Welcome to JTguidance

My name is John Toomey.

I am a qualified Guidance Counsellor and I have been working in education for over twenty-five years. I offer one-to-one guidance counselling.

This includes:

Supporting clients around decision-making and managing transitions from second-level education to third-level education
Supporting clients in exploring opportunities in further education, training and apprenticeships
Supporting clients with personal and social challenges that might be impacting upon their education and general well-being
Supporting neurodiverse clients and clients with other additional needs to access and interpret information regarding their education and training, as well as supporting them in navigating the often challenging reality of day-to-day life in the educational system
Supporting clients with transitions from primary to secondary school or from Junior Cycle to Senior Cycle
Supporting clients experiencing stress or pressure around school and examinations
Supporting adult clients who are considering career changes

I am currently working as a Guidance Counsellor, Leaving Certificate English teacher and as a Learning Support teacher. But I also worked as a SEN/ASN Co-ordinator for fifteeen years and as a Special Education Teacher. I have worked in education in Ireland and England and at both Primary and Secondary level. In addition to my work in education, I am also a published author and have worked in the publishing industry in various capacities.

My Qualifications:

Masters in Guidance Counselling – Dublin City University (DCU)
Graduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs – University City Dublin (UCD)
Postgraduate Certificate in Education – Institute of Education, University of London (UL)
BA (HONS) English – University North London (UNL, now Metropolitan University)

My qualifications and experience mean that I am ideally placed to support a broad range of clients.

My person-centred approach to counselling encourages my clients to examine their choices and decision-making processes and to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to become critical thinkers about their own lives and ambitions.