My Media;
Here is a list of media’s where you can find me and my work.
‘Trans Kids: It’s Time To Talk’
Stella O'Malley considers the huge rise in numbers of young people embarking on gender transition, through the prism of the gender identity issues that she experienced when she was a child.
The programme aired on Channel 4 on November 21 2018.
Watch here
“This is a ***must**** see. ‘ We must do no harm’ says fearless @stellaomalley3 ”
“Compassion meets controversy in Stella O’Malley’s documentary”
“I’ve seen this documentary and it’s a great addition to the debate. Shows how what a generation ago was “tomboy” gender nonconformity now puts children (especially girls) on a trajectory towards lifelong medication.”
“Thanks for this very thoughtful document....Finally, people are talking”
“The point that O’Malley wants to make is not that medicine is wrong, but that we need to be sure we aren’t causing unnecessary damage: ”
“Wonderful, compassionate documentary.”
Letter to the Editor
22 Professionals and academics including Stella wrote to The Sunday Times to express concern about Mermaids, UK.
It was published on December 23 2018.
Read Here
Media response to ‘Trans Kids: It’s Time To Talk’
TV Review, ‘Trans Kids: It’s Time to Talk, Channel 4 — a step in the right direction'
Financial Times, November 20 2018
TV Review, 'Trans Kids: It’s Time to Talk, review: a compassionate, if divisive, addition to the debate '
The Telegraph, November 21 2018
TV Review, ‘Trans Kids: It’s Time to Talk: an engrossing if uneven documentary’
The Independent, November 21 2018
TV Review, ‘ Trans Kids - It’s Time to Talk: Empathy is great but we still have so far to go to understand the road to transition,’ The Evening Standard, November 21 2018
TV Review, ‘Trans Kids: It’s Time To Talk’, The Times, November 22 2018
Channel 4 documentary Trans Kids sparks fury on Twitter after psychotherapist says transitioning teenagers are just 'lost and being led', The Daily Mail, November 22 2018
‘Trans Kids: It’s Time To Talk shows it's time to change for our lost kids’, Irish Mirror, November 24 2018
Listen:
Telling Ray D’Arcy the whole story on RTE Radio 1, November 20 2018
Chatting on ‘The Last Word With Matt Cooper’, Today FM about gender dysphoria in December 2018
Talking to Dr Ciara Kelly, Lunchtime Live, Newstalk, about the film
November 21 2018
Read:
‘Thank God they didn’t make this tomboy trans’,
The Times, November 2018
'I think they're lost and I think they're being led': Psychotherapist who was convinced she was born the wrong sex as a 'tomboy' child says young people with gender dysphoria should NOT be encouraged to transition’
The Daily Mail, November 21 2018
'I transitioned from female to male, then realised I had made a mistake'
This article talks about ‘Trans Kids’ and also focuses on Cale’s story, who features in the documentary
The Telegraph, November 20 2018
Articles
‘There is no such thing as a ‘trans kid’: It’s time for honesty: the transgender ideology is seriously hurting young people., writes Brendan O’Neill, editor of spiked and host of the spiked podcast, The Brendan O’Neill Show.
“It [Trans-Kids: Time To Talk] was presented by psychotherapist and author Stella O’Malley. She made the point that when she was young, she was convinced she was a boy. Now, however, she is married – to a man – and has kids. She wondered what might have happened to her if she had been a boy-identifying girl today rather than in the 1980s.”
Stella O'Malley works as a freelance writer focusing on mental health and well-being concerns.
Here is a selection of some pieces recently published
Irish Independent/Sunday Independent
16/07/2023, Comment: ‘Social-media mob has fun targeting Tubridy, but shame is a toxic tool’
19/03/2023, News: ‘Trust yourself: How to help a teenager navigate social media, friendship, anxiety and romance’
19/02/2023, Book Review: ‘A modern medical scandal: What really went wrong at the UK’s controversial Tavistock gender clinic?’
