Welcome to
The Thatch Therapy Centre
An exclusive counselling, psychotherapy and equine-assisted learning centre, located in the peaceful countryside of County Meath,
yet only half an hour from Dublin.
What we do
Counselling, Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning
For adults and children from 16 up.
If you’re on this webpage it’s likely that something or someone is causing you distress. If that’s the case, well done for seeking resources to get you through. I hope that I can be of help.
About Us
Meet Fiona
Hi. I’m Fiona Coyne. I’m a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist and equine assisted learning facilitator. I hold a BSc (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy.
My research dissertation was on trainees experiences of working psychotherapeutically with autistic adults, and what autistic people can teach us. Neurodivergence is an area I’m passionate about. I hold a certificate in Autism Informed Therapy for the Helping Professions from Ausome Ireland.
I am a qualified coach and equine assisted facilitator, having trained and qualified with Festina Lente in Bray, Co. Wicklow. I am a member of the Human Equine Ireland Registry.
I attend professional supervision, am insured, Garda vetted and registered with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, where I’m working on accreditation. I hold a post graduate certificate in Innovation and Enterprise from Trinity College Dublin, a diploma in marketing from the College of Marketing and Design Dublin, and am a member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. So there’s a lot of training, qualifications and research to reassure you on the professional front.
On the personal front, I have faced many challenging circumstances in my own life that help me in this work. My hope is that we can collaborate to help you feel resourced and supported through your challenges.
Find me on the Ausome Directory, a directory of Neuro-affirming professionals who have successfully completed a professional course with AUsome Training.
Counselling and Psychotherapy
Theoretically, I work from a Person Centred and Pluralistic framework. What that means is that I listen and support you through what’s causing you distress and then we collaborate on what you’d like to achieve. There are times when you might not want to achieve anything, and just need a compassionate ear and I have two.
I have found that a 7 session plan can be very effective, where session 1 is about you telling me what’s happening in your life to cause you distress. The next 5 sessions are focused on exploring this, and the 7th session is a review to look at whether you’ve gotten what you wanted from therapy and how you’d like to proceed from there.
Some clients like sessions every week at the same time and on the same day. Some like sessions once a fortnight, and some like to book in as they need to. All of this can be discussed during the first session. I can offer support, compassion and insights during this time. I’d like therapy to work for you, and for you to feel more supported after therapy than you did before you began! We will work with CORE (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation) forms for transparency and to monitor your levels of wellness, and record any changes. It can be a useful visual tool for you to see any changes.
I hope that all of that sounds good to you. If not, please let me know. This is your therapy. I want you to get what you need from it, and for it to work for you.
Sessions and Fees
A session can be held online, over the ‘phone or in person, and each session lasts 50 minutes. Longer or shorter sessions can be agreed after the initial one. Cancellations within 24 hours require full payment.
50 minute sessions cost:
€60 online or over the ‘phone
€70 for an individual in-person session.
Couples sessions cost €80 online or €100 in person.
Some ask if there are discounts or reduced rates, so I will explain the fees and the reason why I cannot offer reductions.
Fees are calculated to include insurance, professional body membership, academic courses, training and continuing professional development, supervision, applications to protect client information, professional zoom and other usual costs such as maintenance, mortgage, light, heat, etc. I have given several hundred hours of voluntary counselling during my training and qualification. However, this is my job and every worker needs to be paid. For that reason, sessions need to be paid for either in advance, or on the day.
There are many organisations offering free counselling from volunteers, and I can forward some details to you if that’s what you need.
Equine Assisted Learning
I’ll probably misquote Irvin Yalom by saying therapy is defined as two people working together, one in more need of help than the other.
Equine assisted learning is a bit like therapy in that you work through difficult emotions and periods in your life, but instead of just two people, there’s addition of an equine (a horse, pony or donkey). It is a non-ridden therapy and sometimes confused with therapeutic riding. I work with horses and ponies.
Equine assisted learning (EAL) is a wonderful way to process and work through difficult areas of your life. EAL can help with life transitions, with grief, loss, relationship breakups, commitment, widowhood, single nest, menopause, adolescence, neurodivergence, school transitions, bullying, domestic violence, trauma, abuse, stuckness, long term illness, family estrangement, dating, anxiety and depression.
Some of the reasons that equines are such helpful partners in EAL is that they have a lower heart rate than humans, are sentient beings, and they have many sensory resources such as the texture of their mane and coat, their size, smell, and huge eyes. Equines are prey animals so despite their size, they experience vulnerability and are extremely vigilant for anything that might cause them distress. These elements help them work with humans to process trauma. EAL takes place in the natural environment of a farm, and research has shown that humans feel better in nature. EAL is different to talk therapy as equines can sense emotions from humans and so not as much talking is required. Equines have partnered with humans to help in areas of change, abuse and trauma for many years and I hope that EAL can be of benefit to you, to your group, or to your organisation.
There is no recommended minimum number of sessions for EAL, but as the first is really a getting to know you session, it might be best to book at least two.
Costs
EAL sessions are currently in person only and cost:
€80 for an individual 50-minute session and
€100 for a couples session.
Please send me an email for group session pricing and availability. Longer or shorter EAL sessions can be agreed after the first one.
I look forward to helping you on your journey to wellness.
What to Expect…
For some people, especially if you’re neurodivergent, you’ll want to know exactly what to expect when you come to The Thatch Counselling, Psychotherapy & EAL.
Below is the therapy room. It’s painted white with pictures of flowers and birds, and a Charlie Mackesy print featuring the boy, the mole, the fox and the horse. There are two brightly coloured armchairs, but if you’re not fond of those you can choose to sit on the couch. I’ve tried to make it comfy and not clinical. There are some soft cushions if you like that sensory input. We can put those away if you don’t. You get to choose.
Below is a photo of the gate, so you’ll know you’re at the right place when you arrive. You’ll probably see Gabi the horse in the paddock to the right.
I’m looking forward to meeting you and helping you get the therapy you want.
Bookings and Contact
Tel. 086-818-2384
Email fionacoynetherapist@gmail.com
The Thatch Therapy Centre
Curraghdoo
Summerhill
Co. Meath
A83 FT96
Ireland
Unfortunately I cannot offer an emergency out of hours service. In that case please contact your GP or nearest hospital.
