Therapy begins with a Single Step.

A path to acceptance and understanding.

Counselling for mental health and general Well-being

Image of steffi gulde, a therapist and counsellor in the Kilkenny, Carlow Region
the logo for Steffi Gulde, a therapist and counsellor in the Kilkenny, Carlow region

Hi, I am Steffi.

Well Done! You have taken the first step towards your mental health care journey,
take a look at my therapist toolkit.

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”

- Carl Rogers

Learn About My Modalities

  • What is Person-Centered Therapy?

    Imagine you have a friend that can listen to you without judging or telling you what to do and trusts that you have all the answers you need already in you. That’s what person-centered therapy is like! It’s a place where you can share your feelings, and your therapist is there to help you understand them.

    How Does It Work?

    1. You Are Important: In this therapy, you get to talk about whatever is on your mind. Your thoughts and feelings are completely valid, important and heard.

    2. Feeling Safe: The therapist makes sure you feel safe and accepted, and never pushes you to go into anything that you don't want. You can be yourself without worrying about what anyone else thinks.

    3. Talking and Playing: Sometimes, instead of just talking, I might invite you to draw pictures to show how you feel or use play as a form of expression. This helps you express yourself in a fun way, when words may just not be enough.

    Why Is It Helpful?

    When you talk about your feelings, it helps you understand them better. It’s like shining a flashlight in a dark room—you can see things more clearly! This can help you feel happier and more confident.

    Who is it for ?

    Adults and adolescents in a wide variety of scenarios can benefit from this form of therapy:

    • anxiety

    • depression

    • grief and loss

    • ADHD

    • major life issues

    • self-esteem issues

    • relationship problems

    • work or academic stress

  • Imagine your thoughts are like little voices in your head. Sometimes, these voices can say things that make you feel inadequate, like "I'm not good enough!" or "What if something bad happens?" CBT helps you notice these thoughts and teaches you how to change them into better ones, like "I can try my best!" or "I am safe."

    How Does It Work?

    1. Think About Your Thoughts: Just like when you are working, you need to pay attention to what you're doing. In CBT, you learn to pay attention to what your thoughts are saying.

    2. Feelings Matter: Your thoughts have the power to make you feel happy, sad, scared and many other emotions. If you change your thoughts, it can help change how you feel, and taking back control over your life.

    3. Practice New Skills: CBT gives you tools to use when you're feeling worried, anxious, hopeless or down. It’s like learning a new habit—when you practice them, they become easier!

    Why Is It Helpful?

    When you learn to talk back to unhelpful thoughts, it helps you retrain your brain to think and feel stronger, more positively, and can lead to more consistent states of happiness.

    Who is it for?

    CBT has been shown to be beneficial in a wide variety of settings:

    • Depression

    • Anxiety Disorders

    • OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

    • ADHD

    • Children and Adolescents

      Behavioral Issues

    • Individuals Facing Life Challenges

    • Stress Management

    • Grief and Loss

    • Those with Physical Health Conditions

    • Chronic Pain and Insomnia

    • Individuals Seeking Personal Growth

    • Self-Esteem Issues

  • What is ACT?

    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a way to help you feel better by learning to accept your feelings and thoughts and life circumstances instead of trying to push them away.

    Imagine that you have a box of all your feeling and thoughts but choose to close it every time a thought or feeling you don't like arises. ACT teaches us that it’s okay to open the box and look at all the feelings inside instead of hiding them away or trying to push them away.

    How Does It Work?

    1. Accepting Feelings: When a feeling arises, ACT helps you say, "It's okay to feel this way." Just like when it rains, we can’t stop the rain, but we can put on a raincoat!

    2. Being Present: ACT teaches us to pay attention to what’s happening right now. Like when you get really immersed in something you enjoy; you can focus fully on that moment instead of worrying about what happened before or what might happen next.

    3. Choosing What Matters: ACT helps you think about what’s really important to you, and understand your values; like being kind or being there for the people you love. Then, it encourages you to do things that help you follow those values and stay aligned to what is truly important for you in your life, even if it feels a little scary at first.

    Why Is It Helpful?

    Happiness science suggests that when we learn to accept our feelings and focus on what we truly care about, we can be happier and do things that make our lives better. We can be fully equipped to face challenges head on instead of running away from them!

    Who is it for ?

    ACT can be beneficial to treat a wide range of people and different life circumstances including:

    • Anxiety disorders

    • OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

    • Depression

    • Chronic Pain

    • Progressive diseases

    • Stressful life events

    • Self-improvement

    • Emotional regulation

    • Anyone experiencing negative thoughts

I believe in you

As a compassionate and creative therapist, I believe in the power of human connection to foster healing and growth.

My goal is to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships, empowering you to make meaningful changes.

I offer both in-person and remote therapy sessions for your convenience, and I believe successful therapy is built on a strong therapeutic relationship.

Ready to start your journey towards healing and growth?

FAQs

  • Yes! Absolutely. I offer remote video calls online through Doxy, a secure and encrypted Telehealth video call platform. If you choose to work with me remotely, you can expect to receive an invite link over text which will send you to the online waiting room where we can start the call.

  • My standard fee is 60 for a 50-60 minute therapy session. I also offer a student and OAP rate at 45 In special cases. I offer a sliding scale for those who may need financial assistance; please inquire by calling or emailing me directly for more details.

  • Yes, confidentiality is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship. There are only a few exceptions where confidentiality may be broken, such as in cases of harm to self or others.

  • In our first session, we’ll discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, your background, and what you hope to achieve. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have.

  • You can schedule an appointment by emailing me directly. Please include your preferred times, and I’ll do my best to accommodate you.

  • Some people find it helpful to reflect on what they would like to discuss and jot down any specific goals or questions they have in mind. Others prefer to simply bring themselves and see how the first session unfolds. It is completely up to you. I am here to listen and support you with whatever you need.

  • If for any reason you are unable to attend our scheduled therapy session, I request that you give me 24 hours of notice so that I can reschedule with you and somebody else can benefit from this booking time. If you cancel later than 24 hours I will have to ask that you pay 45% of the session fee to compensate for the loss of time. However, be assured that this hasn't happened very often.

  • If you need extra support between sessions, while I encourage open-communication my time is strictly limited to those 60 minutes in therapy. If you need extra support out of hours you can contact:

    Samaritans Ireland: Tel: +353 1 671 0071
    Pieta House: 1800 247 247

  • Although I can't guarantee that your insurance providers will cover my services I am happy to send you an invoice upon request which you can send to your insurance provider.

Book an Appointment.

Call me to book an appointment.
So you can explore whether working
with me is right for you.