About Michael Dunford
Photographed above is Michael Dunford, at work in the office of Counselling Southeast.
Past and current work
I am currently working as a generic counsellor in a second-level school in the West Waterford area. I also work as a counsellor in a rehabilitation/treatment centre in the Limerick region. I maintain a small private practice, and I am an affiliate counsellor with VHI Corporate Solutions, an EAP programme. I have worked in the voluntary, private, education and government sectors.
*I have worked as a counsellor in addiction treatment/rehabilitation centres.
*I have worked as a counsellor/project leader with the homeless community.
*I have worked as a counsellor with the Meningitis Trust.
*I have worked as a counsellor in YouthReach/adolescent education settings.
*I have worked as a counsellor with second-level students in school settings.
*I have worked as a counsellor with mature students in adult education settings.
*I have worked as a counsellor in health settings.
*I have worked as a counsellor in a prison/detention centre setting.
*I have worked as a counsellor in the community.
Voluntary work
With the Catholic Boy Scouts of Ireland (CBSI).
In detoxification unit at rehabilitation centre for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
With teenagers/students in local community.
Founding and committee member of Dungarvan No Name Club.
Member of Mid-West Regional Drug Task Force (Treatment and Rehabilitation) (MWRDTF).
Member of Southern Regional Drug Task Force (voluntary sector) (SRDTF).
Former lay member of the National Mental Health Commission.
Professional membership
Accredited member of the Irish Association of Alcohol and Addiction Counsellors (IAAAC) (2002).
Accredited member of the National Association of Pastoral Counsellors and Psychotherapists (NAPCP) (2004).
Accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) (2007).
Accredited member of Irish Guidance Counsellors (IGC) (2008).
Full registration with the Teaching Council for admission to the Register of Teachers in accordance with Section 31 (5) of the Teaching Council Act, 2001.
Qualified administrator of Occupational Testing, Level A, from the British Psychological Society.
Continued professional development
I attend regular supervision to ensure my clinical work and professional practice are maintained. I also attend personal therapy on a regular basis to continue my own development. I attend regular further training and workshops to keep abreast of best practice in the counselling-psychotherapy field. I have completed ASIST training (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) through ADAPT, Limerick City. My areas of special interest are addiction, adolescence, and abnormal psychology.
My work with clients includes a broad range of issues such as alcohol and drug addiction, sexual abuse, suicide, depression, mental health issues, anger, phobias, relationship problems, confusion around sexual orientation etc. I have over 25 years' experience working with the marginalised, disadvantaged, and those in need of emotional and psychological support.
Michael Dunford
MEd (Hons) Guid. & Couns., BSc (Hons) Couns. & Psych., Dip. Psychol., Dip. Couns.
IACP NAPCP IAAAC
