Susi Lodola Counselling

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Susi Lodola Counselling

Psychotherapy Center

Counselling for Adults & Teens
Online and in-person Co. Wexford

Professional psychological service helping ADULTS & TEENS
CBT & Psychotherapy helping you to work through life's challenges. TREATMENT FOR:
General Anxiety
Social Anxiety
Health Anxiety
Post Natal Depression
OCD
Depression
Binge Eating
Weight and Body Image concerns
Stress management
Self-esteem issues

24/01/2026

One of the biggest blocks therapists name when it comes to teens is not theory, it is “Where do I start, and how can I work ethically and responsible with teens?”

Across the Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy, you will be guided by a highly experienced teaching team, each covering a key piece of competent adolescent work allowing you to work with teens in line with IACP guidelines.

What we cover:

I will take you through
* adolescent specific intake, including how to involve parents in a way that supports the work
* turning intake information into a clear case formulation
* assessments that help you gain insight and track progress
* CBT with teens, taught in a flexible, practical way
* creative approaches that help teens engage

Dr Malie Coyne will take you through Emotion Focused Therapy
* supporting adolescents to work with emotion, needs, and relationship patterns

Clodagh Ni Ghallachoir will cover legal and ethical practice with under 18s
* confidentiality, consent, guardianship, safeguarding, and documentation, mandatory reporting

Orlaigh Byrne will cover neurodiversity
* adapting your approach for ADHD, autism, learning differences, and sensory needs, supporting neurodiverse teens in the therapy room

You will leave with a clear understanding of child development and how to use appropriate interventions to match the teen brain development, lots of handouts, readings, worksheets, and lecture notes you can use straight away. After completing the course, you will be ready to work confidently and ethically with adolescent clients.

To make it easier for different schedules, I have organised 3 course dates across different days

* Fridays on February course
* Saturdays on August course
* Mondays on October course

If none of those days work for you, get in touch. I may add a fourth course this year if there is enough interest.

A few words from past participants
“Really practical, I could use the material straight away.”
“Clear structure for working with teens, it took away a lot of my uncertainty.”
“The intake and formulation piece made everything feel much more joined up.”
“The legal part clarified things I had been worried about for ages.”

17/01/2026

One of the questions I often get asked is: “Does this course qualify me to work with under 18s, or what age can I work with after completing it.”

In Ireland, there is not one single body that “licenses or accredits” you to work with under 18s. It comes down to two things, your insurance cover, and your competence to do the work safely and ethically.

That is exactly where this course fits. It is designed to build the specific skills you need for adolescent work, and it is aligned with the IACP guidance. The course is structured to help you develop real competence and confidence with adolescents, and it is approved by the IACP for CPD hours as well.

We start with developmental psychology so you can make sense of what you are seeing in the room, what is typical for this stage, what might be a red flag, and how development shapes emotions, behaviour, identity, and relationships.

From there we move into adolescent specific intake and assessment, how to ask the questions in a way that works with teens, how to assess risk, and how to build a picture that is clinically useful.
We spend time on case formulation too, so you are not just collecting information, you are learning how to organise it into a clear hypothesis that guides what you do next. A big part of that is learning how to manage parental involvement, how to keep the young person at the centre while still working appropriately with parents or guardians, and how to explain your role clearly from the start so everyone knows what to expect.

Legal considerations and confidentiality are woven through the course in a very practical way, because this is often where people feel most unsure. We talk through consent, disclosure, safeguarding, and the real life grey areas that come up when you are trying to protect the therapeutic relationship while also meeting your responsibilities.

We also give proper attention to neurodivergence in the therapy room, not just labels, but what it looks like moment to moment, how communication can be misunderstood and what helps you adapt your pace, language, and expectations so the work stays respectful.

We cover CBT in a way that actually fits adolescent life, we bring in creative methods that help you engage a young person who cannot or will not “just talk”, and we look at emotion focused work, alongside person centred therapy, so you can understand when each approach is most useful.
You also will learn from guest lecturers, who spend a lot of time in these specific areas, and you get a broader, more grounded sense of what adolescent work really involves day to day.
If you are interested I will put a link in comments for more info and how to book. Next course starting soon.

09/01/2026

Just a quick reminder that bookings for the February course will close on 1st Feb.

You can find detailed information on my website and the link to the courses is in my bio, or email me info@susilodolacounselling.com and I’ll send you all the information.

28/12/2025

The next Professional Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy is starting on the 6th Feb 2026.
The course dates are:
6th Feb 9.30 – 4.30
13th Feb. 9.30 – 4.30
27th Feb. 9.30 – 4.30
6th March 9.30 – 4.30

Training days are fully online via zoom.
Registration closes on 1st February and there ar 3 places left at the moment.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
The course is fully aligned with the IACP standards of working with under 18s.

