My name is Linda Bolger, and my counselling practice is called STL Counselling & Psychotherapy.
STL stands for ‘Someone to Listen’ and my hope is that if it’s counselling that you need that I could be that someone for you.
I am a fully qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist with a Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy. I am an accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP).
I also hold a Professional Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and a Level 9 Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health.
I specialise in all areas of women’s health – working with women with a wide range of issues, including but not limited to the following: Preconception & Fertility, Infertility, IVF & Assisted Reproduction, Pregnancy, Miscarriage & Loss, Traumatic Birth, Post Natal Anxiety, Post Natal Depression, Transition to Motherhood, Perimenopause & Menopause, Stress, Anxiety & Depression, Self Esteem & Confidence.
I have also completed specialised training with the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA) and have completed workshops and training in the area of fertility. I am a professional member of the Irish Fertility Counsellors Association (IFCA).
In addition to my training and qualifications I have my own lived experiences of many of the difficulties and struggles on the journey to and through motherhood. I am a Mam to two beautiful healthy girls, and I know and understand how challenging and difficult it can be. Motherhood can be a wonderful experience but sometimes the journey to getting there isn’t quite so wonderful. Also, when we do get there, we are often faced with so many different challenges, feelings, and emotions that we did not expect and were not prepared for.
From my own experiences of the journey to becoming a mother and being a mother for the first time I honestly can say that it has given me such a deeper understanding of what it is like, how hard it can be and the emotional toll it can have on you. This has truly helped me to help and support my clients. I genuinely understand how difficult it can be and that drives my passion for wanting to help and support new Mams on this journey.
I work using an integrative approach with person-centred being my background and training, however over the years I have moved more towards CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Solution Focused Therapy as I find it works very well with so many issues presented – for e.g. anxiety, depression, panic attacks, OCD to name but a few. Both are very effective forms of therapy and clients can see results, improvement and progress quite quickly using these approaches.
Each session is based on what you need and where you are at in that moment. The relationship and connection is hugely important and once you can feel safe and comfortable to openly share and talk then we work to navigate the journey together.
I offer a safe, compassionate, and non-judgemental space for you to work through whatever it is that has brought you to counselling.
My aim is to support you to move forward. We will focus on working together in a collaborative way to gain increased insight and self-awareness and identify your challenges and how to overcome them.
I will be guided by you, and we will work at a pace that you are comfortable with. Any challenges will be approached and done gently to ensure that you always feel safe throughout the time we work together.
Our sessions will include a mix of psychoeducation, providing you with practical and emotional support, providing you with tips and tools and coping strategies if appropriate. All of this with the aim of getting you to a place of increased awareness, greater insight, more self-compassion, empowering change and ultimately improved overall mental health.
I have a huge passion and interest in perinatal mental health both from my own personal experience and from working with so many amazing women during this massive transitional period in their lives.
If you want to find out more, please do get in touch. We can arrange an introductory call so we can have a chat and you can find out if working with me might be a suitable fit for you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
