Qualification I am a qualified Counsellor/Psychotherapist with a BA in Counselling & Psychometric Testing, a Masters’ degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, a degree in Psychology and most recently a Masters in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development.
1999 - BA General in Psychology - Research - Dyslexia and it common links with Aspergers Syndrome
2010 - BA in Counselling and Psychometric Testing
2018 - MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy - Research - The Role of Positive Reframing in therapy for those with Anxiety, Stress and Depressive Disorders
2024 - MA in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development - Research - Shining a Light on the gap in guidance counselling policy and development in Ireland on the provision of guidance for students with Dyslexia
Experience10++ years in Psychotherapy
After Graduating from my Counselling Degree in 2010, I worked for 10yrs at the Tullamore Medical Centre before going out on my own, supporting patients and clients of the clinic through GP referrals. This included supporting clients with medication management, anxiety, stress, disabilities, chronic health conditions, domestic violence, workplace conflict, bullying, depression, neurodiverse conditions, educational and workplace anxiety.
I have also worked for 25yrs in Disability Services in the USA, UK and Ireland. Throughout my career to date I have worked to enhance, promote and develop programmes for people with disabilities. In my various roles, barriers and walls have been crossed towards inclusivity through sport, participation and community engagement. In achieving these milestones, it has taken a community to embrace change where winning is not the outcome, but participation, bravery, commitment and wellbeing to and for one another have been the success. Alfred Adler talked about how we are part of a community and that community is a part of me. This is a cornerstone of my personal and professional approach to life and it is something I have brought to every role I have undertaken from parent, to son, to coach & therapist and to all those that I have the honour to work with. We achieve our best when the environment around us is right, to do this, all we need is ourselves and the belief to work with those around us in a positive can do approach to the challenges that face us. The moto of the disability group I worked with in Mullingar was ‘Nothing is Impossible, when I’m Possible’, I based my MA dissertation around these 10 letters and the role of positive reframing.
Professionally, I am a committed to promoting positive approaches to well-being through personal development in how people view and take on the challenges the world throws at us. I have committed my professional career to working with people to live and enjoy life to their fullest capacity. I am an experienced project manager and service co-ordinator with experience in designing and building service enhancements to ensure the best care for people within existing resources. I am a qualified counsellor and I completed a Masters’ degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am also a keen rugby enthusiast and co-ordinate local Community based programmes.
One of my proudest achievements to date has been the establishment of the Disability Tag Rugby Programme in both Mullingar & Tullamore. This led to the development of the IRFU Disability Tag Rugby Sub Committee where I held the role of Chairperson and sat on the SPIRIT Sub Committee. Disability Tag Rugby is currently the fastest growing sport within the rugby set up behind womens rugby which is a great endorsement of the work carried out by all volunteers throughout the country.
Approach Throughout my career I have worked to empower people to be part of their communities, supporting them to express themselves and have a voice, make decisions and provide a better quality of life in an inclusive community environment.
Rapport, understanding, listening and respecting each individual in a Non-judgemental approach are the key skills I have brought to every role I have worked in. The importance of respect, dignity and understanding are corner stones of my approach to working with people as a friend, employee, manager, parent, coach, therapist and advocate, with these traits, I believe I would not have had the success in breaking down barriers to a more inclusive and empowering environment that exists today.
The role of positive reframing plays a key role in my practice and work with people, often it is about asking ourselves what are the things we can change and control that changes our perception of where we are and where we are going.