22/12/2025

Schools in the Counselling and Mental Health Pilots will receive new wellbeing funding, which is really positive to see.

Since this pilot began, I’ve been privileged to be involved in the training of the Education Wellbeing Practitioners who will be working in some primary schools as part of this programme.

Their role focuses on supporting young children early, in an environment that is familiar and accessible to them. Having wellbeing support embedded within everyday school life, rather than as a separate service, can make a significant difference.

I really hope this programme continues to be rolled out to more schools in the future. There is such a need and more and sustained funding alongside dedicated practitioners can have a lasting impact for children, families, and school communities.

21/12/2025

As the year comes to a close and the longest night is behind us, the days may still feel heavy and dark, but there’s often a quiet sense that something is shifting. This point in the year can invite reflection on how we’ve been coping, what has taken its toll, and what we might need a little more of as we move forward.

At the same time, this season has a way of stirring things up. Old dynamics can reappear, emotions can feel closer to the surface, and small moments can land more heavily than expected. Before you realise it, you might feel unsettled, on edge, or overwhelmed.

Viktor Frankl spoke about the space between stimulus and response — the small pause where we have some choice in how we respond. I was reminded of this recently when visiting his museum and the apartment in Vienna where he once lived. It’s a quiet, ordinary place, which somehow makes his reflections on human choice and inner freedom feel even more real and usable in everyday life.

That “space” isn’t something we magically have. It’s something we practise creating, often in very small ways. Slowing the body down, noticing what’s happening internally, naming the feeling rather than acting on it straight away and noticing your thoughts.

At this time of year, that space often shows up in ordinary moments:
• Stimulus: “Are you still doing that job?”
• Immediate urge: Defend, snap, shut down, over-explain.
• The space: I notice I feel criticised and tense.
• Response: Choosing to change the subject, answer briefly, or reminding yourself that this comment doesn’t define you.

Sometimes that space is no more than a breath, a pause, or a quiet “noticing”. That space doesn’t mean staying calm all the time or pretending things don’t hurt. It simply means giving yourself a moment before reacting on autopilot.

As I’m finishing up for the year, I want to thank everyone who has worked with me over the past year — those who placed their trust in me in the therapy room, in supervision, and those who attended my courses. I’m wishing you some space to slow down and take care of yourselves over the weeks ahead.💜🌟

16/12/2025

In therapy, eating difficulties are often not what clients first come in for.

Bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and body image distress frequently sit alongside anxiety, low mood, trauma, or long-standing stress. They can remain hidden for a long time, shaped by shame, secrecy, and common misconceptions about who develops eating disorders and what they look like.

In April 2026, I’ll be running a two-day training focused on the recognition, assessment, and treatment of bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and body image distress. We’ll be looking closely at the research evidence around what treatment is most effective, how to apply this in day-to-day clinical work, and when referral to specialist services is needed.

Dates: 24 & 25 April 2026
Online | €280

Link to book on my website

07/12/2025

I want to share something deeply personal. When I look at this photo my daughter took on a recent flight — me holding my granddaughter, her little forehead resting against mine — I’m reminded of something I often speak about, yet still need to remind myself to return to. Like everyone else, my mind can slip into racing thoughts, organising, planning, and thinking about unanswered emails etc.

But in that moment all the usual mental noise — the responsibilities waiting at home, the inner chatter — just eased away. I wasn’t trying to be calm or centred; it simply happened. I was fully there with her, in the present moment itself. This is the essence of mindfulness. Not a technique or a set of steps, but the simple act of coming back to what is right in front of us.

This is where mindfulness lives. Jon Kabat-Zinn describes it as paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment. Yet what many people don’t realise is that mindfulness isn’t about achieving a particular state — it’s about noticing when the mind has wandered and gently returning to the here and now.

And woven through all of this is Viktor Frankl’s understanding of meaning. He wrote about meaning arising when we meet life with openness, rather than searching for something grand or dramatic. Meaning often reveals itself in the smallest interactions, the quiet pauses where we are truly present with another person, or even with ourselves. This photo brought all of that together for me. A small moment, but full of something steady and grounding,

As we move into this busy time of year, perhaps this is something worth holding onto: slow down where you can, even briefly. Stay in the present moment, focus on the here and now, and notice those racing thoughts without judgement and return to the here and now - . There’s a peacefulness in that — and often, a gentle sense of meaning waiting just beneath the noise.💜

29/11/2025

🌟Professional Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy for Adolescents🌟

Many therapists want to support adolescents but often feel unsure about how to adapt their existing skills — especially around parental involvement, legal and ethical responsibilities, boundaries, and translating their therapeutic approach into work with young people.

