My Services;
Listed here are my own services-
Public Speaking
Would you like me to come and talk at your school, event or organisation? Below is a sample of some of the talks I give on mental health and topical issues of the day such as parenting and issues relating to adolescents and children.
Parenting Talks
What your teen is trying to tell you: This talk will focus on how parents can help their teenagers. Parents often find it difficult to connect with their teenager and this talk will focus on practical strategies that can be used as well as providing some insight into the challenges teens face these days - and what parents can do about them.
Supporting children in challenging Times: We all want to support our children in these challenging times. But, with love and support they can weather the storm. This talk will help parents to support their children in these challenging times.
Anxious children in an anxious world: Even the most well-meaning parents can fall into a negative cycle and, not wanting a child to suffer, actually exacerbate the youngster’s anxiety. It happens when parents, anticipating a child’s fears, try to protect her from them. This talk will give advice and pointers for helping children to navigate this anxious world.
Building confidence in children: This talk helps parents learn how to identify their children’s strengths and so they can build confidence and inner strength.
Raising happy kids in an anxious world: We all want to raise happy kids. However, life's stresses often get in the way! This talk helps parents to rekindle the joy of family life with practical tips and strategies for parents to use in daily life.
Bully-Proof Kids: Developing resilience & social skills: This talk focuses on how we can help our kids tap into their inner strength so they feel able to deflect any negative attention. Covering all aspects of cyberbullying and irl bullying, parents and teenagers who attend will feel more informed about the way bullies work and so more able to anticipate and influence future behaviour.
Handling anxiety in children & teenagers: Anxiety is the most common mental health issue in Ireland today, not only that, but anxiety is often contagious and so anxiety can infect the whole family. Anxiety is often described as an over-estimation of the danger and an under-estimation of your ability to cope. This talk provides helpful tips and strategies for parents to teach their perspective and help their children feel more able to cope.
Teens and Tweens and Screens: With the force of a multi-billion Euro industry driving this, many of our children have fallen into destructive relationships with their screens. This talk helps parents regain control of tech use in family-life.
The storms & stresses of adolescence: The teenage brain is still under construction and teenagers can often feel overwhelmed by their emotions. This talk help parents and teenagers develop more positive relationships and also learn about what to do and what not to do when communicating with teenagers.
Developing resilience, confidence and social skills in children: Some children come out of the womb feeling brave while others seem to be gentler souls. This talk helps parents learn how to identify their children’s strengths and so they can build confidence and inner strength.
Nurturing a sense of wellbeing in the family: In these challenging times it is more important than ever to make sure we remain protective over our sense of well-being. This talk explores the fundamentals of wellbeing and highlights how we might learn to overcome obstacles to our peace of mind.
Fragile -Why we are more anxious, stressed and overwhelmed than ever before (and what we can do about it): This talk focuses upon how we are making ourselves more stressed by the choices we make and it outlines more effective strategies to ensure we feel calmer and stronger within ourselves.
Mental Well Being & Topical Issues For Professionals
Managing Gender Dysphoria within the clinical context: Gender issues have become increasingly common among young people. This talk provides in-depth knowledge combined with a practical approach that will help clinicians to work with gender-related distress.
Promoting mental wellbeing and resilience in schools: Principals and school staff are increasingly expected to nurture wellbeing within educational establishments and this talk provides a deeper understanding of how we can create positive environments and offers practical strategies to sustain mental health in your school.
Nurturing wellbeing and resilience among children: Children need to be kept safe and yet children also thrive on being challenged, this talk focuses on how professionals can balance these often conflicting concepts so that the children in their care feel confident and competent to handle the obstacles that they might face in their day-to-day lives.
Working with teenagers and their families: Mental health professionals who work with teenagers are often experienced in dealing with the storms and stresses of adolescence. This presentation brings some further focus on manging relationships, attachment within the family, the roles family members play and the importance of individuation in these pivotal years.
Working at home: Working from home can be challenging, particularly in a stressful situation like the one our workforce is currently experiencing. This talk will give you some tips to protect your health and well-being.
Building confidence in an anxious world: If you're struggling with confidence and anxiety, then feeling self-confident and safe in the world around you is hard. This talk will give advice and tips on how to manage anxiety, build confidence and assertiveness.
