My Approach

Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, feeling down or disconnected from the life you want to live?
Life's difficulties can leave us feeling lost and uncertain. You may be struggling with one or more of the following (which I have frequently come across in my therapy room) depression, lack of self-confidence, work-related stress, anxiety, grief and loss, searching for meaning and purpose in life, struggling with decision making, coping with change, relationship/ family difficulties or struggles with your own identity or sexuality. These experiences can prevent you from living your life in an authentic and joyful way.

Your Journey towards Clarity and Change:
As a Certified Transactional Analyst Psychotherapist (CTA), I provide a safe, compassionate space where your journey towards transformation can begin. You may ask yourself can I help you with what you are currently struggling with? My answer to this is that I probably can. I have worked with many clients over the years, and it is unlikely that you would bring something which I have not dealt with before. I don't have all the answers, —but I do have the tools and experience to help you discover your own. Change often happens through you finding your own answer, your own meaning and truth to assist you to towards living a more authentic life.
While we will certainly address the challenges that bring you to therapy, our work together centres on your growth as a person, not just problem-solving. I believe that lasting change comes when we honour your complete humanity, and I will work collaboratively to help you create a life aligned with what matters most to you. Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy:
Transactional Analysis can help you understand what is going on the inside for you (your own internal process) and to make sense of that in terms of thinking of and understanding your development (how you have grown up, who and what has influenced you, what messages you have picked up from your environment). It is not only about thinking about what happens on the inside but what happens between people. Some of the most inspiring concepts in TA involve looking at interpersonal relationships. With growing clarity, it can offer you new ways of being “with you” as well as “being with others”. You can then become more aware of the choices you make and perhaps open up new options or decisions in your life.
Acceptance and commitment therapy:
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help you to change the relationship you have with your difficult thoughts and feelings. We all have thoughts and feelings, some of which are pleasant and some of which we can get “stuck” in. For example, a thought “I am not good enough” may impact your self-esteem and lead you to feeling sad. One can easily get “stuck” in one’s thoughts and feelings and believe these are true. With ACT, we will look at what is going on for you and how you get yourself into the stuck place you may find yourself in. It is normal to get stuck but the stuckness may have a negative impact on how you may perceive yourself. I will guide you to identify what you want your life to look like and in collaboration with you move you towards that rich and fulfilling life which you long for. We will focus on how you may be able to manage your thoughts differently and become aware of the associated feelings you have that are inextricably linked with such thoughts. As you progress with your life you will notice that your feelings and thoughts won’t have such an impact as they had before.

Couples Therapy:
There are many reasons why you may want to attend couple’s therapy. Perhaps the passion and romance has gone, and you feel distance from the other; maybe you are stuck in an unhappy relationship; perhaps one of you has had an affair and you are wondering if you can rebuild trust and move forward in your relationship.
Research has shown that a significant number of couples who seek couples therapy in the UK do so because of communication issues and associated arguments and conflicts.
Imago Relationship Therapy:
Are you and your partner feeling disconnected, caught in the same arguments that never seem to be resolved? Many couples find themselves talking but not truly hearing each other. Think for a moment of a time in your relationship, family, work colleagues or even friends where you are talking with another (or others) and somehow something gets missed, you may feel like you are being heard but not being understood. You get a sense that they did not get what you were saying. I can imagine you might feel one of the following, frustrated, annoyed, or misunderstood. Yet in close intimate romantic relationships these frustrations can exist when you are not communicating effectively, when important stuff gets lost in translation; your partner is not listening attentively or completely missing the crucial point you are trying to convey. Most of the time it is not deliberate when one or both in the relationship struggles in communicating. Sometimes it can be because your own stuff may get in the way of truly seeing things from your partner’s perspective. Communication difficulties can lead to disagreements and arguments.
Beneath these conflicts lies a deeper yearning—to be truly seen, heard, and validated by the person you love most. You might wonder if something is fundamentally wrong with your relationship, or if the love that brought you together has somehow slipped away. These conflicts are what we refer to as “the power struggle” in Imago Relationship Therapy which you would both be guided to work through and move towards a closer connection in couples therapy sessions.
I understand the frustration of feeling stuck in relationship patterns that keep you from the connection you crave. Using Imago Relationship Therapy, I've assisted many couples to transform conflict into deeper intimacy and rediscover the love that first brought them together
Family Therapy:
Are you currently experiencing a difficulty in your family relationship which you have struggled to resolve and is having a detrimental impact on family dynamics and the general wellbeing of your family. It may be that there has been a “falling out” with a sibling or child and where communication has broken down. Perhaps there is ongoing conflict with no resolution. Maybe you are wondering if your family can ever function harmoniously.
These may evoke feelings of frustration, isolation and hopelessness and affect your health and wellbeing.
I offer therapeutic support to families navigating various challenges and transitions. Drawing on my experience as a couples therapist, psychotherapist and social worker my practice is founded on approaches that assist you to promote healing, improved communication, and stronger family relationships.

