catherine keers

Therapists and counsellors

Catherine Keers - Psychotherapist, MIACP, MIAHIP, MICP

I graduated from the Tivoli Institute with a Professional Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am an accredited member of the Irish Association of Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy and the Irish Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy and abide by their codes of ethics.

I have been running the centre since 2002 and have been working with clients on a one-to-one basis for the past ten years with issues relating to both their personal lives and their working lives. I regularly contribute to articles in the Irish press on psychotherapy and related issues.

My approach is "integrative" which means I draw on a background of Psychodynamic, Person-centered, Gestalt and Cognitive Training. While there are various approaches to psychotherapy, I believe what most successful therapies have in common is the quality of the relationship of mutual respect and trust between client and therapist. Particular areas of interest to me are self-esteem, confidence and self-image.

I have a background in business and have undergone additional training in Stress Management, Assertiveness Skills and Negotiation Skills.

CCC Registered Counsellor.

Ana Rodríguez – Psychotherapist, MIAHIP, ECP, MICP

I believe we all have the desire and capacity to feel well. Sometimes, we may need a bit of guidance and support to make sense of difficulties and uncover and strengthen our innate potential.

I graduated from the Tivoli institute with a Professional Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. I am an accredited member of IAHIP and ICP (Irish Council for Psychotherapy). I worked as a counsellor with the Living Life Centre-a registered charity providing affordable counselling in the Dublin South area, for four years before starting my private practice. I have also worked in the area of mental illness as a member of a multi-disciplinary team providing support and services to people referred by the HSE, suffering with a psychiatric illness.

Some of my areas of interest are depression, anxiety, panic attacks, relationship issues, self-confidence, personal growth, loss, trauma, grief, fear and confusion.

In my work I use an eclectic approach drawing from psychodynamic and person-centered theories. I have also completed further training in Integrative bodywork and Gestalt.

Linda Whittaker - Psychotherapist, MIACP

I have been working in counselling and psychotherapy with individuals for the past eight years. I hold a Professional Diploma in Counselling having graduated from the Institute of Creative Counselling and Psychotherapy. I offer a humanistic and integrative approach which is experiential and non-directive and is based on related theoretical models such as Person-Centered, Gestalt and Psychodynamic. I am a fully credited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) since October 2005 and I have ongoing regular supervision.

In this process, I meet with clients on a one-to-one basis where they have a confidential opportunity in a safe and accepting environment to talk about, explore and understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviours relating to issues which are troubling them. Clients are also helped to improve their communication skills, identify available choices, develop new strategies, set appropriate goals and manage change in their lives.

In my practice to date I have worked with a wide range of issues including depression, stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, low self-esteem, abuse, changes and difficulties in family and other relationships, difficulties and pressures encountered at work and in daily living. I am also currently training in Group Analytical Psychotherapy (MSc programme) with St. Vincent's Hospital Centre for Psychotherapy in conjunction with the UCD Graduate School of Medicine and Medical Science.

Gabrielle O'Kelly - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, Ph.D., M.Sc., M.Phil.

Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is a valuable way of exploring difficulties in relationships, of understanding why people repeat situations that are not helpful to them and of addressing the unique ways in which individuals respond to distressing life events. As a psychoanalytic psychotherapist, I engage with individuals in their struggle to speak fully about issues or problems so that they can live fuller lives.

My background and training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy encompasses an M.Sc in Psychotherapy in University College Dublin, M. Phil. in Psychoanalytic Studies in Trinity College Dublin, a Ph D in applied psychoanalysis in Queen’s University Belfast and ongoing personal and professional development as a therapist. In the past I studied Group Analytic Psychotherapy for four years with the London Institute of Group Analysis and have a broad experience of working with those suffering from psychological and psychiatric problems as a registered general nurse and a registered psychiatric nurse. I have been working as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist since 1999.