28/12/2022, Comment: ‘Why you should quit the self-improvement resolutions and learn to say ‘no’ for new year
24/12/2022, Opinion: ‘Don’t feel guilty about rejecting idea of a perfect Christmas as it just doesn’t exist’
10/10/2022, Opinion; ‘Out of the Creeslough tragedy comes a reminder we can all help to ease the pain’
30/08/2022, Opinion: ‘Loneliness is a deep cut that can be healed by nurturing friendships we already have’
09/08/2022, Opinion; ‘Log off, sit out the back and feel your mood lift as you bask in the warm rays of the sun’rays of the sun’
07/07/2022, Opinion; ‘Never mind the reality, in the Irish psyche we’re always expecting a summer scorcher’
04/06/2022, Opinion; ‘When teenagers carry out gang rape and sexual assault, video it and laugh about it later, we have crossed a dark threshold’
15/05/2022, Opinion; ‘Fear of the mob’s public shaming is silencing the voice of truth'
16/04/2022, Opinion; Even in the darkest of times, evolution has hardwired us all for hope’
27/02/2022, Opinion; ‘Our kids have had a tough few years — let’s help them to find fun again’
22/01/2022, Opinion; ‘Violent attacks on women by men will fall with the right societal framework in place'
15/01/2022, Opinion; ‘It’s not ‘all men’, but the problem of male violence against women is everyone’s to fix’
01/01/2022, Opinion; ‘Tough Times have taught us to grab fun when you can’
14/09/2021, Opinion; ‘It’s time for us to venture back out into the world – or our mental health will suffer’
30/04/2021, Opinion; ‘After the long and lonely winter, summer is finally arriving - and now it’s time to pursue some well-deserved joy’
16/04/2021, Opinion; ‘Protecting yourself mentally at this time means something different for everyone’
23/02/2021, Opinion; ‘We started so well… here’s what went wrong for Irelands’ team spirit in lockdown’
14/02/2021, Opinion; ‘Locked in by Covid for almost a year, the kids aren't all right’ or download here
31/01/2021, Opinion; ‘We must confront painful truth: we are facing into a mental health crisis’
14/01/2021, Opinion; 'When a whole society turns a blind eye to evil, it takes a brave person to speak out’
16/12/2020, Opinion; ‘This Christmas, the cautious and the risk-takers will have to meet in the middle’
06/12/2020, Opinion; ‘Accusations of transphobia stifle much-needed debate’
03/12/2020, Opinion; ‘Recognising the damage done to children by puberty blockers is not transphobic’
Tuesday, 13/10/2020, Opinion; ‘Financial anxiety can cripple us, but we must confront 'the monster under the rug'
Sunday, 11/10/2020, Opinion: 'Women have very little idea how much men hate them'
Saturday, 12/09/2020, Opinion: ‘Students dealing with failure can use that painful feeling to their advantage’
Friday, 11/09/2020, Education: 'Everyone experiences failure from time to time – what sets us apart is how we react to it'
Tuesday, 08/09/2020, Comment: ‘Covid has clearly shown our unfair and disproportionate focus on Leaving Cert’
Thursday, 08/09/2020, Comment: ‘Covid has clearly shown our unfair and disproportionate focus on Leaving Cert’
Sunday, 23/08/2020, Opinion: It's time to loosen the reins and let our children roam.
Tuesday, 04/08/2020, Opinion: ‘Despite HSE advice to stop Covid, there's much more to sex than 'dial-an-orgasm’
Wednesday, 29/07/2020, Opinion: ‘Reopening schools: How to help your child return to the classroom post-Covid 19’
Tuesday, 21/07/2020: ‘We can't mask the difficulties but wearing one protects us against common enemy’
Sunday, 12/07/2020: ‘ Re-entry anxiety: Negotiating the minefield of a post-lockdown world’
Sunday, 14/05/2020, Comment: Can't we discuss this without an online mobbing. My attempt to inform people about what exactly happened with JK Rowling’s and her tweets and essay.
Sunday, 26/04/2020. A piece on what the covid-19 crisis is doing to our children's mental health.
Thursday, 28/01/2020, Opinion: Terrible things do happen - and parents must help their children to understand why. A piece in the independent about how parents can speak to their children about the terribly sad deaths of three children in county Dublin.
Saturday, 11/01/2020, Book Review: ‘The Great Pretender: Brain on Fire author tackles 'flawed and arbitrary' nature of psychiatry and diagnostics Psychology: The Great Pretender'
Sunday, 01/12/2019, Opinion: ‘Transgender Children: 'The concept of being born in the wrong body is troubling'. An interview in the Sunday Independent about the book 'Inventing Transgender Children and Young people', edited by @michelemooreEd and @brunskellevans.
Saturday, 16/11/2019, Opinion: ‘A teaching opportunity: what to do when your child is the bully’. A piece in the Irish Independent about how parents can respond if their child is accused of being a bully.
Saturday, 09/11/2019, Opinion: 'Parents mustn't shrug shoulders over their child's online activity' . Writing in this article about how parents can monitor their child’s online activity.
Wednesday, 06/11/2019, Opinion: 'In today's pornified world, teens 'sext' each other before they've even kissed'. Writing about how teens are ‘sexting’ each other before they even kiss.
Tuesday, 05/11/2019, Opinion: 'Those who plan heinous attacks live among us but we don't see their depravity until it's too late'. Writing about how we as a society need to figure out how we can effectively treat child killers.
