By Eoin Meegan
Pictured from left: Eamonn Boland, Valerie Kilkenny, Daniel O’Mahony, Louise Brennan and Colm Early (PCI) at the launch of the new Bath Ave Counselling Centre.
NewsFour went along to the launch of the new Bath Avenue Counselling facility situated over the Capital Credit Union on Bath Avenue.
The centre will serve the community by providing counselling and psychotherapy, jointly run by directors Eamonn Boland and Valerie Kilkenny.
Among those attending were local Senator Kevin Humphreys (Lab), Chris Andrews TD (Sinn Féin), and Cindy O’Connor, Chief Clinical Officer, Pieta House, along with family members and close friends.
The centre will provide a comprehensive range of therapeutic services in a professional, compassionate and supportive manner. Its aim is to provide a centre of excellence working with individuals, couples, families and adolescents.
The multi-disciplinary team will offer a range of specialised approaches to counselling and psychotherapy (talk-therapies) that deal with a variety of psychological, social, emotional and work-related difficulties, including depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, suicidal ideation and self harm.
The facility has four counselling rooms and a larger room which will be used for group sessions, workshops, and presentations in relation to the counselling and psycho-educational services on offer.
The building is bright and airy, situated between Sandymount, Ballsbridge and Ringsend, and has a feeling of home about it.
Both Eamonn and Valerie have a deep passion for their work. With almost twenty years of practice in child and family therapy behind them, they bring a wealth of experience and professionalism to the new venture. They are both experienced psychotherapists and supervisors who have practiced in both the private and public sectors.
Eamonn sees the counselling process as one of “containment”, a sacred space between the counsellor and the client. When working with young people he told me, “we are not here to tell you what to do, but to walk the road with you”.
He went on to say, “our research to date suggests that we all need someone to talk to, someone who listens and someone who understands. It is our aim to provide a safe, respectful and confidential space where people can tell their story, talk about their experiences and develop their emotional and psychological growth”.
He described the acquisition of the new premises at 13 Bath Avenue as “an exciting development and a dream come true”, and thanked the manager and staff of the Capital Credit Union, over which the new Counselling Centre is located, for “their support in accommodating a smooth transition into the building.”
We wish them every success in their new venture.
