New Light Psychotherapy and Counselling practice opens in Castlebar
By Tom Gillespie
IN 2013, Andrew Connolly, a native of central Mayo, decided he needed to make changes in his life and Tesco, where he worked, were good enough to give him a career break.
It was then he learned about psychotherapy and its values and benefits, first as a client, then in his studies in the University of Limerick, and now as a trained counsellor and psychotherapist.
He has opened up his own practice - New Light Psychotherapy & Counselling - at Upper Thomas Street, Castlebar, where he provides one-to-one therapy in a confidential setting.
When asked about psychotherapy, Andrew stated: “It’s a supportive, non-judgmental setting, where emotional or psychological difficulties are discussed between client and therapist.
“It’s a journey towards understanding the things that impact you, what’s their meaning to you and, finally, how you can find a way that you will not be defined by these. It explores the foundation of issues in your life.”
Referring to counselling, he said: “Like psychotherapy, counselling is a talk therapy where we will work together in a private, non-judgemental setting. Counselling has been used as a successful aid to support clients to unravel immediate problems and life and current challenges, helping a person form successful paths into resolving these issues. It is typically a shorter process.”
When asked about pricing and session lengths, Andrew said: “Sessions take about an hour and the cost is €65 and a minimum of six sessions would be recommended.”
Andrew told me that there was a limited availability of a lower cost per session for those in financial difficulty.
He advised that a person entering any form of counselling or psychotherapy should consider that it requires a firm commitment on the part of the client, as well as open communication to gain the most benefit from it.
During a discussion with a colleague who has studied psychology, Andrew was interested to hear of a study that showed that 86 per cent of people will experience some form of mental health hurdle in their life.
He added: “Psychological distress, a mental health challenge or whatever a person identifies it to be is a very common thing to occur in a person’s life. I think if we think of it that way, a mental health challenge is not such a rare characteristic and it should not be considered as unusual.”
Andrew continued: “I believe there can be a lot of self stigma. We are worrying about what other people are thinking while we would only be glad for another person to go and get that bit of help if they needed.
“I would like to see a change where people don’t just see engaging with a psychotherapist as a result of troubled times, but also as a support for further self-development and personal growth.”
Andrew has had a varied background. From a rural farm upbringing, he has also worked as a Tesco section manager and an auctioneer.
In recent years, he worked as a social care worker in residential care while he progressed in his studies and subsequent roles.
He relates to people with different backgrounds, and understands the difficulty of the first step.
He added: “Beginning therapy can be a difficult challenge. I have respect for anyone who does it.
“There is a term in psychotherapy - ‘a wounded healer’. I would identify with this. I am someone who has been through therapy as a client, experienced the benefit of it and intend on going back whenever necessary, and I found it very hard to go to therapy at the beginning.
“When people come we sit down and have a chat. We go through a few small bits but you will be welcome and valued in that room.
“The aim is that this will be a really positive experience for the person themselves. While always welcomed, they don’t need a doctor’s referral, which is important to know.”
Clients that he meets can be really struggling. They might have a big car, hold a position of authority, or they may have lost loved ones, their jobs, relationships, but at the end of the day, everybody from all paths in life needs help sometimes.
Andrew added: “I met my first client in 2018 and I have been going through the different processes since. I am there to support not judge.
“Every person is different. I am a strong believer that we have the vast majority of answers in ourselves but we can get muddled sometimes or different things can get in the way. Sometimes providing a healthy place where you are able to just ponder and consider things, a lot of the answers will come through.”
* Andrew Connolly can be contacted on (087) 365 5400, see his website https://newlight.ie/, or email newlight.psychotherapy@gmail.com.
Do you have a story to tell about your business? If so, Tom Gillespie would be delighted to hear from you. Get in touch at (087) 9680780 or gillespietom49@gmail.com.