Meet the Practitioners


Apex Clinic Managers, Therapists & professional Advisory Team


Apex Clinic – Counselling & Psychology & Assessments

dr_declan_cronin

Dr Declan Cronin Clinical Psychologist Clinical Director of Apex Clinic Est. 1996

Dr. Declan Cronin specialises in the treatment of PTSD and has treated military personnel who have served in the UK, US and French Foreign Legion Defence Forces.

Also specialising in the treatment of Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse, Panic Attacks, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Confidence, Self-Esteem, OCD, IBS, Mood Swings, Anger, Migraine & Tension Headaches, Fears, Drugs, Alcohol, Addictions. Relationships, Phobias, Positive Living.

HSE – Health Service Executive

Patient financial support for Dr. Cronin’s services has also been approved by the HSE

The external claims committee of the HSE approved funding for treatment by Dr. Declan Cronin. This pertains to the Irish Department of Health, the Redress, and the initiative to provide counselling for victims & survivors of institutional childhood neglect, injury and/or abuse as children in Ireland.

The Redress Board was set up under the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 to make fair and reasonable awards to persons who, as children, were abused while resident in industrial schools, reformatories and other institutions subject to state regulation or inspection. Useful link: www.rirb.ie

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Dr. Declan Cronin is referral therapist for the renowned Davitt Corporate.

Click here to view their website


IRISH KARATE TEAM

Dr. Declan Cronin was Psychotherapist & Hypnotherapist to members of the Irish Karate Team who qualified and competed at the World Karate Championships in Tokyo 2006

(From Left To Right: Sensei Gary Daly, Sensei Darran Smith and Shane Donnelly)

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“We very quickly realised we were in good hands when we commenced our positive-outcome therapy sessions with Dr. Cronin. He understood exactly what we were trying to accomplish and asked questions that made you focus, contemplate and believe. I think his experience, skill, intelligence and instinct must place him at the top of his profession. What impressed me most was his ability to see the whole picture, even at the early stages he had an innate sense of what to do next. And more importantly, he possesses the communicative skills to convey this knowledge in an honest, insightful, and constructive way”Gary Daly, 4 DAN Karate. World Championship Qualifier 2006.


DR. DARRYL MILOVCHEVICH

Clinical Psychologist
dr_darryl_milovchevich

  • PhD. Curtin University Australia
  • MA (Clinical Psych)
  • BA (Psych Honours)
  • BA (Soc Science)
  • Dip (Clinical Hypnosis)
  • Registered as a clinical psychologist both in Ireland and Australian.
  • Dr. Milo has worked in a variety of professional capacities including work as a Clinical Psychologist, drug counsellor, university lecturer, trainer & educator and as a senior manager of non-government organisations and in the intellectual disabilities (ID) field.
  • His career has focused on increasing competency and capacity in families and careers of young people and people with ID. A significant focus has been enhancing parenting practice, attachment and emotional warmth in families whilst also teaching skills in managing mood through CBT and mindfulness. A central role of his work has been the design and delivery of services to young people and families experiencing emotional distress and dealing with adolescent behavioural problems.
  • All families often have great, unrealised strengths and resources. An important focus of his work was empowering families to enhance the quality of their relationships, identifying barriers to achieving individual and family goals and maximising connection to local community supports and services. This experience follows employment as a Psychologist in a maximum-security prison, work in the drug addictions field and as a senior manager for Cork Simon developing policy and training/clinical interventions.

Competencies

  • Broad experience applied in the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical interventions and training programs for disengaged ‘at risk’ group’s often experiencing ongoing psychosocial ill health (individuals, families & ethnic groups).
  • Broad experience & skills in assessment of individual, family and organisational needs and skills requirements.
  • Highly developed interpersonal & communication skills (both verbal & written) resulting from work with marginalized & difficult to service groups, NGO’s & ongoing professional development (post grad studies & in-service training).
  • Ability to organise & prioritise workloads accordingly; to meet deadlines, addresses new tasks that arise and delegate responsibilities to assure successful short and long term outcomes of an organisation.
  • Comprehensive experience in management, supervision of & participation in multi disciplinary teams & volunteer
  • Strategic planning skills with the ability to anticipate problems & deliver innovative & effective solutions.
  • Proven ability to inspire teams, support & motivate individuals toward innovation & excellence in service delivery.
  • Financial management skills developed through extensive experience as a program manager of community organisations.

