Counselling & Psychotherapy

A dedicated
space to feel
heard.

Professional, compassionate guidance providing a safe environment to explore life's challenges and find your path to healing.

Book a Session

IACP Pre-Accredited

Psychology Today

Holistic Care

Mind & Body Focus

20+

Years Experience
& Pastoral Care

Alcohol Related Problems Anger Management Anxiety Bereavement & Grief Burnout CBT Depression Eating Problems Life Issues Low Self Esteem Mindfulness OCD One-to-One Therapy Panic Attacks Relationship Issues Self Harm Sexual Issues Stress Supervision Trauma & PTSD

Valerie McParland

Counsellor & Psychotherapist

The Practitioner

Am I truly heard? Am I understood?

Caoimh Counselling takes its name from the Irish word Caoimh, meaning "gentle" or "kind." These reflect the values guiding my work: Caomh Anam (care of the soul) and Caomh Croí (gentle heart).

My approach is rooted in a person-centered philosophy based on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and collaboration. I bring nearly two decades of experience in teaching, education, and chaplaincy, integrating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques when helpful.

Clients often tell me they feel heard, understood, and more empowered to make changes in their lives.

Caomh Anam

Care of the soul. A space where you are seen and heard without judgment.

Caomh Croí

Gentle heart. Increasing resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Credentials & Focus

BSc (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy

IACP Pre-Accredited

Adults (18+)

Treatment Approach

A tailored path to healing and growth.

Therapy is not about being "fixed," but about increasing self-understanding, resilience, and emotional wellbeing.

Person-Centred

A non-authoritative approach that allows clients to take the lead. The therapist acts as a compassionate facilitator, listening without judgment and acknowledging the client's experience to encourage self-discovery.

Cognitive Behavioural (CBT)

Focuses on the role of thinking in how we feel and what we do. We identify, test the reality of, and correct dysfunctional beliefs to modify thoughts and the behaviours that flow from them.

Relational Therapy

Offers strategies to restore harmony in relationships. Identifies the main conflict upsetting emotional intimacy and teaches skills to improve the ways partners relate to each other.

Specialised Care

Areas of Support.

Every person's experience is unique. I offer a compassionate, evidence-based space to help you find your way forward.

01 — Anxiety & Stress

Finding calm
in the storm.

Anxiety can feel overwhelming — a constant hum of worry, tension, and fear that makes everyday life feel exhausting. Stress and burnout can leave you feeling depleted, disconnected, and struggling to cope.

Together, we'll work to understand the root causes of your anxiety, identify triggers, and develop practical strategies to restore balance and calm to your life.

Generalised Anxiety

Work stress & burnout

Social Anxiety

Panic Attacks

Finding Calm

02 — Grief & Loss

Honouring grief,
finding hope.

Grief is one of the most profound human experiences. Whether you've experienced the loss of a loved one, a relationship, your health, or a life you imagined, grief deserves to be witnessed.

We'll move through your journey at your own pace, helping you honour what was lost while finding a path toward healing and renewed meaning for the future.

Bereavement

Relationship Breakdown

Pregnancy Loss

Disenfranchised Grief

Gentle Healing

03 — Depression & Self-Worth

Rediscovering your
inner light.

Depression is more than feeling sad — it can feel like a heavy fog that dulls every colour in your life. Low self-esteem often accompanies it, whispering that you are not worthy of joy.

Through compassionate exploration, you'll begin to rebuild your confidence, gently challenge negative beliefs, and rediscover a sense of purpose and hope for the path ahead.

Persistent Low Mood

Negative Self-Image

Confidence Building

Life Transitions

Rebuilding Worth

Book a free consultation

Start your journey toward healing today.

The Journey Towards Change.

Initial Contact

Reach out via phone or email for a brief introductory chat to see if we're a good fit before committing.

Assessment Session

A full session to understand your history, current challenges, and goals for therapy in a safe environment.

Collaborative Work

Regular sessions focused on self-awareness, coping strategies, and enacting positive change in your life.

A complete range of support.

Providing comprehensive, accredited therapy across a wide spectrum of mental health and wellbeing needs.

Inquire about a service

Alcohol Related

Anger Management

Anxiety Support

Bereavement

Burnout

CBT Therapy

Depression

Eating Problems

Life Issues

Low Self Esteem

Mindfulness

OCD Support

Panic Attacks

Trauma & PTSD

Phobias

Post-Natal Support

Stress Management

Work Related Issues

"Therapy is not about being fixed, but about increasing self-understanding, resilience, and emotional wellbeing, so you can move forward with greater clarity."

Valerie McParland

Questions about starting therapy.

The first session is an assessment. We will discuss your history, current challenges, and what you hope to achieve. It is also an opportunity for us to see if we are a good fit to work together.

Standard individual counselling sessions last for 50 minutes. We typically meet once a week, especially in the beginning, to build momentum and establish our therapeutic relationship.

Absolutely. As a Pre-Accredited Member of the IACP, I strictly adhere to their code of ethics. Everything discussed is strictly confidential, with a few legal and ethical exceptions regarding immediate safety, which we will discuss in our first session.

Yes, I offer both in-person sessions in Dublin 3 and online therapy sessions for clients across Ireland. Please let me know your preference when getting in touch.

A dedicated
space to feel
heard.