Who Am I?

I am a psychological counsellor and have practised fulltime for about 16 years now. Prior to this, I worked in a voluntary capacity for 20 years in the addictions field. Tailed_flambeau_butterfly (1)I did my original training at Clouds House as an Addictions Counsellor. A few years after this, I did a Postgraduate Diploma training course at the University of Bristol in Counselling and Psychotherapy and later on a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Hypnosis. I did training as a clinical supervisor a few years ago. In 2016 I completed EMDRIA Accredited training to work with trauma and PTSD

I am fully accredited by both Irish and British Associations of Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP & BACP). I am also accredited by Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (formerly IAAAC) and the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals (FDAP) as an addictions professional. Finally, I am recognised by the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis (BSCH) as a registered clinical hypnotherapy practice and by the Clinical Hypnotherapy & Psychotherapy Association (CHPA) as an accredited Hypno-Psychotherapist

However, as important as qualifications and understanding the theories underlying human distress and development are, and they are, most of my ‘feel’ for this work comes from my own personal experience. I embarked on my own journey of discovery and recovery, renewal and redemption on 1st May 1982 and from that day forward, I have tried to change my mind and my moods; to refine my consciousness and transform unskilful behaviours into skilful ones. But above all, I have learnt to accept myself.

I believe that therapy is all about relationships and I understand relationship as the state of being related; a condition or character based upon this; as kinship. It is the first condition of being human and creates bonds between people which are greater than the sum of the parts. This interconnectedness between two people has been significant in healing since the time of Hippocrates. The different relationships available in a therapeutic encounter are as follows:

    • Clouded_yellow_(Colias_croceus) (4)The Working Alliance
    • The Real Relationship
    • The Transferential Relationship
    • The Developmentally Needed or Reparative Relationship
  • The Transpersonal Relationship

I strive to bring all of these into the therapeutic experience.

I am qualified to treat a variety of problems.

The qualities I bring into the therapy room include, kindness, curiosity, respect, humour and compassion