Dr. Milo adheres to a strict code of ethics and is a member of the Irish Psychological Society, The Australian Psychological Society and Australian Society of Hypnosis.

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Tarryn Van Wyk – Educational PsychologistTarryn Van Wyk, Educational Psychologist at Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI)

Tarryn is an Educational Psychologist that has a special interest in specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia and dyscalculia. She received her qualification in South Africa and has a Bachelor of Science, a teaching diploma and a Masters in Educational Psychology. She worked in a school focused on learning difficulties as well as in private practice offering multidisciplinary assessments. Tarryn has worked in Ireland since 2017 and has specific experience with the educational supports available in Irish schools. Through her work she has trained teachers in dyslexia-friendly methods and has kept up to date with the latest research in the field. Tarryn conducts psycho-educational assessments that look at areas of need and can identify specific learning difficulties amongst more complex cases.”

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MARISA MENDES – FORENSIC & CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Key Skills

  • Legal court assessments and written reports training and deep expertise.
  • Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
  • Mental strength, to cope with challenging situations and clients
  • Sensitive and active listening skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Conflict management
  • Team worker
  • Excellent organization and prioritization skills

Qualifications

Graduate Member with The Psychological Society of Ireland – Membership number M9360

Graduate Member with The British Psychological Society – Membership number 448934

B.A. Bachelor’s in Criminal Psychology, Superior Institute of health sciences Egas Moniz, Portugal, 2007 – 2009

Master in Forensic and Criminal Psychology, Superior Institute of health sciences Egas Moniz, Portugal, 2009 – 2011 and Internship through Erasmus program in YMCA Cork, Ireland

The Course of Forensic and Criminal Psychology encompasses several areas of study such as, domestic violence, sexual abuse, homelessness, challenging behaviors, mental health issues, inclusion and diversity, gender, prevention and intervention in communities and many others which diverge with social care, counselling, support worker, psychology, criminology, investigation, research and from early stages until late years of life.

Awards, Presentations & Scholarships

  • Event member organization and presenter
  • I Symposium of Criminal Psychology in Superior Institute of health sciences Egas Moniz, 2007
  • II Symposium of Criminal Psychology in Superior Institute of health sciences Egas Moniz, 2008
  • Symposium of Kidnapping and Sexual Abuses in Superior Institute of health sciences Egas Moniz, 2007
  • II International Congress of Portuguese Society of Psychiatry and Psychology of Justice in Portugal, 2008 – Presentation of a work research about “Believes and Myths of Conjugal Violence”.
  • III Symposium of Criminal Psychology in Superior Institute of health sciences Egas Moniz, 2009 –Award winner with the work research about “Believes and Myths of Conjugal Violence in Homelessness

