Orla Kirk

My current availability is flexible

General available hours below:

Monday 9-3pm

Tuesday 9-6pm

Thursday 9-6pm 

Feel free to drop me a message to see if we can find an appropriate time. 

I am a fully qualified counsellor, with experience working with abuse, depression, anxiety, relationship and family issues, work related stress, self harm and trauma.

I work with adults (18+) on an individual, one to one basis. As a Registered Member of the BACP, I adhere to their ethical framework in my practice.

As an integrative counsellor I approach each client, working with the person as a whole, and may use a variety of theoretical approaches based on what comes up, what feels comfortable and which approaches help you to progress in your counselling journey.

At the heart of my practice, I am a person centred counsellor meaning that clients are met with empathy, congruence and understanding, with the client at the heart of the work that we are doing, helping to reach their full potential.

I believe everyone should have the opportunity to try therapy and have the space to work on things that they may feel are holding them back, causing difficulties or affecting daily life. We all have a story, and counselling offers that space to tell your story in a safe, comfortable, non-judgemental environment, something that is not always possible when talking to others. This talking therapy is a confidential service and a way to build understanding and self acceptance.

I have built up my training and experience including:
- BSc in Psychology from University of Nottingham
- Introduction to Counselling Skills - Newman University
- MSc in Psychotherapeutic Counselling - Staffordshire University

I have worked in the charity sector since my training working as a counsellor for an NHS funded short term intervention service providing 6-8 sessions on average for clients with various issues from depression and anxiety, bereavement, relationship and family issues, low self esteem, work related issues, stress, anger and behavioural concerns, OCD and trauma. I have built this experience up over the 4 years I have been with the organisation. Alongside this I have also worked in private practice and branched out to work online on various platforms supporting clients on a more long term basis for consistent weekly sessions.

I have experience offering both face to face and online sessions with clients as well as offering telephone sessions when suitable.

I can offer a free short intial telephone call (10-15 minutes) to provide a check in that we would be a suitable therapeutic fit. Then we can go ahead and book a session for a mutually suitable date and time which can be discussed in the initial session further.

The first session will be an introductory session, explaining the counselling agreement, what you can expect from the counselling space, with a focus on what you want to get out of therapy. I encourage clients to see how they feel after the initial session to decide whether it feels like the right fit for them. All sessions are 50 minutes long (therapeutic hour).