IAN BROOKS COUNSELLING

Feeling stuck or unhappy? Difficulties at work or in your personal life? Even the strongest among us can feel lost, unsure, ambivalent, or unhappy at times. As a professional Counsellor, I can help you understand and better manage whatever life throws at you, and how to do it successfully.

CONTACT IAN

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ABOUT IAN

Professional experience

I qualified as a counsellor / psychotherapist in 2010. I have over five years experience as a volunteer for the Samaritans in the 1980's and I also worked as a residential social worker for individuals with a variety of enduring mental health issues including depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders and suicidal ideation, for over nine years in the UK.

In my four years at the Cork Simon Community I worked with individuals who experienced difficult childhoods, drug and alcohol misuse and managed violent and aggressive behaviours.

Whilst working at Barnardos I ran the Internationally recognised "Incredible Years Parenting Programme" for two years, both as a group facilitator and on a one to one basis. I worked with children between the ages of eight and fifteen, families and one to one with a variety of interventions relevant to the person concerned.

I worked as a volunteer counsellor for Cork Arc House with individuals who had a cancer diagnosis, were related to someone with a cancer diagnosis, or had been bereaved.

I volunteered with the Social and Health Education Project in Ballincollig for nine years and worked with both families and primarily teenagers who were experiencing a variety of difficulties in their everyday lives.

I am an Accredited counsellor registered with the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists and work within their code of ethics and guidelines.

Education & Professional Qualifications

BA (Hons) Social Science

BA (Hons) Counselling & Psychotherapy

Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Diploma in Social Work

Diploma in Higher Education

Certificate in Teaching Adult Learners

ITEC Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology & Massage

Accredited Counsellor / Psychotherapist and member of the IACP

About Ian

Education

Qualifications

WHAT I CAN OFFER

Unlike some other counsellors I will only offer you a service in which I have either professional experience and training or have experienced personally. Through my own life experiences I feel I am better able to relate to some of the issues presented by clients and this has helped in the developing of a trusting therapeutic relationship. These areas include:

Low Self-esteem / self-worth
Bullying
Parenting
Mental Health issues / concerns
Bereavement, Grief & Loss
Relationships

I offer 100% confidentiality unless there are issues around your safety, the safety of others or a child protection concern. We would discuss any concerns I may have before contacting relevant people concerned, like a GP.

I will offer you my undivided attention whilst we work together. I will work with you so that you can find the best way to move forward with whatever is concerning you at the present. There may be times when I will challenge what you do and why, and we would discuss other possible ways of thinking and doing, with the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, in order to move forward.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of the approaches I use in order to help people move on, but I also look at the family history and how it shaped us into the person we have become and what the benefits are, if any, of continuing to behave and think the way we do, if it is not helpful.

I use a variety of approaches in my work with clients and this may include drawing, role play, humour and guided visualisation.

Ultimately, it is how we relate together which determines whether or we can work together and if you will trust me with your deepest darkest secrets. I will check in with you from time to time to see "How are We Doing?" because we need to be open and honest with each other if our work is to be of benefit to you.

The initial consultation fee is half the cost of a normal session, to see if you feel that we could work together.

Schedule a Session

What I Offer

Upcoming Events

TESTIMONIALS

"Hi Ian, I just wanted to say thank you very much for seeing me. I feel I really learnt a lot from our "sessions" and feel I have grown up as a person. Thanks."

T (15yr Jnr Cert male) Behavioural difficulties and Bereavement

I want to thank you for all that you have done for me , for helping me save me from myself. I honestly was beginning to believe that everybody hated me and nobody truly cared for me, but you helped me to see how loved I am. You helped me through a really dark time and place. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. M (Age 19) - Anxiety, Depression, Suicidal thoughts.

"Thank you for listening to my manic ravings without getting a strait jacket for me. I want to tell you that you helped me enormously and I really appreciated your empathy. I miss myself talking at you, but often find myself thinking "What would Ian do?" So you are my Jiminy Cricket!! Thanks a million."

M (Age 46) Breast cancer patient

TESTIMONIALS

"Thanks for all you have done for me Ian. I couldn't ever thank you enough, it helped me so much. Thank you for that."

