Brought to you by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Being able to share our problems with an accredited professional can be instrumental for our mental health.

When it comes to minding our mental health, we all know the importance of sharing how we're feeling. Whether we're stressed about work, our relationships, or just feeling a bit blue, being able to chat about what's on our mind can offer a huge sense of relief. Family and friends can be brilliant listeners, but being able to share our problems with an accredited professional can be instrumental in developing strategies to deal with our challenges. To that end, we've teamed up with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy to bring you five things you need to know about starting therapy.

1. Therapy is for everyone

Firstly, absolutely anyone can seek a therapist's help, regardless of how big or small their problems seem. Whether you're dealing with depression, anxiety, or just need a little bit of support in tackling everyday challenges, there is no minimum or maximum threshold for seeking help.

2. Therapy is judgement-free

Counsellors and psychotherapists – such as those accredited with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy – create a safe, confidential and judgement-free space for their clients to be transparent about whatever's on their minds. In a session, your therapist will work with you to develop coping skills to serve you. They won't tell you what to do, but they will work with you to find answers within you to help navigate whatever you might be going through.

3. It's normal to feel nervous before attending your first session

If you're feeling confused, nervous or unsure about attending your first therapy session, that's totally normal. Remind yourself why attending therapy is important to you and balance those fear-based thoughts with some compassion. Remember, therapy is a neutral, safe space.

4. Therapy rates and sessions may vary

In general, fees for therapy range from €50 - €80, but if you use the 'find a therapist tool' on iacp.ie, each therapist's rates will be listed. An IACP survey found that the average cost for a session in Ireland was approximately €60. The number of therapy sessions also varies from person to person, but typically a therapist will contract with you for 6 sessions after which you can review how the sessions are going and how many more you might like to attend. However, some clients find it helpful to take therapy sessions week by week, while others commit to a longer timeframe.

5. It's never been easier to connect with an accredited therapist

With more than 5,000 members, the IACP is Ireland's trusted source for finding accredited counsellors and psychotherapists. For more than 40 years, the IACP has been connecting the community with accredited therapists, and today they've made that process even easier. To locate an IACP accredited therapist and search by where you live or by what therapeutic services the therapist provides, visit iacp.ie and use their Find A Therapist tool today. Brought to you by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy