Being a parent is never easy but when your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the job becomes even more complex.
As a psychotherapist working with parents and adolescents, and lead author of a recent study published in the Irish Medical Journal, I’ve spent time listening closely to parents who are raising teenagers with this lifelong condition. What they told me was clear: they are exhausted, worried and often coping in silence.
When a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the focus quite rightly turns to medical care: blood sugar monitoring, insulin management, carb counting and emergency plans. But behind all of that, there’s another story – that of the parent.
Many of the parents with whom I spoke described feeling overwhelmed, constantly on edge and even guilty. They often questioned whether they were doing enough or doing the right thing. As their children move into adolescence and begin taking on more responsibility, thir fear doesn’t disappear – it changes shape. Parents are still quietly carrying the burden, sometimes without even realising how much it’s affecting them.
It’s vital we acknowledge the emotional needs of parents, and not just children. When parents are supported – whether through psychotherapy, peer support, or simply being given space to talk – the whole family benefits.
In my work with parents of teens (with and without chronic illness), I’ve seen the difference it makes when parents have the opportunity to reflect, breathe and feel heard.
Therapy can help parents:
Manage anxiety and fear
Cope with their child’s growing independence
Navigate sibling dynamics
Improve emotional regulation during stressful times
Feel less alone
If you’re parenting a child with type 1 diabetes, please know that your feelings are valid, your work is seen and you deserve support.
I offer one-to-one counselling and psychotherapy for parents, including short-term focused sessions. Feel free to get in touch, even just for a chat about what support might look like.
Email me today
or
call/text 087 710 7032.
Because when we care for the carers, we care for the whole family.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in a cycle of worried thoughts, you are not alone. Many people experience periods of stress, anxiety, or low mood — especially when life becomes demanding, uncertain or emotionally draining. As a counsellor and psychotherapist based in Cork City, I support both adults and adolescents in managing these challenges and improving emotional wellbeing.
Worry is a normal part of life, but when it becomes constant, intrusive or exhausting, it may be a sign that you need extra support. You might find yourself:
Overthinking everything
Struggling to sleep
Feeling irritable or tearful
Avoiding certain situations
Finding it hard to relax or enjoy things
Whether you’re dealing with stress at work, school pressures, family difficulties, or uncertainty about the future, therapy can help you make sense of what’s happening and regain a sense of control.
Therapy provides a confidential, non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions safely. I use an integrative approach, drawing from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and talk therapy to tailor each session to your individual needs.
Together, we work to:
Understand what’s contributing to your stress or anxiety
Develop practical tools to manage negative thinking patterns
Explore healthier ways to cope with challenges
Build emotional resilience and self-awareness
This work can be especially helpful for adolescents who may struggle to express what they’re going through, or who are impacted by social pressure, school demands, or low self-esteem.
I have many years of experience working with both teenagers and adults across a wide range of issues. Clients often come to me when they are feeling “not themselves”, struggling with motivation, or facing significant life changes. You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from therapy. In fact, reaching out early often prevents things from becoming more overwhelming.
I also support parents who are concerned about their teenager’s emotional wellbeing, offering guidance and reassurance around what is normal and when to seek help.
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision. Based in Cork city centre, my practice is easily accessible and offers a calm, welcoming space where you can feel heard and supported.
Whether you’re looking for short-term support to manage a specific difficulty, or longer-term work to understand patterns and make lasting change, I’d be happy to speak with you.
Anxiety and panic
Stress and burnout
Low self-esteem or confidence
Adolescent challenges (school, friendships, identity)
Work-related stress
Life transitions or feeling “stuck”
Worry and overthinking
As a psychology graduate, I bring a strong foundation in psychological theory to my work, alongside years of practical, real-world therapeutic experience. I integrate both counselling and psychotherapy approaches to support people in the way that suits them best.
Counselling can offer short-term, solution-focused support for managing specific issues like anxiety or stress, while psychotherapy allows for deeper, long-term exploration of patterns, past experiences and emotional growth. In practice, I often blend both approaches — offering tools for immediate relief while also supporting deeper understanding and long-lasting change.
Whether you’re looking to manage daily stress, explore underlying causes of worry, or simply understand yourself better, I work collaboratively with you to shape therapy around your needs and pace.
If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or simply need someone to talk to, you are very welcome to contact Caroline Crotty
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by stress or anxiety and would like to talk, you’re very welcome to get in touch. I offer confidential counselling for adults and adolescents in Cork and online.
Email Caroline
Call or Text 087 710 7032
You’re not alone – support is available.
