The unique service which is offered by Pieta House became prominent when featured on the Irish Secret Millionaire television programme and has attracted the attention of government, counselling services and education establishments in Northern Ireland. Pieta House is the brain child of psychologist Joan Freeman, who ran her own counselling business dedicated to helping people who were suicidal. Following some years of research, she then established this special house where people who are self-harming and suicidal, could drop into at any time and avail of a professional, free, counselling service.
Commenting on the visit, Roisin Horner NRC Curriculum Manager Social Care and Early Years said “This was a very rewarding and inspiring visit to a very special centre. We were stunned by the sheer numbers of people coming to the centre for counselling during our visit. Their approach is very holistic and person centred and their working model is ‘Solution Focused Strength Based’, which means they will see a client as many times a week, as is necessary.”
During their visit, NRC Lecturers met with staff from Pieta House who have seen over 7,000 clients since the launch of its services in 2006 and gained an insight into how counselling staff operate and are supported.
Roisin added that “By getting to know their services and gain a better understanding of how they operate, we can develop an active partnership and teach and provide better knowledge and skills to our counselling students. Pieta House have taken a very intense and taboo subject and made it accessible and as normal as possible.”
The visit to Pieta House was funded through the Connected project which supports the exchange and collaboration of knowledge and information.
