Individual counselling
My counselling is grounded in principles of existential therapy.
What is Existential Therapy?
Existential therapy is a therapeutic approach that helps us better understand ourselves and our lives, especially when we are facing difficulties, changes, or questions that do not always have easy answers. In therapy, we explore what matters to you – your choices, relationships, values, freedom, responsibility, sense of meaning, and how you want to live. The therapist does not have the right answers, but can help you look more closely at your experiences and discover what is important to you.
Existential therapy often explores what are known as existential givens – aspects of life that each of us encounters sooner or later.
1. Freedom and responsibility. We have some freedom to choose, but we are never completely free from our circumstances. We cannot choose everything that happens to us. We cannot control other people, the past, illness, loss, or many of the circumstances of life. But we can often choose how we respond to them.
2. Meaning. Simply functioning is often not enough. We can have a job, relationships, money and achievements, and still find ourselves asking: What is it all for? Existential therapy does not necessarily try to help you find the meaning of life. Instead, it helps you explore what feels meaningful to you now. And that answer may change at different stages of life.
3. Isolation and connection. We are relational beings, yet existential therapy also recognises a certain unavoidable sense of existential loneliness. We can be very close to another person, but no one can ever fully experience our life from the inside, exactly as we do.
4. Death. This is perhaps the most distinctive existential question. Being aware that our lives are limited can help us see more clearly what truly matters to us. Loss can bring this question to the surface very strongly, but we do not have to experience the death of someone close to us for it to arise. Sometimes it is enough to realise: I don't want to spend my life living the way I am living now. That realisation can become an important moment in the therapeutic process.
Individual Counselling
Individual counselling, informed by the principles of existential therapy, is for people who want to better understand themselves, their choices, relationships and life situation, or who are going through a significant life transition. You may seek counselling around:
life changes and important decisions;
questions of meaning and life direction;
self-understanding and your relationship with others;
relationship difficulties and loneliness;
professional or personal transitions;
anxiety, tension or a sense of uncertainty;
feeling that your previous way of living or choices no longer feel right for you;
a desire to better understand yourself, your needs, your choices and what is currently happening in your life.
You do not need to have a clearly defined problem to seek counselling. Sometimes it is enough to feel that something in your life no longer works as it used to, or to want to pause, step back and gain a deeper understanding of where you are and where you want to go.
Crisis Counselling
Crisis counselling is intended for people experiencing a psychological crisis, trauma, loss or another significant life event when their usual internal resources are no longer sufficient to cope with what is happening in the way they normally would. Crisis counselling may be helpful when experiencing:
loss or bereavement;
sudden and overwhelming life events;
traumatic experiences;
accidents or dangerous situations;
significant emotional shock;
unexpected life changes;
a crisis related to relationships, work, identity or life direction;
a difficult period following an extreme experience, for example in the mountains or while travelling.
The aim of crisis counselling is to provide a safe space to process what is happening, better understand your reactions, identify available internal and external resources, and help you regain a sense of orientation in the situation. You do not have to wait for a crisis to simply “pass”. You can seek support when you feel that an experience has been too overwhelming to go through alone.
When Is It Worth Seeking Support?
You do not have to wait for a crisis to seek support. Individual counselling can be meaningful when you want to better understand yourself, your choices, relationships or direction in life. Crisis counselling may be appropriate when something happens that significantly disrupts your usual sense of stability and ability to cope.
Sometimes the boundary between these two areas is not clear. For example, a crisis may bring deeper questions about meaning, relationships, identity or the future to the surface. In such cases, we can explore the appropriate direction and form of our work during the first sessions.
How Long Does the Counselling Process Take?
For individual counselling, I suggest using the first 3–5 sessions to get to know each other, understand your situation and establish our working relationship. Afterwards, we can reflect together on whether we would like to continue and what format or duration of counselling would be most meaningful for you.
Crisis counselling may be shorter and more focused on navigating and stabilising a specific crisis. The number of sessions depends on the situation, its complexity and your individual needs.
We usually meet once a week, although the frequency of sessions can be discussed based on your needs.
Ethics and confidentiality
It is important to me that counselling is a safe, respectful space built on trust. In my work, I follow professional ethical principles and respect your privacy. What you share is confidential. Information about our work is not shared with third parties without your consent, except where the limits of confidentiality are required by law or where there is a serious risk to your safety or the safety of another person.
As I am currently studying existential therapy, my work is regularly supervised. Supervision helps me reflect responsibly on my work and maintain an ethical and professional therapeutic process. Any cases discussed in supervision are anonymised, and your confidentiality is maintained.
Counselling is available in person, online, or in a hybrid format.
To make online sessions as smooth as possible and create a safe space for our conversation, I recommend:
choosing a private and quiet environment where you will not be interrupted or disturbed by other people, and where you can feel comfortable and at ease;
checking your internet connection beforehand and making sure that your computer, camera, and audio are working properly.
Session duration: 50 minutes
Session fee: €40
Counselling sessions
I work with adults aged 18 and over. I welcome clients from the LGBTQ+ community.
Sessions usually take place once a week. If a different frequency is required, we can discuss this during the first session.
Each session is supervised and discussed with an experienced psychotherapist while I complete my education and supervisions towards full qualification as a psychotherapist.
Unfortunately, at this stage I am not able to work with you if:
You have a diagnosed mental health condition (e.g. depression or obsessive-compulsive behaviour).
You have an active substance use addiction.
You are a family member or a friend.
I suggest using the first 3-5 sessions as a time to get to know each other and build our relationship.
These initial sessions give us space to better understand what has brought you to therapy, what you are looking for, and how we might work together. It is also important that we both have a chance to see whether a relationship based on trust is developing and whether this feels like the right space for you.
The relationship is an important part of the work. After the first sessions, we can take some time to reflect together on how you feel about the process and whether we would like to continue working together.
