Print PageWhy do students come for counselling?
Most people come to the Counselling Centre when their usual ways of handling problems aren't working well. Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone outside of friends or family about what we are experiencing, rather than someone close to us. Talking to people who are trained to listen to problems can deepen a person’s understanding of what is happening and develop alternative ways of dealing with concerns or problems.
Counselling is tailored to suit the needs of the student. Students attending may have different needs in terms of number and frequency of appointments and this will be discussed with you so that your needs are best met.
Consultations typically last up to 50 minutes and students can attend weekly, fortnightly or at less frequent intervals depending on the student’s needs.
How do you make an appointment for counselling?
You can make an appointment for counselling by:
- Phoning / texting the Student counsellor, Ger Quiney on 087-2406908
- by emailing her at ger.quiney@itb.ie
- by dropping into Room A2. If Ger is not available or is meeting with another student, you can leave a note under her door and she will contact you as soon as she is free.
Your phone number or mobile will be used only to call/text to confirm or change your appointment.
When texting, a neutral message such as “Please call about our meeting," will be left and there will be no reference to the Counselling Office.
It is important that you contact the service well in advance of your appointment should you need to cancel. This means we can offer the appointment time to another student.
Confidentiality
The fact that you are attending the service and the information that you share with the counsellor during a session remains confidential. This means your personal details are not disclosed to anyone outside the service without your permission
However, in exceptional circumstances the counsellor may need to break confidentiality. These include where you are at risk of harming yourself or others or where there is evidence of risk of child abuse.
This breaking of confidentiality would be discussed openly with you before any action would be taken.
The counselling service is free of charge.
Information for Staff - Concerns about a student or Making a referral
Click on the links below for more information on support groups and relevant organisations.
- Alcohol Abuse
- Anxiety
- Bereavement
- Bullying
- Citizens Information
- Depression
- Domestic Abuse
- Drug Abuse
- Eating Disorders
- Financial
- Gambling
- Housing
- Mental Health
- Parenting
- Samaritans
- Self-Harm & Suicide
- Sexual Abuse & Assault
- Sexual Health
- Sexuality
- Victim Support
Alcoholic Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Hours : Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm (open through lunch)
Telephone : (01) 453 8998
Al - Anon
The purpose of Al-Anon is to help families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of a relative or friend in an anonymous environment. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend. Support groups run locally.
Social Anxiety Ireland
Provide information on social anxiety. Run regular groups as well as a forum for people experiencing social anxiety.
Bethany Bereavement Support Groups
Telephone : (01) 494 3142
Console
Console in an organisation offering support to people affected by suicide, in the form of therapeutic support groups, bereavement counselling and offering information.
Telephone : 1800 201 890
Anti-bullying Centre
The Centre has information packs available, containing materials about bullying/harrassment. For more information on these paks see either the School or Works section of this website or contact them directly at :
Telephone : (01) 608 2573 or 608 3488
www.citizensinformation.ie/categories
Provision of information to the public through the nationwide network of Citizens Information Centres, the Citizens Information Phone Service and through the Citizens Information website.
Telephone : 1890 777 121
Aware
Aware is a national voluntary organisation providing support through depression. Services include support groups nationwide, a Lo Call Helpline open 365 days a year (both services available to individuals with depression and also family members and friends), depression awareness and information talks and seminars and a free information service.
Telephone : (01) 661 7211
Email : info@aware.ie
Students Against Depression
Provides information for students on recognising depression and whar to do about it.
Women's Aid
The Women's Aid National Free phone Helpline offers confidential information, advice, support and understanding to women who are being physically, sexually or mentally abused in their own homes. The Helpline also acts as a referral to refuge, counselling services, solicitors, legal aid and other agencies, both statutory and voluntary, which are helpful to women experiencing abuse within a relationship. This service is free to all women in the Republic of Ireland.
Open 7 days a week from 10am to 10pm.
Telephone ; 1800 341 300
Narcotics Anonymous
A group of recovering addicts who have found a way to live without the use of drugs. It costs nothing to be e member, the only requirement is a desire to stop using.
Telephone: (01) 672 8000
Bodywhys
Bodywhys is the Irish National Charity, which offers support, information and understanding for people with eating disorders, their families and friends.
Admin Line : (01) 283 4963
Helpline No : 1890 200 444
Overeaters Anonymous
Self-help for those suffering from eating disorders
Telephone : (01) 278 8106
MABS (Budgeting)
MABS is a nationa debt free, confidential and independent service for people in debt or in danger of getting into debt.
Telephone : (01) 670 6555 / (01) 670 4331
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same . The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling.
Telephone : Dublin (01) 872 1133 (10.00am to 12.00 am Mon - Fri )
Outside of these hours listen to the recording - You will get the phone details of a GA member who you can speak to between 7.00pm and 10.00pm each day.
