Client Information

Marriage and Relationship Counselling :
Caring for Christian Marriage

ACCORD, Catholic Marriage Care Service, has been delivering a professional counselling service in Ireland for over 50 years. There are 55 ACCORD Centres throughout all of the Dioceses of Ireland, North and South. We, in ACCORD, are committed to providing a professional counselling service for individuals and couples who are experiencing difficulties in their marriages and relationships. We provide a safe place to explore relationship difficulties in a confidential, respectful and non judgemental setting.

Marriage & Relationship Counselling
ACCORD offers a safe, professional and confidential service facilitating couples and individuals to explore, reflect upon and resolve difficulties in their marriages and relationships. Counselling is arranged by contacting any one of our Centres throughout Ireland, North and South, listed on the back of this brochure.

Role of Counsellor
ACCORD counsellors deliver a professional counselling service. Using a non directive approach they help clients to identify underlying issues, clarify their needs and expectations, work through areas of conflict and explore sensitive and painful issues in a safe environment.

Qualifications
All ACCORD counsellors go through a rigorous selection process. They are trained to the highest professional standards which build on innate qualities of genuineness and warmth.

Supervision and Training
All ACCORD counsellors receive ongoing professional supervision and continuing professional development training in relationship counselling.This ensures the service clients receive is of the highest quality

Needs Assessment Session
In the first session the counsellor explores with clients the reasons for attending counselling, explains the counselling process and the terms and conditions under which ACCORD offers counselling. In addition to Marriage & Relationship counsellor we also  offer Domestic Abuse Counselling and Fertility and Wellbeing Counselling. Referral will be made by the counsellor to the appropriate service.

How Much Will Counselling Cost?
ACCORD is a non profit organisation and much of our professional service is delivered on a voluntary basis. We do incur overheads in providing this service and to cover some of these costs we ask for a voluntary donation based on ability to pay. The voluntary donation for each session will be agreed upon at the first session with the counsellor. No one is turned away from ACCORD because of inability to pay.

How Often Do I/We Attend
Initial sessions tend to be weekly and last no longer than one hour. Longer breaks may occur between sessions as counselling progresses

Is The Service Confidential?
ACCORD maintains the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality at all times. Confidentiality may only be broken to protect a child or adult , including the client, from abuse and danger. Should confidentiality need to be broken, this will normally happen following a discussion with the client(s)

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults
ACCORD maintains a robust safeguarding children and vulnerable adults’ policy. Where ACCORD gains information that establishes reasonable grounds to conclude that a child or vulnerable adult is in danger, this information must be reported to the relevant state bodies.

Records
Case Notes are written by the counsellor after each session. The purpose of these notes is to assist the counselling process. The notes will not contain any information that will identify the client. The notes are stored in a secure locked cabinet and will be destroyed one year after the date of the last counselling session unless they relate to the abuse of children or vulnerable adults.

Cancellations
If clients cannot attend for counselling the Centre secretary needs to be informed as soon as possible. We will offer an alternative appointment.

Code of Ethics and Practice
All ACCORD counsellors work under a strict code of ethics and practice. This code protects our clients and ensures a high quality service.

Complaints
ACCORD welcomes and values client opinion. If clients are unhappy with the service received, ACCORD would like to be informed. Initially concerns are handled by the Chairperson of the Centre where counselling is taking place. If clients are not satisfied with this, they may wish to bring their complaint to the Regional Officer and to Central Office.