You are welcome here,
exactly as you are.
A space where you can bring your whole self. No need to prepare, edit, or explain.
Whatever you bring — your worries, questions, contradictions, strengths, or fears — there is space for all of it here.
Because healing doesn't begin when we become someone different. It begins when we feel safe enough to be ourselves.
Jennifer Samuels, MA, MSc.
Thank you for visiting As You Are. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step. Whether you are seeking therapy for yourself, your child, or your family, my hope is that you will find a warm, accepting space where you feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported.
I am an accredited Psychotherapist with over 16 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families across Ireland and the United States — supporting people through anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, neurodiversity, and the everyday struggles that can leave us feeling overwhelmed or disconnected.
My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in trauma-informed, neuro-affirming practice. I believe every person has strengths, even in their most difficult moments, and that meaningful change happens when we feel accepted, understood, and empowered to explore our experiences without judgement.
At As You Are, you do not need to be anything other than yourself. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Jennifer
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- MSc in Applied Psychology (Distinction)
- MA in Psychology
- PG Certificate in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
- PG Certificate in Drug & Alcohol Counselling
- Accredited Member IACP
- Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland
- Regular Clinical Supervision (IACP standards)
The As You Are Approach
No one should have to hide who they are in order to be supported.
At As You Are, you are warmly welcomed with your worries, your questions, your contradictions, your strengths, your fears — and everything in between. You don't need to have the right words, all the answers, or pretend that you're okay.
I believe therapy begins with acceptance. When we feel safe enough to be ourselves, we create the space to better understand ourselves, reconnect with our strengths, and move towards the life we want to live. At the heart of my practice is a humanistic, person-centred philosophy — I believe that meaningful change happens within a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, and my role is to walk alongside you with curiosity, compassion, and respect.
A Trauma-Informed Approach
Many of us carry experiences that continue to influence how we think, feel, connect with others, and experience the world around us. My work is grounded in trauma-informed practice, recognising the importance of emotional safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment — helping you build resilience and reconnect with your strengths at a pace that feels right for you. I also incorporate principles of nervous system care, using gentle, evidence-informed approaches to help you develop a greater sense of safety and emotional balance.
A Neuro-Affirming Approach
I believe that neurodiversity is a natural and valuable part of human diversity, and I work in a neuro-affirming way that recognises and respects the unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences of neurodivergent individuals. Rather than focusing on changing who you are, therapy aims to better understand your experiences, build on your strengths, navigate challenges, and develop strategies that support your wellbeing in ways that are authentic to you.
An Integrative Approach
Every individual is unique, which is why I take an integrative approach, drawing on a range of evidence-based therapies and tailoring each session to your individual needs, strengths, and goals. Together, we may draw on:
- Person-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
- Mindfulness-based approaches
- Play Therapy techniques
- Creative and Expressive Therapies
- Sand Tray Therapy
Sessions Tailored to You
Every person's story is unique. Our experiences, relationships, challenges, and strengths shape who we are, which is why therapy is tailored to the individual — whether you are seeking support for yourself or your child, our work together is guided by your individual needs, recognising that meaningful change looks different for everyone.
All sessions are 50 minutes. I offer flexibility across formats to best support your needs and circumstances.
Child & Adolescent
Play, creativity, resilience. Includes initial parent session and regular reviews.
Children and young people often express their thoughts and feelings differently from adults. Through a combination of play, creative activities, conversation, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches, I provide a safe space where children can explore emotions, build confidence, develop coping skills, and strengthen their resilience.
Sessions are tailored to each child's developmental needs and interests, and may incorporate play therapy techniques, creative activities, sand tray work, art-based approaches, CBT, DBT-informed skills, and therapeutic conversation.
I support children and adolescents experiencing:
- Anxiety and worries
- School-related difficulties
- Low self-esteem
- Friendship and social challenges
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Family changes and separation
- Grief and loss
- Trauma and adverse experiences
- Neurodiversity-related challenges
The therapeutic process begins with an initial parent or caregiver consultation to explore concerns, gather relevant background, and discuss goals. Individual sessions with the child follow, with parent review sessions scheduled throughout based on the child's needs — a collaborative approach supporting progress both within and beyond the therapy room.
Adult In-Person
A dedicated, calm therapy room. Trauma-informed and neuro-affirming throughout.
Life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, relationship difficulties, grief, trauma, or simply feeling stuck, therapy can offer a supportive space to explore what is happening and identify a way forward.
Together, we will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you, building on your strengths while developing practical tools to support your wellbeing. My integrative approach draws from CBT, DBT, mindfulness, trauma-informed practice, creative approaches, and person-centred therapy, allowing me to tailor sessions to your individual needs.
Walk-and-Talk
Outdoor, grounding, gentle movement — supports regulation and ease of expression.
A grounding alternative combining reflective conversation with gentle movement — helping reduce tension and overwhelm, support regulation, and enhance focus, reflection, and creativity in a natural environment.
Online
Secure and confidential — the same depth, from wherever feels right for you.
Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility, allowing you to access support from the comfort of your own home or another private location. Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy for many concerns, including anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma.
Online sessions provide the same warm, collaborative, and confidential therapeutic experience while offering greater convenience for busy schedules, remote locations, or those who simply feel more comfortable connecting virtually. You can work flexibly around school, work, or family commitments.
Walk & Talk Therapy
Sometimes sitting face-to-face in a therapy room can feel intense. Walk & Talk Therapy offers a gentler way of engaging — combining reflective conversation with the restorative effects of movement and nature.
Sessions take place outdoors in a safe, agreed location and combine traditional therapeutic conversation with gentle walking. Many people find that being side-by-side rather than face-to-face helps them feel more relaxed and able to talk openly. The natural environment can also support reflection, emotional regulation, and a greater sense of connection and wellbeing.
Sessions are conducted at a pace that feels comfortable and supportive — an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and benefit from the calming influence of movement and the natural world.
Walk & Talk Therapy is available to existing clients, or following an initial assessment and the establishment of a therapeutic relationship. This allows us to determine together whether this approach is appropriate for your individual needs, therapeutic goals, and overall wellbeing.
- Anxiety
- Stress and burnout
- Low mood
- Grief and loss
- Life transitions
- Feeling stuck or disconnected
- Personal growth and self-exploration
Contact & Booking
You can reach me directly by phone or email, or book online. You do not need to have everything figured out — you only need to take the first step.
You are welcome — As You Are.