Threshhold
Threshhold was founded in 1978 and is not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to secure a right to housing, particularly for households experiencing the problems of poverty and exclusion. Information includes useful guidelines on renting accomodation.
Telephone: (01) 678 6096
My Mind Matters
MMM is an online mental health and well being portal for students. It is a collaboration pilot project between the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT) and University College Cork (UCC) . However the site is intended for use by all 3rd level students in Ireland.
ProYouth
The European initiative for the promotion of mental health and the prevention of eating disorders.
Mental Health Ireland
Mental Health Ireland aims to promote positive mental health and to actively support persons with a mental illness, their families and carers by identifying their need and advocating their rights.
Telephone : (01) 284 1166
Shine
Shine is the national organization dedicated to uploading the rights and addressing the needs of all those affected by enduring mental illness including, but not exclusively, schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder and bi-polar disorder. Shine offers support groups for individuals and their families, counselling and have a range of information resources online.
Telephone : 1890 621 631
Parent line
www.parentline.ie
For over twenty years, Parentline has provided a completely confidential helpline for parents and guardians.
Parents phone Parentline with all sorts of problems. There is no typical call. Calls come from parents of new born babies, toddlers, pre-teens and teenagers - children of all ages. All ages offer different challenges.
Telephone: 1890 927 277
Gingerbread
www.gingerbread.ie
Gingerbread provides accurate, confidential and informed advice and information on all issues affecting one parent families.
They do this through Support Groups, which may or may not be attached to Branches, and who are made of other lone parents. They provide adult peer support and also, through regular outings, holidays and parties, help families go forward from their present position. They also offer an information and referral helpline.
Telephone: 01 814 6618 Monday to Thursday, 10.00am - 2.00pm
Email : counselling@gingerbread.ie
Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
Telephone : 1850 60 90 90
Pieta House - Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide
Centre for the Prevention of Self-Harm or Suicide, provides information to communities on suicide prevention, offers counselling to individuals who are self-harming or suicidal and offers support to family members affected by suicide.
Telephone: 01-6010000
National Counselling Service
www.hse-ncs.ie/en
The National Counselling Service offers free counselling to anyone over 18 who experienced abuse or trauma in childhood
Rape Crisis Centre
www.drcc.ie
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre offer a confidential, 24-hour telephone helpline, 7 days a week staffed by trained counsellors who are available to listen to you and any concerns you may have in regard to issues of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment or childhood sexual abuse.
Although the Centre is based in Dublin, our counsellors take calls from all over the country and every call is dealt with in confidence and with respect and understanding.
Freephone 1800 778888
AIDS Helpline
www.aidswest.ie/
AIDS Helpline is a voluntary organisation. They offer an information help line, education / prevention services and support to people affected by HIV and to those concerned about their sexual health. Their services are completely confidential
Aids Helpline Dublin: 1800 459 459
Irish Family Planning Association
www.ifpa.ie
The IFPA offers a comprehensive range of services specifically designed to promote sexual health and to support reproductive choice. Their services and facilities are oriented to the needs of women and young people in particular and include counselling, information, education and medical services.
IFPA National Pregnancy Helpline 1850 49 50 51
Gay Switchboard
www.gayswitchboard.ie
GSD's core service is provided via telephone. They provide non-directive, non-judgmental, befriending, support and a general information service to the gay, lesbian and bisexual community, to anyone who has issues relating to their sexuality, to their parents, families and friends.
Telephone (01) 872 1055
Belong To
BeLonG To is an organization for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered young people between the ages of 14 and 23. BeLonG To run social and supportive groups in Dublin and have a range of online resources for LGBT young people and their parents.
Telephone (01) 670 6223
www.crimevictimshelpline.ie
The Garda Síochána operate closely with the Crime Victims Helpline, 1850 211 407, which can help provide support to victims of crime.
Bibliotherapy - Books Can Help
The use of books as for therapeutic purposes is known as ‘bibliotherapy’.
There is good evidence to show that the best self-help books can be highly effective in helping people with emotional problems such as depression, stress, anger, panic, low self esteem, anxiety and eating problems.
To view a list of books Click here
Concerns about a student:
If you have any concerns about a student please do not hesitate to contact the Student Counselling Service to discuss.
Telephone: 087-2406908 or 8851321
Email : ger.quiney@itb.ie
Making a referral:
Most students attend the service by self-referral as it is important that the student themselves makes the decision to attend counselling. However, if you meet with a student who has agreed to attend counselling it is helpful, but not necessary, for the Student Counsellor (Ger Quiney) to receive either a short email or a phone call outlining your concerns for the student.
Assisting Students in Distress - A Guide for Staff