Trainings and Work placement programs

  • Evaluation and intervention to offenders and convicted persons in a Portuguese mental health institution, 2007-2009
  • Assessment to their life story and clinic patterns.
  • Behavior observation and clinic examination.
  • Development of a detailed report to identify the main areas of intervention.
  • Legal court assessments and written reports training and deep expertise.
  • YMCA – Youth men´s Christian Association – Work placement program – Erasmus, 2010 -2011
  • Prevention/intervention of deviant and criminal contexts, as in the context of inclusion or social exclusion, in projects to develop social and personal skills, among others.
  • I supported two projects: the “WOT” and the “NINOS club”.
  • The project “WOT” is a program that gets young women between 18 and 25 years old, referred by other institutions, and gives them personal support or social guidance. These young women often find themselves in situations of risk usually with challenging behaviour, who left school early or who were mothers too early. It provides social skills training to a group of young females who are finding it difficult to find employment or access educational opportunities, develops individualized training and personal development based on client needs assessment, prepares individuals for return to further education or for the world of work, offers an alternative to regular dependency on alcohol and drugs.
  • The YOUNG IMMIGRANT SUPPORT (NINO `s CLUB): Program aimed at supporting young immigrants in school and educating them in gaining social inclusion;
  • The project is an initiative to support young immigrants in several aspects, including social inclusion, education and school support, development of cultural and social, among others.
  • Therapeutic models taught and practiced:
  • Interviewing methods to offenders and convicted persons within the psychology scope, 2007 -2011.
  • Training on how to use and assess offenders with different psychological scales, tests and instruments to measure the different levels of the anti-social behaviors, 2007 -2011.
  • Psychology of Testimony – How to perform interviews to testimonies and techniques that can be used in different age ranges (e.g Anatomical dolls used in interviews of children suspected of being sexual abused).
  • Expert court witness interviews.
  • Cognitive interview
  • Counselling and Psychotherapies
  • Social groups – Intervention techniques such as group awareness and community intervention (e.g community education, deliver information, groups facilitation)
  • Parental education
  • Prevention
  • Other Trainings:
  • Communication and Assertiveness – 2014
  • Introduction to project management –2016
  • Presentation Skills –2013
  • Influencing Skills –2015
  • Negotiation Skills –2014
  • Behavioural Disorders in Children – 2018
  • Mental Health First responder – 2019

Research Projects and Thesis

Thesis: Risk factors assessment: Case studies of youth delinquency in women in the Republic of Ireland

This study aims to identify the general risk factors associated with female criminality. This is an exploratory study and uses a sample of six adult women aged between 18 and 23 years old, referred and institutionalized due to the record of challenging behaviors, in the Republic of Ireland.

Research Project: Beliefs and Myths of Conjugal Violence in Homelessness

A study carried out with the main purpose of ascertaining the Beliefs about the Conjugal Violence of a sample of 39 homeless men and women of both sexes and aged between 21 and 70 years.

Languages

  • Portuguese: Native language English: Fluent

Social skills and competences

Volunteering

  • Active participant on the charity and fundraising initiatives of ISPCC –Childline projects.

Work Experience

2012 – Present DELL EMC Technologies Cork, Ireland

Global Business Controls, Senior Analyst

  • Global Policies Advisor
  • Preparing and delivering trainings to different and large audiences across the globe
  • Facilitator
  • Coaching and Mentor

Credit and Collections Analyst

  • Lead an International integration project with a company (Isilon) acquired by EMC.
  • Mentoring new hires.

2010 – 2011 YMCA – Youth Men´s Christian Association Cork, Ireland

YMCA –Psychologist (Support Worker)

  • Community intervention.
  • Provide advice and guidance to individuals to prepare them to return to school or to the world of work.
  • Support young immigrants within the social and educational inclusion.
  • Identify the risk factors that increase the occurrence, frequency and persistence of offending.
  • Facilitation and delivery of different models to a group of girls with challenging behaviors.
  • Planning, preparing and lead activities for personal development sessions to the group (different themes: sexual health, drugs and alcohol, assertiveness, self-esteem and confidence and others).
  • Counselling sessions.

2010 – 2011 Cork College of Commerce Cork, Ireland

Portuguese lecturer

  • Teach Portuguese language classes to a diverse array of students of varying ages and abilities.
  • Planned and organized activities that encouraged active student participation and involvement

Marisa holds a B.A. Honours degree in Criminal Psychology and a Master in Forensic and Criminal Psychology from
the Superior Institute of health sciences Egas Moniz, Portugal. She’s currently completing a CBT training and she’s a
First Mental Health responder in a corporate organization.
Marisa is a graduate member within The Psychological Society of Ireland and British Psychological Society.
Marisa is a trained, qualified and skilled forensic psychologist with experience in interviewing techniques to
offenders, convicted persons and victims, counselling models, psychological, risk and legal court
assessments, written reports and administration of psychological tests.
Marisa has also expertise within the psychology of testimony scope – How to perform interviews to testimonies
and techniques that can be used in different age ranges as per court request.
Marisa have been a lecturer in College of Commerce and she has years of experience to present to large
audiences.
As part of her training Marisa practised in a mental health institution with a population of people with several
mental health issues and disorders, deviations, challenging behaviours, offenders and convicted individuals.
Able to assist in several areas from early stages until late years of life:

