Psychological Wellbeing Services, Sligo

18/09/2025

Yesterday I had the pleasure of being part of the speaker line-up at the IACP Research Conference, and it was a privilege to contribute to this event.
The conference offered so much richness – from the opening address by Jane Lawless (Chairperson of the IACP Board) to the insightful and thought-provoking presentations delivered by David Trickey and David Kelly, whose expertise and perspectives added real depth to the day. It was also wonderful to hear from this year’s recipient award-winning students and to see the creativity and innovation emerging through their research.
I wish to extend my Thanks to the IACP and in particular the IACP Research Committee for their hard work and professionalism putting it all together and their excellent facilitation throughout the day.
👏 With thanks to:
• Aisling O’Connor (Chair of the Research Committee)
• Ellen Kelly (Research Lead)
• Iwona Blasi (Innovation and Development Manager)
• Geraldine Sheedy (Research Committee Member)

04/09/2025

Looking forward to speaking about ‘therapist wellbeing’ at this event and gently motivating and empowering participants to add at least one evidenced based strategy to their own wellbeing toolkit.

IACP Research Conference 2025 - Through the Looking Glass: Therapy in a Shifting World.

📅 Wednesday 17th September 10:00 - 14:00

Online, Free, CPD

Building on the tremendous success of IACP's online Research Conference in September 2024, we are delighted to invite IACP members to the 2025 Conference: "Through the Looking Glass: Therapy in a Shifting World."

Last year's conference drew 550 attendees and we are pleased to continue the online format to ensure accessibility for colleagues across the country.

Keynote and Featured Presentations: We are delighted to welcome Dr. David Trickey as our keynote speaker, who will be joined by IACP members David Kelly and Dr Patsy McSharry along with a panel presentation by the nominees from our inaugural Undergraduate Research Excellence Award.

Book now: https://iacp.ie/page/all_events/1342

22/08/2025

Really good sensible advise from Dr Mary O'Kane

Just in case the Leaving Cert results tomorrow do not go as well as hoped, here are a few tips for dealing with disappointment.

If they are disappointed, it can feel immediately devastating. We know it is not the end of the world, but to your teen, it can feel like it. As a parent, it can be difficult to know what to say, but don’t try to immediately ‘fix it’ by offering solutions. Instead, empathise letting them know you are so sorry that they are disappointed. Just listen to them and let them know you are there for support. Stay calm and try to keep a sense of perspective yourself.

Don’t get annoyed and try to blame the teachers, school etc. This really won’t help. Even if you feel they should have studied harder, now is not the time for ‘should haves’, judgement or criticism will not help. It will only make them feel worse than they already do.

Instead, focus on any positive results and remind them that those results reflect their true ability. Acknowledge the work they put in. Remind them that there are many ways to get where they want to go, and that you will sit with them and consider all the various options when the dust settles.

For now, encourage them to go out and celebrate with their friends, even if they are disappointed. They don’t have to share points if they don’t want to, they can just say that they were a bit disappointed that they didn’t get what they had wanted and will consider all their options tomorrow.

Take a day out, after that you can sit with them and talk about options. You can appeal any grades if necessary. They might consider accepting whatever CAO course they are offered, but they might also investigate other options such as Apprenticeships, PLC courses or Independent College courses. Or they might consider repeating the exams or taking a year out. If necessary, they might want to speak to their Guidance Counsellor about all their options.

Just because this exam did not go to plan, you want them to see the bigger picture. Very few of us follow a straight line to get where we want in life. Most of us have plenty of twists and turns along the way. There are still plenty of options open to them, and you are still proud of them. Reassure them that you love them no matter what, these results do not define them.

15/08/2025

Well done Parent Hub Sligo Leitrim

SAVE THE DATE

Join Bronagh Starrs, a recognised expert in the field of child and adolescent development and psychotherapy, for an insightful presentation on understanding and responding to anxiety in children, especially when linked with school avoidance and co-occurring conditions like ASD.

Bronagh will introduce a four-stage model of intervention that addresses the deeper emotional challenges these children face, replacing anxiety and dependency with resilience and courage.

