Practitioners

Centre Director

Sheena is a practising psychoanalytic psychotherapist and group analyst. For almost 30 years, she has been working with couples, individuals and groups. She has been in private practice since 2002. At present she works with adults from the age of 18 to 80+. Her area of expertise ranges from working with those who are experiencing dissatisfaction, unhappiness, insecurity and anxiety in their life and relationships, to working with those who wish to explore their lives at a deeper level (eg: sibling and parental relationships, issues arising out of sexuality and intimacy, existential unhappiness). She is the founding Director of Donnybrook Centre and plus Blackrock.

Fully Qualified and Accredited Therapists

Practising 20+ years providing Counselling and Psychotherapy to Couples and Individuals with a Person Centred approach based on the principles and writings of Carl Rogers.

The Initial Meeting is designed to provide a Welcoming and Empathic environment in in a non-directive non-judgemental manner to ascertain what outcome(s) clients require, why therapy was sought at this time, and to inform how the therapeutic sessions would be conducted. The Therapist would then determine if the outlined therapeutic approach is appropriate for the stated goals, or whether a referral to an alternative practitioner could be more beneficial.

Fees: Couple €80, Individual €70 per session.

Helen has a background in social and community work and is an experienced individual psychoanalytic and group analytic psychotherapist. Helen is an Accredited Supervisor, Disability Psychotherapist and Trainer. She is a former chairperson and longstanding active member of the Connect People Network as well as being a founding member of Disability Psychotherapy Ireland. She has presented at national and international conferences on a range of topics concerning sexuality and disability. She was formerly training supervisor with the Irish Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy at Turning Point and Director of Sligo Psychotherapy Centre. Helen currently conducts an Analytic Psychotherapy Group in Donnybrook Centre.

Alex graduated with a Diploma in Psychotherapy from the Tivoli Institute in Dun Laoghaire. She believes that psychotherapy helps clients explore the difficulties they may be experiencing within a safe, supportive and confidential environment. She takes an integrative and humanistic approach to her work, this means she adapts the therapeutic approach to best suit the needs and requirements of the individual. She works in a non-directive, non judgemental way exploring feelings and concerns around anxiety, stress, depression, low self-esteem, bereavement and loss and relationship difficulties.

Kathy works with children and adolescents and young adults. She completed her Psychology degree and Graduate Diploma in U.C.D. and obtained her MSc from Trinity College Dublin. She is a member of the Irish forum of Child and Adolescent psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

As well as in private practice, Kathy has worked therapeutically with children and teenagers, parents and carers in both Linn Dara mental health services in Cherry Orchard hospital, and Lucena John of God’s Child and Adolescent mental health clinic in Tallaght. She also has interest and experience around disordered eating issues and body image from her time with Bodywhys, the Eating Disorders association of Ireland.

Kathy works with a range of emotional difficulties that young people of varying ages may be faced with in their developmental path. Issues such as anxiety, depression, emotional dis-regulation, eating disorders, and separation and attachment difficulties. Also various harmful behaviors or disturbing thoughts which may be communicating an underlying emotional upset. As well as working one to one with the young person, Kathy places importance on facilitating understanding and offering support to families through parental consultation and feedback.

Accredited Psychotherapist with over seven years of experience with a business background, in the corporate world.
Shakir believes that each client is unique.  Hence, his therapy is tailored to the Client’s objective of attending therapy. His approach is based on focussing on the Client’s emotional, cognitive and behavioural difficulties in order to help them achieve equilibrium.

Therapeutic approaches include:

– Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
– Person Centred Therapy
– Integrative Therapy
– Emotive Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
– Psychodynamic Therapy

Therapeutic services: Anger Management, Anxiety, Depression, Addictions, Personal Development, Stress, Work Related Issues, Abuse, Trauma and Relationships.

Tom has spent all of his professional life working directly with people, either on a one-to -one basis or with groups. Having spent 25 years in a business environment, working initially as a manager and subsequently as a Coach and Consultant, he became increasingly interested in understanding different ways of facilitating people move on from troubled times in their lives and so decided to study psychotherapy. Tom qualified as a Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist with a Diploma from the Tivoli Institute, Dun Laoghaire. He is interested in working with men and women of all age groups who are experiencing difficulties in their lives and in their relationships with others.

