News
Self-Harm
The silent cries, the unspoken fears, the choked up anxieties; life and its’ many trials and tribulations invoke specific coping strategies in dealing with them. What makes one person tremble when another thrives? Many factors contribute to one’s way of operating, their upbringing, their financial status, peer groups, careers, environmental factors etc. While these external […]
Viktor Frankl’s Concept of the Spiritual Unconscious
Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, which focuses on meaning, holds great appeal for the integrative psychotherapist, offering a powerful way of understanding and intervening (Cheston, 2000) that addresses the very purpose of a person’s existence, as they define it. Easily adapted and blended with other modalities (Ameli & Dattilio, 2013; Schulenberg et al., 2008), it has been […]
Self-Care for Therapists
Self-care can be defined as an activity to “refill and refuel oneself in healthy ways” (Gentry, 2002, p. 48). Self-care is vital if we are to remain effective in our role and avoid burnout; however, many psychotherapists, me included, do not regularly implement the techniques they recommend to clients in their own lives (O’Halloran & […]
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an eight-phase treatment method. History taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation, body scan, closure and reevaluation of treatment effect are the eight phases of this treatment which are briefly described. EMDR therapy is a mental health treatment technique. This method involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. EMDR’s goal is […]
Couples Counselling: A Practical Down to Earth Approach
Introduction This article explores the different aspects that form a practical and professional approach to couple counselling including the family of origin, emotional connection and maturity, healthy communication, self-care and lastly the impact of all these on a couple relationship. It asserts that the family of origin and the behaviours learned here, are often the […]
Understanding Addiction: A Comprehensive Examination
Introduction Addiction is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that transcends societal, cultural, and economic boundaries, affecting individuals from all walks of life. This essay seeks to provide a thorough exploration of addiction, encompassing its definition, underlying mechanisms, risk factors, treatment approaches, and the societal challenges that surround it. Definition of Addiction Addiction is commonly described […]
5 Reasons to Journal
When it comes to journaling, common questions can be things like ‘How do I it?’, ‘What’s it meant to look like?’, and ‘How often should I write?’. Though these are all perfectly natural and reasonable things to wonder, sometimes our desire to know how something is ‘meant’ to be done can overshadow the question of […]
International Women’s Day
Inspiring Inclusion: A Counselling and Psychotherapy Perspective on International Women’s Day 2024 In a world where there seems to be a holiday for almost every occasion, I am sure there are many that would question the significance of International Women’s Day. In today’s modernized society you might be forgiven for thinking that women have achieved […]
Misinformation is not confined to referendums alone: Parental Alienation
All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed. Secondly, it is violently opposed. Thirdly, it is accepted as self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) I was recently reminded of the potential confusion that misinformation can create in particular about the recent referendums here in Ireland where, certain narratives were put forward by some purporting to […]
The Insecurely Attached Adult
Attachment is a solid emotional bond between an infant and their caregiver. All children innately attach “Attachment behaviour refers to any of the various forms of behaviour that a child commonly engages in to attain and/or maintain proximity” (Bowlby, 1969, p.37) it is crucial in the development of one’s personality and impacts one’s adult relationships. […]
Is MCBT For Me? A brief overview of Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Is MCBT for me? A brief overview of Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy As an integrative therapist, I am constantly seeking effective approaches to meet the diverse needs of clients. Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MCBT) stands out as a promising modality that integrates the principles of mindfulness with cognitive-behavioural techniques. MCBT, often referred to as the […]