Ep. 11 | Feelings

02/01/23 • 49 min

Welcome to our third panel discussion on the topic of feelings. I am joined by three very interesting guests today. Majella Phelan is a PCI graduate and now lecturer. She has worked in private practice since qualifying in 2015 and is passionate about empowering clients on their healing journey. David Maher is an IACP accredited therapist with a private practice based in Kilkenny. He also works as a PCI lecturer and provides online sessions with Mind and Body Works. Ramesh Ramsahoye is a faculty lecturer with PCI College where he teaches theory, personal development and humanistic and existential psychotherapy. We talk about what feelings are, what they mean and what we can do with them. Feelings can seem threatening to people who haven’t learned the skill of, or been given permission to, connect with and express their feelings. We highlight the vital role of therapy as a place to facilitate this with clients, regardless of theoretical orientation. We attempt to put language on what can be an abstract topic and hope you find this discussion useful for working with your own clients.

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Ep. 10 | Boundaries

Welcome to our second panel discussion on the topic of boundaries. I am delighted to be joined by three experienced therapists, and PCI lecturers, Martin Rice, Mark Maguire and Margaret O Connor. We take a detailed look at boundaries and the theory versus reality of both setting, and maintaining boundaries. This includes the first session and contracting, but can also present in very subtle ways throughout the work. We talk about the extra challenge of maintaining boundaries in long term work and the impact of Covid and technology. Importantly, we highlight how boundaries are not about being defensive or confrontational, but facilitate the relationship, the therapeutic work and the safety of both therapist and client. I hope you find the discussion useful.

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Ep. 12 | Celebrating International Women’s Day 2023 – A Panel Discussion

I am delighted to be joined by a very special panel of guests to celebrate International Women’s Day, including Ejiro Ogbevoan, Black Therapists Ireland, Lisa Molloy CEO of the IACP, Gael Kilduff Head of Counselling and Psychotherapy with PCI College, and Jade Lawless Academic Director of PCI College. They are all women in leadership roles within the counselling and psychotherapy profession who have a range of experience and different perspectives to offer.
We have a wide-ranging discussion around the International Women’s Day theme of equity within the area of counselling and psychotherapy. This includes the significant changes within the profession in recent years as it moves from a volunteer to professional context. We examine how there are certain challenges which are particular to being a woman in this field, even though the majority of therapists in Ireland are women. We highlight the specific challenges which Black women and women of colour experience. We discuss the potential differences between working as a therapist and being a manager, and guests share some tips on how to navigate leadership roles. Connection and support are key themes throughout the conversation, along with the need to always remain open to our own biases. While discussing important topics, this is a very inspiring and energising conversation; I hope listeners are left with food for thought and are inspired to find those daily ways to make small changes wherever you are.