Sunflower Psychotherapy

02/02/2025

1st Run of '25
I am feeling incredibly grateful today to enjoy this run & the spring sunshine. It's been 3 months since I was able to run & the dopamine high that came from this was needed .

28/07/2022

03/03/2022

THIS POST MAY RESONATE WITH SOME OF YOU , IT IS A REFLECTION OF WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE PAST WEEK.
I feel some many need to hear this right now. Some many of us over the past week have uttered feelings of guilt as a result of having a good day. I believe we sometimes feel obliged to be with sadness when the world is experiencing such devastation. The horrific circumstances in the Ukraine have shook us all in our way. This is not to say that we can't acknowledge our good moments when someone else is feeling such sadness.
We are all in our own way showing love and support for the people affected by this atrocity & I encourage people to still allow themselves to feel how they feel on any given day.
I say this as in my therapy room this week I have heard so many times "I shouldn't br feeling like this, look what is happening in the world " , "my problems pale in comparison " .
As a therapist I support people through ALL aspects of life. There are no issues to "minimal ". We are all individuals who feel, and are affected in different ways.
PLEASE PLEASE never feel that your worries are to "insignificant " or "small" to discuss.
PLEASE reach out , even if it is for a 5minute call .

14/06/2020

This is something I feel has great relevance at the moment as our ability to access facilities is somewhat limited. I had previously spoken about the need for people to access Alcoholics Anonymous meetings through Zoom which are now provided online, through this time of added stress and anxiety it is paramount that you keep up with a program and have regular contact with sponsors.In todays video I outline the resources from around the country that are available in areas such Disability, Eating Disorders ,Health & Fitness, & General wellbeing.
Through my own forgetfulness there was one lady who I had no mentioned in the video but I feel she is an absolute treasure. The very sound of her voice would relax you. This is . I have informed so many of her online meditation and general good vides. For a lift first thing in the morning before that stressful zoom meeting or to assure a good nights sleep I would suggest you give her a follow.
For any further information on resources or counselling please feeel free to contact me .

07/06/2020

While we have all been doing our best to support those around us during the lockdown , even more support is needed as we start to emerge from this. The real impact of lockdown will be really starting to show in the coming weeks.
Weeks/months of isolation can have a massive impact on our mental health. Even though we were staying in to stay safe our need for the support of our friends/ family is so necessary.
We need to support those in their decision to stay in at the moment, many people will not want to mix with the community just yet.
Ask your friends what they need , even the most independent of us need reassurance through difficult times.

19/04/2020

Sunday has always been one of the most important days of the week for me. Setting my schedule for the week. Now more than ever this is important to maintain some form of normality in these uncertain times. Missing loved ones or previously loved outdoor activities can be difficult.
For student's the challenge is that bit more difficult not knowing from one day to the next if they will sit exams this school year. As a student routine is imperative at the moment to ensure you can succeed to your best abilities regardless of the outcome. Schedule a certain amount of hours per day to school work, do this with the vision that exams will happen, regardless of date and time. You can learn more due to the growing number of resources been made available on line. It may look more challenging but the support is there.
- Plan out at the start of the week what subjects you will need most support with, then Google resources available for such topics.
- Timetable in specific lectures/ tutorials you wish to follow on line.
- Write in detail, the questions you need answered on any given topic, they will be someone on line who can answer these.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY, do not believe you are defeated before you have even begun, this is your time to seek support like never before.
- Express your concerns to a parent/guardian, they too can help.

̇d19

31/03/2020

I have become increasingly aware of changes in the support needed by people as we all adjust to our new normal. It is not possible for people to any longer have face to face interactions in regards to their weekly meetings with therapists or support groups. Home is not always a safe haven or supportive environment. I am thankful that I have seen AWARE has now provided a 24hr email service which they ensure will be responded to.

As I have previously worked in an addiction I know the importance of maintaining contact with groups & sponsors. Especially now in the challenging times we all face. Thanks to technology it is possible to "virtually " attend Alcoholics Anonymous . This can be done by downloading the ZOOM APP , clicking into "pick meeting" & choosing from the list of available meetings. This can be done at varied times throughout the day. I would encourage anybody in this situation to avail of this service.

AWARE - [email protected]
Womens Aid - 1800 341900

24/03/2020

For someone living in fear of the person they live with social distancing is a nightmare. It is very imporrant to understand that even though this isolation period you can still receive support. So many are suffering in silence because they no longer have an outlet ( work, social life). Please check on those you may feel are vulnerable, domestic violence has no age limit or gender. PLEASE share this video with someone you feel may need it.
WOMENS AID 1800 341 900

19/03/2020

Contact, self care & save practice through
We are all very aware these days at the importance of keeping our distance from the most vulnerable in our society. For many this may mean not seeing family members or close friends for an unknown period of time. But there are other ways of not isolating ourselves from those closest to us. I spent the morning video chatting with this little munchkin ( baby eamma) & her mom . Though ( thankfully) none of ua has experienced the virus we are still very mindful of the potential to spread the illness. I have been on video chat to those from both near & far to ensure no one feels alone at a time like this. This maybe a time for people to adopt these practices, through video chat you can feel like you are right there having a coffee with friends. Please call those who are not at work, those feeling unwell, those who are possibly to anxious to reach out. One call a day could make all the difference to someone who is struggling.