C (17yr old male - Anxiety & panic attacks)

"It's hard to believe the difference in my outlook, my state of mind in work, and improvements again in my personal life. So just wanted to thank you again for everything you helped me through."
M (Age 39 ) - Anxiety, Stress, Childhood trauma.

" I want to thank you for giving me the space to talk about the difficulties I had in coming to terms with a dual illness diagnosis. I felt supported and heard. When you challenged me, I felt you did it respectfully and made me reflect on what was really stopping me discussing those issues. I liked the fact you checked in with me at those times to make sure I was okay with how you had challenged. Thanks again and good luck in the future."
D (Age 52) - Cancer patient

Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

"Hi Ian, I just wanted to say thank you very much for seeing me. I feel I really learnt a lot from our "sessions" and feel I have grown up as a person. Thanks."

T (15yr Jnr Cert male) Behavioural difficulties and Bereavement

"Thank you for listening to my manic ravings without getting a strait jacket for me. I want to tell you that you helped me enormously and I really appreciated your empathy. I miss myself talking at you, but often find myself thinking "What would Ian do?" So you are my Jiminy Cricket!! Thanks a million."

M (Age 46) Breast cancer patient

TESTIMONIALS

"Thanks for all you have done for me Ian. I couldn't ever thank you enough, it helped me so much. Thank you for that."

C (17yr old male - Anxiety & panic attacks)

"It's hard to believe the difference in my outlook, my state of mind in work, and improvements again in my personal life. So just wanted to thank you again for everything you helped me through."

M (Age 39 ) - Anxiety, Stress, Childhood trauma.

" I want to thank you for giving me the space to talk about the difficulties I had in coming to terms with a dual illness diagnosis. I felt supported and heard. When you challenged me, I felt you did it respectfully and made me reflect on what was really stopping me discussing those issues. I liked the fact you checked in with me at those times to make sure I was okay with how you had challenged. Thanks again and good luck in the future."

D (Age 52) - Cancer patient

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

Charles Darwin

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandella

SCHEDULE A SESSION

Contact me today to schedule a session.

ianbrookscounselling@gmail.com

08764 99904

Book Now

IAN BROOKS COUNSELLING

ABOUT IAN

WHAT I CAN OFFER

Upcoming Events

TESTIMONIALS

​

"Hi Ian, I just wanted to say thank you very much for seeing me. I feel I really learnt a lot from our "sessions" and feel I have grown up as a person. Thanks."

T (15yr Jnr Cert male) Behavioural difficulties and Bereavement

M (Age 46) Breast cancer patient

TESTIMONIALS

​

"Thanks for all you have done for me Ian. I couldn't ever thank you enough, it helped me so much. Thank you for that."

C (17yr old male - Anxiety & panic attacks)

"It's hard to believe the difference in my outlook, my state of mind in work, and improvements again in my personal life. So just wanted to thank you again for everything you helped me through." M (Age 39 ) - Anxiety, Stress, Childhood trauma.

TESTIMONIALS

​

"Hi Ian, I just wanted to say thank you very much for seeing me. I feel I really learnt a lot from our "sessions" and feel I have grown up as a person. Thanks."

T (15yr Jnr Cert male) Behavioural difficulties and Bereavement

M (Age 46) Breast cancer patient

TESTIMONIALS

​

"Thanks for all you have done for me Ian. I couldn't ever thank you enough, it helped me so much. Thank you for that."

C (17yr old male - Anxiety & panic attacks)

"It's hard to believe the difference in my outlook, my state of mind in work, and improvements again in my personal life. So just wanted to thank you again for everything you helped me through."

M (Age 39 ) - Anxiety, Stress, Childhood trauma.

D (Age 52) - Cancer patient

​

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.”

Charles Darwin

​

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandella

SCHEDULE A SESSION

"It's hard to believe the difference in my outlook, my state of mind in work, and improvements again in my personal life. So just wanted to thank you again for everything you helped me through."
M (Age 39 ) - Anxiety, Stress, Childhood trauma.