– domestic violence
– sexual abuse
– homeless
– challenging behaviours
– mental health issues
– inclusion and diversity
– parental issues
– prevention and intervention in communities
– addictions

As part of her training, Marisa moved to Ireland to complete her Thesis “Risk factor assessment: Case studies
of Juvenile delinquency in the Republic of Ireland” and have trained in an institution with Children & Young
People with marginalized and challenging behaviours. Therefore, Marisa have built a deep expertise about
the group of Children, Young People & their families and knowledge about the causes and risks involved and
intervention and prevention within the community and risk groups.
Good knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of people such as cognitive, perceptual, physical,
emotional, social, development and personality, Marisa is able to communicate effectively with individuals and
adapt her style and techniques according to singular needs and personalities.
Key Skills: Patience and understanding, excellent report writing and presentation skills, mental strength, to
cope with challenging situations and clients, sensitive and active listening skills and excellent organization and
prioritization skills

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Stephanie Xuereb

B.A. English & Psychology- University of Malta
H. Dip in Psychology- University of Malta
M.A in Counselling and Psychotherapy- Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences
Pre-Accredited Psychotherapist with APCP (Association of Professional Counsellors and
Psychotherapists in Ireland)
Approach:
Stephanie uses an integrative and person-centred approach to therapy. She uses this approach
as it works to understand an individual’s experience from their own perspective. Through this
approach, the client is positively valued as a person in all aspects of their humanity, while
aiming to be open and genuine, thus guiding them to find their own way to move forward and
progress. Stephanie also appreciates the value of Carl Rogers’ three core conditions:
empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regards, as she finds they are the tools to
hold a solid therapeutic relationship. In her sessions, Stephanie evaluates the clients’
thoughts, behavioural patterns and emotional responses that emerge during the sessions. She
is also positive and motivational, and continuously aims to empower her clients to reach their
goals.
Apart from working with Apex, Stephanie provides voluntary counselling to men who have
been going through addiction problems in a rehabilitation centre in Blarney. Stephanie also
volunteers with CanTalk, which is a support group, for any people who are affected by cancer
in any way, be it a carer, a family member, or someone in bereavement. This year, CanTalk
decided to extend their service to online one-to-one counselling, to anyone who needs it.
Stephanie is the counselling co-ordinator for this service.
Stephanie’s main interests are: addiction, anxiety, depression, bereavement, grief and loss,
anger, low self-esteem, confidence & self-worth, abuse, stress, personal development,
relationship issues/ family issues.

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Rory O Connor

Rory O’Connor Nutrition & Health Scientist Psychological and risk assessments.

Key Skills

  • Psychological and risk assessments
  • Patience and understanding
  • Excellent report writing
  • Nutrition + Health Scientist
  • BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Health Science /Dip Biopharmaceutical Science/Fetac Food Science
  • With a background in healthcare Rory, having previously worked in the industry as a nutritional consultant in health shops and pharmacy’s.
  • He is head nutritionist for The Health Factory Ireland working with a number of different people ranging from athletes to weight loss clients.
  • He has worked in the microbiology laboratories in University College Cork on antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance bacteria, from this work he became involved in a published scientific paper in 2015. He has an Honours Degree in Nutrition and Health Science from the Cork Institute of Technology and a background in Nutritional therapy.
  • He specialises in clinical nutrition with an emphasis on whole body health, taking the mind and body interactions into consideration. Rory believes in sustainable living through nutrition “I like to educate my clients on how to live in balance with their bodies, teach them how to take care of their personal health and to take responsibility for their wellbeing”.

Tessa Harper Kingston

Director of Ireland’s first surf camp for people on the Autism Spectrum. Overall camp organization, volunteer training and teaching surfing adapting to clients’ needs and strengths. Promoting mental and physical wellbeing alongside social and emotional growth to increase their quality of daily living.

