Ursula O'Farrell, née Cussen, is an Irish author and lecturer on the topic of counselling, and has worked for over 35 years as a counsellor.
Life and career
Born in Newcastle West, County Limerick, Ireland, in 1934, and daughter of local solicitors, Robert and Kathleen Cussen, Ursula O'Farrell was educated in Laurel Hill School in Limerick, and subsequently in where she achieved a B.A and a Dip in Psychology. She is one of the founding members of the Irish Association for Counselling in 1981, along with Odette Thompson, Ita McCraith, Joan McGowan and Kay Duffy. also played a pivotal role in the Association's beginnings . Ursula O'Farrell was Cathaoirleach of the Irish Association for Counselling from 1991 to 1995, which became the Ursula O'Farrell set up her own private practice in the early 1980s, having successfully completed a two-year Diploma in Psychology at UCD. ‘I was a fledgling counsellor … It was thrilling, I loved every busy minute of it … but it was terrifying too.’ At that time in Ireland there was a stigma attached to mental illness and to the idea of being in need of counselling. Today it is generally realised that professional help can be invaluable, and much of this change of attitude, according to the former President of IrelandMary McAleese, is due to the ″hard work and dedication of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy″. Ursula O'Farrell has written 4 books on counselling, and also compiled a book of some of the 'Topical Talks' written by her late husband Myles O'Farrell, which featured in the 1960's radio series of the same name. In her best known work, 'First Steps in Counselling', which offers a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of counselling, and has been updated in later additions, to take account of the many changes in Ireland since its first publication in 1988, she states: If people are not satisfied with their lives as they are, they look for a different tomorrow. They are searching for change. In 'Considering Counselling' O'Farrell provides an introduction to the Person-Centred Approach pioneered by Carl Rogers, explaining the basic theory and practice of this approach using some fascinating case studies.
Awards and honours
Recipient of the in 2011 This annual award is made to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of counselling and psychotherapy in Ireland.
O'Farrell, Ursula.. Considering Counselling: The Person Centred Approach Provides an introduction to the Person-Centred Approach, pioneered by Carl Rogers.
O'Farrell, Ursula.. Courage to Change: The Counselling Process
O'Farrell, Ursula and Sarah McLoughlin.. Families in Focus: Finding Solutions to Difficult Problems
O'Farrell, Ursula.. Looking Towards The Past: Topical Talks of the 60's. Written by Myles O'Farrell, and compiled by Ursula O 'Farrell.
O'Farrell, Ursula.. Letters to the Editor - Eisteach - A Quarterly Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Letters to the Editor, Summer 2013 http://www.irish-counselling.ie/eisteach-IACP-quarterly-journals
Eisteach - A Quarterly Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Spring 2017 Ceremony to welcome newly accredited members, along with the past Carl Berkeley Memorial Award Recipients and past Cathaoirligh
Counselling services The Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/counselling-services-1.251212BBC article.
Give your problems a little space Irish Times, Nov 29, 2005.... counsellors Ursula O'Farrell and Sarah McLoughlin have launched Meeting Space, a service for families, organisations and groups...http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/give-your-problems-a-little-space-1.522559
Right, wrong and psychotherapy by Ursula O'Farrell The Irish Times, Jul 19, 2007, http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/right-wrong-and-psychotherapy-1.950464
