Deirdre MacNamara

• Stress and anxiety
• Trauma and grief
• Mindfulness and ACT

About Deirdre

Deirdre MacNamara helps people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, grief and changes in life using talking therapy and mindfulness-based work. She is a BACP counsellor with five years' experience and works in the United Kingdom.

She meets people individually and focuses on the relationship in the room. Sessions look at how past relationships and current circumstances affect daily life. Deirdre draws on client-centred ideas and emotion-focused methods to help people name feelings and explore what matters to them.

Her practice also uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which looks at values and taking practical steps towards them, and mindfulness techniques to bring attention to the present moment. These approaches are used to support people dealing with depression, eating concerns, anger, low self-esteem and coping with long-term illness or caregiving strain.

Deirdre has worked across community health, education and private settings. Her caseload has included people who are key workers or first responders, older adults, and those affected by prejudice or discrimination. Her experience includes working with trauma, bereavement, and life-stage challenges such as ageing and cancer-related distress.

She offers a straightforward, respectful way of working that aims to be clear about goals and steps to reach them. Where useful, sessions include emotion-focused exploration, mindfulness practice and acceptance-based exercises to build day-to-day coping. People who speak English can contact the service to start a match and arrange an initial session.

Therapeutic approaches and working online

Deirdre draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centred practice alongside emotionally-focused work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people identify their values and take small practical steps towards them while learning to live with difficult thoughts. Client-centred work focuses on a trustworthy therapeutic relationship where a person's own voice guides what to work on. Emotionally-Focused Therapy helps people track and name feelings so they can understand how emotions shape responses and relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The counsellor will discuss goals, personal preferences and practical needs and then agree which methods to try. This is a collaborative process and can adapt as things change over time.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so check the available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, or reduce travel time on days that are difficult. Registered or accredited professionals can use these ways of working to support people dealing with grief, trauma, anxiety and long-term health or caregiving issues.

Topics Deirdre lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Trauma and abuse
• Grief
• Eating disorders
• Anger management
• Self-esteem
• Depression
• Coping with life changes
• Compassion fatigue
• ADHD
• Aging and geriatric issues
• Cancer
• Caregiver issues and stress
• Chronic pain, illness, and disability
• First responder issues
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Life purpose
• Prejudice and discrimination
• Self-love

Ways of working

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Client-Centred Therapy
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Mindfulness Therapy

Questions about Deirdre

Does she work with anxiety and stress?

Yes. She supports people with anxiety, stress and related difficulties such as panic and ongoing worry.

What kind of counselling does she offer?

She uses client-centred and emotionally-focused counselling, plus Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness techniques.

How much experience does she have?

She has five years' experience providing mental health counselling in community, educational and private settings.

Is she accredited and where does she practise?

She is a BACP counsellor and practises in the United Kingdom.

Does she offer sessions in other languages or to overseas clients?

Sessions are offered in English and she does not currently accept international clients.

What session formats are available?

The biography does not specify session formats, so please confirm current options before booking.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I start working with her?

Click the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.