Nurturing a sense of well-being during challenging times: It is more important then ever to ensure our sense of well-being is protected and nurtured. This talk will give you advice and tools to achieve this.
Self Care, well-Being & resilience -Why caring for yourself is critical: Professionals can sometimes spend the bulk of their time caring for other people and forget to look after their own personal needs, this talk focuses on helping professionals to protect themselves and nurture some self-care in a demanding environment
Enjoying a work-life balance when you have a demanding family: It can feel incredibly very challenging to maintain a sense of balance between our working lives and our family lives, this talk provides some strategies to help with this challenge.
Anxiety and well-being: Anxiety is often described as an over-estimation of the danger and an under-estimation of your ability to cope. This talk provides helpful tips and strategies to learn perspective and help you feel more able to cope.
Positive body image: Constant images of idealised body images can impact our self-concept, this talk provides insight and strategies to help counteract the impact of social media
Private Clinic
If you wish to make an appointment please email me at info@stellaomalley.com. Ask as many questions as you like, as it is important that you feel comfortable before making an appointment.
Costs: Each counselling session costs €200 and lasts roughly 50-60 minutes. If you are currently facing financial challenges, I can offer a reduced fee.
Comments from clients
'Perhaps the most significant thing about psychotherapy for me was to learn how to live mindfully, to enjoy the present, instead of worrying about the past or the future.'
‘Stella helped me maintain my sobriety by helping me learn to enjoy life’.
‘I was amazed to discover that I actually enjoyed attending Counselling. I had delayed making an appointment for many years and then when I finally went I was delighted to find out that it can be an interesting, thought-provoking and enlightening process. Counselling is certainly not all doom and gloom.’
Specialising in
Mental health & well-being
Anxiety & Stress
Parenting Issues
Gender and sexuality
Addiction
Depression
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Frequently asked questions
Is it confidential? Yes. Everything you say is strictly confidential and your details will not be shared with anyone else.
What does counselling or psychotherapy involve? Everyone is different and therapy will depend on individual needs, but I generally use a Person Centered Approach within a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) framework. When appropriate I integrate other styles of therapy including a psychodynamic approach within the counselling context. I work on a 1:1 basis, however I also work as a facilitator in group therapy and couples therapy.
What are the different types of counselling and pyschotherapy? There are many different styles of counselling and psychotherapy, and different therapists work in different ways depending on which style they are trained in. It could be argued that counselling is basically either directive or non-directive. Directive counselling is often Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - the counselor may suggest some course of action or can set some 'homework' or tasks for the client. Non-directive counselling is often called the Person Centered Approach - when the client takes the lead in what is discussed and the counselor refrains from giving advice or direction.
What is Integrative Counselling? Increasingly, many counsellors in Ireland use Integrative Counselling. This means that the counselor includes a variety of approaches depending on what is best for the client and the issue.
Will I have to talk about my childhood? Perhaps but not necessarily. Many people believe that therapy always involves returning to your childhood and analysing your parents. I don’t necessarily work that way; instead I tend to focus on the present and what changes are necessary for you so that you can choose to live a more effective and fulfilling life.
Why should I attend therapy? Many people attend therapy for different reasons. Most people should attend therapy at some stage in their life. It is a courageous and pro-active decision to attend therapy. Unfortunately many people believe that they can, and therefore ‘should’ cope alone. Why? This world is an amazing, bewildering, surprising yet disturbing place. For those of us who have the opportunty, it is arguably our responsibility to at least try to live a life that feels authentic – and if you aren’t content in your life it is your choice to either ignore it or to attend to it by attending therapy.
How long will the therapy take? I am aware that some people are afraid that therapy won’t suit them and it might cost them lots of money. Therefore I offer one free trial session if you are nervous about attending therapy. Therapy can take months or you can also choose to go for brief therapy where you may want to attend for 8 sessions. We discover the goals you would like to achieve in the first session and we focus on these goals.
How often are the sessions? Once a week is ideal however it depends on the client's circumstances. Each session lasts one hour.
Do I need a therapist who specialises in a specific area? Some therapists specialise in certain areas e.g. addiction, bereavement etc. You may prefer to work with someone who specialises in a given area or you may instead prefer to work with some with whom you feel you can relate to or has been recommended to you. There is no right or wrong answer, it's your decision and it is better if you trust yourself when you choose your therapist.
