Maynooth Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy Services

plex PTSD can find it extremely difficult to trust others, or they might on the other hand have a history of trusting too much, which is a direct result of being betrayed by close others. Therefore, the focus is on fostering an environment where clients feel THEY are making the choices about what happens in therapy and hopefully feel empowered and that they have a sense of agency and control (things which might have been taken from them in the past). I aim to provide safety, compassion, education, and choice. I offer a free initial consultation where any questions can be asked, and there is no pressure during or after the consultation to commit to any further sessions. I respect it is people's choice after the consultation whether to try out therapy with me or not, and encourage people to "shop around" and find the right therapist and therapy that suits them and helps them feel safe. When treating Complex PTSD, I follow a tri-phasic approach (1. Safety and stabilisation; 2. Working through the Trauma; 3. Re-engage in a meaningful life), so safety is always where we start. Some of the techniques and therapies used are: EMDR, somatic work (following the body), trauma-sensitive mindfulness, polyvagal work, psycho-education, attachment theory, etc. Clients will be given techniques (breathing, grounding, breath and movement practices, self-havening, bilateral stimulation, self-compassion practices, trauma-sensitive mindfulness practices, etc.) to learn to regulate their stress levels and influence their own heart rate variability, and will also be taught techniques to manage their emotions more effectively. This gives clients resources they can use themselves on their own, which is done intentionally to encourage clients to be active and empowered agents in their own recovery. I also specialise in the treatment of Chronic Depression, through the use of an evidence-based programme called Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which is one of the recommended treatments for chronic depression by the N.IC.E. and the W.H.O This can be done either one-to-one (online or face to face), or alternatively, online MBCT groups will be starting in 2021. There will be two facilitators per group, myself and a Psychologist based in the UK who also specialises in MBCT. Both of us have a Master of Studies in MBCT from the University of Oxford and have done extra training in trauma and in delivering mindfulness in a way that is trauma safe and trauma-sensitive. Further details about these online MBCT groups will be posted soon.