Sunday, 03/11/2019, Opinion: 'We should all grow up about sex - and the grown-ups too'. Complexities of age of consent can't disguise that this woman was the child's teacher, writes Stella O'Malley. A piece about the 23 year old teacher, who was jailed for having sex with her 16 year old student.
Friday, 06/09/2019, Opinion: ‘'Roy Keane has locked himself into a 'hard-man' persona - but it takes real courage for men to be able to shed a tear'
Saturday, 17/08/2019, Opinion: ‘None of us can keep loved ones safe all the time - but we can all be compassionate if tragedy strikes'. An opinion piece following the tragic death of Nóra Quoirin.
Wednesday, 14/08/2019, Opinion: 'In a world where families can be struck down by an agony beyond belief, be kind to your loved ones'
Saturday, 20/07/2019, Opinion: 'If we are to be civilised, decent people, we need to be willing to stand up to evil'
Monday, 29/04/2019, News & Health: 'It's only when you love a person who has a mental illness that you realise how hard it is' The final piece in our three-part series on mental health: The right professional help and strong family support are necessary, but not a panacea, for people with mental health issues, writes psychotherapist Stella O’Malley
Monday, 22/04/2019: ‘ Why we need to learn to listen’ In this second of a three part series on mental health, Stella talks about how before we can ask people to open up about their mental health problems, we need to practise how to respond.
Monday, 15/04/2019, News & Health: ‘Why it's not always 'good to talk'... First in the Independent’s three-part series on mental health: 'We need a new wave of authentic and appropriate mental health discussions'
Tuesday, 12/03/2019, Comment & Opinion: Grooming of victims by sexual predators is a devastating betrayal of a child's trust'.
Thursday, 17/01/2019: Have we got it wrong about phones? As yet another contradictory study claims that screen time isn't as damaging for children as we first thought, psychologist Stella O'Malley sifts through the facts and asks if sometimes a little bit of bad can actually be good for us
Friday, 20/07/2018: 'Smartphone Orphans: Are Irish parents on their phones too much in front of their children?' Stella tells Independent.ie that Irish parents need to create their own boundaries and even sometimes allow their children to call them out if their smartphone use has become excessive.
Sunday, 24/06/2018: 'Children as young as four are self-harming - we can't turn a blind eye to mental health' When Stella first read about children as young as four presenting with mental health difficulties, such as self-harming behaviour and anxiety, she sighed heavily. Have we really come to this?, Stella wonders.
Thursday, 31/05/2018: ''Lies Leave Victims Shattered' Writing in Irish Independent about the effects of the adoption controversy.
Friday, 25/05/2018, Entertainment TV news: 'Hurting the ones most in need? - Parents of teens watching ‘13 Reasons Why’ should grasp this opportunity.' The return of '13 Reasons Why' sparked fresh concerns about suicide on screen, but has the industry learned from its mistakes, Stella asks in this article.
Tuesday, 01/05/2018: 'Shameful deception destroyed mothers' right to tell their children the truth.' An article talking about the smear test scandal that rocked the country in April 2018.
Monday, 02/04/2018: 'In the wake of the Belfast trial, we really must rethink how rape cases are handled'
Thursday, 09/03/2018: 'We must stop the blame game and face evil among us to protect our vulnerable'
Sunday, 18/02/2018, Life: 'Success isn't everything, kids need to learn from failure, too'
Wednesday, 25/01/2018, Life: 'How To Keep Your Child From Online Predators'
Thursday, 18/10/2017, Opinion: 'Equality can be achieved by a healthy life work balance - for us all'
Wednesday, 17/10/2017. 'Life': 'Licence To Thrill' where I explain that we are actually 'hardwired' to take risks
Monday, 25/09/2017, 'Life':'One girl would actually ‘moo’ every time I passed her in the corridors' - mum-of-one on being bullied' Denise Smith talking to me about how to cope when your child is being targeted.
Saturday, 26/08/2107, Life 'Parenting': 'Eight expert tips for raising bully-proof kids' - Eight ways to give your child the tools to navigate the minefield of growing up
Sunday, 13/07/2017, Life Magazine, Sunday Independent: ‘Boys and Girls’
Wednesday, 18/04/2017, Life: 'Raising Children in age of anxiety' Handling the anxious child – should we indulge their anxieties or ignore their anxieties?
Saturday, 17/12/2016, News: 'Tragic case highlights shameful treatment of carers in our society': discussing the mistreatment of carers in Ireland
Saturday, 03/12/2016, Opinion: 'Now is the time for adults to show they're on the child's side' : exploring how parents should respond to bullying
Saturday, 20/11/2016, Life: 'We might just end up with more Trumps - and fewer Michael Ds' : Why do we focus on performance in childhood?