May Byrne - Psychotherapist, MA in addiction studies, M.Phil. in Psychoanalysis, Dip. in Psychoanalytic studies

People who come to me for therapy are given the time and freedom to talk about their problems in a respectful and confidential environment. Deciding to go to a therapist is not an easy choice to make, and I understand this. The client/therapist relationship is a very important one: within this relationship we can explore why patterns may be repeating in your life that are not serving you well. These concerns may emerge from childhood relationships that are repeated in adult life; or a problem may have arisen recently that you are finding it difficult to cope with.

Each person is an individual and therefore problems and distress are particular to you as an individual. As a Freudian psychoanalyst I approach therapy on the basis that you have solutions within yourself and the therapeutic relationship provides the environment for these answers to emerge. Thereby providing you with a better opportunity to enjoy an enhanced experience of life.

I have worked with clients in the areas of depression; anxiety; relationship problems; addiction; sexual abuse; and many other areas. My experience also includes my work with the Rape Crisis Centre, counseling clients over the telephone and accompanying victims of rape to the Sexual Assault Unit.

Qualifications:

• MSc Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy
• MA Addiction Therapy
• M Phil Psychoanalysis
• Dip. Psychoanalytic Studies.
  

Derek Smyth - Psychotherapist, Ph.D., MIAHIP

Having graduated as a psychotherapist from the Institute of Creative Counselling and Psychotherapy in Ireland, I continued my studies in psychotherapy in the USA, where I received my Ph.D. in Psychology. I continued to attend courses throughout my stay in California embracing further therapeutic insights in bereavement, self-esteem, solution focused therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy.

I was Director for eight years at Emmanuel House, Palm Desert, California, a centre offering therapy and human development skills. This afforded me the opportunity to work as a psychotherapist in a multicultural environment. I worked with couples and with individual clients. I am comfortable working with clients on a broad range of issues. My orientation is psychodynamic and I passionately believe that each individual has within them the resources to address whatever it is that is causing their discomfort. As a therapist I believe I am always learning from the client. It is a mutual enterprise.

I am the co-author of “Defusing the Bomb” an anger management programme and “Being There” a training program in human skills.

Ivan Molloy - Psychotherapist, APPI

I have extensive experience working in both mental health and addiction treatment.

My training and professional background encompass social work, person-centred counselling and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. I am fully accredited by both the National Social Work Qualification Board and The Association for Psychoanalysts and Psychotherapists of Ireland (APPI).

My experience of working therapeutically with people living with emotional distress, such as anxiety and depression, often manifesting in addiction, relationship failure or other patterns of self-destructive behaviour, has taught me that these very normal human experiences are neither random nor untreatable. Rather, the full range of human emotions has an intelligible source, rooted in our personal history. I see the therapist’s role as working with individuals or couples to uncover the roots of their difficulties with a view to enhancing a sense of reality, control and well-being.

To facilitate this work there must be a relationship of trust and respect between therapist and client. Accordingly, my approach is informed both by the humanistic principles of empathy and respect and by a Freudian understanding of the unconscious, a combination, which I find lends itself to an experience of therapy that is supportive and emotionally rewarding. 

Lisa Petersen - Yoga teacher and therapist

I am a yoga teacher, therapist and somatic movement educator who focuses on self-awareness and balance. I focus on making the body strong, healthy, and pain free while teaching the mind to relax and be calm.

My belief in the effectiveness of yoga to create mental, emotional and physical balance took me to its roots in India in 2000. I qualified as a teacher with the Indian Yoga Institute (sVYASA), and worked as a Yoga Therapist in the Back-pain, Arthritis, Hypertension and Asthma departments of the institute's hospital. In 2003, I received an Advanced Teaching Certificate from world renowned teacher, breath specialist, and author Donna Farhi. I have been assisting at Donna's workshops and teacher trainings worldwide for the past four years. I also hold a Diploma in Yoga Therapy with the  Y.T.T.C. (N.I.) and a Diploma in Perinatal Yoga with Birthlight. I am a regular contributor to Yoga Therapy Ireland's trade magazine and a member of the British Council of Yoga Therapists.