Finding the Right Support Shouldn't Be Part of the Struggle
Professional, confidential counselling in Athlone, the Midlands & online. We provide the clarity and compassionate support you need to heal.
Athlone’s Midlands Counselling Clinic Recognised With National Accolade
Midlands Counselling Clinic has been recognised with Business All-Star Counselling & Psychotherapy Excellence Accreditation 2026 by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF).
The AIBF Adjudication Panel recognised Midlands Counselling Clinic for its high standards of practice, inclusive approach and consistent delivery of quality care.
The accreditation reflects the clinic’s professionalism, its commitment to evidence-based methods and the trust it has established within the community.
Our Therapists in the Midlands are Fully Accredited & Professional
IACP - Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
IAHIP - Irish Association of Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy
Feeling Lost, Anxious, or Overwhelmed?
We Understand.
Life can feel heavy. You might be juggling work, family, or caring for others, feeling like you have to be ‘strong’ while inside you’re struggling with persistent anxiety, a low mood you can’t shake, or the weight of past events or losses .
You know you need help, but in a world of options, you’re not sure where to even start.
A Clearer Path to Finding Help
If you’ve been searching for support, you’ve probably felt overwhelmed by the choice. One site mentions CBT, another EMDR, another Psychodynamic therapy . It’s confusing, and you’re left wondering, “What do I actually need?”.
We’re here to make that clear.
As a multi-disciplinary clinic, we have specialists in all these areas and more, all under one roof . We’ve designed our site to help you understand what these therapies are and, most importantly, meet the therapists in the Athlone, Westmeath & Midlands area who provide them.
You can explore their specialities and find the person who feels like the right fit for you.
A Path Forward for Whatever You're Facing
Anxiety & Stress
Feeling trapped by racing thoughts, panic, or a constant sense of dread? This high-alert state is exhausting. We help you quiet the noise, understand your triggers, and find a lasting sense of calm and control in your daily life.
Depression & Low Mood
When you feel numb, disconnected, or stuck under a heavy cloud, even small tasks feel impossible. We provide a safe, non-judgemental space to help you lift that fog, rediscover your energy, and reconnect with a life that feels lighter and more meaningful.
Trauma & Abuse
Are past events still controlling your present? Our specialist trauma therapists, including EMDR, help you gently process what happened, so it no longer defines your story. We'll guide you on a path to feeling safe, whole, and in control again.
Relationship Issues
Feeling unheard, misunderstood, or stuck in the same arguments? It can feel lonely. We help individuals and couples find new ways to communicate, understand each other's needs, and rebuild a stronger, more respectful, and loving connection.
Bereavement & Loss
Grief has no timeline, and you don't have to walk through it alone. It can feel isolating, but your feelings are valid. We offer a compassionate space to honour your loss, process the pain, and find a way to move forward with meaning and support.
Eating Disorders
Feeling like your life is controlled by thoughts about food, weight, or your body is a heavy burden. Our dedicated specialists support you in healing this relationship, breaking free from the cycle, and finding a place of balance and self-acceptance.
Family Issues
Feeling stuck in conflict, misunderstandings, or constant tension at home can be exhausting. Our specialist family therapists support you in improving communication, rebuilding connection, and creating a healthier, more harmonious family life.
Medical Trauma and Chronic Illness
Feeling overwhelmed or isolated by your health journey? Our specialist therapists help you process trauma, rebuild trust in your body, and find practical ways to manage chronic illness.
Addiction
Feeling trapped in cycles of substance use or compulsive behaviours? Our addiction specialists provide compassionate, evidence-based support to help you regain control, understand the root causes, and rebuild a meaningful, connected life.
Perinatal Mental Health
Feeling overwhelmed by pregnancy, fertility struggles, or the early stages of parenthood? Our perinatal specialists provide compassionate, personalised support to help you process emotions, reduce anxiety, and reconnect with yourself, your baby, and your family during this challenging time.
Child & Adolescent Therapy
Feeling worried about your child or teen’s wellbeing? Our child and adolescent specialists provide compassionate, personalised support to help young people explore emotions, build coping skills, and develop self-confidence, while involving families in a safe, supportive, and neurodivergent-affirming way.
We also offer specialist support for:
- Phobias
- OCD
- Sexual Identity
- & More
Your Care, Your Way
We offer professional support in several ways, allowing you to choose the setting that feels right for you.
Individual Counselling
One-to-One Adult Support
A confidential, one-to-one space just for you, to explore your challenges and find your strength.
Couples Counselling
For Partners
A constructive space for you and your partner to navigate challenges, improve communication, and reconnect.
Family Therapy
For Families
Our Systemic Family Therapy approach helps families heal dynamics, understand each other, and grow stronger together.
Secure Online Counselling
From Your Own Space
Get the same high-quality, professional support from the comfort and privacy of your own home or office, available anywhere in Ireland.
Meet Our Team of Therapists
The ‘right’ therapy is often about finding the ‘right’ person. A strong, trusting relationship with your therapist is the foundation for change.
