Psychological problems are common
Most of us will experience psychological problems over the course of our lives. For some, the experience will be short lived and for others, they may deal with challenges for many years. My experience of working in the HSE for over 15 years has shaped how I approach the range of mental health problems in my own practice. Having trained in a range of therapy approaches (CBT, DBT, mentalisation based therapy among others), I often felt that shorter term approaches, while helpful for short lived and less complex difficulties, often didn’t meet the needs of those with long-standing psychological problems or for whom shorter term therapies had not helped. For this reason, I trained as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist so that I would be able to meet the needs of the people seeking help.
What has happened before shapes our present experiences
The architecture of our minds is shaped by all the experiences we have lived through. A robust body of evidence shows that many psychological challenges in adulthood are rooted in earlier childhood experiences. By working together to explore the depth of a person’s story and how their past continues to influence the present, clients can begin to move past limiting beliefs and emotional patterns and open up to new ways of living. This doesn’t require an intensive focus on the past; rather, it involves learning from earlier experiences in order to create greater freedom, clarity, and choice in how one lives today.
A thoughtful and individual approach
Given my experience working with children, adolescents, families and adults of all ages, and in my training in a broad range of psychological therapies: Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), Emotion focused therapy (EFT), Compassion Focused therapy (CFT) and Mentalisation Based Therapy (MBT); I approach each person with an open mind and in working with them, I can draw on my wide range of experience.
What to expect in the first few sessions
The first and most important step in seeking support is finding a therapist who feels right for you and has the appropriate expertise. For this reason, our work will begin with a thorough assessment. This allows us to understand the nature of your difficulties, consider which therapeutic approach may be most helpful, and determine whether I am the right person to support you.
These initial sessions are an opportunity for you to get a sense of me and how I work, as well as what the therapeutic process may involve for you. If it becomes clear that I am not the right person to help at this time, I will do my best to support you in finding someone who is.
I may be able to help if you are:
• seeking support for a long standing mental health difficulty
• looking for help with a physical health problem that may have psychological components
• if you find yourself stuck in patterns in your life that you are unhappy with
• or if you are interested in deeper personal exploration