John O’Loughlin

Trainee Counsellor / Psychotherapist

My name is John O’Loughlin, and I am currently completing a BSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am passionate about supporting people who are navigating the intense and often overwhelming experiences of anxiety, OCD, and intrusive thoughts. I am currently available for low-cost counselling.

I believe that anxiety and OCD do not simply live in your head—they can affect your entire experience of being in your body. Thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours can become closely connected, creating cycles that can feel difficult to break.

It is important develop a greater understanding of these connections. By learning to recognise what is happening with your thoughts, feelings, emotions, and physical sensations, we can begin to create space between you and the anxiety or OCD, rather than allowing them to dictate how you live.

My approach integrates Person-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Exposure Therapy. I see these approaches as complementary rather than separate.

The person-centred approach provides the foundation of my work: a relationship built on empathy, respect, acceptance, and collaboration. Understanding without judgement.

CBT helps us explore the relationship between your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviours. Identification of patterns such as avoidance, reassurance-seeking, compulsions, and other behaviours that may unintentionally keep anxiety and OCD going.

From there, exposure work can help you gradually face what you fear or avoid, while learning that anxiety and uncertainty can be experienced without having to respond through compulsions or avoidance.

With intrusive thoughts, resistance is futile. Intrusive thoughts can be disturbing precisely because they feel so meaningful. Instead it is important to change your relationship with these thoughts—learning that a thought is not an intention, a prediction, or a reflection of who you are.

For me, therapy is about bringing these elements together. Person-centred therapy provides the relationship, CBT provides understanding, and exposure provides the opportunity to practise change. Alongside this, paying attention to the physical experience of anxiety can help reconnect the mind and body, rather than treating them as separate.

My aim is to help people develop greater confidence in themselves, their ability to tolerate uncertainty and discomfort, and ultimately their ability to live your life without anxiety or OCD being in control.

Call us on (087) 798 0611 / (087) 671 9049 / (087) 122 9823 or email info@innertherapy.ie to speak to one of our team today or book an appointment with us now