A non-profit counselling and psychotherapy service will open in the city tomorrow (Friday ). The Good 2 Talk Galway health care service, which will be located at the Tuam Road Retail Centre, will focus0 on client need rather than ability to pay.
The local initiative follows the successful launch in April of It’s Good 2 Talk in Wexford and it is planned to open further centres throughout the country.
The co-ordinator of the centre, Cyril Hyland, said it will offer immediate access to counselling and psychological therapies where appropriate.
He outlined the cornerstone of their work is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health problems, emotional difficulties, and behavioural issues. The organisation will work closely with local agencies and groups.
“Unfortunately in the present climate, it is often those who most need help and support that can least afford it,” he said. “Our objectives are to advance mental health in the community by alleviating the emotional distress of clients suffering from a wide range of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and offering hope for those who indicate suicidal intent.”
The service will offer brief and open ended one-to-one, couples, and group counselling. It will also provide education for individuals to enable them to develop self help strategies, and positive coping skills. It will also provide community workshops, lectures and courses; assistance in training for those studying counselling and psychotherapy; and continuous professional development programmes.
The director of client services Elaine Ryan said the centre aims to support people seeking help for psychological issues. She stressed this will take place within a safe and confidential environment and will be available to “all members of the community, regardless of race, creed, sexuality, age, mobility and ability to pay”.
She stated that the current high suicide levels demand a “determined focus on psychotherapeutic interventions” which complement the efforts of the medical profession, HSE and existing organisations in this area.
“It’s Good 2 Talk Galway will complement many existing services, in that it aims to promote social inclusion by offering a subsidised affordable service at the point of need. While the centre will offer a general counselling service it will also be in a position to offer specialised psychological therapies in specific areas such as, sexual trauma, addiction, and bereavement. This will be delivered by accredited professionals contracted to the centre, with comprehensive experience in those areas. It is also intended to establish support and psycho-education groups for individuals encountering various and specific challenges.”
Clients attending the centre will usually be seen within seven working days from their initial contact or as soon as practicable in the case of individuals in crisis.
Anyone who wishes to contact the centre to seek counselling support or want to become involved in the organisation or make a donation should log onto www.itsgood2talkgalway.com or email [email protected] or telephone (087 ) 2870794 or (083 ) 4079182. People can also call to the centre at the Tuam Road Retail Centre.