I offer an initial 20 minute free consultation discussion which can take place online via zoom platform or by phone.

About Me

About me:
I'm an experienced psychotherapist offering individual psychotherapy, couples therapy and family therapy in Manchester and online. I’ve have over 10 years’ experience as a therapist.
I’m a CTA (Certified Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist) . I am a proficient ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapist) and competent couples therapist using Imago relationship Therapy.
I’m from Cork in Ireland and came to the UK during the financial crisis in 2009 to seek work Initially, I thought I would remain in England for a couple of years or so, but I have since happily settled and found my home here.
My first experience of psychotherapy was as a client when at 20 years of age I sought therapy following an experience of mental illness. At the time I was sceptical of counselling and psychotherapy. I had no idea of what to expect. That day I walked into my therapist’s room; I was understandably anxious. I did however feel that I wanted to see if therapy would assist with my journey to recovery alongside mental health medication. I thought I might as well give therapy a go, what have I got to lose? My experience of therapy was that this completely independent, qualified psychotherapist was able to guide, support and encourage me to become more of myself and be my best self. Therapy was a transformational experience which significantly aided my recovery from mental illness. In addition, I began to make decisions aligned with my personal values which lead to me living a more content and fulfilled life.
My values:
I am enthusiastic about working collaboratively alongside my clients where they can be their “best selves”.
I am a firm believer in treating everyone with the dignity and respect which they deserve irrespective of their identity, background, culture, sexuality, disability, life experiences, religious affiliations. Inclusivity is a significant personal value of mine (see below). Justice and fairness are of paramount importance, and I have worked with clients who have experienced forms of injustice and unfairness in society, the workplace, and relationships over the years. My own philosophy as a therapist includes respecting and understanding each client’s perspective and treating them with the utmost dignity and compassion. I strive to support, be understanding and be non-judgemental.

Who I work with:
For over 10 years I have worked with clients who choose counselling/psychotherapy to address a wide range of life and relationship issues. I work with clients on a short term or long-term basis. The benefits of working as a psychotherapist in private practice is that you and I work together and decide together how many sessions you may or may not need.
I am remarkably familiar with working with depression, anxiety, bereavement, work related stress, relationship issues, sexual identities among many other presenting issues.

If you stood outside my therapy room during a day you would find a mixture of clients from students to senior managers, public servants, office staff, health professionals among others. I have the flexibility to see clients during their lunchtime break, before or after work.
I work with people not problems. This philosophy guides my therapeutic approach as I recognise that everyone brings their unique story, strengths, and experiences to therapy.

Client Choice:
It is important for you to feel comfortable in deciding which counsellor or psychotherapist you want to work with. I ensure that all prospective clients both individuals and couples can have a free 20 min chat either on phone or online to get a sense on if I am the right "fit" for you. During this chat you can give me a sense of what it is causing you distress/ discomfort at this time. I will answer any questions you may have about individual therapy, family therapy or couples therapy and explain more of what it entails.
Inclusivity:
Being oneself and having a sense of belonging is a passion and interest of mine. However, I understand that for some this can prove problematic. I have experience of working with gender identity, sexuality, and sexual identity and was a therapist at the LGBT Foundation. In addition, I work with many clients who are from diverse backgrounds, I’ve also worked with individuals and couples with various disabilities including those disabilities which are “non-visible”. I offer you a space where you can openly express yourself and be yourself.

I work with

• Couples
• Families
• Individuals
• Private healthcare referrals

Types of Therapies Offered

• Transactional Analysis Psychotherapist

What I can help with

• Abuse
• Addiction
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Bullying
• Cancer
• Couple Issues
• Cultural Issues
• Depression
• Employment Difficulties
• Family
• Health-related Issues
• Identity Problems
• Mental Health Issues
• Sexuality
• Spirituality
• Stress