To speak to a Counsellor call: FREEPHONE 1800 477 477 - UK and Northern Ireland: 00800 477 477 77

 

Connect Counselling

An anonymous professional telephone counselling service for survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse since 2006

FREEPHONE TELEPHONE COUNSELLING SERVICE

Connect began operating in 2006. It was named the National Counselling Helpline Service and was renamed Connect in late 2008.

Phone Counselling

Connect is an additional service to the HSE’s National Counselling Service which provides free face to face counselling for people who have suffered abuse, trauma or neglect in their childhood. Connect provides counselling services by telephone which may suit some people better. The service was established after it became apparent some years ago that there had been widespread childhood abuse and neglect in Ireland.

Connect Counsellors

The service is staffed by five part time professional counsellors who are accredited with the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP). The counselling team are experienced in the work of trauma and working with people who have experienced a difficult childhood. At time of high demand, locum staff are contracted to assist the Connect Counsellors.

Nature of the Service

Connect is not intended to be a crisis service but a supportive and therapeutic service for people who would like to talk about the abuse, neglect or trauma they have suffered, or want help in dealing with the past to help take better control of their lives today.

Connect is led by a Service Director, who is supported by an Office Administrator. They can both be contacted at admin@connectcounselling.ie, or by calling 01 865 7400.

Service Provision and Reach

Connect is a part time service – available 7 evenings per week 5pm – 9pm – 52 weeks of the year, including Christmas and New Year.

Office hours are Wednesday and Thursday 9.00am – 5.00pm

Members of the board Details

Chair: Gerry Kelly
Secretary: Darragh Jáuregui-Hogan
David Fox
Mairead Quigley
Carmel McDonnell Byrne

Aims of Connect Counselling

  • To provide an out of hours telephone service for adults who were abused in childhood
  • To provide support and counselling to individuals who were abused in institutional settings, the family home or in the community.
  • To support family members, partners and relatives of people who have suffered abuse.

Abuse is defined by Connect as any experience of physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as neglect or trauma.

‘Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength’ Sigmund Freud