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Realise
the
Potential
in
Your Relationship

Allison O'Neill Dublin Couples Counsellor Acorn Motif

WHAT I DO

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You can expect me to be as passionate about getting you back on track as you are. I am in it for the long haul. 

 

This hands on approach lets us move from where you are to a different, better place.

 

It is a positive, neutral space to explore and create new possibilities.

 

The sessions are purposeful, goal orientated but ultimately safe and easy to attend.

 

This is a good place to be.

The 6-Week CBT Based Therapy Program will allow you both to focus on your individual identity whilst remaining as a couple, coparenting together, arguing well, and increasing intimacy. 

 

We will work together to provide your relationship with:

 

  • Practical interventions to improve communication, conflict resolution and listening skills. Learning to embrace conflict and do it well.

  • Working out realistically what kind of relationship you would be happy with and trying to achieve this goal. 

  • Working together to improve the relationship, knocking down the blocks to getting there.

  • Focused homework to embed skills. 

  • The commitment is 6 weeks the same time each week, reviewed on the 6th week with additional booster sessions available. ​

The Couples pre-marriage half-day workshop is a comprehensive look into your relationship. Looking at everything from money, communication, family history and dynamics to expectations goals and assumptions. 
 

Why do this?

 

If you were going to buy a car or invest in a company you would want to know what you are letting yourself in for, what to expect, ensuring you are both active contributors. 

So, why not for the biggest decision in your life: a marriage.

 

What can I expect? How will we be both contributing to this? Do you have an expiry date? All important questions to ask.

 

Starting with a questionnaire, to be filled in and sent back before the workshop. 

 

The workshop will be broken up into two with a break in between to allow for reflection. There will also be a 10 minute break every hour. Total therapy time is 3.5 hours. 

 

What you stand to gain:

 

  • You will feel positive, brighter and clearer on your future together. 

  • The workshop is fun and relaxed.

  • A celebration of what it is you are both doing well together.

  • A deeper look into the blind spots to gain mutual understanding.

  • If you are getting married in a church this will certainly suffice as evidence that you have actually thought about it (certification provided to satisfy Catholic celebrants when required).

 

Couples can spend more time on seating arrangements that whether the bride/ groom is up to the job. 

 

You cant go on a journey if you don’t have a clue where you are going and if you are both going on different journeys it is best to find out now.

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The best journeys have an anticipated endpoint. You know you have the equipment and a rough plan how to last the distance if the wheels fall off.

Divorce or Separation Coaching 

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Ok, so the wheels have come off and you have decided to separate or divorce. 

 

There are two ways of doing it, lawyer up and fight to the death or sit down and try and work out what way you are going to do it.  

 

This tailored session will give you:

 

  • A neutral space to talk about coparenting apart, if children are involved. 

  • To discuss how the legal process if going. 

  • If lawyers have taken over and it is developing a life of its own, you will have a space where they can meet up and talk about what’s happening. 

  • It is cheaper and easier option, where anger and blame are put aside. 

  • Any details can be ironed out and negotiated upon. These include; who takes the kids, who lives where, do the kids meet your new partner, what happens to the china you got for your wedding, can I still talk to your parents.

  • Humanity and compassion with a whole load of direction.

 

Mediation can be uninviting and cold with drawn out waiting times. This space is warm, friendly and most importantly neutral. The idea of this is to get you closer to an agreed divorce as opposed to a contested court case. 

 

There is the fear that there will be no money and there is the fear that one will not be able to be a full parent anymore. 

 

You own the space and you set out the agenda. This is not the space to attack each other. It’s a constructive working space which allows people to be people. Bringing the feelings of confusion, upset, loneliness, anger, regret and feeling let down to the surface for repair. 

 

It is a comprehensive ancillary space for aware and mature couples who want to do this right. For couples that have consciously decided to separate and want help navigating this process. 

 

It may be madness to think now, but you might actually like each other at the end of it and coparent well. 

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