The Professional Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy for Adolescents was created with exactly that in mind. This IACP-approved course offers a clear, supportive framework to help therapists feel confident and well-prepared when working with adolescents and their families, while staying fully aligned with IACP guidelines for under-18s and the highest ethical standards.

Grounded in developmental theory and the latest research, the training brings together perspectives from psychotherapy, psychology, neurodiversity, and legal practice.
As a lecturer, supervisor and psychotherapist with formal studies in Psychology and Psychotherapy, I designed this course to bridge academic knowledge with real clinical application. The feedback has been incredible — many therapists describe it as the most practical and confidence-building CPD they’ve completed.

There are three intakes scheduled for 2026 and the February intake is already nearly full. If you miss the place in February you can join in either August or October intakes.
You can secure your place with a deposit now, and the next payment isn’t due until the end of January.

Bookings can be done through my website, the events page on IACP website or through my link in bio, or simply send me a message and I will send you the booking link.

26/11/2025

With so many CPD courses available, it can be hard to know which ones will genuinely support your work. Most therapists I meet want the same thing: to make their CPD hours count, learn approaches they can actually use, and feel more confident offering a wider range of support to clients.

The heart of my training approach is simple — everything I teach is practical, applicable, and grounded in what we know works. I look closely at the research and only teach approaches that are backed by robust empirical evidence. You won’t find anything speculative or trendy for the sake of it. My aim is that you leave each course with clear tools, solid frameworks, and a deeper understanding of why these interventions help clients.

We focus on what actually happens in the therapy room — those moments where you’re listening, noticing patterns, and deciding what to do next. Whether you're working with adolescents, emotional eating, or integrating CBT into your practice, the goal is for the learning to feel usable and relevant straight away.

The 2026 IACP approved CPD courses are now live for booking on my website.
See also the link in my Insta bio linktree

25/11/2025

I spent a few days in Vienna visiting family, and finally made it to the Viktor Frankl Museum. Even though it’s the city I grew up in, there are still places I’ve never seen, and this one was well worth it. It’s small but incredibly moving, especially the way Frankl explained our need for meaning in the everyday choices we make.

I also took in a bit of the culture I miss — a trip to the opera, a proper Viennese hot chocolate, the Christmas markets, and a wander through some of the city’s museums. It reminded me how much those experiences shaped me.

Frankl’s ideas still feel very present in the work I do. So many people I meet are trying to make sense of what they’re going through, and his focus on meaning and how we choose to respond continues to guide my practice.

If you’re ever in Vienna, it’s well worth a visit.

18/11/2025

This week I’m back with the Department of Education delivering the four-day training for Education Wellbeing Practitioners who’ll be working one-to-one with children in primary schools.

A big part of the training is helping practitioners learn how to build rapport with a child in a way that feels natural and safe. We look at very simple, human ways of connecting — things like really listening, being genuinely interested in the child’s world, matching their pace, and creating a space where they don’t feel judged or rushed. These are the foundations of what, in therapy, we call a “person-centred” approach, but in practice it simply means showing warmth, respect, and patience so the child feels understood.

Throughout the week, we’re also exploring how to help children talk about their feelings, how to use play and creative activities to make difficult topics easier to express, and how thoughts, feelings, body sensations and behaviours all link together. Practitioners are practising how to gently challenge unhelpful thoughts, introduce more balanced thinking, and plan small behavioural steps that help children feel braver and more capable.

It’s lovely to see the group growing in confidence with the skills they’ll bring back to their schools. These early interventions can make such a difference, and it’s a privilege to support the next wave of Education Wellbeing Practitioners as they begin this important work.

Address

Retail Centre, Wellington Bridge, Co. Wexford
Tallaght
Y35AE2X

Telephone

+353879184590

Website

http://www.susilodolacounselling.com/

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Our Story

Professional psychological service helping adults and adolescents work through life's challenges such as anxiety, depression, bereavement in a safe and confidential environment.

Most people face challenges in their life at some time. However sometimes the challenges become too much and you can feel helpless and overwhelmed. It could be anxiety over the uncertainty over the future, stress in work, loss of a loved one, depression, or problems in your relationship.

Counselling can be of great support for anyone experiencing difficulties in their life and talking to a counsellor will help you find clarity and help you find a way out of feeling helpless.

Counsellors listens attentively and patiently in a non-judgemental way and understand the difficulties a client is facing from their point of view. Counselling is a way of enabling choice or change and it does not involve giving advice. Instead a counsellor will enable the client explore various aspects of their life and feelings. By talking about it in a free and open way, which is often not possibly with friends and family, the client is given the opportunity to grow and find options that they may not have considered before. The counsellor may help the client to look at the options and help the client decide the best way for them.