Mr Feargal Murphy

Hello and welcome.

My name is Feargal Murphy. I’m an addiction counsellor with 20 years’ experience, supporting

people from a wide range of backgrounds through different stages of change, recovery, trauma

healing, and personal development.

I’m based in Ireland and offer online counselling for people who want to break patterns of

behaviour that no longer serve them. My work covers a broad range of substance use and

dependency concerns—and the impact these patterns can have not only on the individual, but

also on partners, family members, and others close to them.

How I work with substance use

You do not need to be drug-free to begin counselling with me. I support clients who are currently

using drugs and/or alcohol, helping them clarify goals and move towards change at a pace that

is realistic and safe.

Clients may aim for:

● Abstinence, or

● Controlled/reduced use (where appropriate—particularly with alcohol)

Once substance use is under control or has stopped, therapy can often move into a deeper

process of exploring what the substance may have been helping to manage—such as stress,

emotional pain, or difficult life experiences.

Issues I can help with

People often use substances to cope with underlying challenges, which may include:

• Anxiety and depression

● Trauma and childhood trauma

● Bereavement and loss

● Domestic abuse and violence

● Sexual abuse

● Bullying

● Low self-esteem, low self-worth, and low confidence

● Relationship difficulties and family strain

● Broader mental health and emotional wellbeing concerns

Change can feel challenging because it moves us out of our comfort zone. In therapy, we aim to

work in the “learning zone”—slightly uncomfortable at times, but safe and supportive—where

meaningful growth and lasting change can happen.

Together, we focus on developing clarity, resilience, and long-term coping strategies.

I work with adults and adolescents (16+).

Therapeutic approach

I work from an integrative framework, tailoring therapy to each client’s goals, needs, and

circumstances. Approaches I draw on include:

● Humanistic & Person-Centred Therapy: A warm, empathic, non-judgemental space

that supports client-led growth.

● Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Identifying and changing unhelpful thinking

patterns and behavioural cycles.

● Psychodynamic Therapy: Exploring how past experiences and unconscious processes

shape present-day feelings, behaviours, and relationships.

● Compassion-Focused & Mindfulness Approaches: Building self-compassion and

practical tools for stress and emotional regulation.

Appointments

I offer appointments:

● Evenings (outside standard 9–5 working hours)

● Saturday mornings (often in high demand, but I do my best to accommodate)

If you feel ready to talk, I’d be glad to support you.

 Feargal Murphy