Tadhg is an accredited member of the Irish Association of Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP). He uses a humanistic and person-centred approach while working with his clients. Through this lens, he sees clients as carrying the seeds of their own healing and personal growth. He believes that in providing an empathic non-judgemental reflective space, a therapeutic relationship can develop, which is key to nurturing a client’s healing, empowerment, and personal development, and ultimately improving the quality of their lives.

Penny is an integrative psychotherapist who trained with Turning Point and DCU. A graduate of TCD in Spanish and English, she has worked with young people in educational settings for more than 25 years, specialising as a counsellor for the last 8 years while also branching into private practice. Accredited by IAHIP and IACP, Penny works with individuals of all ages and across a range of issues. These include relationship difficulties, depression, grief and loss, anxiety, stress, and difficult life events. Her background encompasses work with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Living Life and the Newlands Institute in Clondalkin. She is currently in the third and final year of a Diploma in Group Work practice from St Vincent’s Hospital School of Medicine and Psychotherapy. Penny’s approach is person centred and relational, incorporating aspects of CBT, gestalt and psychodynamic theories. She has a particular interest in working with adolescents.

I work from a person-centred and humanistic framework. I strive to provide safe and holding space for the clients to unfold and work through their issues. I believe that the relationship between me and my clients is what matters most in co-creating desired change. As a result, I offer respect, empathy and transparency to those I work with. Personally, I believe in the quiet power of self-compassion, hope and patience to transform lives.

Hilary is a Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist working with individuals. She completed her training at Turning Point Institute, in association with University College Cork.

Working from a person-centred perspective, Hilary views her clients as being the experts in their own lives. Her approach is deeply empathic and non-judgemental, as she helps her clients to broaden their awareness around why they experience the world in the way that they do, and the impact that this might be having both on their relationships with others and their relationships with themselves. Hilary believes that this kind of increased awareness brings the potential for change, and the most empowering kind of change comes from within. She draws from a range of therapeutic techniques to tailor her work to best meet her clients needs.

Catriona is an experienced mental health professional and cognitive behavioural therapist. She qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Trinity College Dublin in 2002 and has worked in mental health since this time. She completed a postgraduate diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in Trinity College Dublin in 2008 and has achieved full accreditation with the BABCP.

Shelly is a fully accredited humanistic and integrative psychotherapist with a background is in nursing. She worked for 15 years in the emergency department finishing as a clinical nurse manager. Shelly holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Nursing from University of Limerick; a Higher Diploma In Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a M.A. in Psychotherapy, both from Dublin Business School. She has also done a practitioner’s certificate in CBT.

Shelly works with a wide variety of issues including (but not limited to) anxiety, depression, grief,loss, self-harm, suicidal ideation, work-life balance, self-worth, relationship issues, sexuality issues, LGBTQI+ friendly and trauma (both PTSD and Complex PTSD).

Shelly has personal and professional experience in a variety of pregnancy related issues including birth trauma and matresence (the transition to motherhood), pre and post abortion support, fertility issues, adoption, post-natal depression and miscarriage. Shelly also has a particular interest in childhood emotional neglect and developmental trauma. Shelly provides professional, warm and respectful support for individuals 18 years and over through one-to-one sessions.

Anne Longmore is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She spent 12 years working with the HSE’s National Counselling Service providing therapy for clients who have been traumatised by early childhood experiences – sexual, physical, emotional or neglect.

After leaving the NCS Anne established her private practice in which she sees clients who present with a wide variety of issues – including anxiety, stress, depression and relationship difficulties. She has a particular interest in childhood experience and of the impact of loss and change in people’s lives.

Prior to entering the Counselling arena Anne worked in educational and organisational settings in the personal development arena. She also worked in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth as a Tutor on their Diploma in Counselling.

Anne has a Masters in Applied Psychology and Diploma in Counselling Psychology. She also completed the Diploma in Clinical Supervision (Trinity College) and offers supervision to trainee and qualified therapists and psychologists. `

Ana is an Humanistic and Integrative psychotherapist, working from a person-centred approach, using different therapy methods, which allows her to meet the unique needs of each client.