Our team is made up of accredited, compassionate specialists, each with their own areas of expertise. We invite you to meet them, read about their approach, and find the therapist who feels right for you.
Brian Walsh
MIACP, BSc (Hons)
Specialisation in trauma (EMDR), PTSD, anxiety (CBT), and depression.
Sharon Deering
MIACP, BSc (Hons)
Specialisation in couples counselling, relationship issues and improving communication.
Rachel Walsh
MIACP, BSc (Hons)
Specialisation in eating disorders, neurodiversity (ADHD/Autism), and anxiety.
Caroline Walker
MIACP, MSc (Hons)
Specialisation in adult, adolescent and child therapy, trauma, and art therapy.
Geraldine Martin
MA (Hons)
Specialisation in perinatal mental health, trauma, anxiety, and bereavement.
Stephen Snow
MIACP, BA (Hons)
Specialisation in work-related stress, anxiety, depression, and talk therapy.
Declan Hughes
MACI, MIACP, BSc, MA (Hons)
Specialisation in substance use disorders, behavioral disorders, teenage substance Use disorder, gambling disorder, mental health and comorbidity disorders.
Sarah Houlihan
APCP, MA (Hons)
Specialisation in humanistic therapy, LGBTQ+ support, and bereavement.
Sean Donohoe
FTAI, ICP, EAP, MA
Specialisation in systemic family therapy, couples work, and adolescent mental health.
Paddy Gately
MIACP, BSc (Hons)
Specialisation in anxiety, depression, grief, and has a special interest in neurodivergent challenges
John Dowd
Accredited Counsellor (IACP)
Specialisation in trauma, crisis intervention, and serious mental illness, with a focus on life transitions and emotional processing
A Kinder, Calmer Way Forward
Your Therapy Sessions May Be Covered by Your Provider
Feeling Nervous About Your First Session?
That’s an incredibly common and normal feeling. To help put your mind at ease, we’ve created a simple guide to demystify the process.
Download: "5 Common Fears About Starting Therapy (And the Truth)"
Your First Step is the Clearest One
You are in the right place. You don’t have to have all the answers.
We invite you to explore our team, find a therapist who resonates with you, and book your first session directly.
Professional, compassionate help is available at our Athlone clinic or online.
Your Questions, Answered
It’s completely normal to have questions before starting. We’ve gathered a few common ones to help bring clarity to the process
This is the most important question, and the answer has two parts.
Professional Fit: Does the therapist have the right training for your needs? Our team includes accredited specialists in areas like CBT for anxiety , EMDR for trauma , Systemic Family Therapy, and more. We clearly list these specialisations on our therapists’ profiles.
Personal Fit: This is the most crucial part. The best therapy happens in a relationship where you feel safe, heard, and understood. We encourage you to read our therapists’ profiles—see whose approach and words resonate with you. The “right” therapist is the one you feel you can build a trusting, professional relationship with.
It can be confusing, as these terms are often used interchangeably in Ireland.
Counsellors & Psychotherapists are highly trained to provide “talk therapy” to help you with emotional, behavioural, and mental health challenges. “Psychotherapist” often implies a longer-term approach, while “counsellor” can sometimes focus on more specific, present-day issues.
A Psychologist may have a different background, often in clinical assessment or research, but many also provide talk therapy.
What truly matters isn’t the title, but the accreditation. All professional therapists at our clinic are fully accredited with their relevant Irish bodies (like IACP, IAHIP, etc.), ensuring they meet the highest standards of training, ethics, and care.
Instead of worrying about “red flags,” we find it’s more empowering to look for “green flags.” A good, professional therapist:
Is fully accredited by a professional body (this is non-negotiable).
Makes you feel heard, validated, and respected from the first interaction.
Is clear about confidentiality and the therapeutic process.
Collaborates with you on your goals.
Has experience in the specific area you need support with (e.g., trauma, anxiety, relationships ).
A “red flag” is the opposite of these—a therapist who is unprofessional, dismissive, or not accredited.
A standard counselling session, whether in-person at our Athlone clinic or online, typically lasts for 50 minutes. This is often called a “therapeutic hour.” Your therapist will manage the time to ensure you start and finish promptly.
This is something you and your therapist will decide together, but a consistent routine is most effective.
Most people find it best to start with weekly sessions. This helps build momentum and establishes a strong, trusting therapeutic relationship. As you progress and feel better, you might move to fortnightly sessions or as-needed check-ins. The schedule is flexible and is always tailored to you.
This is a great question, as “working” can feel different for everyone. It’s not always a single “Aha!” moment, but often a gradual, positive shift.
Signs that it’s helping can include:
Feeling a sense of relief or feeling “lighter.”
Starting to understand yourself and your patterns more clearly.
Noticing that the issues that brought you to therapy feel less overwhelming.
Finding yourself using the tools or insights from therapy in your daily life.
People in your life might notice you seem calmer or more “yourself.”
Your therapist will also check in with you regularly about your progress and goals.