MDI Counselling Services
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to begin…
When things feel uncertain, overwhelming, or emotionally heavy, support can begin simply by having the space to talk. MDI offers short-term counselling support for individuals and family members, providing a safe, confidential space to explore the challenges you may be facing with the support of an experienced professional.
We work alongside a panel of counsellors and therapists who provide support to children, adolescents, and adults, using approaches appropriate to age and individual need, including, where suitable, child-centred and play-based approaches.
Sessions are generally offered online or over the phone, making it easier for members to access support. All counsellors and therapists providing support through this service are members of their professional accreditation bodies and fully Garda vetted and have received training from Muscular Dystrophy Ireland staff to develop their understanding of neuromuscular conditions and the unique challenges faced by individuals and families living with these conditions.
Who is this service for?
The counselling service is primarily available to adult and child members of MDI.In some circumstances, siblings or carers may also be eligible where the need for support is directly connected to the impact of an MDI member’s condition. This helps ensure counselling is focused on challenges related to neuromuscular conditions and their effects on family life, health, and wellbeing.
How Can Our Counselling Service Help?
Our counselling service can help with challenges that arise while living with or supporting someone with a neuromuscular condition. Examples of situations where people often seek support include:
· Adjusting to changes in health or daily life
· Receiving or coming to terms with a new diagnosis
· Living with a neuromuscular condition, or supporting a family member or partner who is
· Navigating transitions or challenges
· Coming to terms with a child's diagnosis
· Coping with bereavement or loss
There may be other challenges you are facing that counselling can help you navigate. We are happy to discuss your individual needs and explore how best we can support you.
Counselling and Psychotherapy
Our talk-based therapies include both counselling and psychotherapy, delivered by trained professionals. These sessions provide a safe space to explore challenges, process thoughts and feelings, and develop strategies to cope with difficult experiences.
Play Therapy
Play therapy is generally offered to younger members. A play therapist uses play as a way to communicate and work through experiences, allowing children to express themselves in a natural and supportive way.
Creative Arts Therapies
Creative Arts Therapists use various creative mediums - such as art or music, to support the therapeutic process. These approaches can be helpful for people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults, particularly if expressing thoughts and feelings through words feels difficult.
Our Counsellors and Therapists
MDI work alongside many counsellors and therapists, all with different backgrounds to ensure that our service can support you in the best way possible.
Loreena had a successful career in financial services and contact centres for over 20 years before returning to education in 2015 and achieving a degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She is an accredited psychotherapist with IACP. Loreena then returned to college again to qualify as an Adolescent Psychotherapist and Couples Psychotherapist.
Loreena Dowdall
Farrah is a qualified humanistic and integrative psychotherapist, fully accredited by IACP. She works with children, adolescents and adults. Her therapeutic approach is centred towards the individual person holistically. She aims to collaborate with the client to create change, empowerment and fulfilment.
Farrah Tayob
Jordane is a child and adolescent psychotherapist and play therapist who graduated with the Children's Therapy Centre. Jordane has over 8 years of experience working with young people aged 3 - 18 years in a variety of settings and with a variety of issues.
Jordane Salmon
Liam is a fully qualified psychotherapist with a Masters in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy [Clinical] from the Tivoli institute / SETU. Prior to practicing as a counsellor and psychotherapist Liam worked in the education sector for many years and has a Doctorate in Education from TCD. Through a person-centred and integrative approach, he focuses on creating a safe and supportive space where clients are facilitated in developing a fuller understanding of themselves and the issues they are confronting. Liam works with adults. The aim is to enable clients to improve their relationship with themselves and with others, and to live in ways that are more in tune with their own values and hopes.
Liam Walsh
Sarah is an accredited Psychotherapist with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and works from a humanistic and integrative approach, tailoring therapy to the unique needs and circumstances of each client.
Through her own experience of therapy, Sarah developed a strong belief in the importance of supporting people to better understand themselves, their emotions, and their own strengths and capabilities. This experience inspired her to become a psychotherapist and continues to shape how she works with clients today, promoting autonomy, self-awareness, and positive change.
Sarah integrates a range of therapeutic approaches including Person-Centred Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, CBT, ACT, and Solution Focused Therapy depending on the needs of the individual.
Sarah McDermott
Bernadette Moran is an Integrative psychotherapist, having trained on the MSc Psychotherapy at DCU, and is a Pre-Accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
As a psychotherapist, Bernadette brings a warm, empathic presence and is committed to creating a safe atmosphere for her clients. Bernadette’s integrative training has given her a grounding in a number of therapeutic approaches (humanistic, psychodynamic, systemic, couples, psychosexual approaches) which allows her to tailor her approach to working with each client individually.
As well as her psychotherapy qualifications, Bernadette is also a qualified music therapist and member of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists.
Bernadette Moran
How to Access our Counselling Service
Accessing our counselling service is simple. You can contact the Information and Advocacy Support Line on 01 6236414 (Monday to Friday, 10am–3pm) or complete our online contact form
An MDI support worker will speak with you about your, or your child’s needs and discuss the type of support that may be most helpful. Your referral will then be forwarded to the counselling service coordinator.
We aim to connect you with a counsellor or therapist as quickly as possible. In some cases, we may also signpost you to another service if it is better suited to provide the support you need.
As our counselling service offers short-term support, referrals that indicate a need for longer-term or more specialist care may be directed to appropriate external services where additional support can be provided.
For younger children, in-person sessions are often the most effective approach, particularly where play-based or child-centred therapy is needed. While MDI can facilitate access to play therapy through our counselling panel, this service is currently limited to the Greater Dublin area.
Outside of these arrangements, families seeking play therapy must first discuss the request with an MDI Support Worker and obtain approval from MDI before making any arrangements with a therapist. Once approval has been granted, families will be responsible for identifying a suitably qualified play therapist in their local area.
Before therapy can commence, MDI will verify that the therapist holds the appropriate qualifications, professional accreditation, and insurance cover. Once approved by MDI, the therapist will invoice MDI directly for the agreed sessions.
What to expect
Our counselling service is offered on a short-term basis, with an initial allocation of up to six sessions. Following review and approval, up to a further six sessions may be offered where appropriate, bringing the maximum number of sessions available to twelve in total.
If you are referred to the service, your assigned counsellor or therapist will arrange a schedule that works for you. Sessions are usually delivered online or by phone, depending on your circumstances and preferences.
Your counsellor or therapist will work to create a safe, supportive, and confidential space where you can feel comfortable exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences at your own pace.
What happens after I finish my sessions?
Some people feel ready to move forward after short-term counselling, while others may benefit from additional support. If you feel you may need further help, this can be discussed with your counsellor or therapist, who can help you explore appropriate next steps and available supports.
Depending on your circumstances, you may wish to access support through your local Family Resource Centre, an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) if one is available through your employer, or school-based support services where children or young people are involved. You may also choose to access private counselling services if ongoing support is required.
MDI also offers a range of supports that can help you stay connected and continue moving forward, including:
Community Connection Programme
Our aim is to ensure you are supported in transitioning to the most appropriate ongoing help for your needs.
For more information