She strives to provide a space where clients can feel emphatically and non-judgmentally heard. She believes change occurs as clients develop a greater understanding of themselves, their belief systems and relationships to people and events.

She aims to be a companion on their journey of self discovery and empowerment. 

She works with individuals over 18 years of age, on a variety of issues, including anxiety, stress, bereavement & non-bereavement loss (such as loss of relationships). 

She completed her training with Turning Point Institute & University College Cork. Ana’s practice is based in Plus Blackrock

Having worked in the mental health services for several years, Siobhan completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in Trinity College Dublin 2007 and has worked as a CBT Therapist since this time. She has also completed further postgraduate psychotherapy studies. Siobhan is fully accredited with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. She has had a broad range of experience working with adults and adolescents with problems including depression, anxiety, stress, traumatic life events and relationship difficulties among others.

David is a qualified Psychotherapist and an accredited member of IAHIP. David’s approach is from a Humanistic, Person Centred & Integrative perspective, utilising varying aspects of Psychodynamic, Rogerian, Psychosynthesis, Gestalt, CBT & Bioenergetic therapies. With experience in helping his Clients with Relationships, Trauma, PTSD, Development, Stress, Grief, Anger, Trust, Self Worth, Anxiety, Sexuality and Gender.

Anne has over thirty years’ experience as an accredited psychotherapist. During that time she has worked with clients on a wide range of issues including trauma, depression, stress, anxiety and the challenges of change and transition. Her approach is person-centred and collaborative to enable clients access their own strengths and coping mechanisms. She has a particular interest in the ways that personal writing can enrich and extend therapy outside sessions.

She is also an accredited supervisor.

Jennifer has worked for over 20 years within a variety of mental health settings within both the NHS and the HSE.
She qualified as an Occupational Therapist from Trinity College Dublin in 1996, going on to complete a MSc. Mental Health Studies, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in 2007.

Alongside ongoing postgraduate studies, Jennifer is experienced in working with a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, OCD, work related stress, wellness and recovery action plans (WRAP), sleep disorders, OCD, bipolar disorder, traumatic life events, PTSD, self harm, suicidal ideation and personal development. Jennifer particularly values the development of a collaborative relationship with each client, using the framework of a CBT model.

MSc Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (UCD/St. Vincents University Hospital), SMT Post Masters (TSOP, St. Vincents University Hospital), QQI, Level 6, Therapeutic Play Skills, FETAC, Child Psychology. Accredited member APPI

Elaine is a fully Accredited Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist who works with adults. She believes that by providing a confidential and safe environment can allow an individual to speak freely about their life and/or psychical suffering. This important work can provide insight into one’s relationships, life experiences and lead to the easing of psychical suffering. She places the individual’s unconscious in a privileged position within the work and believes that it is through speaking that understanding can come about and change can take place. Her experience includes working with those who are affected by symptoms of distress, anxiety, obsessions, sexual matters, loss, relationship issues and addiction. Previously Elaine has worked for many years as an accountant within the corporate environment.

Gary is a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist in clinical practice since 2016 with an educational background that spans over 10 years in Forensic Psychology, Counselling, Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. He is a member of the executive committee of the Association of Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy in Ireland (APPI).

Primarily focused on the unconscious aspects of one’s suffering, he works with in a non-directive way which recognizes the singularity of each person. He works with individuals on a variety of presenting issues including anxiety, stress, depression, sexuality, addiction, psychosomatic symptomatology, loss and trauma, with a particular research interest in the areas of phobia and repetition.