Leader of an educational and therapeutic water-based program. Working with a broad range of groups to aid in their recovery process. Addiction recovery, youth reach, ASD, marginalized groups such as LGBT and refugee supports. The programs are tailored to the group’s needs, coordinated with their counsellor/program lead to allow for a variety of outcomes such as; team work, confidence building, and enhancement of self-efficacy, mindfulness, goal setting, problem solving and more.

Freelance: leader and mentor on an Adventure Therapy Program for adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties referred by HSE, Tusla and various residential settings. Using a strength based, experiential approach based in Solution Focused Brief Therapy to challenge, encourage growth and guide these youth to transform their lives. Senior Instructor in charge of instructing various outdoor sports, program planning, staff management, conflict resolution and rosters. Working with a variety of ages, backgrounds and needs. From inclusion of physical and intellectual disabilities to youth reach.

Relevant Training & Volunteering

  • Mindfulness Coach: Irish Mindfulness Academy
  • QPR: Question Persuade and Refer training Console
  • Wilderness Therapy: Asociacion Experientia, Spain
  • Autism Awareness
  • Safeguarding/Code of Ethics: Sporting Ireland
  • Pieta House: Darkness into Light run & research on Social Connectedness

Martina Lee

Holds a Level 8 honours Degree in in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy

Approaches;-Psychoanalysis, Person Centred Approach, Gestalt, Logo Therapy, Choice Theory, and

CBT. Martina graduated from The Institute of Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (IICP) College Tallaght, Dublin with a Degree (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. In her

professional work she uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to suit the clients’ needs in helping

them on their journey towards personal growth and healing in their quest for self-fulfilment.

Martina has experience in the following areas:-

  • Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Cancer
  • Asperger’s Syndrome
  • Stress and Low Self-Esteem
  • Bereavement, Grief and Loss
  • Depression
  • Post Natal depression
  • Lack of Direction in life
  • Anger Management

Martina aspires to specialise in EMDR, Bereavement Grief and Loss and Autistic Needs

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William Hempel

Martina Lee.

Holds a Level 8 honours Degree in in Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy

Approaches;-Psychoanalysis, Person Centred Approach, Gestalt, Logo Therapy, Choice Theory, and

CBT. Martina graduated from The Institute of Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (IICP) College Tallaght, Dublin with a Degree (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy. In her

professional work she uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to suit the clients’ needs in helping

them on their journey towards personal growth and healing in their quest for self-fulfilment.

Martina has experience in the following areas:-

  • Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Cancer
  • Asperger’s Syndrome
  • Stress and Low Self-Esteem
  • Bereavement, Grief and Loss
  • Depression
  • Post Natal depression
  • Lack of Direction in life
  • Anger Management

Martina aspires to specialise in EMDR, Bereavement Grief and Loss and Autistic Needs

MSc. (Psy.), BSc. (Hons) (Psy.), M.Ps.S.I., BPS-RQTU,Cert. of Competence British Psychological Society (A, B1 & B2), Advanced Diploma in the Treatment of Eating Disorders – National Centre for Eating Disorders & Institute of Psychiatrists UK. Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, British Psychological Society & Federation of European Sports Psychologists.

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MICHAEL O’MAHONY

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Michael holds a double honours degree in Applied Psychology, Higher Diploma in Education and Post Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy all awarded by U.C.C. He is currently completing an M.A. degree in C.B.T. with the Irish College of Humanities and Sciences. He has worked as a Guidance Counsellor, classroom teacher and Deputy Principal. He has great experience of secondary education, counselling adolescents, career planning and decision making as well as issues that arise from learning and study problems. He is a member of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors of Ireland.

Michael’s approach to Counselling and Therapy is person centred and solution focused, working mainly from a CBT and Mindfulness base. He believes that everyone has the potential to overcome past difficulties and can grow and develop to live more fulfilling lives. He offers general counselling and he works with people who may experience difficulties with:
• Anxiety and Panic Attacks
• Anger
• Depression
• Education and Career Planning
• Low Self Esteem
• Learning Problems
• Phobias
• Psychological and Emotional problems of Ageing
• Stress

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Carolyn Power

Before embarking on a new career in helping people I was a professional ballerina then ran my own dance school for many years and have experience working with children, adolescents and adults. I am now realising my dream of becoming a psycotherapist.

