Pooja

Dr Pooja Upadhyay, PhD

Psychologist

Verified

“Hi! I’m Dr. Pooja. I help adults and couples with relationships, emotional intimacy, anxiety and life transitions. I'm a psychologist having a decade of experience in the field of mental health, offering warm, non-judgemental online sessions across Ireland. ”

About me

I'm a psychologist with a PhD and over a decade of experience in counselling, teaching and research. I trained and practised in India before moving to Ireland, so I know first-hand what it means to rebuild life in a new country. I work with adults and couples facing relationship difficulties, emotional disconnection, burnout, anxiety and life transitions. You can expect a warm, calm and non-judgemental space with me. We work at your pace to understand what's happening and find practical steps that fit your life and values.

Approach

My approach is integrative, drawing on CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic and attachment-based therapy to suit what you need. I believe the relationship between us is at the heart of change, so I create a safe, respectful space where you can be fully yourself. We'll explore how past experiences, relationships and culture shape how you think and feel today, while building practical tools for the present. I genuinely believe therapy is collaborative. You lead, and I walk alongside you.
Contact Pooja

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic information

Languages:

English, Hindi/Urdu

Fees:

Direct payment

Online Only

Services

• Relationship difficulties and emotional intimacy • Couples Therapy • Anxiety and stress • Attachment styles • Life transitions (relocation, career change, marriage, parenthood) • Low mood & Self esteem • Family and intergenerational conflict • Work related stress & burnout

Services Offered:

  • ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)

    A form of therapy that teaches acceptance of difficult thoughts and feelings while guiding action aligned with personal values.

    Learn more about ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy)
  • CBT

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.

    Learn more about CBT
  • Counselling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counselling
  • Couples Therapy

    Therapy for partners working on communication, conflict, intimacy, and trust, with both people seen together rather than individually.

  • DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

    A structured therapy that combines cognitive behavioural techniques with mindfulness, designed to help people regulate intense emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships.

  • Humanistic Therapy

    A therapeutic approach grounded in the belief that people are inherently capable of growth and self-understanding, focusing on present experience, personal meaning, and the therapeutic relationship.

  • SFT (Solution-Focused Therapy)

    A goal-oriented approach that draws on a person's existing strengths and resources to build practical, future-focused solutions, rather than dwelling on the causes of difficulties.

  • Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy

    A therapy grounded in psychoanalytic theory that explores unconscious patterns, early experiences, and the therapeutic relationship, typically at a lower session frequency than full psychoanalysis.

  • Relationship Counselling

    Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.

  • Trauma Counselling

    Counselling specifically for people affected by traumatic events, focused on processing what happened and reducing symptoms like flashbacks and hypervigilance.

    Learn more about Trauma Counselling

Works With:

  • Adolescents
  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Individuals

Area of expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Anxiety

    Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.

    Learn more about Anxiety
  • Depression

    A mood disorder marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in energy, sleep, or appetite that impair daily functioning.

    Learn more about Depression
  • Family Issues

    Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.

  • Gender Identity & Self-Image

    A person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned at birth, and the distress or exploration that can accompany this.

  • Intimacy Issues

    Difficulties with emotional or physical closeness in relationships, including fear of vulnerability, avoidance of connection, or sexual concerns.

    Learn more about Intimacy Issues
  • Relationship Issues

    Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.

    Learn more about Relationship Issues
  • Relocation / Expat

    The psychological challenges of moving to a new country or city, including loneliness, culture shock, identity shifts, and loss of social support.

    Learn more about Relocation / Expat
  • Body Image

    How a person perceives, thinks, and feels about their physical appearance. When persistently negative, it can drive distress, avoidance, and disordered eating.

    Learn more about Body Image
  • Grief, Loss & Bereavement

    The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.

    Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement
  • Life Transitions

    Major life changes, such as relocation, retirement, parenthood, or career shifts, that disrupt routine and require psychological adjustment.

    Learn more about Life Transitions

Professional Title:

  • Psychologist

    A professional trained to assess and treat mental health conditions using evidence-based psychological methods.

Credentials

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Year: 2026

Memberships

Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

Graduate Member

Membership: M16536

Service Areas

Online Only

Maynooth

Ireland

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