This event will be brought to you by Sligo Leitrim West Cavan Parenting Support Champions, through funding from Child and Family Agency - Tusla's Parenting Learning Communities Initiative

To secure your place please email parenthubcoordinator@sligochildcare.ie

06/08/2025

Looking forward to this event and talking about 'the importance of therapist self care through a targeted wellbeing approach' after such self care, 'therapists are able to have the best of themselves instead of what's left of themselves to give to their client work'

IACP Research Conference 2025 - Through the Looking Glass: Therapy in a Shifting World

📅 Wednesday 17th September 10:00 - 14:00

Online, Free, CPD

Following the great success of our Research Conference in 2024, we're delighted to now invite IACP members to book their places for what promises to be another rich and stimulating event this year.

Book now: https://iacp.ie/page/all_events/1342

02/08/2025

🌿 Living in Alignment: The Power of ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) 🌿 (Your Inner lighthouse guiding you towards what you value)

I recently trained in ACT—an empowering approach I now weave into both my coaching and therapy sessions. Rooted in mindfulness and values-based action, ACT supports us in navigating life’s challenges with greater clarity, compassion, and courage.

💭 What is ACT?
Rather than trying to ‘fix’ or avoid uncomfortable thoughts or feelings, ACT helps us to make space for them while taking action in line with what truly matters to us.

✨ In essence, ACT invites us to:
✔ Accept what we can’t control
✔ Commit to meaningful action
✔ Live in alignment with our values

🌱 Why Values Matter
Our values are our inner compass—qualities like connection, growth, fairness, or creativity. When we act from this place, even discomfort becomes more bearable, and life feels more purposeful.

💡 A Real-World Example
Imagine you value professional growth, but social anxiety holds you back from networking events. ACT helps you notice those inner barriers with kindness, unhook from them, and still show up—because growth, not comfort, is the goal.

ACT isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence, purpose, and progress.
NB. for more information see full blog on patsymcsharry.com

18/07/2025

23/06/2025

See below a more accessible format of a post on anxiety, I published last week, maybe you or someone close to you needs to hear this.

14/06/2025

⸻
See below a little piece I prepared in response to the huge amount of anxiety I am meeting in my practice and elsewhere - much research report that anxiety is at epedemic proportions particularly in our young people. However it can be managed- just like if we have a child with Diabetes as they grow they have to take charge of their own insulin injections etc - self management of anxiety is also necessary and possible.

🌿 Living with Anxiety: Courage in the Face of Fear 🌿

People who live with anxiety are some of the most courageous individuals I know. Anxiety doesn’t arrive quietly. It bursts in like a storm—flooding the body with fear, overwhelm, and a deep sense of unsafety.

Racing heart. Shallow breath. Tight chest. Sweaty palms. Flushed face.
Your mind spins with dread, and your body follows suit. It can feel impossible to believe that nothing is seriously wrong.

But here’s the truth: You are not in danger. This will pass.

What you’re experiencing is an amygdala hijack—your brain’s fear centre triggering a survival response. In evolutionary times, this mechanism helped us escape real threats. But today, it often misfires in response to stressful thoughts, uncertainty, or overwhelming emotion.

⸻

🧠 Name It to Tame It

Next time anxiety strikes, gently say to yourself:

“This is an anxiety attack. This is not who I am. I didn’t choose it, but I can manage it.”

Repeat:
“I’m in charge. It will pass.”

It may not feel like it, but naming what’s happening gives you just enough distance to remember that this isn’t your fault, and it isn’t permanent. Staying with it—even when every fibre of your being wants to escape—is a powerful act of self management.

⸻

🔁 Practical Tools in the Moment

✅ Try slow, intentional breathing — in through the nose, out through the mouth.
✅ Tune into your senses — notice the colours around you, focus on the sounds in the room, or count how many people are wearing e.g runners.
✅ Listen deeply — to someone speaking, to the wind outside, or to a favourite piece of music.

These grounding techniques help your nervous system register safety.