I hold a Higher Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy from CIT and I am currently studying for my psychotherapy degree at PCI college and am a student member of the IACP. I have completed training workshops in geneology, family systems, anger and trauma.

Working with clients I use an integrative approach combining different approaches and theories to suit each persons unique needs and aims.

These approaches and theories include Person-Centred, Geneology, Mindfulness, Gestalt, Family Systems and CBT.

My particular areas of expertise are:

Attachment

Eating disorders

Sexual violence

Trauma

I also work with people who wish to overcome:

Anxiety

Anger

Grief

Low self-esteem

Life style changes

Stress

I believe that change and wellness happen when the client and therapist work together.

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Deirdre Nagle O Dwyer

M.P.S.I. Member of Psychological Society Ireland. M10288

BSc (hons) Psychology (open)

Module results: Second class honours 2.2

DD101 Introducing the social sciences; DE100 Investigating psychology 1;

DD210 Living psychology; DE200 Investigating psychology 2;

EK313 Research with children and young people;

DE300 Investigating psychology 3;

Programme requirements; This degree is recognised at the undergraduate level in psychology. As a distance, independent learner, I have developed numeracy, literacy, communicating, team working, presentation, observational, cognitive and organisational skills appropriate to the discipline. I am able to analyse and evaluate psychological concepts and theories and critically assess different kinds of evidence including quantitative and qualitative data. This qualification is recognised by the British Psychological Society as meeting the requirements for the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC).

2000-2002 Cork College of Commerce. Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB & NCVA)

Cork Institute of Technology. National Certificate in Applied Social Studies, Social Care with Merit, Grade 2

2004 Cork College of Commerce. Basic first aid course.

Work Experience

September 2002 – June 2019

Special Needs Assistant

Mallow, Cork.

  • Special Needs Assistant with experience working with various different special needs. Assist with organisation of classroom activities. Provide consistent reinforcement to learning. Provide prompt and professional care for child’s physical needs; sensory and movement breaks for children. Perform housekeeping duties in the classroom.
  • Assist certified staff in classroom programmes and participate in lesson and program planning. Assist with yard supervision, photocopying and various other administration needs. Partake in school activities such as swimming, sports days, annual show and school fete, communion and confirmation masses.

January 2002 – Sept 2002

Care Assistant

Cope Foundation, Fermoy.

  • Work experience for 6 months as part of my National Certificate in Applied Social Studies. I assisted with special learning needs. Helped with meal preparation, accompanied clients to school, art classes, drama and music activities also social outings. Assisted with clients personal hygiene and organisation of activities.

September 2000- June 2001

Special Needs Assistant

Presentation Convent, college road, Fermoy, Cork

  • Work experience with children of 4 years 11 months to 12 years, 2 days per week for school term as part of my Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB & NCVA).Assisted with setting up of Traveller Integration Scheme and with organisation of classroom activities. Performing housekeeping duties in the classroom and yard supervision.

September 1999-August 2000

Childcare assistant

Tumble Tots Crèche, Oliver Plunkett Hill, Fermoy.

  • Work experience with children of 0 – 4 years 11 months, 2 days per week for school term as part of my Diploma in Nursery Nursing (NNEB & NCVA).Assisted with supervision of children, Organisation of play activities, educational development, social skills and arts & crafts for children of specific ages. Assisted with nappy changing, toilet training and feeding time. Organisation of play curriculum and early learning.

Skills

  • Excellent communication skills; Extensive experience of interacting with people on many different levels. Well-developed written and communication skills.
  • Outstanding organisation skills; Experienced at organising and achieving daily targets. Creative and adaptable in the workplace.
  • Strong Interpersonal skills; Excellent team work skills. Capacity to adapt to different situations.

