Counselling in Galway with Joan Lally

I’ve always been interested in new experiences and have lived and worked in many places including Ireland, Australia, the UK and Canada. Travelling has afforded me the opportunity of working in a wide range of occupations including administration, banking, hospitality, recruitment, career development and mentoring.

I’ve spent over ten years studying within the educational system. In 1998 I received a B. Arts (Psychology) from University of New South Wales, Sydney. In 2008 I completed a Diploma in Counselling from NUI Galway. After that I embarked on an intensive 5 year psychotherapy training with The Gestalt Institute of Ireland and qualified as a Gestalt Psychotherapist in 2015.

Since 2015 I have worked as a Counsellor with Lets’ Get Talking Galway and in the Student Counselling Department, NUI Galway.

Currently I have my own counselling practice working as a Gestalt Psychotherapist in Galway City Centre.

How counselling works

First Session

The first session is an opportunity to get a better sense of whether therapy is right for you. We will explore what is bringing you to therapy, possible directions our work might take and any questions you may have about the process.

You are under no obligation to continue if you decide that therapy is not what you need or if you feel you would prefer to work with a different therapist. If necessary, I may be able to provide a referral to a therapist who could be a better fit for you.

If we both agree to start working together, we will find a day and time that suits us both.

Length of therapy

The duration of therapy varies from person to person, depending on your goals, the nature of the issues being addressed and the pace at which you are willing or able to work through them.

Initially we can agree a set number of sessions, usually 6 sessions. Afterwards, we will review your progress, needs and goals and discuss whether it may be useful for you to continue for a longer period of time. How long you continue is always up to you.

About Gestalt therapy

We all exhibit patterns of thinking and behaviour that either support or sabotage us. Sometimes, these patterns are so habitual and ingrained that we lose awareness around the fact that we have a choice over how we are behaving. If the pattern supports us then everything is fine. But problems arise if we are habitually sabotaging ourselves and our relationships.

The goal of Gestalt therapy is to help you gain awareness of yourself, what you are experiencing, how you are relating to yourself and others. As you continue to attend weekly counselling, increased awareness and connection to self grows, along with the possibility of change. New choices may emerge which can be an exciting and liberating time, but it may also be scary.

As a Gestalt therapist I will support, encourage and work with you as you experience these new ways of being. I will also take the time needed to help you integrate them into your life.

Frequently asked questions

What type of symptoms, behaviours or situations bring people to therapy?

Feelings of depression and isolation.

Anxiety and/or panic.

Not feeling good enough. Self-doubt and/or self-criticism.

Self-destructive patterns. Addiction. Maybe you are using a substance to cope. Maybe you have eating issues.

Extreme feelings of anger, shame, guilt, sadness or loneliness.

You may have suffered a trauma and can’t stop thinking or reliving it.

Sexual abuse or domestic violence.

A bereavement.

Your personal relationships or a significant relationship is proving difficult.

Maybe you are experiencing a lack of direction, feelings of boredom or being trapped, a sense that the life you are currently living is in need of serious change. You may be in the midst of a life crisis.

Work related stress. Bullying.

How much do you charge and how long is a session?
I charge €60 and each session lasts an hour. I am open to discussing a sliding scale if finance is a problem.

How do I make an appointment?
Please email, phone or text me.

Email: [email protected]

Phone 0876221604

What if I have to cancel a session?
I look for 48 hours’ notice to change or cancel an appointment or full payment is due. ​Exceptions can be made in case of emergency or if otherwise agreed at the start of therapy.

What age group do you work with?
I work with adults over the age of 16 years.