How to Find a Therapist in Dublin
- Lisa Johnston
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
"It's ok to ask for help", is often said, yet sometimes it's unclear how to actually access that help. It could be talking to a trusted friend or loved one, and other times, some professional support is also helpful.
With so many search options, Google, AI, etc it can be overwhelming and knowing where to start the search can be difficult. This can be a real blocker for accessing the care or helping a loved one or friend to take the next step to reach out and look for support.
This guide aims to provide more structure to the process of finding a therapist in Dublin and gathers relevant information in one place.
You don’t need to have it all figured out before asking for support and you definitely don’t need to read this whole page.
Find a Therapist in Dublin - Start Here
If you’re not sure where to begin, choose the option that feels closest to your situation:
Want someone to guide you? A therapy centre can help you talk things through and match you with a therapist.
Cost is a concern? There are lower-cost options available, including MyMind and Turn2Me and a lot of the therapy centres have low-cost therapy with trainee therapists.
A lot of health insurance company's policies offer some money off a number of therapy sessions (check in with your policy).
You have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) through work?
That can be a good place to start. It’s often free, confidential, and quick to access.
Things feel urgent or heavy right now? https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/get-urgent-help/
If one of those feels like your next step, that may be enough for today. The rest of this page will still be here whenever you’re ready.
You Don’t Need to Have the Right Words
A lot of people put off therapy because they think they need to explain everything clearly first.
You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong, have a diagnosis, or even understand what type of therapy you need.
You can start with something as simple as:
“I’m not feeling like myself lately.”
That is enough.
You also don’t need to be in crisis. People come to therapy for many different reasons, including:
Stress or burnout
Anxiety
Low mood
Relationship difficulties
Breakups or separation
Grief or loss
Feeling stuck or lost
Life transitions
LGBTQI+ safe space
Wanting to understand themselves better
Needing space to think and breathe
Therapy can be a place to reflect, make sense of things, and feel less alone with whatever you’re carrying.
If you are in crisis, it’s important to contact your GP or urgent support services alongside therapy.
Ways to Find a Therapist in Dublin
Therapy Centres
If the process feels overwhelming, therapy centres can make things easier. Many offer an initial conversation, help you think about what you need, and suggest a therapist who may be a good fit.
Examples of centres and counselling services in Dublin include:
Directories
If you’d rather search yourself, professional directories can be a useful place to start.
Examples include:
You can usually search by location, issue, or therapy approach.
Cost and Lower-Cost Options
Private therapy in Dublin often costs between €60 and €120 per session, depending on the therapist, location, and experience.
If cost is a concern, there are still options:
MyMind
Turn2Me
Some centres offer lower-cost programmes for example Bath Avenue Counselling Centre and City Therapy have senior trainee programmes.
Reduced-fee sessions with supervised trainee therapists
HSE National Counselling Service services (waiting lists and eligibility rules may apply, may require referral from GP - see HSE website for up to date details)
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)
If you’re employed, check whether your workplace offers an EAP.
These services are usually:
Free to access
Confidential
Short-term (often 6–8 sessions)
Focused on practical support for current difficulties
You can usually find details through HR or your employee benefits portal.
Health Insurance
Some Irish health insurance plans cover part of therapy costs.
You’ll often pay first and claim some money back afterwards. You may need a receipt, and some insurers require the therapist to be accredited with a recognised professional body.
It’s worth checking your policy, as it can make therapy more affordable.
What Type of Therapy Do You Need?
Most people don’t know when they begin, and that’s completely normal.
If you go through a GP, you may be referred for CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), which can be especially helpful for anxiety, panic, OCD, and sleep difficulties.
Other common approaches include:
Humanistic therapy – focused on self-awareness and personal growth
Psychodynamic therapy – explores patterns, relationships, and past experiences
Integrative therapy – blends different approaches depending on your needs
You do not need to choose perfectly. Many people figure out what helps through the process itself.
Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Psychiatrist - What’s the Difference?
The titles can be confusing, so here’s the simple version:
Counsellors / Psychotherapists: Both provide talk therapy. In Ireland, the distinction is not always clear-cut, and both may be highly trained and experienced.
Psychologists: Often have more academic and clinical training and may also provide assessments.
Psychiatrists: Medical doctors who diagnose mental health conditions and can prescribe medication.
Professional bodies such as the IACP and IAHIP help maintain standards around training, ethics, and supervision.
If You Just Need to Talk to Someone
Sometimes you may not be looking for ongoing therapy or you may simply need support today.
Free supports include:
Specialist Supports
Depending on your situation, specialist supports may help.
Examples include services for:
Addiction recovery - Citizen's Information for more options
Family members affected by addiction - Al-Anon
Domestic abuse support - Women's Aid
Men’s support services - Men's Aid
ADHD support - ADHD Ireland
LGBTQ+ affirming support - LGBT Ireland
Some general guidance from the HSE
Crisis or Urgent Support
If things feel more serious right now:
Contact your GP
Go to A&E
Reach out to Pieta
Contact emergency services if you are in immediate danger
What If the Therapist Doesn’t Feel Like the Right Fit?
This matters more than many people realise.
You are allowed to not click with someone. You are allowed to want a different style, pace, or personality.
A lot of therapy depends on feeling safe, understood, and able to speak openly. If that is not there, it is okay to try someone else.
That is not failure. It is part of finding the right fit.
Booking With Me
If you’d like to work with me, Lisa Johnston, you can book here. Availability is kept up to date as much as possible.
If you’d like to ask any questions first or get a better sense of how I work, you can also visit my contact page here:
If you’re a therapist and know of a helpful service, support, or resource in Dublin that could be included here, you’re very welcome to get in touch. I’d be glad to keep this page as useful and up to date as possible.
One Last Thing
You do not need to solve everything today.
You only need one small next step.
Send one email.Book one session.Save a few options for later.
There is no single right way to begin.
What matters is that you begin somewhere.
A Quick Note
This page is an independent guide created to help people explore therapy options in Dublin. Services listed are public resources and examples of supports available. Inclusion does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or recommendation. Please check each provider directly for current information, availability, and suitability.
I am an independent sole trader, and I currently work as a contractor with Bath Avenue Counselling Centre and City Therapy Couselling.
Image by awesomecontent on Freepik
