our services

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, often referred to as counselling or talk therapy, is a therapeutic process designed to help individuals address and overcome psychological challenges, emotional distress, and behavioural issues. It involves a collaborative relationship between a trained therapist and a client, with the aim of promoting personal growth, self-awareness, and improved mental well-being.
2 arms and hands reaching out to each other
A patient receiving therapy

Key Principles of psychotherapy

Therapeutic Alliance: The foundation of psychotherapy is the establishment of a strong and trusting relationship between the therapist and the client. A supportive and empathetic alliance creates a safe space for exploration and healing.

Client-Centered Approach: Psychotherapy often adopts a client-centered approach, where the therapist focuses on the client's unique experiences, perspectives, and goals. The client is empowered to guide the direction of the therapy.

Exploration and Insight: Psychotherapy encourages individuals to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Through this exploration, clients gain insight into the root causes of their challenges and develop a deeper understanding of themselves.

Holistic Perspective: Effective psychotherapy considers the interplay between various aspects of an individual's life, including relationships, work, family, and cultural influences. It aims to address issues holistically rather than in isolation.

Evidence-Based Practices: Therapists often integrate evidence-based techniques and modalities that have been proven effective through research. However, therapy is also personalized to the unique needs and preferences of each client.

Benefits of psychotherapy

Emotional Regulation: Psychotherapy equips individuals with tools to manage and regulate their emotions effectively. Clients learn coping mechanisms and strategies for handling stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges.

Improved Relationships: By exploring interpersonal dynamics and communication patterns, psychotherapy can enhance relationships with others. Clients often develop healthier ways of relating and communicating with those around them.

Enhanced Self-Esteem: Through self-exploration and positive reinforcement, individuals can build a more positive self-image and boost their self-esteem. This contributes to a greater sense of self-worth and confidence.

Behavioral Changes: Psychotherapy addresses maladaptive behaviors and helps clients develop healthier habits and coping mechanisms. This can lead to positive changes in day-to-day functioning and overall lifestyle.

Increased Self-Awareness: Psychotherapy facilitates self-discovery and increased self-awareness. Clients gain a deeper understanding of their values, beliefs, and motivations, which can guide personal growth and decision-making.

Effective Problem-Solving: Therapists assist clients in developing problem-solving skills, enabling them to navigate life's challenges more effectively and make informed decisions.

Symptom Reduction: For individuals experiencing mental health disorders, psychotherapy is often effective in reducing symptoms and promoting recovery. It can be used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with medication, depending on the individual's needs.

A patient receiving therapy
our team

Dr. catriona king

Hi! My name is Caitriona King and I am an accredited psychoanalytic psychotherapist. I run my own practice in Santry, Dublin 9 and it is called Time and Space Psychotherapy. I am delighted to be lending my efforts to Paul’s holistic vision around pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

Psychotherapy is primarily talking therapy but we pay attention also to sensations and what is happening in the body, since these expressions are present long before speech. I have over twelve years experience, working especially with unresolved trauma, to help bring healing and freedom from its emotional, physical and psychological impacts. This includes working with pregnant Mums to help release blocks to their own process of giving birth.

The journey of pregnancy and childbirth is not without psychological challenges. Pre birth anxieties, perinatal depression, previous birth trauma or loss are some of the more well-known issues. Less obvious, is that the instinctual art of birthing is often hindered by expectations and fears derived from the Mum’s early childhood experiences, their own birth history or a familial childbirth trauma that occurred in the past. Conscious knowledge and wishes can frequently be hindered by unconscious influences coming to the fore.

In this important preparatory time, we bring to awareness, anxieties, fears and expectations. We explore early childhood experiences and birth history. A pregnant mother’s unconscious is especially active with vivid dreams, so we integrate dream analysis into the preparatory work. We incorporate the use of relaxation and visualisation exercises, that Mum can practice in between sessions and indeed during labour. The approach works in tandem with any somatic work being done by the Mum, such as yoga.

Having worked in the field of genetic diagnosis for many years, I provide a unique service of informed support for those going through genetic counselling for inherited disorders, at all stages of the process. I also work with Mums in the postnatal period, dealing with any feelings of disappointment, failure, disempowerment or anger. Grieving the ideal birth is very real and is an under acknowledged process. I also work with post natal depression and birth trauma.

The pregnancy, childbirth and post natal journey can also be challenging for Dads. They can often feel helpless, useless, overwhelmed and very far removed from what is going on. Dads can also experience pre and post natal depression but in a different way, so that it often goes overlooked or undetected. I work with Dads, in uncovering the root cause of behavioural changes that can disguise perinatal depression.
I look forward to helping clients prepare for and process their pregnancy, childbirth and post natal journeys.

To book, click the button below.

Photo of Dr. Catriona King