PRACTICAL HELP / Counselling

Counselling may help you if you are struggling with your daignosis of lung fibrosis. Counselling can also help patients and carers to cope with the prospect of a lung transplant.

•  Counselling is about helping you to find creative responses to your situation, present difficulties and needs. A counsellor will provide you with time, attention, respect and support, as you discover your own resourcefulness.
•  Unlike a friend or relative a counsellor is a professional who is trained to listen in an accepting and non judgemental way.
•  With a counsellor you can express your feelings openly and frankly without being afraid that he or she will become burdened by them.
•  Your hospital Social Worker should be able to advise you about what counselling services are available to you. They may also be able to recommend private counsellors
•  The Psychological Society of Ireland is the registration body for psychologists including counselling psychologists.
•  The Irish Association for Counselling and Therapy provides a national directory of accredited counsellors and therapists which includes details of the counsellor’s qualifications and areas of specialisation.
•  The Irish Council for Psychotherapy has a register of accredited psychotherapists including family therapists.
•  Good advice given to a severely disabled patient: to take one day at a time; not to look back or forward.
•  Ask your doctor if you would like to be refrred to a counselor.

Also see the section on Social Work: How the Hospital Social Worker Can Help.