BA TH, (NUI), H Dip. In Ed. (NUI), M. ED. (UCD), Post Grad Dip. in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Dublin Counselling & Therapy Centre) MIAHIP, MIACP, Reg ICP, Reg EAP. Post Grad. Dip. in Cross Professional Supervision. Accredited Supervisor IAHIP, IACP, SAI. Certificate Integrative Body Course

Spiritual Directors Training Course, (Jesuit Centre of Spirituality, Manresa) Anne-Marie has a background in theology, sociology, education, counselling, psychotherapy, and spiritual guidance. She has taught in the Voluntary and Community Sectors at Second Level and lectured in the Pastoral Department and Department of Spirituality, Milltown Institute (National University of Ireland). She is a Visiting lecturer for the Southeast Technological University (SETU) MA in Applied Spirituality that SpIRE hosts and supports in Dublin. Anne-Marie is an accredited psychotherapist working in private practice since 2002. She works with individuals, adults ranging from 18 upwards. She uses an integrative humanistic, person centred, eclectic approach, supporting clients across a range of issues- anxiety, adoption issues, bereavement and loss, depression, lack of meaning, loneliness, loss of direction, relationship problems, sexual abuse, suicide and trauma. She is also an accredited cross professional supervisor. Her own experience of supervision proved powerfully influential in her life. She now offers professional supervision rooted in transformational learning, theory and reflective practise, a contemplative model of supervision which encourages an inner focus on experience. Anne-Marie’s practice is based in Plus Blackrock

Ray is a fully accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with APCP, having graduated with a BA and BA (hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS) . He works with clients from an integrative perspective. It is his belief that every person is unique in what they are experiencing and no one model of approach will suit everyone. He has a deep passion to work in the areas of change for people that can make a real difference in a safe and confidential environment, using proven therapies to assist in the healing process through times of difficulty or disruption in a persons life. His work is humanistic and the primary evidence based theories that he works with, are as follows:

  • Integrative Therapy
  • (PCT) Person-Centred Therapy
  • (CBT) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy Treating:: Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, Stress, Personal Development, and Relationships.

Lorna holds a Diploma in Integrative Counselling from CityLit, London, and is in her final year of the BSc (Hons) in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy programme at IICP. She is a registered member of the BACP and is working towards accreditation. She has previously worked in the field of addiction with the NHS.  Lorna’s clinical placement is based in Plus Blackrock

Ciara Cronin BA (hons), MA Mindfulness-Based Psychotherapy Middlesex University. UKCP Registered.

Ciara is trained in Core Process Psychotherapy (CPP) – a contemplative, relational, mindfulness-centered therapeutic approach that encourages individuals to cultivate deep awareness of issues arising in the present. Drawing on Western psychology and Eastern contemplative traditions, therapy is seen as a joint undertaking where client and therapist investigate present issues with kindness and compassion, thus enabling the client to move beyond past conditioning to change their relationship to themselves and others.

Mindfulness-based psychotherapy is suitable for a wide range of issues including; Issues with self-esteem; depression, panic and anxiety; trauma, post traumatic stress, childhood trauma and abuse; addiction recovery; and bereavement and grief.

Ciara holds an MA in mindfulness-based Core Process Pyschotherapy from the Karuna Institute and Middlesex University, UK. She is a licensed and accredited psychotherapist with UKCP.

Pre-Accredited Therapists:

A fully qualified Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapist. Gemma completed her Honours Degree with Dublin Business school and since then has started trauma training with the Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute.

When working with clients, Gemma aims to understand their needs and takes an integrative approach drawing from several theoretical approaches including CBT, client-centred, psychodynamic theory, and sensorimotor psychotherapy. Each discipline has a unique set of tools and skills that works to support you in working through your challenges in an effort to help you create a fulfilling life with long lasting well being.

Fiona is an experienced mental health professional and cognitive behavioural therapist. She qualified as a Psychiatric Nurse from Trinity College Dublin in 2009 and has worked as a specialist nurse in mental health. She completed a postgraduate diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy in Trinity College Dublin in 2016, and is currently working towards full accreditation.

Daragh is a practising psychotherapist working in the Donnybrook center. He graduated with a Masters in Psychotherapy from Dublin Business School in 2022.

Daragh’s approach to psychotherapy provides clients with a safe, confidential and positive environment to explore and confront the difficulties and challenges they may face in life. He uses a collaborative method that allows the client to get to know their own self more fully and honestly, with a focus on the personal strengths and resources the client possesses. He believes that the therapy room is a place of honesty, calm, and healing.

