Dr. Hugh Cummins
Barnacore, Ballymahon, Co Longford
Addiction Support Worker · Lecturer · Philosopher
ICPHAA membership category: Accredited · Location: Ballymahon, Co. Longford · Consultations: Online & In-Person
About
Dr. Hugh Cummins is an Accredited Member of the Irish Counselling, Psychotherapy & Allied Healthcare Professionals Association (ICPHAA) in the category of Addiction Support Worker. He is based in Barnacore, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, and offers support both in person and online. His professional title on the register also reflects work as a lecturer and a background in philosophy.
His practice focuses on supporting individuals, families and communities affected by substance misuse, behavioural dependency and the practical and emotional challenges of recovery. The role of an addiction support worker centres on listening, practical recovery planning, encouragement and connection to appropriate services, rather than on formal psychotherapy.
Dr. Cummins' approach is described as grounded in dignity, confidentiality and non-judgemental care. His work addresses relapse awareness, motivation, accountability, self-understanding and the development of safer daily routines. He supports people who may be experiencing cravings, shame, isolation, strain in relationships, loss of confidence, family pressure, stress or grief.
He works with people at different stages of change: those considering whether to change their use of alcohol or drugs, those newly in recovery, and those working to maintain stability over time. Family members affected by a relative's addiction may also seek support.
His academic background as a lecturer and in philosophy brings an interest in questions of meaning, responsibility and purpose, which can form part of conversations about recovery and the kind of life a person wishes to build.
ICPHAA is a voluntary, not-for-profit professional association for counsellors, psychotherapists and allied healthcare practitioners in Ireland. Its members agree to follow the Association's Code of Ethics and Conduct, to work within the limits of their training and competence, to attend regular clinical supervision appropriate to their category, and to undertake continuing professional development each year. ICPHAA membership is a professional membership and is not a form of statutory registration.
Members of the public can confirm any member's current status, category and membership number by scanning the QR code on their ICPHAA certificate or by entering the membership number at www.icphaa.ie/verify-certificate. Concerns about a member's practice can be raised with the ICPHAA Registry at admin@icphaa.ie.
Dr. Cummins is listed on the ICPHAA register under membership number M6923. The practice is based in Barnacore, Ballymahon, Co Longford, with sessions offered online and in-person. Listed practice areas include Barnacore, Ballymahon, Co Longford. Details on this profile are provided by the member and reviewed by the ICPHAA Registry.
Approach and services
Dr. Cummins offers one-to-one addiction recovery support in Ballymahon, Co. Longford, and online across Ireland.
For people considering change, he can help explore the effect alcohol, drugs or a behavioural dependency is having on their life, weigh up the reasons for and against change, and identify a first realistic step.
For those in early recovery, support can include practical recovery planning: recognising personal triggers, building coping strategies for cravings, rebuilding daily structure and routine, and identifying safe people and places.
Relapse awareness forms an important part of the work, including noticing early warning signs, planning for high-risk situations, and responding to a lapse in a way that supports learning rather than shame.
He also supports people with the wider consequences of addiction, such as strained family relationships, loss of confidence, isolation, grief and stress. Family members affected by a loved one's addiction can use sessions to understand addiction, set boundaries and look after their own wellbeing.
Where specialist medical, detoxification, residential or psychotherapy services are needed, he can help people understand the options. Addiction support is not an emergency service; anyone at immediate risk should contact 112 or 999.
A first appointment is usually used to discuss what has prompted the person to seek support, to agree goals, and to explain practical arrangements such as session length, frequency, fees, cancellation and the limits of confidentiality. Confidentiality is maintained except where there is a serious risk of harm to the client or others, or where disclosure is required by law, and these limits are explained at the outset.
The number of sessions varies from person to person and is reviewed together over time. People are free to ask questions about the approach being used, to raise any concerns about how the work is going, and to end the work at any point. Choosing a practitioner is a personal decision, and it is reasonable to make initial contact with more than one practitioner before deciding.
Practitioners listed in the ICPHAA directory work within the scope of their category of membership and refer on where a client's needs are better met by another service, such as a general practitioner, community mental health team or specialist agency.
Appointments with Dr. Cummins can be arranged through telephone or email. This profile lists an individual session fee of €70 and a couples session fee of €80; fees, cancellation terms and availability should be confirmed directly with the practitioner before the first session. Information shared when making an enquiry is handled confidentially by the practitioner.
One-to-One Addiction Support
Online Addiction Support
In-Person Addiction Support
Recovery Planning
Relapse Prevention Support
Family Support
Signposting to Specialist Services
Qualifications
Accredited Addiction Support Worker (ICPHAA)
Areas of focus
Addiction Support Worker
Addiction Recovery Support
Substance Misuse Support
Relapse Awareness
Recovery Planning
Family Support
Online Addiction Support
In-Person Support
Issues worked with
Addiction Recovery
Addiction Support
Alcohol Use
Substance Misuse
Behavioural Addiction
Relapse
Cravings
Family Impact of Addiction
Isolation
Stress
Grief
Practice locations
Barnacore
Ballymahon
Co Longford
Online Consultations
In-Person Consultations