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Introduction

I came to Focusing through deep suffering. I have a chronic illness but Focusing has taught me how to work with the symptoms in ways that have resulted in dramatic improvement. I am an Inner Relationship Focusing Practitioner and Trainer, who certified under Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin.

What services do I offer?

I'm an Inner Relationship Focusing Practitioner who has trained with Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin for three years.

I offer 1-2-1 guided Focusing sessions.
I also teach Inner Relationship Focusing from Levels 1 to 5, following Ann Weiser Cornell's excellent curriculum.

I am a Public Speaking Coach and I now teach courses in using IRF to work with your speaking anxiety.

I'm also interested in helping people with pain, ME/CFS symptoms, anxiety, speaking anxiety, insomnia, headaches and more.

My background in Focusing

I found Focusing after years of debilitating illness. When I was 26, I was diagnosed with ME/CFS and soon I was in a wheelchair. I suffered enormously, feeling like my insides were shredded by razor blades and then soaked in acid. For many years, I was too sick to watch TV or hold a conversation. I had to fight for every inch of improvement, walking two steps every fortnight before I could increase by another two. Then I’d relapse and have to start all over again. It took over eighteen years to walk for thirty minutes with confidence.

I worked tirelessly to recover. I ate vegan for eight years, paleo for four, no sugar for ten. I tried every treatment under the sun.

It took its toll on my nervous system and by 2004 I had developed extreme anxiety and PTSD. I then discovered Dr Claire Weekes, an anxiety expert, who spoke of acceptance as a way to healing. It resonated with me. I spent years practising her teachings, but I knew I was not accepting.

It would be another ten years before I found Focusing. But in my first session with the wonderful Fiona Parr, I finally tasted the freedom of allowing things to be just as they are. This was experiential and I knew the difference. After all my work to try and allow, now I had found a way that showed me how.

Because, make no mistake about it, allowing is skilled work. I had practised many different methods to help me ‘be with’ my symptoms and emotions, but I knew I was still resisting. I trained with Ann Weiser Cornell to become a practitioner in parts work (Inner Relationship Focusing) and I found that helped me untangle some of the threads. Dr John Sarno’s work on chronic pain was also life changing for me.

Now, after 5 years of intensive Focusing, I find myself flowing more with life. I have far fewer symptoms, and a different perspective on life, which feels more fulfilling and freeing. I was recently in a serious motorway car crash, and even as it was happening, I found myself going with the flow of it, although I was sure I was going to be killed or maimed. My recovery has been extraordinarily easeful, and I do not think I would have been able to handle it like this before discovering IRF. It was a definite sign to me that I have changed for the better.

I will be forever grateful for Focusing for showing me how to be myself, and how to live more fully. Not just peacefully, but with a sense of adventure, and fun. I love to share this way of being with others, through guided sessions and training courses, as taught to me by Ann. You will find my courses on the courses page on this website.

Qualifications

BA University College Cork. (First Class Honours).
HDip Business. Smurfit School of Business, Dublin. (First Class Honours).

Certificate in Interpersonal Communications. University College Cork. (First Class Honours).

Certified Inner Relationship Focusing Professional and Trainer with The International Focusing Institute, having trained with Ann Weiser Cornell, Barbara McGavin and Marcella Calabri.
Public Speaking Coach.

How do I practice?

• In person
• Online

Training mentor

I am a certified Inner Relationship Focusing Trainer having certified under Ann Weiser Cornell and Barbara McGavin.

Testimonials

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