Feeling guilty as a parent? You’re not alone. Whether it’s screen time, shouting, or just not feeling “present enough”, parenting guilt is one of the most common issues I hear from mums and dads in therapy.
We all want to do our best but parenting doesn’t come with a manual. The pressure to “get it right” can leave you anxious, overwhelmed, and doubting yourself.
Guilt often means you care deeply
Mistakes don’t make you a bad parent – they make you human
Therapy can help you understand and reframe these feelings
As a therapist supporting parents in Cork city, I help people break free from guilt, reconnect with their own needs, and enjoy parenting again.
If you’re searching for parenting support Cork, talk therapy Cork, or just need a place to talk things through, I’m here to help.
Email me to arrange a session:
Are you looking for a counsellor or psychotherapist in Cork city centre?
Whether you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, navigating a difficult period or need a space to talk things through, talk therapy can provide valuable support.
My name is Caroline Crotty and I am a psychology graduate and qualified psychotherapist offering confidential counselling and psychotherapy for adults and adolescents in the heart of Cork city. I also provide a supportive space for professionals and business owners seeking a sounding board for workplace stress, burnout or important life decisions.
The word therapy covers talking therapies such as psychotherapy and counselling. Whether you are coming to therapy with a particular issue, a general sense of unease or a deeper search for purpose and meaning, therapy offers a safe, confidential place to talk to a trained professional about your feelings and concerns. Therapy can help you to see things from a different perspective, break free from old unhelpful patterns, heal past traumas and increase self-confidence.
Talk therapy allows you to explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a private, non-judgemental environment. It can help you to:
Sessions are tailored to your specific needs and can be short-term or longer-term.
My practice is located centrally, close to Patrick Street and the South Mall, making it easily accessible by foot or public transport.
I aim to respond to each person’s needs by offering flexible scheduling, including early morning appointments from 08:00 and evening sessions. I accommodate new appointments as soon as my diary allows, though not on the same day.
I work with:
Whether you’re a parent concerned for your teen, or a person seeking support for yourself, talk therapy can provide the ideal place to process, heal and to grow.
Managing a business or holding a leadership role can be emotionally demanding. I offer a confidential, focused space to reflect on challenges, strengthen resilience and support you to make informed decisions.
This service may be particularly helpful if you are:
Each session is 50 minutes and takes place in a calm, private setting. As a psychology graduate my approach is grounded in evidence-based practice, and I work collaboratively (with you) to find what best supports your goals.
I have a deep understanding of the challenges in life that we can sometimes face and have worked both in the voluntary and the private sector. Working together I can help you find an in-depth understanding of yourself, of who you are and help you to resolve internal conflicts.
You’re welcome to attend an initial session to see if we’re a good fit. My fee for all appointments – whether online or in person – is €80.00.
If you’re looking for a counsellor, psychotherapist or talk therapist in Cork city centre – feel free to contact me to check appointment availability or to arrange an initial consultation.
Email works best, as I can respond between appointments:
📧 hello@carolinecrotty.ie
Are you a parent in Cork city feeling anxious, stressed or simply not enjoying parenting the way you thought you might? Perhaps you’re searching for parenting support Cork, a therapist near me, or help with parenting stress in Cork city centre. If so, you’re in the right place.
Many parents feel overwhelmed at different stages of family life. The pressure to be the “perfect” parent, to juggle work, school runs, emotional demands, and your own mental health can feel like too much. If you’re feeling burnt out from parenting, asking for help is okay.
Parenting stress is the emotional strain many parents experience as they try to meet the ever-changing needs of their children. It can look like:
If any of these sound familiar, know that you’re not alone. Many people search Google for phrases like talk therapy Cork, support for overwhelmed parents or counsellor for mums Cork and for good reason.
As a qualified psychotherapist based in Cork city centre, I offer confidential counselling and psychotherapy for parents who are struggling. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, burnout, parenting guilt, or simply trying to figure out how to enjoy family life again, therapy can help.
Some parents reach out when they’re:
Parenting is hard but it shouldn’t feel impossible.
In our sessions, we create a calm, supportive space where you can speak freely and without judgement. As a psychology graduate with experience in both the voluntary and private sectors, I bring an understanding of the complexity of family life.
Therapy can help you:
You don’t need to wait until you’re at breaking point – contact me to check appointment availability – email is the ideal way to reach me to arrange an initial appointment or to ask any questions:
You deserve to feel calm, connected and capable.
Let’s work together to help you get there.
Caroline Crotty Counselling & Psychotherapy Limited - 636306 - Suite 7, Block A, South Terrace Medical Centre, Infirmary Road, Cork T12 WF40
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