Daragh works with a range of topics that people face in the course of their life including anxiety, family and relationship difficulties, depression, childhood trauma, grief and finding meaning in life. Daragh’s practice is based in Donnybrook Centre

Katherine trained as a psychotherapist after experiencing first-hand the transformational effects of therapy. She uses an integrative approach in her work with clients, leaning on various theories and techniques including humanistic, psychodynamic, and body-centred approaches. Over the past few years, Katherine has supported clients with a broad range of emotional, psychological and existential challenges.

Dip. & MFA (NCAD), HDip Counselling & Psychotherapy (DBS), MA Psychotherapy (DBS). Certified Associate Member IAHIP.

Katharine works with clients experiencing a broad range of psychological, cognitive, social & emotional issues. Her psychotherapeutic approach is from a humanistic and integrative stance utilising psychodynamic, client centred & sensorimotor therapies, as best suit the client needs.Katharine provides both long and short term therapy and adheres to the code of ethics of the IAHIP.

Liz is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist working in a non-directive manner, placing a special emphasis on listening to the singularity of each individual’s speech. Psychoanalytic psychotherapy creates a space for those who wish to explore unanswered questions they may have about being stuck in a rut, or feeling empty, being overwhelmed by anxiety, or burdened with guilt. It is within the act of speaking that something new may emerge and be heard, creating an opportunity for change.

Liz works with anyone whose questions or suffering compels them to seek help.

Liz is a pre-accredited member of APPI and is engaged in special modality training in the School of Psychotherapy in St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.

Group Psychotherapists

Liam Breen qualified with an Honours Degree in Social Studies with a CQSW from Trinity College in 1993. He practiced as a Social Worker for 25 years, managing a team of social workers as Team Leader in Child Protection for the last eight years in the Irish Statutory Child Welfare service. He has also lectured on the Masters in Social Work (MSc) degree course in Trinity College Dublin. He qualified as a Marte Meo Communications therapist in 1997.

Liam qualified to practice Group Analytic Psychotherapy in 2011. In 2014 he added the MSc in Group Analytic Psychotherapy to his professional portfolio. In addition to psychotherapy groups, Liam has had many years experience working with a variety of community and workgroups. Since his retirement in September 2018, he has continued his psychotherapeutic work with individuals and groups.

He is a full member of the Analytic section of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy and IGAS (Irish Group Analytic Society). He served on the committee of IGAS for a number of years.

Marie obtained an MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from St Vincent’s University Hospital School of Psychotherapy, Dublin in 2004, and has worked in private practice since then. She has a nursing background and worked as Clinical Nurse Specialist for many years. She is a member of the Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Ireland (APPI), and of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

Marie obtained an MSc in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from St Vincent’s University Hospital School of Psychotherapy, Dublin in 2004, and has worked in private practice since then. She has a nursing background and worked as Clinical Nurse Specialist for many years. She is a member of the Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Ireland (APPI), and of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).

Róisín qualified as an occupational therapist in 2003 and has been working in the field of mental health, addictions and perinatal mental health since then, working with adults from 18-80.

Her curiosity and interest in why people struggle to make the changes they want and/or need to make, led her to discover Motivational Interviewing and then to group therapy where she graduated with a M.Sc in Group Analytic Psychotherapy from The School of Psychotherapy St Vincents University Hospital & UCD in 2017. Róisín enjoys working with people in groups. In her experience if you can take the risk to allow others alongside, being part of a group can be a very enriching and powerful experience and can help people in reaching a deeper understanding of themselves and others enabling personal growth and lasting change. As someone wiser than I once said “You alone can do it, but you cannot do it alone” DeLeon. 

Roisin’s practice is based in Plus Blackrock

While every effort is made to ensure the professional training, qualification and accreditation of all practitioners working in the centre, any issue arising from the therapeutic relationship between client and practitioner remains between these parties and not with Donnybrook Centre.

Therapists in Training:

Every year we offer placements to therapists who are training to become psychotherapists. These therapists are not in private practice with us and they provide a lot of our low cost service, where you can avail of therapy at a fee of €30 for each session.

Donnybrook Centre, 51 Donnybrook Road, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
67 Main Street, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Tel: 01 2838735
Email: [email protected]
Visit: www.donnybrooktherapy.com