Bereavement Counselling Waterford County

Life brings challenges to all of us and most people feel worried or depressed at some point in their lives. Although we can often work our way through problems, they can sometimes become overwhelming. Friends and family may be supportive but many people prefer not to share the intimate details of their lives with them. People may also find it difficult to talk to friends and family about personal difficulties because they are worried about being judged, hurting the other person’s feelings, or becoming a burden to them. Friends and family may try to make the person feel better by telling them that everything is ok, or that there are others who are worse off, but this doesn’t help to resolve the issue. Counsellors and Psychotherapists are trained professionals who listen carefully to your problems, help you to see things more clearly, and support you while you find your own solutions. The Counsellor / Psychotherapist will never put you under pressure to do anything but will help you find solutions that are realistic and workable for you. The relationship between an individual and their Counsellor / Psychotherapist is confidential and is based on respect and trust: a person can talk freely and openly to a professional counsellor in a way that is seldom possible with a friend or family member. Counselling and Psychotherapy offers the opportunity to express difficult feelings such as anger, fear, and jealousy in a safe, supportive environment. It can enable you to discover the reasons for negative feelings, help you through challenging times, and provide better coping skills for the future. Counselling and Psychotherapy can be used to address a wide range of problems such as emotional stress, depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, parenting issues, grief, and abuse. Anybody can benefit from Counselling/Psychotherapy; and asking for support does not mean there is something wrong with you. People decide to see a Counsellor/Psychotherapist

Art Therapy makes use of various art materials such as paint, clay and collage to facilitate the expression and exploration of emotional issues. Through creating art and reflecting on the artwork with the support of a professional Art Therapist, people can work through emotional difficulties, which the individual may otherwise find difficult to understand or put into words. The overall aim of Art Therapy is to enable an individual to effect change and growth on a personal level in a safe and confidential environment. Together with the client, the Art Therapist explores and reflects on the artwork and the process of creating it. The Art Therapist does not interpret the artwork, only the creator knows what the artwork means. This empowers the individual to disclose only what feels safe for them. Art Therapy offers an alternative to other forms of psychotherapy for people who may not know what the problem is, or may find it difficult to know where to start. This may be the case for adults who have experienced problems such as bereavement or childhood abuse, or for children who are unable to understand their problems or put them into words. Art Therapy is suitable for individuals with conditions such as Asperger’s Syndrome and A.D.H.D. and is helpful for people of any age who find it difficult to express their thoughts and feelings verbally. Art therapy is not about learning art skills or producing great works of art. No artistic ability or previous experience is required in order to benefit from the therapy, and all materials are provided by the therapist. For more information about art therapy or to arrange a consultation, please telephone Lorraine Shanahan, Art therapist at the Lismore Clinic.