About Deirdre
Deirdre MacNamara is a BACP counsellor who helps people manage anxiety and stress. She works with adults facing grief, depression, trauma, anger and low self-esteem. Her approach is warm and respectful, aimed at making it easier to talk things through and find practical ways forward.
She draws on mindfulness and client-centred ideas to keep sessions calm and focused. Conversations are guided by what matters most to the person, not a fixed checklist.
Background and approach
Deirdre aims to create a space where people feel heard and understood as they name difficult feelings. Deirdre has five years of direct counselling experience across community health services, education and independent practice. That range means she is used to different situations and practical pressures.
She has worked with people affected by first responder stress and with older adults as part of that background. Cultural and contextual factors are important to her work. She pays attention to how relationships, family and life events shape a person’s current struggles.
This helps tailor support for issues such as caregiving stress, illness and life transitions. Sessions combine reflective listening and practical tools drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness. The emphasis is on collaboration - agreeing small steps and noticing what helps.
Deirdre supports people who want to work on self-compassion, coping skills and clearer life direction.
How Deirdre uses therapeutic approaches online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people notice difficult thoughts without being overwhelmed by them and to focus on actions that match their values. It is often helpful for anxiety, stress and when someone wants clearer direction in life. Client-Centred Therapy, sometimes called person-centred work, focuses on listening, empathy and unconditional positive regard so a person can explore feelings at their own pace and build self-trust.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Deirdre will discuss what feels most helpful and adapt methods to a person’s goals and preferences. That collaborative process means techniques may be adjusted over time as needs change.
Online sessions can be held via video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to fit practical life demands. Video is useful for deeper conversational work, while phone calls need less bandwidth and can be easier to fit around busy schedules. Live chat or messaging can be used for shorter check-ins, notes between sessions or when someone prefers typing. These options make it easier to sustain regular contact and to try different ways of working that suit everyday life.
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What this therapist works with
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Also listed
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 5 years
- Licensed
- Languages
- English
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