When you take counselling in Dublin, it takes six steps: name what is bothering you, choose your route, find a qualified counsellor, book a first session, agree on goals, and review your progress. For private counselling, you do not need a referral or a diagnosis. And it is worth the effort: in an evaluation of the HSE’s national counselling service, 47% of clients recovered and another 15.5% reliably improved.
This guide walks you through each step. It also shows you the Irish data behind it, so you know what to expect before you book.
Why Counselling Matters: What the Irish Data Shows
You are not unusual if you are struggling. In a 2025 survey of 1,000 Irish adults by St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, 51% said they have experienced a mental health difficulty, and 67% of those people had received treatment.
There is a gap, though. The same survey found that 47% of people who have experienced difficulties did not engage with treatment because of stigma or embarrassment. And 26% of respondents said they would see seeking help as a sign of weakness.
Demand for support is high too. More than 170,000 people had been referred to the HSE’s Counselling in Primary Care service by early 2024, since it launched in 2013.
So, does counselling work? Researchers evaluated that service across 2,806 clients, 130 therapists and 150 primary care locations. Here is what they found:
| Outcome | Share of clients | What it means |
| Recovered | 47% | Distress scores moved out of the clinical range |
| Reliably improved | 15.5% | Scores improved beyond measurement error |
| No reliable improvement | 34.7% | No meaningful change in scores |
| Reliably deteriorated | 2.7% | Scores got worse |
Read those numbers honestly. Counselling helped most clients, but not all of them. That is why the steps below focus on finding the right fit and checking your progress.
How to Start Counselling: 6 Steps
Step 1: Name What’s Bothering You
You do not need a diagnosis to begin. Write down two or three things you want help with. Be specific: “I can’t switch off after work” gives a counsellor more to work with than “I’m stressed.”
Common starting points include:
- Anxiety, stress or burnout
- Low mood
- Grief and loss
- Relationship difficulties
- Big life changes
Family concerns, personal issues and economic concerns were the top three influences on Irish adults’ mental health in the 2025 survey. Your list might sit in one of those, or somewhere else entirely. Either way, it’s a valid reason to book.
Step 2: Choose Your Counselling Route
Pick the format that fits your life.
- Public counselling: The HSE’s Counselling in Primary Care service was set up for people with mild to moderate difficulties. You’re usually referred through your GP, so ask about waiting times.
- Private, in person: You contact a counsellor directly and choose the location and time. In Dublin, that means you can pick someone near home or work.
- Online counselling: It follows the same process, over video. It suits you if you travel, care for family, or live far from your counsellor.
Step 3: Check Your Counsellor’s Credentials
You need to look for a counsellor or psychotherapist who is accredited by a professional body. The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) describes itself as the largest counselling and psychotherapy organisation in Ireland.
Then ask three questions. What’s your training? What approach do you use? What are your fees and cancellation terms?
Do not agonise over the method. In the HSE evaluation, no single therapy approach beat the others in a statistically significant way. So, focus on whether you feel comfortable with the person.
Step 4: Book Your First Counselling Session
Book it now, not “when things calm down.” A first session is part conversation, part admin. Your counsellor will ask what brought you in, explain confidentiality, and go through fees and logistics.
Nerves are normal. Say so out loud, and a good counsellor will slow down. Bring:
- Your short list from Step 1
- Questions about fees, session length and cancellations
- Any goals, even rough ones
Step 5: Agree on Goals and a Plan
Turn your list into one or two goals you can measure. “Sleep through the night three nights a week” works. “Feel better” is hard to track.
You need to agree on how often you will meet and when you will check in. You can ask whether your counsellor tracks progress with a questionnaire. One common tool is the CORE-10, a ten-question measure of psychological distress built for routine care.
Step 6: Review Progress and Adjust
After a handful of sessions, stop and review. Are you getting what you came for? Is the pace right?
Remember the data. In the HSE study, 34.7% of clients showed no reliable improvement. That’s a reason to check in, not a reason to quit. If it isn’t working, tell your counsellor. They may change their approach or refer you on.
Pro-Tip: In your first session, ask, “How will we know it’s working?” A good counsellor will have an answer, whether that’s a goal, a questionnaire or a scheduled review.
Mistake to Avoid: Do not quit after one awkward session. The first meeting is mostly orientation, so give it a few sessions before you judge the fit.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or 112. If you need to talk to someone now, Samaritans are on 116 123, any time.
Counselling Steps at a Glance
| Step | What to do | Question to ask yourself |
| 1. Name the problem | Write down 2–3 specific issues | What do I want to change? |
| 2. Choose a route | Public, private or online | What fits my schedule and budget? |
| 3. Check credentials | Confirm accreditation and training | Is this person properly qualified? |
| 4. Book session one | Book this week | What do I need to ask? |
| 5. Set goals | Agree 1–2 measurable goals | How will I know it’s working? |
| 6. Review | Check in after a few sessions | Is this helping, or do I need a change? |
Some Signs You Need a Different Counsellor
A poor fit isn’t a failure on your part. Watch for these:
- They are vague about their training or accreditation
- They won’t explain confidentiality and its limits
- They push you to commit to a long block of sessions upfront
- They dismiss or judge what you share
- You leave most sessions feeling unheard
None of these mean counselling doesn’t work. They mean this counsellor is not right for you. Try another one.
FAQs
How do I know if I need counselling?
If something has been affecting your sleep, work, relationships or mood for more than a couple of weeks, it’s worth talking to someone. You don’t need to be in crisis. About half of Irish adults (51%) report having experienced a mental health difficulty, so you’re far from alone.
Do I need a GP referral for counselling in Ireland?
Not for private counselling. You can contact a counsellor directly and book. For the HSE’s Counselling in Primary Care service, you are usually referred through your GP or primary care team.
What’s the difference between counselling and psychotherapy?
The two overlap a lot, and many Irish practitioners offer both. Counselling tends to focus on a specific problem or life change. Psychotherapy often goes deeper into long-standing patterns and can take longer.
Conclusion
Starting counselling isn’t complicated. Name the problem, pick a route, check credentials, book the session, set goals and review. The Irish data shows counselling helps most people who try it, and checking progress along the way keeps you on track.
Ready to take the first step? Malou Acupuncture Counselling in Dublin offers counselling and psychotherapy with Malou, an accredited counsellor, psychotherapist and acupuncturist. That includes Relationship Therapy using Emotionally Focused Therapy, and online counselling in Dublin is available too. Book your first session today.
