are €80, and couples sessions are €150 . We’ll go through the practical details together before we begin.
How will I know if therapy is working?
The shifts are often subtle at first. Reacting less quickly. Setting a boundary. Sitting with a feeling instead of avoiding it. Therapy tends to work quietly — the changes show up in the quality of how you live.
Do you offer online sessions?
Occasionally. Sessions are mostly done in person, with the exception of disabilities or unforeseen events, it really depends on what feels most suitable
How long is each session?
Sessions typically last 50 minutes, providing a consistent and contained space for the work.