Dr. Ali Fenwick, Ph.D. Psychotherapy
Personal Therapy
A safe, confidential space to understand yourself more deeply, overcome life’s challenges, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Understanding therapy
What is psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a collaborative, evidence-based process that helps you understand the patterns underlying your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, while developing the awareness and practical tools needed for lasting change. Drawing on behavioural psychology, clinical psychology, and integrative psychotherapy, I offer an approach that is scientifically grounded, deeply compassionate, and tailored to you.
Common reasons people seek therapy
What brings people to therapy
You don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, anxious, or simply looking to understand yourself better, therapy provides a space to make sense of what you’re experiencing. Below are some of the most common reasons people come to see me.
Anxiety & overwhelm
Persistent worry, panic, racing thoughts, or a constant sense of being on edge.
Depression & low mood
Flatness, exhaustion, loss of meaning, or feeling disconnected from yourself and others.
Trauma & difficult experiences
The lasting effects of frightening, painful, or overwhelming events, recent or long past.
Relationships & patterns
Recurring dynamics, difficulty with closeness or boundaries, conflict, or isolation.
Grief & loss
Bereavement, or other endings and changes that have been hard to move through.
Self-worth & identity
Harsh self-criticism, feeling “not enough”, or questions about who you are and what you want.
Work-Life Balance & Burnout
Chronic stress, exhaustion, blurred boundaries, or feeling unable to switch off from work.
Domestic Violence & Abuse
Support for the emotional impact of coercive control and emotional, physical, sexual, or financial abuse.
A holistic approach
A holistic model to identify the root cause
I work from a biopsychosociospiritual understanding of healing and well-being. Distress rarely lives in only one part of a life, so I never reduce you to a single symptom or label. I look at how each dimension shapes the others, and how to heal across all of them.
The approach
What “integrative” actually means
Integrative psychotherapy isn’t a single technique. It’s a principled way of drawing on several established traditions, so the therapy fits you rather than the other way around.
In practice that might mean exploring early relationships and recurring patterns one week, and building practical tools for the present the next. What stays constant is the relationship between us: steady, honest, and confidential. Below are the traditions I draw on most.
“No two people arrive with the same history, so it makes little sense to offer everyone the same method. We begin by understanding your story, then shape the work around it.”
PCT
A non-judgemental, collaborative relationship as the ground from which real change grows.
CBT
Practical tools for the thoughts and habits keeping difficulty in place, used where they genuinely help.
ACT
Making room for difficulty and acting on what you truly value.
Schema Therapy
Working with long-standing patterns and the unmet needs behind them, so they stop repeating.
Psychodynamic
Understanding how early relationships and unconscious patterns shape the present, so they lose their hold.
Solution-Focused
Building on what already works, and on the strengths you already have.
Accreditations & memberships
Registered with, and accountable to, recognised professional bodies across Europe and the United States.
Getting started
Three simple steps
Beginning therapy should feel manageable. Here’s exactly what to expect.
Initial consultation
A 20-minute conversation to understand what you’re looking for, answer initial questions, and see whether working together feels like a good fit.
A fuller first meeting
A more in-depth session to explore what’s brought you here, clarify your goals, and, where useful, use appropriate assessments to build a clearer picture.
Finding your rhythm
Over the first few sessions, you settle into the process at your own pace while I get to know how you think and what helps. Together we find an approach that works for you.
Take the first step, when you’re ready.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy
Is therapy confidential?
Yes. What you share stays between us, within the usual professional and legal limits (for example, where there’s a serious risk to safety). We’ll talk through confidentiality at the start.
How do I know if therapy is right for me?
That’s very common, and there’s no commitment in finding out. The 20-minute initial consultation exists precisely for this, to talk things over and see whether it feels worth taking a next step.
Is it online or in person?
Personal therapy is offered online and in person in Ireland. If you’re based outside Ireland and would like online support, my coaching services are available internationally.
How do online sessions work?
Sessions run over secure, private video. You just need a quiet space and a stable connection.
What’s the difference between therapy and coaching?
Therapy is designed for people experiencing significant emotional distress or psychological difficulties that are affecting their daily life, relationships, or well-being. Coaching is designed for people who are psychologically well but want support to achieve goals, navigate change, improve performance, or develop new skills. Many concerns such as stress, burnout, confidence, or relationship challenges can be addressed through either approach. During an initial consultation, we’ll determine together which service is the most appropriate for your needs.
How long does therapy take?
It depends on you and your goals. Some people come for a focused piece of work over a few months, others for longer. We review progress together and you’re always in control of the pace.
What happens in the first psychotherapy session?
A focused, unhurried conversation to understand what’s bringing you here, across the whole picture, and to agree clear, workable goals together. This also includes filling out assessment forms. No pressure, and no fixed script.
What does it cost?
- Personal Therapy (Ireland only)€95 / 50 min
- Digital Well-Being Counselling€150 / hour
- Coaching€250–350 / hour
- Corporate Well-Being ServicesOn request
Book an initial consultation to get started. If you decide to continue working with Dr. Fenwick, the cost of your initial consultation will be credited towards your first follow-up session.
Can I get tax relief on my psychotherapy fees?
Clients in Ireland may be eligible to claim tax relief on psychotherapy fees through Revenue. Eligibility depends on Revenue requirements and the client’s individual circumstances. Please check with Revenue to confirm availability.
How do I get started?
Book a 20-minute initial consultation, or send a short message about what’s bringing you here. Everything you share is confidential.
I need urgent help — what should I do?
If you’re in crisis or at immediate risk, please contact your GP, call Emergency Services in Ireland 999 or 112, or the Samaritans on 116 123 at any time. If outside of Ireland, contact your local emergency services. Therapy is not an emergency service, and these support contact numbers can help right away.