My life’s passion is to empower and support sensitive children, teens, adults, parents, teachers, and therapists by creating Sensitively Strong.
My Story
My life’s passion is to empower and support sensitive children, teens, adults, parents, teachers, and therapists by creating sensitively strong.
Early Experiences
Sensitively Strong was in the making long before I knew. As a little girl, I was very perceptive, extremely observant, and noticed that I was different to my peers. I had stronger feelings, deeper thoughts, and a well of empathy in my heart. This often led to states of anxiety and crippling shame, also fuelled by years of bullying. I did my best to cope though, by being a “good girl” and an A+ student both in school and other activities.
These early experiences ignited a passion for understanding people. This passion coupled with my urge to help people, meant I focused my studious coping strategies on getting a university place studying psychology.
Early Experiences
Sensitively Strong was in the making long before I knew. As a little girl, I was very perceptive, extremely observant, and noticed that I was different to my peers. I had stronger feelings, deeper thoughts, and a well of empathy in my heart. This often led to states of anxiety and crippling shame, also fuelled by years of bullying. I did my best to cope though, by being a “good girl” and an A+ student both in school and other activities.
These early experiences ignited a passion for understanding people. This passion coupled with my urge to help people, meant I focused my studious coping strategies on getting a university place studying psychology.
Finding My Way
Unfortunately, as perfectionism and low self esteem were still in the driver seat, the anxiety continued during my college years. During this time however, and as I gained clinical experience in the field of mental health, I also began to notice some of my innate strengths. That well of compassion, along with my ability to attune to clients needs and perceive the root of their issues, were so beneficial in my therapeutic relationships.
Some years later I was blessed with my first daughter. Motherhood seemed to bring both my strengths and struggles into sharp focus; being so naturally attuned to my daughter’s needs yet buckling under extreme exhaustion and overstimulation. As she grew and I became aware of her additional needs with Sensory Processing Disorder, along with a new baby, I was pushed to find new ways to cope and support our family.
Finding My Way
Unfortunately, as perfectionism and low self esteem were still in the driver seat, the anxiety continued during my college years. During this time however, and as I gained clinical experience in the field of mental health, I also began to notice some of my innate strengths. That well of compassion, along with my ability to attune to clients needs and perceive the root of their issues, were so beneficial in my therapeutic relationships.
Some years later I was blessed with my first daughter. Motherhood seemed to bring both my strengths and struggles into sharp focus; being so naturally attuned to my daughter’s needs yet buckling under extreme exhaustion and overstimulation. As she grew and I became aware of her additional needs with Sensory Processing Disorder, along with a new baby, I was pushed to find new ways to cope and support our family.
Relief, Liberation, Compassion!
All the pieces of the puzzle finally came together when I discovered Dr. Elaine Aaron and the highly sensitive person. The relief, the liberation, and the compassion! I finally had the language to understand my life experiences and those of my loved ones and clients.
So, here we are, my life’s passion to empower and support sensitive children, teens, adults, parents, teachers, and therapists by creating Sensitively Strong.
My hope is that you too can live a Sensitively Strong life; a life where you can reap the gifts of your sensitive nature and reduce the sensitive struggles with which you’ve been living.
Relief, Liberation, Compassion!
All the pieces of the puzzle finally came together when I discovered Dr. Elaine Aaron and the highly sensitive person. The relief, the liberation, and the compassion! I finally had the language to understand my life experiences and those of my loved ones and clients.
So, here we are, my life’s passion to empower and support sensitive children, teens, adults, parents, teachers, and therapists by creating Sensitively Strong.
My hope is that you too can live a Sensitively Strong life; a life where you can reap the gifts of your sensitive nature and reduce the sensitive struggles with which you’ve been living.
Training & Experience
My undergraduate degree in Psychology is from University College Dublin after which I completed a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at University of Wales, Bangor. Following some years of working in the field of mental health, I trained in Counselling and Psychotherapy at IICP College. I am a fully accredited Psychotherapist (Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and founded my own private practice 7 years ago.
I completed a Diploma in Therapy Training & Education and have also lectured for trainee and graduate psychotherapists and psychologists in Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, and IICP College. I was also an Editor while on the Editorial Committee for the Irish Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy for a number of years. My skill for creating and developing both individualised programmes and the courses within the Sensitively School are based upon my lecturing, facilitating, and editorial experiences, as well as over 15 years working in mental health in both community projects and organisations such as St. John of God.
Training & Experience
My undergraduate degree in Psychology is from University College Dublin after which I completed a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at University of Wales, Bangor. Following some years of working in the field of mental health, I trained in Counselling and Psychotherapy at IICP College. I am a fully accredited Psychotherapist (Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and founded my own private practice 7 years ago.
I completed a Diploma in Therapy Training & Education and have also lectured for trainee and graduate psychotherapists and psychologists in Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, and IICP College. I was also an Editor while on the Editorial Committee for the Irish Journal of Counselling & Psychotherapy for a number of years. My skill for creating and developing both individualised programmes and the courses within the Sensitively School are based upon my lecturing, facilitating, and editorial experiences, as well as over 15 years working in mental health in both community projects and organisations such as St. John of God.
Stay Sensitively Strong!
It’s been proven that highly sensitive people thrive more than those without this trait when we are in positive environments. So come along, feel heard, feel seen, feel held and most importantly, feel prized for your sensitivity. Whether you want to talk openly or are more of a quiet observer, you are so welcome. Come as you are, in all your beautiful sensitivity.
