About Me

I am a fully accredited Psychotherapist and Supervisor. I hold a Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Psychotherapy from Dublin City University, Ireland. This highly professional training ensures that I have the necessary skills to deliver Integrative Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Systemic Family Therapy and Couple Therapy to my clients. I have also completed a Diploma in Counsellor Supervision, which allows me to supervise counsellors and those who work in the helping professions. In addition I have completed training in Sandtray Therapy.As a fully accredited member of the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), I work within the ethical framework provided by this organisation. I have also been garda-vetted in accordance with IACP ethical procedures. In addition, I hold a Batchelor of Education and have previously worked as a primary teacher for many years.

I provide online and in-person counselling/psychotherapy sessions in my private practice in Co. Mayo, Ireland. My work involves supporting those who present with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, suicide ideation, bereavement, work-related stress, school related issues (staff or children), relationship issues and many more. I am one of a few psychotherapists in the west of Ireland to have been awarded a Master of Science (Psychotherapy) from DCU. My training in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) ensures that I am one of the few therapists in Co. Mayo offering this evidence-based therapy which is proven to be very effective in dealing with such issues as anxiety and depression.My own life experience coupled with my work with clients has provided me with a deep insight and a practical view of the problems that people face in their personal and professional lives. Issues such as anxiety, depression, the death of a close family member, emotional distress, separation, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder, hyperactivity, school refusal, adoption concerns and other issues that affect one’s mental health negatively can be worked through together with my guidance and support within the safety and security of the therapy room.

Research

I was conferred with a Master of Science by Research in November 2017 and my thesis was based on my own research proposal pertaining to the “Demand and provision of school counselling in primary schools in Ireland”. This unique, nationwide research study was a joint DCU and St. Patrick’s Hospital venture. DCU Research team members included Dr. Rosaleen McElvaney, Dr. Evelyn Gordon and myself, Deirdre Judge. The resulting report, the Primary School Counselling Study, was launched by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dublin on 20th June 2018. It was a privilege to present this research in Oxford University on 22nd Sept. 2017 during the Society for Psychotherapy Research UK and European Conference.
Continuous Professional Development

I engage in regular continuous professional development courses across a diverse range of disciplines to broaden my vision and enhance my skills. I have completed such courses as Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and courses in Transactional Analysis, Gestalt Therapy, Attachment Issues, Attachment in Adoption, Adolescent Interventions (Bronagh Starrs), Sand-tray Therapy with Dottie Higgins-Klein (Family and Play Therapy Center, Philadelphia), LGBTQ+ Counselling, Trauma-Focused CBT (University of North Carolina), Responding to Crisis, Disasters and Traumatic events Conference (Complex Trauma Institute), Understanding Dementia (University of Tasmania and Wicking Research Institute) and Body Mind Meditation (Louis Hughes). The use of Music as a therapeutic tool is of particular interest to me since I have completed extensive training in the area of music theory and education.