Mid-June start for new service to replace G2T

A new service to replace Good2Talk will be up and running by mid-June.

The Think Well Psychotherapy Clinic will operate out of the same premises in College Street and will be headed by the current CEO of Good2Talk, Pearl Brock.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner yesterday, Monday, Ms Brock said that when it became apparent that Good2Talk would not be able to continue operating due to financial pressures, she was determined to set up another service to carry on the vital work done over the last decade. While Good2Talk operates a low-cost therapy model, Think Well will use a “sliding scale” model based on people’s ability to pay.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” Ms Brock said. “The board of management and Good2Talk founders fostered a sense of support for the community and they gave me the courage to go forward and do this.

“There are around 350 people currently on the books of Good2Talk. They have been told that this won’t be a free service. While Good2Talk operates a weekly therapeutic model, clients say that they might come once every two weeks or once a month.

“We have also had some members of the community offer to buy some vouchers for therapy to put into a kitty so that if someone really can’t afford it, we’ll cover some sessions for them.

“I feel that the community trust us and that’s a big thing.

“We are opening a service that is inclusive and accessible and one that will stand on the shoulders of the giant that was Good2Talk.”

The majority of therapists working with Good2Talk are coming on board with Think Well, which Ms Brock says is “huge” for both the new organisation and the people accessing their services.

A qualified therapist for 20 years and an experienced lecturer, who has taught at several universities in the UK and Ireland, Ms Brock says that she also wants the Think Well clinic to be a “centre of excellence” for therapy clinical placement in the midlands.

“I want to give our community the very best. We will be looking after adults, children, adolescents and couples. We also have a new therapist coming on board who specialises in treating people who are on the autism spectrum.

“I have had to dig deep in recent weeks, but everything has fallen into place,” Ms Brock said.