individual therapy
The causes of psychological distress are never only within the individual. Every difficulty is relational. Problems generally occur as a result of complex dynamics within our relationship(s); with ourselves and our environment - family, friends, college, workplace, and so on. Through a gentle but rigorous process, my role is to help you explore your situation in order to make fully informed life choices. I do not diagnose or pathologise any feelings or behaviours. You can expect to be treated with respect at all times.
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Usually we arrange a time to meet for one or two initial consultation sessions. During these sessions I will invite you to say a little about whatever has prompted you to seek therapy and I will encourage you to ask any questions that might help you decide whether I am the right therapist for you to work with. Once we have agreed to work together, the process becomes organic and will develop at a pace which feels right for you. I aim to provide a safe space, where whatever needs to emerge can find expression. We will initially meet at my practice room in Kinsale or online, with options for working outdoors if and when that might feel appropriate.
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Some difficulties can be resolved quite quickly. Others take more time to work through. Therapy is offered on an open-ended basis. It usually comes to a planned end whenever it feels right for you to stop.
intimate relationships & families
I offer relationship therapy to people in all types of families and partnerships (regardless of marital status, sexual orientation, etc), and/or any other relationship where some form of therapeutic support could be helpful. As the name suggests, relationship therapy focuses on a particular relationship or relationships, where all of the people involved take part.
A little extra time is allocated to the initial session (75 minutes in total) to allow space for everyone to have a say and make informed decisions about whether relationship therapy feels appropriate, and whether I am the right therapist for you to work with. From there we will agree a structure, which usually involves a combination of individual (50 minute) and joint (75 minute) sessions. We can meet either at my practice room in Kinsale or online, as you wish.
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It can take huge courage to attend relationship therapy, particularly if things have broken down to the extent that regrettable behaviour has occurred. Blaming, shaming and fault finding doesn't help, and is actively discouraged. Instead, I invite you to consider that problems within relationships are usually co-created and I will encourage you to take responsibility for understanding and expressing your own needs, in an atmosphere of collaborative and respectful exploration. My role is to facilitate a process where hurt can be healed and sense can be made of complex relationship dynamics.
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supervision, training & resources
I offer one-to-one supervision to individual psychotherapists, counsellors and any other other professionals, at a frequency to meet your needs, either online or at my practice room in Kinsale. Monthly online group supervision is also possible. My UKCP supervisor registration meets the requirements of most psychotherapy and counselling accrediting bodies across the island of Ireland and the UK.
​​I view supervision as a non-hierachical conversation between professionals. Whilst some guidance might be appropriate for students and newly qualified therapists, the focus is always firmly upon exploring your way of being a practitioner, your approach to your client work and how you want to develop your practice.
Bespoke services are also available to organisations, in any sector or industry, looking to support their teams through one-to-one and/or group supervision, team building activities, 'away days', etc.
I also offer psychotherapy training in the form of CPD workshops and modules on substantive programmes. If you would like information about upcoming training events, please feel free to connect via LinkedIn. Please also take a look at my publications page, if you are interested in a few journal articles I have had published.​
a little about me
Now in my fifties, I have spent my whole adult life studying and working in the human sciences, across voluntary, statutory and private sectors, both in Ireland and the UK. Couple that with a fair share of highs and lows in my private life over the years, and that adds up to a lot of relevant professional and personal experience, which I draw upon in my psychotherapy practice. I began my training in existential psychotherapy at Regent's College (now University), London, in 2001. I chose an existential training because it aligned perfectly with my philosophy and values about respect, autonomy and personal responsibly in the provision, and receipt, of therapy. Twenty four years on, I remain as passionate as ever about existential approaches to therapy.
Since first accrediting with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy in 2007, I have developed my knowledge-base and skill-set through continuous learning, including a twelve month post-graduate diploma in supervision & reflective practice, a two year apprenticeship in psychotherapy training and a twelve month ecopsychology training. I have provided psychotherapy, supervision and training in numerous voluntary and private settings, in Ireland, the UK and Poland. I have a strong interest in ecologically aware, ethical and socially responsible service provision, and have undertaken associated activities, such as serving as a fitness to practise panel member for the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy and on the governing body of the Irish Association of Humanist & Integrative Psychotherapy, where I am also accredited as a psychotherapist. I have had numerous journal articles published, including one as co-author in the International Review of Psychiatry.
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I live and work in Kinsale, Co. Cork.