Vivienne Lillis Counselling

24/12/2025

Coping at Christmas when Separated from Loved Ones

While the constant bombardment of the pressure to have a “wonderful Christmas” can be hard to take, for those separated from loved ones at Christmas it can make the isolation even more painful.

Read more by Vivienne here: https://www.smaointecbt.com/post/coping-at-christmas-when-separated-from-loved-ones

01/12/2025

I wanted to share this podcast during Women’s Aid “16 days of activism campaign”.. While normally a true crime podcast this episode has a fascinating interview with Laura Richards who is an international expert on domestic violence. She discusses the need for increased awareness around the danger period of leaving an abusive relationship. 76% of partner homicides occur at the point of leaving. The interview covers a profound lack of understanding by the family court system of the intricacies of coercive control, the manipulation and use of children and the false belief among many professionals that once a woman has left an abusive relationship she is safe.

Women's Aid




https://open.spotify.com/episode/5QC9jBMCZ9FcQfhzOonVw7?si=WiWfLTO-QDu3dCyWzZMHHw

Killer In The Family · Episode

30/10/2025

Had the absolute joy of having a hedgehog living in our shed for the last two nights . After some food, water and a long sleep he s gone back to the wild. Thanks to Beth in for her advice.

30/10/2025

Had the absolute joy of having a hedgehog living in our shed for the last two nights . After some food, water and a long sleep he s gone back to the wild. Thanks to Beth in for her advice.

15/10/2025

Fantastic to see Interoception research expanding and being given the recognition it deserves

An NIH-supported initiative seeks to unravel how the nervous system tracks and regulates the body’s internal organs. How does your brain recognize when it’s time to take a breath, when your blood pressure has fallen, or when your body is fighting an infection? The key lies in interoception, a li...

10/10/2025

Sauna Ceremony with last Sunday was pure bliss. Perfect to soothe sore bodies and busy minds .

01/10/2025

https://www.smaointecbt.com/post/the-positive-effects-of-samhain-on-mental-health

Exploring the Benefits of an Ancient Celtic FestivalBy Vivienne LillisFor many, this time of the year signifies the days getting shorter, evenings longer, time to light the fire and switch on the heating. The days of evenings in the garden and trips to the beach seem a million miles away. But what i...

23/08/2025

27/06/2025

PTSD Awareness Day 2025 💛

By our wonderful psychotherapist Simona!

The good news? Healing is possible.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), especially trauma-focused approaches like TF-CBT and CPT, can help reprocess trauma, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and build a life not defined by fear.

This PTSD Awareness Day, let’s remind each other:

💬 It’s okay to talk about trauma.
📘 It’s okay to seek support.
🛠️ Recovery is possible — and you’re not alone.

📍If you’re struggling, consider reaching out to Smaointe CBT.

There’s no shame in healing.

086 848 7941 / Smaointecbt@gmail.com

15/05/2025

Brendan OConnor’s interview with the sister of Clodagh Hawe, who was killed, along with her three sons by her husband. She also addresses the picture painted of Hawe as a pillar of the community in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. It is a difficult, but worthwhile listen .

Jacqueline Connolly speaks to Brendan about her book Deadly Silence which details the aftermath of her sister Clodagh’s murder by her husband Alan Hawe in 2016, she talks about identifying the coercive control her sister suffered within her marriage, trying to see a way through grief, dealing with...

01/03/2025

The reason why some people are disrespectful, rude, ignorant , aggressive and a bully is less clear

01/02/2025

It’s never too late to change. So many of us get stuck in situations that make us unhappy and unwell. If it doesn’t benefit you, it’s time to let it go .