Mary helps us beat lockdown blues by giving counselling sessions online
Freud supposedly said the Irish were immune from psychoanalysis. Well, when not fixing leaky taps for fun, Mary McHugh is out to prove him wrong. She won the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year award for her business – onlinecounselling.ie - that is proving a godsend for many in these troubled times. She also tells us how it needn’t cost the earth and is available free through health cover, EAP schemes at work and medical cards.
Online counselling? Great idea! But why now?
Actually we have been counselling online as a business since 2011. But counselling and psychotherapy were taught as only being possible face to face. When we began, we actually told no one. We began because we knew people were struggling and some of them were only getting seen when they presented in an A&E department. We (Donijka Monk and myself) felt an ethical obligation to meet people where they were at, not where society thought they should be.
How is the Irish Online Counselling & Psychotherapy Service doing?
It has really taken off. People did not know it existed unless you searched for counselling online through a search engine. But to get support during Covid, it was the only way. People now know that if they can work from home they can access support from home, office or car. You save on travel, childcare costs, time, parking etc. You can choose the time, the therapist and the medium of communication.
How much is it?
€65 for video/telephone counselling and €60 for instant messaging.
Can you help people beat the lockdown blues?
Absolutely, people attend counselling for all sorts of reasons and for some they may need some very practical skills to help with their mindset.
Is it covered by health insurance?
Yes, around six sessions depending on the policy but I feel they need to widen that to at least 13.
Can we get free counselling through work?
Most definitely. We have 22 therapists so we work well with companies setting up Employment Assistance Programmes for their employees and families.
What if you simply can’t afford it?
You’re entitled to six weeks (counselling) on a medical card.
When should we seek counselling?
Before the molehill becomes a mountain. That support may be a chat with a friend but if you’re feeling ‘not yourself’ for more than a week, make an appointment and speak to a professional. We all need support sometime in our lives. Counselling is a great sounding board and then psychotherapy delves deeper into the root causes of issues.
Why may we need counselling?
Our life over the last few decades has speeded up at an enormous rate and this has brought high levels of stress and burnout. Every human being struggles at times in their lives with their mental well-being.
What are the main Irish issues?
Anxiety, depression and addiction.
Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
Absolutely. I was 25 when my marriage broke down and I had three small children. I had to rely on social welfare for a while and I remember the struggle to stand on my own feet. But I did and I have not looked back.
Ever been ripped off?
When I lived by myself with the children, tradesmen often left work in not a great way. Years later I was able to see what a poor job they had done.
Do you have a pension?
I do. I froze it when the children were small as there were priorities other than pensions. My youngest is now 26 so I think it’s time to de-frost it!
Guilty treat?
I love a glass of red wine and a packet of Tayto
What else do you do to unwind?
I go plumbing with my partner!
As in fixing leaky taps?!
Yes, leaky taps, changing radiators etc. My partner is a plumber and I love it. It’s not as difficult as we are led to believe. It’s physical and it clears the head. I also love to cycle and my newest way to unwind is to roll around with my baby grandson.