Frequently Asked Questions

Online counselling is chosen by people for a variety of reasons.

• Ease of access: Clients can access professional psychotherapeutic support from the comfort and safety of their own home, from their workplace and even from abroad, whether they are stationary, or travelling to various locations and countries.
• Freedom of choice: Online counselling offers more choice to people than the services in their local area may provide.
• Confidentiality: For some people the idea of attending a local therapy centre or private practitioner may actually be a block to seeking therapy, particularly in rural communities where there is more familiarity with people, who they are and where they come from etc. Online counselling feels like a safer option for some people who feel an increased sense of confidentiality in attending a therapist from a different town, county, or even country.
• For some people the very idea of making and attending a face to face counselling session may feel overwhelming and inhibitive, so online counselling allows them access to the support they are seeking and need, in a way that they feel able for.

Prices for online counselling sessions vary depending on the type of session required. The current prices per hourly session are as follows:

Telephone: €70
Video Call: €70
Couples Counselling: €90
Family Counselling: €110

Clients seeking a low cost counselling place must apply by email to [email protected]. Evidence of HOUSEHOLD income will be required. Low cost places are offered on a six-monthly basis and are subject to review. Low cost places operate at €40 per session.

All payments are made using credit card (via Stripe) at least 24 hours prior to the appointment time.
In cases where credit card is not an option, alternative payment options can be arranged, at the discretion of the IOCPS.

The format for online counselling is the same as a traditional face to face session. The session lasts for one hour and begins when the client arrives. Whereas in face to face counselling, this would occur with the client ringing the bell, or knocking at the door of the therapists office, here it begins with the client calling their therapist via Zoom. Or, in the case of instant chat sessions, when the client begins to type.
There is not a set format for the sessions as they are client led, so what is dealt with, looked at, and worked on, is whatever is brought in by the client. There is no right or wrong, the session space, is the clients space to bring in, look at and explore any issues, feelings or emotions that are of relevance and importance to them.

Each session lasts for a period of one hour, and usually takes place once a week. Once someone has been offered a session time, that time is theirs for as long as they have need of it, be that several weeks, several months, or several years. During periods of crisis or increased need additional sessions can be arranged.

In face to face therapy we believe that it is paramount to healing that both therapist and client feel that they can work together, which is nearly always obvious after the first session.  Likewise, in online counselling, the therapist will check with client to see if they feel they can work together.  If it happens that the client is not happy then another therapist will be assigned. Once therapy is established there will be a commitment to working with the same therapist.  This is necessary for trust and relationship to build.

Technology is great but can have its pitfalls. At IOCPS we endeavour to have our service running at a very high standard.  In the case of a power cut, or issue that is our responsibility, we will try an alternative like telephone. If that fails, we will reschedule the appointment at no extra cost.  If however it’s the client’s issue we will have to charge for the appointment.

If appointments are cancelled for a genuine reason 48 hours before appointment there will be no charge.  If an appointment is cancelled in the last 48 hours before appointment then that appointment will be charged as it will be deemed too late to offer it to someone else.

This is what makes IOCPS so great!  It does not matter what country you are in in the world ‘Where ever you are, we are’.  We work using Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and schedule a time that best suits both client and therapist.

Addiction, Abuse, Alcohol / Drug Issues, Anger Management, Anxiety, Bereavement, Bi-Polar, Bullying, Communication Problems, Conflict, Coping Difficulties, Couples Counselling, Crisis, Depression, Domestic Violence, Eating Disorders, Emotional Abuse, Employment Issues, Family Issues, Fertility, Gay / Lesbian Issues, General, Grief & Loss, Health Related Issues, Internet Addiction, Marriage Issues, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Parenting, Personal Development, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Physical Abuse, Porn Addiction, Post Traumatic Stress, Post Natal Depression, Psychosexual Issues, Rape, Relationship Issues, Self Confidence, Self Esteem, Separation / Divorce, Sexual Abuse, Sexuality, Schizophrenia, Stress, Suicide Prevention, Termination/ Abortion / Miscarriage, Trauma, Violence, Work Related Issues.