In the early 1990s I studied psychotherapy in Regent's College London, where I gained an MA in Psychotherapy. While there, I had the opportunity to learn directly from leading Existential psychotherapists, such as Emmy van Deurzen and Ernesto Spinelli, and from teachers of systemic and psychodynamic therapy. My clinical placement was in the counseling service of Westminster Mental Health Association (MIND) in Paddington, Central London, where psychotherapy was provided for people with a very wide range of difficulties. In 1993 I returned to practice full-time in Ireland, where I now bring together my background in philosophy, youth work, spirituality and psychotherapy. I was for a time Director of the Foundation in Counselling Skills programme at PMTC on the UL campus and later at the Limerick Pastoral Centre. I was Course Director of the MA in Integrative Psychotherapy in the School of Education, University of Limerick until 2017. I lecture on Counselling and Psychotherapy and Experiential Group Learning in UL. I supervise postgraduate research in Psychotherapy, Guidance Counselling and Education. I served on various committees of the Irish Association for Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy and was Chair of the association for a period. I recently served on the management committee of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy. I act as a consultant for organisations/NGOs around counselling and psychotherapy services and education.

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I am married with three adult children and I live in Tipperary, although I am a native of Newbridge, where my family have lived for many generations. I recharge my batteries by swimming, Tai Chi, reading, using an exercise bike, walking and having downtime with my family. I am at my best when I am walking by the sea. I consider myself to be an outdoors person. I enjoy DIY (particularly carpentry and plumbing but definitely not painting), along with contemporary music and the occasional trad session. When I was younger I was involved in athletics, rock-climbing, orienteering and other adventure sports. I also enjoyed youth hostelling, camping, amateur drama and debating.

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For much of the COVID-19 pandemic I have had to work remotely from home. I am an extrovert (a quiet one) and I found the loss of face-to-face interaction very challenging. However, like everyone else, I had to be resilient and adjust to the needs of the situation. I bought my first computer in 1985 and I am fairly computer literate, but COVID-19 necessitated a steep improvement of my digital teaching skills and video-conferencing abilities. Now that we are being gradually released back into face-to-face social life, it remains to be seen how we will all take our digital skills forward. We certainly live in interesting (and challenging) times!

 

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