Dr Joe O’Brien
Chartered Health Psychologist
Psychological support for people struggling with food issues, difficult emotions, weight, physical or chronic health conditions.
Support For
Food, Body, & Weight
Whether you're struggling with emotional eating, body image, using GLP-1 medication, considering bariatric surgery or simply want a healthier relationship with food.
Health Conditions
Psychological support for chronic pain, long-term conditions (diabetes, chronic pain, IBS) and the emotional impact of physical illness, for example adjusting to a new diagnosis.
Behaviour Change
Improve health behaviours such as sleep, physical activity and other lifestyle habits where thoughts or emotions may be getting in the way.
About Me
Most people come to me believing they've failed or that they aren’t able to manage their thoughts and emotions.
More often than not, they've just never had the right support.
As a Health Psychologist, I help people understand the psychological barriers that keep them stuck and work through those challenges to create lasting change to their difficulties.
I started Head First Health because the evidence shows we need to stop separating mental and physical health. We’re often told what to do, but not how to do it .
People rarely struggle because they don't know what to do. More often, they struggle because no one has helped them understand what is getting in the way.
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Getting started is simple. You can get in touch using the contact form, email or phone, and I'll aim to respond as soon as possible. We'll briefly discuss what you're looking for and arrange an initial appointment at a time that suits you.
Appointments are available early mornings, afternoons and evenings, depending on the day, to help fit around work and family commitments.
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There isn't a single answer to this. Everyone's circumstances, goals and experiences are different, so the length of time someone stays can vary quite significantly. I’ve worked with some clients for multiple years, and others get all they need in 8-12 sessions. There is no way of predicting what you might need in advance.
You're always in control of the process. There is no expectation or obligation to continue beyond what feels helpful. You can leave at any time without notice, and we'll regularly review your progress together.
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Individual appointments are €95 per session.
A reduced fee of €80 per session is available for those who may benefit from a lower rate. If this would make accessing support easier, please don't hesitate to ask.
If you're an Irish tax resident, you can claim 20% off through tax relief on Revenue. This reduces the cost to:
€95 session → €76 after tax relief
€80 session → €64 after tax relief
*If you have private health insurance, part or all of the cost may be covered depending on your provider and policy.
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The first session is an opportunity for us to understand what's going on for you, what you'd like to achieve, and whether we're a good fit to work together. Sessions last 50 minutes and are typically delivered weekly or every second week to start.
There's no expectation to have everything figured out before you arrive. We'll work together to understand your experiences, identify what's getting in the way, and develop an approach that's tailored to you.
The focus will firstly be on understanding what is getting in the way of you living the life you' want for yourself.
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No, you can contact me directly by email at joe@headfirst.ie. You don’t need a referral to start.
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You don't need to be in crisis to benefit from a psychologist.
Many people come because they feel stuck, want to understand themselves better, or are finding it difficult to make lasting changes to their health.
If you're unsure whether I can help, you can always try, and there’s no pressure to stay if it’s not right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get started
If you're interested in working with me, complete the form below, and I’ll aim to respond in 1-2 working days.