Psychology Clinics

Safetynet's Mental Health Clinic provides trauma-informed psychological support to all clients, with a focus on stabilisation and holistic care.

How this service helps

Safetynet employs a counselling psychologist two days a week to run clinics at the Amiens St Hub. These clinics include one-to-one counselling and group sessions.

Migrants and refugees are often exposed to significant stress before, during and after their journey—including conflict, violence, exploitation, loss, and ongoing uncertainty around housing, status and employment. Research shows asylum seekers in Ireland are five times more likely to present with a psychiatric condition compared to Irish medical card holders, three times more likely to experience anxiety, and ten times more likely to suffer PTSD. Safetynet's Mental Health Clinic provides trauma-informed, culturally sensitive support that addresses these specific needs. By offering therapy in patients' own languages—through interpreters and, in partnership with the Irish Red Cross, native Arabic-speaking psychotherapists—we remove the barriers that prevent people from accessing mainstream mental health services. The focus on stabilisation helps patients regain a sense of safety and agency, while group work builds connection with others who share similar experiences, reducing the isolation that compounds psychological distress.

Mental health and Safetynet

An interpreter is provided for those who do not speak English fluently. The referral pathway is via the Safetynet GPs.

Safetynet provides a room for two Red Cross psychologists twice a week and can refer appropriate patients to this service.

Our Approach

Safetynet takes a holistic, trauma-informed approach to mental health. Our Counselling Psychologist sees clients individually and in groups, providing culturally sensitive therapy that acknowledges the particular experiences of forced migration. The approach focuses on stabilisation—helping patients manage symptoms and build coping strategies—with referrals for psychosocial support to assist integration into Irish life where appropriate.

Individual therapy typically consists of 4 sessions, with a review after 1 month. Group work focuses on well-being and usually brings together people from the same cultural background, with an interpreter present. Sessions explore themes of navigating a new culture wisely and courageously, while addressing everyday experiences of loss, loneliness and uncertainty.

Key Issues

The most common presentations include depression, anxiety and trauma-related conditions, often stemming from experiences before and during migration as well as the challenges of the asylum process itself.

Referral

Clients are referred by their GP and are usually seen for an initial assessment within eight weeks. Where appropriate, patients are then placed on a waiting list for therapy.

Service Access & Opening Times

Safetynet GPs can refer patients to Safetynet’s Counselling Psychologist
If you would like to refer patients to the Red Cross councillors, please contact the Red Cross directly - mentalhealth@redcross.ie