Problem addressed
Ireland has long struggled with underfunded and overburdened public mental health services. According to the Mental Health Commission and various national reports, waiting times for counselling can extend to months in many areas. This delay disproportionately affects vulnerable individuals, particularly those experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, the impacts of addiction, and relationship issues. Each client is assessed by our skilled clinical team prior to being placed with a volunteer counsellor, who provides them with up to 24 counselling sessions over a 6 month period on the same day and time each week.
Access to counselling supports to those who can not afford private counselling ages 5 and up. We offer individual counselling, play therapy, group therapy, couples counselling and counselling for those impacted by addiction.
Innovative solution
Living Life Counselling was established to serve:
- Individuals who cannot afford private therapy (often €60–€100 per session)
- People experiencing social exclusion or economic disadvantage
- Those in urgent need of emotional support, directed towards us by health care professionals and public health services, who may be ineligible for acute care or are unable to avail of these services due to long wait lists.
- Our catchment area covers all of County Wicklow, up to and including the Wicklow/Wexford border, as well as Southeast County Dublin.
Model of Operation
Living Life Counselling operates a low-cost, donation-based counselling model, offering a professional service with no fixed fee, instead encouraging clients to contribute what they can afford.
Key Features:
- We are volunteer led: The service relies heavily on trainee, pre-accredited and accredited counsellors volunteering their time.
- Mentored placement opportunities: Supports counselling students in placement.
- Client centred access model: Referrals accepted from GPs and individuals directly.
- Sliding scale donation system: Clients contribute what they can, with no one turned away if they are unable to afford to donate.
In 2024 the average donation was just under €22 per session and our volunteer counsellors offered 11920 sessions over the course of the year
Governance and Funding Model
Living Life Counselling is a registered charity governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Daily operations are managed by a small team of paid staff, who support our volunteer counsellors. Each volunteer counsellor must be part of an accrediting body, have insurance in place and be supervised by a clinical supervisor.
Funding Sources:
- Annual grants: Pobal, Tusla, HSE Mental Health, Drugs Task Force, CUAN
- Public donations and fundraising
- In-kind community support
Key results and benefits
Outcomes and Impact
Living Life Counselling has had significant, measurable success over the years. Data from its website and reports show:
- 19,007 individuals helped in the last 29 years
- 218,543 volunteer counsellor hours provided
- High satisfaction: 84% of clients report improved wellbeing
- Reduction in dependency on GPs, the government health sector and psychiatric services Our volunteer programme also supports developing future psychotherapists.
Better mental health access for individuals = healthier communities
Volunteer Testimony “Thank you for such a positive experience!! It has been a pleasure getting to know you all, to be warmly greeted each week by your smiling faces, supported by your wisdom & expertise & inspired by your dedication!” -volunteer counsellor in 2023
Strengths include:
- Strong community integration
- Responsive to local needs
- Developed volunteer and student infrastructure
- An energetic leader in their Chief Operating Officer
Potential for mainstreaming
The model is scalable and replicable in communities with similar service gaps. Combining volunteerism, training, and client contributions allows cost-effective, sustainable delivery of professional care.
We are ready and willing to expand our reach. We are looking to actively create Living Life Counselling Hubs around Ireland to reach those who can not afford private counselling. We have a robust set of policies and procedures, a dynamic and energised team, are volunteer led with trainee and accredited counsellors, are well known for being an excellent place to support trainees on their journey, while also giving an incredibly professional service.
