Therapists Talk Therapy PCI College

Today we are discussing the topic of spirituality. This is a broad topic and one that can sometimes be hard to put into words, so I am delighted to be joined by returning guests, Gael Kilduff and Colm Early who share their perspectives. We discuss some definitions of what spirituality is and explore how it can inform your work as a therapist even if you don’t regard yourself as spiritual or ever sue the work with your clients. We discuss what it means to be truly present with your clients, to hold and provide the sacred space of therapy and to meet each client as a holistic person in their own world. We also explore what is needed by the therapist so that they can get out of their own way for these things to happen. Gael Kilduff is head of Counselling and Psychotherapy with PCI College and is an experienced supervisor and therapist. Colm Early is also an experienced supervisor and therapist, as well as a faculty lecturer and year two head with PCI College. This is an inspiring and grounding conversation and I hope you find something that resonates with you in it. 

Welcome to Therapists Talk Therapy. Today we are discussing grief and loss, with our guests Nuala McDonnell and Sharon Manifold. We explore the many ways we can experience loss in our lives, including but not limited to bereavement. We acknowledge the vital role therapists play in facilitating a non-judgemental space for clients to feel and express the wide range, and sometimes contradictory feelings which loss can raise. We reflect on the thought of therapists as professional grievers and highlight the role of self-care in this work. 
Nuala is a humanistic and integrative therapist working in private practice in Cork city and online with adults and adolescents. She is a part time lecturer with UCC and an associate lecturer with PCI College. Sharon is an integrative therapist and supervisor working in private practice in Co. Clare. She has a wide range of experience working with young people and adults in both individual and group settings and is an associate lecturer with PCI College. 

Today we are discussing anxiety and the cognitive behavioural therapy approach to working with it. We explore what anxiety is and how it can present in the therapy room, as well as the purpose and nature of the CBT approach. We discuss the empowering role of psychoeducation and explore some misconceptions of CBT, concluding that it must be integrated into a therapist’s way of working to be fully effective. 
My guest, John Wills, is a psychologist and CBT practitioner, specialising in anxiety disorders. He has a keen interest in the role of personality factors in clinical presentations and carries out assessments with people exiting therapy to identify areas of growth and future direction. John is a faculty lecturer and year head with PCI College and works with schools in the areas of cyber bullying and wellbeing. 

This episode is about exploring the counselling and psychotherapy graduate experience. We discuss how it can look and feel different for everyone, and how it differs from other professions where the path might be more recognisable. We explore the idea of transitions as you move from being a student with many options to explore e.g., working with an organisation or private practice. When do you finally feel like a ‘real’ therapist? We acknowledge the mixed feelings which may exist as you no longer have the network and structure of the college, while also feeling relieved about being free from that structure and its requirements.
My guests today are Simon Forsyth and Sean Mullen. Simon is an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist with a specialism in writing/journal therapy and a particular link to the LGBTQ+ community. He graduated from PCI College in 2014 and works in Dublin and online. He lectures with PCI College and delivers our CPD workshops on writing therapy and Gender, Sexual and Relationship diversity. Sean graduated from PCI College in 2021 and works as a counsellor and psychotherapist in Cork. He brings his extensive experience of sales and management to his private practice which now facilitates 25 therapists, including trainees to work from his premises. He is passionate about mentoring other counsellors on this aspect also. 
Please see Simon’s website here - https://nozomicounselling.com/ and Sean’s website here - https://dochastherapy.ie/ 

We are discussing the themes of productivity and busyness raised by clients in therapy. We explore the difference which can exist between being busy and productive and the key role core beliefs play in our feelings and behaviours around achievement, rest and worth. We highlight the impact of technology on our availability and discuss the role of self-care. In particular, we highlight the importance of self-awareness to help us notice our patterns, to enhance our sense of choice and move away from a sense of restriction and stuckness.
Linda is a psychotherapist, supervisor, trainer and associate lecturer with PCI College. She works with individuals, couples and groups in therapeutic and corporate settings. Eileen is a psychotherapist, Life, Career and Public Speaking Coach, and an associate lecturer with PCI College.
Eileen spent over thirty years in nursing and nurse management with first-hand experience of the impact of stress, burnout and vicarious trauma.
Please see Linda’s website here Therapy and Training - Treat Yourself to Therapy today – and Eileen’s website here - Home - Eileen Hopkins - Psychotherapist and Coaching

We are celebrating International Men’s Day in today’s episode. It takes place on November 19th and highlights the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities. It raises awareness of positive male role models and men’s wellbeing. I am joined by Dan O Mahony, PCI Faculty lecturer and psychotherapist with Pieta. Dan generously shares his own story to demonstrate how society holds very strong ideas of what it means to be a man, e.g., what job you should have, how you should dress, how you should speak etc. He also shows the strong response to men who don’t match up to these expectations and how damaging that can be to your sense of self. 
We do discuss suicide in this episode and want to highlight the supports available through Pieta https://www.pieta.ie/ , the PCI low cost counselling service https://www.pcicollege.ie/counselling-service/lowcostcounselling and the International Men’s Day website https://internationalmensday.com/