When can I book an appointment? Appointments can be made at a time to suit your needs. Please contact me directly to discuss your specific requirements.
How should I pick a therapist? It is very important that you feel at ease with your therapist. I recommend that you consider different therapists before making an appointment and consider whether you think you would feel comfortable with their approach. Follow your gut instinct; personal recommendations are very useful however different people have different needs in a therapeutic relationship.
Do I need a referral from my doctor? No, you can visit a psychotherapist without a referral from your doctor if you wish.
Did you know that 75% of people can do 75% of jobs?!
We have never had more choice and this affords us the opportunity to make a choice to live the way you wish; however sometimes the choice is bewildering. Psychometric Assessment focuses on the strengths and motivations of the individual in order to help you make a satisfying choice for your career path.
To make an appointment for Career Guidance please email: info@stellaomalley.com. At certain times of the year there is a very high demand for Career Guidance and there is a waiting list. Therefore if you are thinking of booking it is recommended that you contact me as soon as possible.
We spend at least 50% of our waking life working – if you enjoy your work you will enjoy your life!
Psychometric Testing
Psychometric Assessment analyses a person’s interests, motivations, personality and aptitude. This creates an in-depth profile of the individual and chooses the careers that the person will be most likely to enjoy and will also be good at.
This intensive, private, one-to-one assessment helps the individual choose the right subject choices for a future career. It also enables a student in deciding what choices to make on the CAO form.
Psychometric Assessment is for individuals who do not know what career they should pursue in life. There are 4 stages in the assessment: Personality Assessment, Interest Inventory, Aptitude Testing and IQ Assessment. I also will interview you to give you the opportunity to give a background to your personality and to provide information on your educational and work experience ( however short); the subjects you liked most and least in school; and your hobbies & interests. The assessment takes a total of 2 hours. The assessments are interesting, thought-provoking and enjoyable.
Your answers are then analysed and approximately 2 weeks later you return for a full written analysis to explain what your answers say about you. I score the responses to all of the questions and present the results of the Occupational Interests Questionnaire, the six Aptitude Tests and the Personality Questionnaire on three separate charts. This written report is yours to keep for reference at future crossroads in your life.
The report gives a full and in-depth analysis in which the charts are interpreted against the background of the individual and the current and future work environment. In the report suggestions are made to the client as to the specific careers that you should give serious consideration and how to get into them.
Personality Questionnaire
The Personality Questionnaire has nearly 200 questions which are very short and straightforward . All that the individual has to do is read the questions and choose the most appropriate response from a choice of 3 possible responses.
Occupational Interest Inventory
In the Occupational Interests Inventory the individual is asked to indicate on the answer sheet the degree of interest he or she would have in each activity if it formed a major element in a career. The purpose of the exercise is to establish interest only so statements from the individual like “ I would love to be a doctor but I would never get the points to get into medical school” are irrelevant at this stage. All that we are interested in at this stage is what the individual is likely to get a kick out of.
Aptitude Testing
Aptitude Tests ascertain what are the innate talents of the individual – what you are naturally good at. These tests cover the most common aptitudes associated with job performance: Verbal Ability; Numerical Reasoning; Abstract Reasoning; Mechanical Reasoning; Space Relations and Perceptual Speed and Accuracy.
It is said that there are approximately 18,000 different careers to choose from!
Testimonials
Every year a random sample of clients who have taken the program five years previously are contacted to ascertain how satisfied they have been with their asessment. Results to date show a satisfaction rate of 90% of those who have responded.
"I was very pleased with my Career Guidance assessment with Stella. The experience was both reassuring and helpful. It was conducted in a relaxing environment, conducive to probing all career and training/re-training options. The series of tests she administered, while challenging in parts, proved insightful. Results of these tests were outlined in a booklet that included a comprehensive interpretation and explanation. I found the collation of the aptitude, career inventory and personality tests and how they combined to suggest particular career paths very interesting. Overall, I felt it was a very worthwhile exercise and I would recommend it to anyone looking for guidance in the area of study and career options."
"The best thing I ever did as a student was to receive Career Guidance before I filled in my CAO form."