⸻

❤️ There is Nothing Wrong With You

Anxiety is deeply uncomfortable — but it’s also profoundly human.
In fact, 1 in 3 people will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime (World Health Organization, 2023).

There is nothing defective about you for experiencing anxiety.
What you deserve in these moments is compassion, not criticism.

If a friend were having a panic attack, you wouldn’t tell them to pull themselves together. You’d reassure them, sit with them, speak gently.
That’s exactly how you need to respond to yourself.

⸻

💬 After the Wave Passes

When the intensity fades, you may feel exhausted or shaky. This is normal. But before you move on, take a moment to acknowledge yourself.

✨ You stuck with it. You didn’t run. You stayed.
That is no small thing. That is bravery.

Every time you choose to face anxiety — to feel the fear and not let it dictate your actions — you loosen its grip. You build self-trust. You grow your confidence and remind your nervous system that you can cope.

This is the path forward. Not by eliminating anxiety, but by learning to meet it with steadiness, understanding and strength.

⸻

🌱 To those navigating anxiety today:
You are not weak. You are not broken.
You are courageous — and you are not alone.

08/03/2025

🌸 Celebrating International Women’s Day – A Reminder to Honour Ourselves and Each Other 🌸

Today, on International Women’s Day, let’s take a moment to celebrate the strength, resilience, and kindness that women bring into the world.

So often, we are our own harshest critics—pushing ourselves to do more, be more, and give more. But what if, just for today, we gave ourselves the same compassion we so readily offer to others? What if we treated ourselves with the same patience, encouragement, and love that we would show a dear friend?

Self-compassion isn’t self-indulgence—it’s self-sustaining. It’s what allows us to rise after setbacks, to keep going when things are tough, and to extend that same kindness outward, lifting other women up rather than feeling the pressure to compete.

🌿 When we practice self-compassion, we free ourselves from the impossible standards of perfection.
🌿 When we show kindness to ourselves, we show the world how we deserve to be treated.
🌿 And when we support other women—without judgment, without comparison—we create a world where we all thrive.

So today, let’s pause and acknowledge how far we’ve come. Let’s celebrate the incredible women who inspire us, the ones who walk beside us, and the ones who have paved the way before us. But most importantly, let’s remember that we, too, are worthy of the same love, care, and encouragement.

💜 To all the women out there—you are enough, just as you are. You are worthy of kindness, from yourself and from others. And you are capable of extraordinary things.

Happy International Women’s Day! 💫✨

23/02/2025

Education and Learning have always been important values for me and as a committed lifelong learner, I am continuously engaging in Continuing Professional Development. I recently completed level 2 Certificate training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which is considered part of the third wave of CBT.
What is ACT?
ACT helps us to live a values-driven life through a three-step process:
• A – Acceptance:
Embracing our thoughts and feelings with mindful, non-judgemental awareness, even when they are distressing.
• C – Commitment:
After exploring and clarifying what truly matters – our values and principles – we commit to the actions that align with these values.
• T – Taking Action:
Actively engaging in behaviours that reflect our values while avoiding getting caught up in unhelpful thoughts and feelings.
The "What would you like to hear them say exercise" is one of many exercises that can assist you in clarifying your values.
Qualities like Integrity, Kindness, Courage, Compassion Connection and Contribution are certainly some of the qualities that I value. What values would you add to your list?

26/01/2025

Welcome to my page. In case you are new to the page, I would like to introduce you to the services it provides. This business provides Psychological Wellbeing Services to individuals and groups.
Services include:
One to one sessions with individuals in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Coaching.
Wellbeing Promotion Workshops with groups
And guest speaking engagements in the areas of Promoting Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing.
I am a Doctor of Health Promotion, an accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist (IACP) and also an internationally accredited Coach (ICF, NBHWC, EMCC). I am passionate about promoting Holistic Wellbeing by combining the fields of Coaching and Psychotherapy in empowering individuals to discover, befriend and embrace their authentic selves in the service of enhancing self-esteem, confidence and life fulfilment.