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Tessa Kingston

  • Currently completing M.A. in Counselling & Psychotherapy – Irish College of Humanities and

Social Sciences

  • Honors Degree BA Psychology & Sociology – University of Limerick
  • My work encompasses an Integrative, humanistic approach complemented with CBT. My work is person centred, allowing each individual to discover their strengths and work towards a better future for themselves. Everyone has an amount of capabilities and resources already available to them and I work to help them discover and utilize these to help them navigate their difficulties.
  • This includes positive psychology, strengths based and solution focused techniques, confidence building, communication and empowerment.
  • Complimentary training; Mindfulness Coach, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Suicide prevention,

Adventure Therapy

  • I have experience working with relationship and family difficulties, LGBT and sexuality issues, Addiction, Eating Disorders, depression, coping with anxiety, ASD related difficulties, personal development, emotional regulation, goal setting and behavioural changes.
  • To date I work primarily with adolescence and people in their twenties.
  • Previous work includes; Outdoor Instructor- teaching sailing, kayaking, climbing. Adventure

Therapist working outdoors with groups of people with Autism, addiction recovery groups, youth reach, refugees and various mental health support groups. Director of outdoor programs for people with Autism and running training for people wishing to work with ASD. Support worker for adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties coming from foster homes, childhood trauma and dysfunctional social environments. Working on inclusive sport programs adapting to the needs of a range of physical and intellectual difficulties, tailoring for their needs.

My main therapeutic work to date has been based in an outdoor setting using the different environmental and social dynamic as a catalyst for change. My work is based on empowering people, helping them to identify and understand their pain, guiding them to discover their strengths and equipping them with tools to manage their struggles in a positive manner.

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Aisling Foley

  • Student, M.A. in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Irish College of Humanities & Applied Sciences)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Addiction Counselling (Australian Institute of Professional Counselling)
  • BA (Honours) Degree in Health Promotion (Waterford Institute of Technology)

Aisling Foley has 6 years of experience working across as variety of roles including: counselling, group therapy, youth work, mental health community services & management. Aisling is currently studying counselling and psychotherapy at Masters level, receives ongoing supervision & works in accordance with Irish Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy’s Code of Ethics and Practice.

Aisling’s approach is integrative, humanistic and person centred, drawing from various therapeutic approaches and adapts accordingly to suit the needs of her clients. Aisling has experience working with clients through a broad range of issues including addiction, depression, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, hoarding disorder, low self-esteem, sexuality, eating disorders, relationship issues, grief, lifestyle changes etc.

Aisling believes that the counselling process can help clients to gain fresh perspectives, make peace with their past, choose new directions, grow beyond old habits into empowerment, safely explore issues & experiences, develop coping skills, gain insight into personal relationships or behaviours, overcome barriers & reach their potential.


Sinead Russell

M.A. in Counselling and Psychotherapy – Irish College of Humanities and Applied Science

Approach:

  • Sinead uses an Integrative and person-centered approach to therapy. She uses person-centered because she believes it is of utmost importance to use Carl Roger’s core conditions no matter what issue a client is dealing with. These core conditions are Congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard. She believes it is of great importance to explore how the past is affecting the here and now. She explores how her clients thinking styles, behaviours and feelings affect the present. She also believes it is important to look at how her clients picture their future and how they can work towards achieving that.

Background:

  • Sinead helps empowers her clients to overcome what is troubling them and to develop as a person. She has a degree in Psychology, and Religious and Global Diversities from University College Cork. She has completed the safe TALK course and the ASSIST course to become a suicide-alert helper. She is currently finishing he Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences. Sinead has an immense interest in helping people who struggle with mental health issues. Due to having her own mental health difficulties in the past she has first-hand experience of what it is like to overcome mental health issues or difficulties. She has huge interest in working with people who suffer from all types of mental health issues but has a particular interest in eating disorders, suicidal ideation, depression, and sexual abuse. As she is a sufferer of fibromyalgia syndrome herself she has a keen interest in helping those who have this syndrome. She is a member of the accrediting body Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland. Outside of her work she volunteers for ChildLine, Cork Mental Health Foundation and Housing Association and the Girls Club Cork. Outside of her work and volunteering she enjoys helping out farming at home, spending time with her dogs, reading and the simple things in life.

