My approach and who I work with:

As a guidance counsellor, I work mainly with young people (approximate age range of 15 to 25) of all talents and abilities, many of whom are neurodivergent. I collaborate with the client/young person so that they are an active participant in the process while I offer professional, empathic career and educational guidance which encourages self-knowledge and self-confidence. I work with the whole person and help them to identify their values, interests and aspirations (not always easy to do when you are young). While I use formal careers assessment, I believe it is essential to see the person behind the test scores through friendly, meaningful collaboration. Testing for ability (verbal, numerical and abstract) is also an option but isn’t always necessary as many young people have already taken psychometric tests such as the CAT4 in school.

While the process is confidential, I involve parents if the client is under 18. If the client is over 18, I can still involve parents with the client’s written permission. Regardless of the client’s age, my role is to serve the client’s best interests in terms of educational and vocational guidance. I do not offer a counselling or therapy service but I may make a referral if it is deemed necessary or beneficial to the client.

Qualifications and accreditation:

Membership of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, the British Psychological Society and the Teaching Council.

Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling, DCU

Enact Psychometric Programme at DCU- Test User: Occupational, ability

Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs, CICE

MA in Comparative Literature, DCU

Higher Diploma Education (Hons), NUI Galway

BA English and Greek and Roman Civilization (Hons)

Continued Professional Development includes:

Regular IGC supervision for guidance counsellors

HSE Livingworks ASIST- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training

HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention- Understanding Self-Harm

Trained volunteer with BeLonGTo

Child Protection and Safeguarding

As a Mandated Person, I am fully compliant with my statutory obligations and Mandated Person Responsibilities as set out in the Children First Act, 2015. I have full and up-to-date Garda vetting.