Welcome to
DARA COUNSELLING SERVICE
Your story matters
Find clarity, heal and thrive. Take the first step towards the life and relationships you deserve.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, unsure of what to do, or who to turn to?
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Maybe you are struggling with your relationships, or you might be the one who carries the weight of everyone else’s worries—the one who gives so much but rarely feels truly seen, valued, or supported. Maybe you’re always there for others, yet your own needs are left unmet or perhaps you don’t want to upset anyone, or deep down you worry you are not enough, or been told you are too much?
Trying to be everything for everyone while neglecting yourself is exhausting. But you already know that—maybe that’s why you’re here. Reaching out for support isn’t weakness; it’s an act of strength.
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Counselling can help you understand why you put others first, why you stay when you really want to leave, and why change can feel so scary. Often, these patterns are rooted in past experiences, but they don’t have to define your future. If you are ready for change, you don’t have to keep putting yourself last, or settling for relationships that leave you feeling drained.
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If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or anger due to past trauma or ongoing challenges, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Counselling can bring clarity, help you set healthy boundaries, and restore balance to your life.
You deserve the same care and kindness that you so freely give to others. If you’re ready to take that first step, click the BOOK NOW button. Your healing journey starts here—and I promise, it will be worth it.
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ABOUT ME
A warm welcome to Dara counselling service
I’m Shirley, a qualified and experienced counsellor. I established Dara counselling service in 2021, very shortly afterward I lost two very close family members, my mother and sister and I know they watch over me. I dedicate my practise to their legacy of strong supportive women in my life, despite at times struggling with their own difficulties. Growing up in a single parent household in a large family with limited finances had some challenges, but we supported each other, and I understand that not everyone has that level of support.
SERVICES
Individual Counselling
What makes Dara Counselling service special is that the focus is on you and your needs, even if you have forgotten what they are, or never had the opportunity to express them. I don’t offer a "one size fits" approach to counselling, nor do I just focus on surface level issues, often the issues that present are different to what is actually happening for a person. For example, someone may seek counselling for depression, but underlying the depression may be someone who is tired and exhausted caring for others or feeling like they are responsible for harmony within the family/relationship. Your initial session will be the first step in creating a plan to support you, something that fits you perfectly. Together, we look at how your mind and body are connected, how your life has been impacted by your experiences and how you have learned to cope. Counselling is a wonderful way to learn tools and techniques that help along the way. Healing happens when we feel connected, deeply heard and understood, if you are ready to take the next step, I invite you to reach out and book your first session.
Trauma counselling
Are you struggling with the weight of trauma? It’s like carrying a heavy load that affects how you feel each day. You might be tired, not just in your body but in your heart and mind too. This can make it hard to sleep and sometimes you might have nightmares. Have you noticed that things that used to make you happy don’t anymore, you might not feel like being around other people and might prefer to be alone.
Relationship issues
At Dara Counselling, I work individually with clients to understand that the challenges you experience in your relationships today may be deeply connected to your past. Experiences like growing up in an environment where expressing emotions was discouraged, being punished for showing vulnerability, feeling abandoned, or living in an abusive family can shape how we communicate and trust others as adults. These early life experiences can leave us feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or even afraid to open up in our relationships.
If you're struggling with trust, communication, or managing your emotions, Shirley is here to support you. Together, we’ll explore how your past may be influencing your present and work towards creating healthier, more fulfilling connections. You don’t have to face this alone—let us help you take the first step toward healing.
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