I wrote this during a time where there was much debate on the Age of Consent in Ireland. In this letter published in the Irish Times I was hoping to encourage people to really think about the pressure our young people experience, and to give them a voice. Continue reading
I wrote this over 15 years ago in response to a set of new advertisements on TV that in my opinion promote and normalize “age-related” cosmetic surgery for women. Both the Irish Examiner and The Irish Times published this.
I am a counselling psychologist working in private practice in Cork city and county. Last week a teenage client told me she was very upset because she could see ‘expression lines’ on her face.
I wrote this in The Irish Times in response to figures published 15 years ago (!! ) on rape in Ireland. I work with women and children who have been raped and sexually assaulted – it is something about which I feel very strongly. And as I read it today, the week of the Tuam babies revelations, International Women’s Day 2017, I find myself wondering if anything has really changed?
I was interviewed by the Irish Times for an article on The Silver Ring. I spoke here about my experience with, and my hope for the future of sex education for adolescents in Ireland. Alarmingly, this was over 20 years ago – have we copped on??
This was published in both the Irish Times and The Irish Examiner. I wrote this in response to growing concerns and media coverage of teenagers and their behaviours. As a psychologist who works with teens I wanted to address adult behaviour and how that impacts teen behaviour. Teen behaviour cannot and must not be seen as an isolated phenomenon. Continue reading
Commit a random act of kindness – Have a look at this video and it may inspire you..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Qc8ZbVcdHpg
This may sound ridiculously simple but here it is: Get sleep.
Particularly coming up to Christmas, we are stressed, or excited, and may be socialising more. And often, sleep suffers. And remember – alcohol interferes with sleep – it does NOT enhance it, and it IS a depressant. (Those of you who have woken up in the horrors and had a ‘down’ day after a ‘great’ night will know this).
Mind your mood.
Take a minute right NOW to do NOTHING: take 3 slow, deep, to your tummy breathes, feel the chair under you, the ground under your feet, hear the sounds around you, feel the clothes on your skin, be aware of what smells are around you.
Listen to your inner dialogue: how much pressure have you put yourself under? How many rules and demands have you made of yourself for Christmas? Would you make these same demands of your best friend??Write down what you expect of yourself, then cross off the unreasonable and unnecessary items, the ‘shoulds’, and marvel at how few are left:)
Remember to breathe during today – just remind yourself, and you’ll soothe yourself nicely.
Know this: Being emotionally and mentally healthy doesn’t mean never going through bad times or experiencing emotional problems. We all go through disappointments, loss, and change. And while these are normal parts of life, they can still cause sadness, anxiety, and stress. Christmas brings with it an extra pressure to be “happy”, even though many of us find Christmas exceptionally stressful, and most of us have some sadness around it, missing people who have died or who are away. Let yourself feel whatever you are feeling, be it sadness or excitement, without judgement. You are human.
