Hilary McIvor
MSc. BSc. H.Dip Onc. R.G.N.
Adult & Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy
Stamullen, Co. Meath
A safe space to explore, heal and move forward.
About Me
I am an accredited psychotherapist with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), working with adolescents and adults in Stamullen, Co. Meath.
Before becoming a psychotherapist, I spent over 25 years working as a nurse in a variety of roles, including Staff Nurse, Clinical Nurse Manager and Oncology Nurse Specialist. I worked in both St. James's Hospital and St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin, supporting individuals and families through illness, uncertainty, loss and significant life challenges.
These experiences have profoundly influenced the therapist I am today. They have given me a deep appreciation of the importance of empathy, compassion and creating a safe space where people feel truly heard and understood.
I hold a First Class Master's Degree (MSc.) in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. Since qualifying I have continued to develop my clinical knowledge through ongoing professional training, including a Level 9 Special Purpose Award in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a Diploma in Integrative Adolescent Psychotherapy and a Professional Certificate in Bereavement and Loss.
My Approach
I believe that no two people are the same, and therapy should reflect this.
I work from a pluralistic approach, which means I draw on a range of therapeutic approaches and tailor therapy to your individual needs, experiences and goals.
At the heart of my work is the therapeutic relationship. I strive to provide a warm, compassionate and non-judgemental space where you feel safe to explore whatever has brought you to therapy. I believe that feeling heard, understood and accepted is fundamental to meaningful change.
My practice is grounded in Humanistic values and integrates a range of approaches, including Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Existential Therapy and Mindfulness.
This allows me to adapt my approach to best support each individual, recognising that what is helpful for one person may not be for another.
Where appropriate, I incorporate psychoeducation into therapy, helping clients understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, behaviours and life experiences. I am particularly interested in how our early relationships and experiences can influence the way we see ourselves, relate to others and respond to the challenges we face. Developing this understanding can often be an important step towards greater self-awareness, self-compassion and lasting change.
My aim is to work collaboratively with you, supporting you to gain insight into your experiences, build on your strengths and develop ways of coping that feel meaningful and sustainable.
Talk in Confidence
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many people experience periods of stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, loss or times when they feel disconnected from themselves and unsure of how to move forward.
Therapy provides a safe and confidential space where you can talk openly about your experiences and feel listened to with compassion, understanding and without judgement.
I believe that therapy is a collaborative process. Together, we can explore what is happening in your life, develop greater understanding of yourself and identify ways of coping that support positive change.
Through therapy, you may begin to:
* Express and process difficult thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
* Gain insight into your experiences, emotions and patterns of coping.
* Develop greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
* Explore the impact of past experiences and relationships.
* Find new ways of managing anxiety, stress and emotional challenges.
* Improve your relationship with yourself and with others.
* Work through experiences of grief, loss, hurt or trauma.
* Develop healthier ways of communicating
Grief, Loss and Life Changes
Grief is a deeply personal experience that can affect every part of our lives. It is a natural response to loss, but that does not make it easy to carry. Loss can leave us feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, disconnected or as though life has changed in ways we were not prepared for.
While grief is often associated with the death of someone important, grief can arise from many different experiences of loss. This may include the loss of a relationship, friendship, health, role, identity, hopes for the future or significant changes in life circumstances.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and everyone’s experience of loss is unique. Sometimes we need a safe space to talk, reflect and make sense of what has happened.
I offer compassionate grief support, helping clients to explore their emotions, process their experiences and find ways to move forward while honouring what has been lost.
My approach is gentle, respectful and tailored to each person's individual experience of grief.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal human emotion that we all experience at times. It can be helpful, alerting us to potential challenges and helping us respond to situations that require our attention.
However, when anxiety becomes overwhelming, persistant or begins to interfere with everyday life, it can feel exhausting and difficult to manage. You may find yourself worrying excessively, feeling unable to switch off, avoiding situations, experiencing physical symptoms or feeling less able to cope with everyday challenges.
Therapy can help you understand your anxiety, explore what may be contributing to it and develop new ways of responding to anxious thoughts and feelings. Using approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), we can work together to identify patterns of thinking and coping strategies that support emotional wellbeing.
I have a particular interest in supporting adolescents experiencing anxiety. Young people can experience anxiety around relationships, identity, school, expectations, change and finding their place in the world. Having a safe and supportive space to explore these experiences can be incredibly valuable.
Health Anxiety
A diagnosis, health concern or medical experience can bring a range of difficult emotions, including fear, uncertainty, sadness and anger. These feelings may arise at the time of diagnosis, during treatment, or even many years later.
My background as an Oncology Nurse Specialist has given me a deep understanding of the emotional impact that health challenges can have on individuals and families. Psychotherapy can provide a space to process these experiences, manage anxiety and develop ways of coping with uncertainty.
Issues Counselling & Psychotherapy can Help With:
I work with adolescents (from age 15) and adults who may be experiencing difficulties such as:
Anxiety and excessive worry
Grief, bereavement and loss
Depression and low mood
Stress and feeling overwhelmed
Trauma and the impact of early experiences
Life changes and transitions
Feeling lost or disconnected
Low self-esteem and self-confidence
Relationship difficulties
Health-related anxiety and coping with illness
Understanding and managing the impact of ADHD
Emotional regulation and coping strategies
Therapy provides a safe and supportive space to explore your experiences, gain understanding and develop new ways of coping.
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 55-60 minutes. Sessions usually take place on a weekly basis and may be on a short- or longer-term basis.
Each session costs €70.
***Please note that if you want to reschedule or cancel an appointment, 48 hours’ notice is kindly requested.
VHI, Laya & Irish Life Approved therapist.
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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