Pro Consult was the brainchild of the late Peter Dorai Raj and Dr. Kathleen FitzGerald, both Clinical and Counselling Psychologists who were working in Galway with the Brothers of Charity in the 1980’s. Their mutual interest in counselling led to discussions on the need for a community counselling service in Galway which would be easily accessible and affordable for people.
In those years, psychological problems were mostly dealt with through the psychiatric services. Apart from some counsellors who worked in private practice, there was no general counselling service available in Galway at that time. Before setting up the organisation, they did some research and spoke with several voluntary organisations operating in Galway, all of whom agreed that a professional counselling service was badly needed in the city and county.
Their vision came to fruition with the opening of Pro Consult in April 1992.
Initially, it was just Peter and Kathleen in two rooms on the top floor of Árus de Brún in Newtownsmyth, where they had wonderful views of the River and the Cathedral. They operated on 3 days a week and quickly, through word of mouth they became known and very busy. In 1998 Pro Consult moved to their present premises at 1 St. Helen’s Street, Cooke’s Corner, Galway.
From their small beginnings, they now have a staff of accredited and experienced counsellors/psychotherapists and trainee counsellors.
Pro Consult has weathered the Recession and COVID and are proud that they are still operating, 31 years after their foundation. In 2024 Mary O'Connor from the Galway Advertiser profiled our organisation, which you can read about here.
We were honoured to welcome the Lord Mayor of Galway, Peter Keane, to ProConsult. His visit highlighted the importance of accessible mental health support in our community. We appreciate his time and interest in the work we do.
Our office at Cooke's Corner, Galway
Lord Mayor of Galway Peter Keane, Visits ProConsult.