The Gazette 1981

SEPTEMBER 1981

GAZETTE

decisions for the future. A counselling service is also provided in awareness and control of fertility, supported by a comprehensive education programme in the natural methods of family planning. Each centre is always interested to receive c omme n ts and suggestions on the service it offers from the user's point of view.D

stronger position to think about the area in which responsibility can be exercised, namely action that is taken as a consequence of feeling. So far a number of interviews between counsellor and client may have taken place, or if the client is especially receptive, this stage may be reached by the end of the first interview. In either case, the scene is now set and the means are available for an examination of options. The counsellor helps the client to think about possible courses of personal action in the immediate future, perhaps including some that are not so obvious and even unattractive initially. The recognition of patterns, and the acceptance of "differences" in others, facilitates a more realistic assessment of possible developments, and the separation of feeling and responsible action begins to inspire confidence in the client that the destructive course of events can be altered. It is a basic principle that the client must make the decision and take responsibility for the consequences, because every individual has a right to his or her God given integrity. It is the counsellor's job to help the client discover and affirm that integrity, whatever course of action is chosen. The counsellor may not approve if the client eventually decides to pursue a legal separation, with or without Church annulment, but that decision must be respected and the client helped, within the counsellor's competence, to put it into effect. Fven after the decision has been taken, the counsellor may have a valuable supportive role to play, as already mentioned by the solicitor above, when the unfolding succession of events gives rise to conflicting feelings. Marriage counsellors have no part to play in the legal process as tlicy work solely at the level of personal feeling, uiih the material brought into counselling by the clients. It; fact, if counselling is to be effective, and continue to be so, it is very important that it not only be separated, but be seen to be separated, from remedies available under the law. For that reason, marriage counsellors are reluctant to get involved in legal proceedings. Marriage counsellors are all married people themselves, who were invited personally to participate in selection conferences staffed by psychiatrists, psychologists and experienced counsellors. Common ly 5 0 -oto 6 0% of those who attend such a conference a're offered places, on the basis of personal openness and absence of perceived threat in relationships with others, on an initial training course of approximately nine months. Fxperiencc enriches theory in subsequent in-service (raining, which is continuously monitored by a tutor group. In this wa y, fresh ideas and new techniques are fed into the system, influenced by practice. Also group support arises from the fact that counsellors work in centres, where clients are met in comfortable, relaxed surroundings on neutral territory. In order to ensure that time is available for each client, it is necessary to make an appointment in advance, but no other rules exist. Simply, if meeting a marriage counsellor is thought to be beneficial. the telephone directory gives details of the nearest centre and the method of making appointments. Every interview is completely confidential. From the same centres, pre marriage courses are organised to help engaged couples to take a more realistic view of their present relationship and to make responsible

Catholic Marriage Advisory Council

The Catholic Marriage Advisory Council works for the well being of marriage and family life. Centres organise courses to help couples prepare for marriage. Each Centre provides a confidential Counselling Service for people with problems in relation to Marriage or other personal relationships. The C . M . A . C. also provides a confidential service for people who wish to discuss the planning of their families and to learn the natural methods of Family Planning. Enquiries and appointments: Phone Catholic Marriage Advisory Council of Ireland, Central Office, All Hallows College, Drumcondra 9: Office Hours, 3 7 5 6 4 9. List of Centres see below: Dalymount 15, Dalymount 7, Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. 2 p.m. and 8 p .m. - 9 . 30 p.m. — 3 0 1 0 2 8 Dunlaoghaire, 7 Eblana Avenue, Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. 4 p.m. and 8 p .m. - 9 . 30 p.m. — 8 0 1 6 82 35 Harcourt St. 2, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5.30 p.m. and 7 . 30 p .m. - 9 . 30 p.m. — 7 8 0 8 6 6. Marino, 71 Griffith Avenue 3, Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and 8 p.m.-lO p.m. — 3 3 8 6 3 1. Templeogue 2 6 5, Templeogue Road, Mon. Fri. 9 . 30 a.m.-4 p.m. and 7 . 30 p .m. - 10 p.m. — 9 0 8 7 3 9 Athlone: Dr. Do bbs Memorial Home, Northgatc St. Office Hours: ( 0 9 0 2) 2 1 7 4 Ballina: Parish Centre, Teeling St. — ( 0 9 6) 2 1 4 7 8 Ballinasloe: St. Joseph's College, Garbally Park, Mon. I p.m-2 p.m. — ( 0 9 0 5) 2 5 0 4 Carlow: St. Catherine's Community Services Centre, St. Joseph's Road, Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Mon. 8 . 3 0 - 10 p.m. — ( 0 5 0 3) 3 1 0 6 3 Castlebar: Social Service Centre — ( 0 9 4) 2 2 2 1 4 Cavan: Cana House, Farnham St., Mon. 8 10 p.m. — ( 0 4 9) 3 1 3 78 Charlestown: St. Nathy's College, Mon. 7-9 p.m. — Ballaghaderreen 74. Cloyne: Cobh (after 6 p.m. daily) — ( 0 2 1) 81 1727 Cork: 34 Paul St., Mon.-Fr. 8 - 10 p.m. — ( 0 2 1) 2 5 6 7 8. Drogheda: Drogheda Community Services Centre, Fair St., Mon.-Fr. 10 a .m. - 12 noon — ( 0 4 1) 3 6 0 84 Dundalk: St. Patrick's, Roden Place — ( 0 4 2) 3 1 7 31 Ennis: Social Service Centre, Office Hours — ( 0 6 5) 21 178 Galway: Oz anam House, Middle St., Mon.-Fri. 8 p.m. 9 . 3 0 p.m. — ( 0 9 1) 6 2 3 3 1 and Appointments Social Service Centre, Mon.-Fri. (office hours) — ( 0 9 1) 6 3 5 8 1 Inishowen: Pastoral Centre, Derry Road, Movilla (anytime) — Movilla 6 0 Kerry: Cana House, Killarney, Fri. 8 p.m.-10 p.m. — ( 0 6 4) 11 7 48

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