Sinead works with both adults and adolescents who may be experiencing the following:

  • Abuse
  • Anger
  • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
  • Bereavement, Grief & Loss
  • Bullying
  • Depression
  • Eating Disorders
  • Fibromyalgia Syndrome
  • Low self-esteem, confidence & Self Worth
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Noreen Twomey

Noreen began her career by studying Psychology and Sociology in UCC, and subsequently went on to graduate with a 2:1, Honours Degree. After that she began her Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy and has also completed SafeTalk Training with the HSE, she is also a member of the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland.

Noreen works with adults, but also specialises in working with those of a younger age group. She is currently nearing the end of an additional degree, a Post Graduate Certificate in Child and adolescent Counselling, and has experience of working with adolescents in a mental health setting, via her work with numerous other mental health organisations around Cork.

Noreen Twomey uses an integrative and humanistic approach, which brings together different elements of various therapies. She uses this approach because she believes there is no single therapeutic approach that suits every client in any varying situation. People are unique and so are their circumstances. She considers each client as a whole and so tailors her approach to their individual needs and personal circumstances, while always incorporating 3 core beliefs which are derived of a Humanistic Approach; Empathy, Congruence and Unconditional Positive Regard. This allows each client to individually grow, with the right support and approach to suit their needs. Noreen believes that one of the most important components of therapy is that the client feels safe, supported, and relaxed in a calm, open and trusting environment. In her opinion this allows for not only a strong therapeutic relationship to develop but also a successful outcome to therapy

Noreen Twomey works with adults and adolescents on a one-to-one basis, who experience:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Stressful life events
• self-esteem issues
• Grief, Bereavement and Loss
• Trauma
• Bullying and Intimidation
• Anger
• Relationship Issues
• Personal Development
• Communication Issues


Donal Pyne

I use an integrative and humanistic approach in my work with my clients which regards the development of an engaging and genuine therapeutic relationship between client and therapist to be the most healing element of therapy. I also consider it vitally important to cultivate an awareness, acceptance, and understanding of our emotions, and a willingness to experience them. To generate such an understanding it is necessary to use models such as psychodynamic psychotherapy which illuminates how our early experiences shape our present as well as cognative-behavioural therapy which elucidates how unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns act to maintain our suffering. Mindfulness-based approaches are used in my work to relate more skillfully and compassionately towards challenging emotional states and to experience the freedom of a perspective where suffering can be more easily accepted.

Background

My academic studies and clinical experiences have been of great benefit in understanding and alleviating mental distress. I have a graduate diploma in psychology from the University of East London as well as Masters in Applied Psychology from the University of Ulster. I worked for four years with mental health services in the UK where I successfully delivered exposure therapy to clients overwhelmed with anxiety due to psychosis, cognitive and behavioural therapy for depression and motivational interviewing to clients with addiction dependency, and also solution focused therapy. I also have published research in the area of mindfulness with the Clinical Psychology Forum.

My own personal journey of recovery, from being socially anxious, on account of developmental trauma and alcoholism in my family, towards social confidence and authentic selfhood, has been a great teacher and source of motivation on my path towards becoming a psychotherapist. Cultivating nourishing authentic relationships has helped me enormously on this journey, and I am presently engaged in facilitating authentic relating events here in Cork so that others may also benefit from the sense of hope and joy which arises when our need for connection is met.

I am able to assist clients in the following areas:

  • Depression,
  • Anxiety/Stress
  • Self-esteem and confidence issues,
  • Personal Development
  • Developmental Trauma/PTSD

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Apex Clinic – Professional Counselling & Psychology & Assessments. We are a well-established psychology services provider attracting clients from all parts of Ireland.

We are currently looking for enthusiastic and experienced psychologists to join our team.

The post offers a friendly and supportive working environment and flexible working hours.

Highly motivated candidates with an excellent track record are invited to apply.

Contact: Dr. Declan Cronin

Send your CV to Email: info@apexclinic.ie