Hilary McIvor
MSc. BSc. H.Dip Onc. R.G.N.
Counselling & Psychotherapy
Stamullen, Co. Meath
Difficult roads can lead to beautiful destinations
About Hilary
Hilary is a fully qualified Psychotherapist and holds a first-class Masters degree (MSc.) in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. She is an Accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and abides by their code of ethics. She is fully insured.
Hilary’s background is in Oncology (Cancer) Nursing.
She has 25 years’ clinical experience in the surgical, medical and radiation oncology setting in both St James's Hospital and St. Lukes Hospital Dublin.
Hilary is a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Hilary's Approach
Pluralistic Practice is a form of therapy in which the psychotherapist draws on a range of methods and understandings to tailor therapy to the individual client. Each client is unique and therefore may need different things from therapy.
Hilary’s approach is deeply rooted in Humanistic values. She draws on a combination of clinical approaches including Person-Centered Therapy, CBT, Existential Therapy, and the therapeutic use of Mindfulness.
Hilary has a special interest in the area of Bereavement, Loss, and Grief.
She holds a Professional Certificate in Bereavement and Loss, and is a Grief trained therapist.
Grief therapy is available in her private practice in Stamullen, Co. Meath
15 minutes from Ashbourne, Garristown, Duleek and Bellewstown.
Group Therapy runs twice a year in Spring and Autumn.
Talk in Confidence
Many people face difficulties in their everyday lives such as stress, anxiety, relationship issues and depression.
Psychotherapy can be a powerful, life-changing experience.
You will be listened to with understanding, empathy and without judgement.
Evidence-based, professional, client-centred therapy will help you:
- express your feelings and process them in a safe and supportive space.
- gain deeper insight into your current challenges.
- talk about things in confidence.
- find better ways to cope with feelings.
- change the way you think and behave.
- improve relationships in your life, including with yourself.
- heal from hurt and/or trauma.
- learn to communicate better and tolerate differences in yourself and others.
Grief Support
Grief is a powerful emotional and physical reaction to the loss of someone or something. It is characterised by deep feelings of sadness and sorrow. Loss can leave you feeling emotionally fragile and as if your world has been completely uprooted. It brings with it a sense of uncertainty and lack of control. This can affect your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours.
Loss is not just about death. It can refer to a wide range of changes or life events. This could be the loss of a relationship, friendship, job, property, or health. Hilary offers compassionate and effective grief support.
Anxiety
It's normal to have some anxiety. Anxiety can be beneficial in some instances, for example, anxiety helps us notice dangerous situations and focuses our attention to keep ourselves safe.
An anxiety disorder goes beyond the regular nervousness and slight fear you may have from time to time.
Anxiety may interfere with your ability to function; you might overreact when something triggers your emotions; you might feel less able to control your reactions or responses to situations.
Anxiety disorders can make it difficult to get through the day.
Fortunately there are several effective treatments for anxiety disorders.
Health Anxiety
A serious medical diagnosis can induce fear, uncertainty, anxiety, sadness, and anger. These feelings can occur at diagnosis but at any stage, even years later. Psychotherapy can help you deal with difficult emotions around this.
What Issues Can Counselling & Psychotherapy Help With:
Hilary offers individual, face to face counselling and psychotherapy to adults, over 18.
People come to Hilary for support with a variety of issues, such as:
Bereavement, Loss, and Grief
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Low self-esteem
Childhood trauma
Relationship difficulties
Life transitions
My location
Hilary’s private practice is in a tranquil countryside setting in Stamullen, Co. Meath.
It is located 5 minutes from Garristown, Duleek, Naul and Stamullen and only 15 minutes from Ashbourne, Drogheda, Balbriggan, Julianstown and Laytown.
Further details will be provided once an appointment has been arranged.
Onsite parking is available.
Fees
Each psychotherapy session lasts 50 minutes.
Sessions usually take place on a weekly basis and may be on a short- or longer-term basis.
Each session costs €70.
VHI, Irish Life & Laya approved.
Please note that if you want to cancel an appointment, 48 hours’ notice is requested.
Payment is accepted in cash or advance electronic transfer.
Get in touch
Feel free to contact me by email if you have any questions about how counselling works, or to arrange an initial assessment appointment. This enables us to explore your reasons for seeking counselling and psychotherapy, ensuring it is a good fit for you and that I am the right therapist to help you.
You can also phone on 085 1559480 leave a message, and I will call you back. I am happy to discuss any queries or questions you may have prior to arranging an initial appointment.
All enquires are usually answered within 24 hours, and all contact is strictly confidential and uses secure phone and email services.
Some frequently asked questions
Counselling is usually a good way to help with a current problem; something that can be discussed and - hopefully - resolved within a limited number of sessions. Over a certain number of weeks the understanding of the problem improves and away forward becomes clear. Therapy often describes work that goes a bit deeper, towards more substantial life issues and problems having a deeper effect on the client’s life. Therapy often requires a long-term approach, so the number of sessions can be open-ended.
Which option is most suitable depends on the client and the difficulties they are facing. In some cases counselling works well as an ongoing, longer-term option - or therapy can manage to resolve an issue in just a few sessions.
Everything that is said within the counselling room is private - this is one of the main ways counselling and therapy differ from talking to a friend or relative. Once you are comfortable with the format of weekly sessions and the safe space they provide, you will find the freedom to speak in confidence is of great value.
Note that there are some situations where you may be a risk to yourself or others, and there the law requires that I notify an authority; in these cases I may not be able to keep total confidentiality. Breaking confidentiality is very rare though, and only happens after the person concerned has been informed.
Usually I am asked this question by people who are nervous about entering into counselling, or when they are looking for support in coming to see a therapist. This anxiety is understandable, but a key aspect of therapy is that you should feel free to talk about any issues you feel are important to you. Having someone else with you who can be connected those issues makes this opening-up more difficult, so for this reason I do not see clients accompanied by friends or family.
How long a period of counselling lasts will vary from person to person and depend on the depth of the issues they are facing. For some people a couple of sessions helps to bring their problems into focus, and they feel ready to move forward; other problems may require more of an open-ended approach.
Before we begin any work we will agree on the number of sessions we’ll undertake, and at the end of that number review our progress. As long as we both agree further therapy will be of benefit to you, sessions can continue.
My aim is to offer a first appointment - known as an initial assessment - within 1-2 weeks. Then we would arrange a set number of counselling sessions to take place at the same time every week, that is convenient for you and where I have availabity. How quickly these sessions can begin will depend on the availabity of that free ‘slot’.
My GP referred me. Hilary was warm, kind and attentive. I’ll be forever grateful for her support and encouragement. She has helped me feel like myself again.
S.A
Hilary has helped me gain a new perspective. I’ve been able to sort out things that have been in my head for a very long time. I would highly recommend Hilary.
K.C
Hilary really helped me. I went to her feeling anxious and overwhelmed. I didn’t understand at the time that it related to the loss of my father some time before. I learned so much about myself and gradually over time started to find the real me again. Hilary really listened and was so patient.
R.B
© Hilary McIvor
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