Monday, 14/11/2016, Opinion: 'We should avoid "medicalising" kids who are perhaps just a bit different' : dealing with children with different needs
Wednesday, 02/11/2016, Opinion: 'Forget pay rises, the unions should be focusing on winning greater job satisfaction for workers'
Thursday, 27/10/2016, Opinion: 'Strike is teaching our children one thing: That's OK to hurt those relying on you if it means better wages'
Saturday, 13/08/2016, Opinion: 'Why letting teens like Malia make mistakes is a good parenting tip' : exploring Malia Obama smoking marijuana and how to deal with a famous Dad
Thursday, 14/07/2016, Life: 'Comment: Have we become this squalid that we sexualise a mother's kiss?' : the response to Victoria Beckham kissing her child
Saturday, 17/04/2016, Weekend: 'We should teach our kids to thrive in the system - not opt out' : About the education system
Saturday, 06/12/2015, Life: 'With Christmas comes the plea for gadgets but should kids have them' : discussing whether we allow our kids more technology
Saturday, 24/10/2015, Life: 'Most parents are actually good enough. Let them keep the final say' : how parents are losing their status and power over their children
Saturday, 26/09/2015, News: ‘It’s our job as parents to look after broken and unsure children’ : bullying and how parents can protect their kids
Friday, 11/09/2015, Opinion: 'Self-harm: How to hear your troubled teen's cry for help' : teenagers and self-harm
Saturday, 22/08/2015, Opinion: 'Teaching empathy can help our children to find success'
Wednesday, 12/08/2015 Opinion: ‘Parents must start leaving their children alone to learn life lessons’ : discussing the pressure of the Leaving Cert results
Saturday, 14/03/2015, News: 'The notion of a family comprising of a mammy, daddy & 2.4 children is a tiny moment in the history of time' - the Philip Larkin poem ‘This be the Verse...’
Saturday, 14/02/2015, Weekend Review ‘Life’: ‘Is a slap on the wrist and a quick hug afterwards more violent than a 6ft man roaring in a two-year-olds face?’
Saturday, 06/ 07/2015, Weekend Review: ''We need to take the controls back from the electronic babysitter and ensure that we have full responsibility for whatever appears on screens in our own households'
Latest Articles
08/02/2025, Irish Independent, Parents need to rethink their own screen habits before they lecture their kids
09/09/2024, UnHerd; What drives children to murder?
19/07/2023, Irish Times; ‘Helicopter free range concierge what kind of-parent are you’
18/03/2023, Independent; ‘Am I Here?: New RTÉ documentary reveals the hopes and dreams of Ireland’s homeless’
10/10/2022, The Critic; Children and gender distress: Modish answers may not be the best
19/01/2022, Independent News; How to explain the inexplicable to your children in the wake of Ashling Murphy’s murder’
09/09/2021, Evening Standard; Books; ‘The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye review: Clear and concise analysis of the issues facing trans people’
15/07/2021, Independent, Entertainment: Review: Don’t be a stranger to small talk when you’re out and about
12/07/2021, Evening Standard; Books; ‘Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality by Helen Joyce review: A tour de force’
25/06/2021, Evening Standard; Books; ‘Testosterone: The Story of the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us’
04/05/2021, Quillette.com; ‘Gaslighting the Concerned Parents of Trans Children—A Psychotherapist’s View’
27/04/2021, Culture; The Standard.co.uk; ‘ Material Girls: Why Reality Matters for Feminism by Kathleen Stock review’, Book Review
21/03/2021, Entertainment; ‘Don’t confuse being nice with being good: Jordan Peterson returns with more rules for living’, Book Review
Advice & Comment
28/04/2021, Life; ‘Lockdown made us more controlling as parents. Is it time to back off a bit?
31/03/2021, Opinion; ‘The controlling parent is having a good Covid’ Speaking to Sheila Wayman
Wednesday, 08/04/2020, 'Six ways in staying sane in a pandemic’
Thursday, 27/02/2020, News: ‘What should you tell your kids about coronavirus?’ Talking to Yvonne Hogan about what advice to give parents on telling their kids about coronavirus.
Tuesday, 25/02/2020, Family: ‘Nanny state: Should you be tracking your children?’ Talking to Yvonne Hogan in this article about the growing numbers of parents using apps to keep track of their children.
Tuesday, 13/08/2019, Life: ‘Back-to-school hacks for busy parents’ - With a new school term just around the corner, Arlene Harris gets some experts’ advice including me on how to prepare for it.
Saturday, 20/07/2019, News: 'He would be completely dehydrated' - mum tells of how transgender son avoided food and water to avoid using school bathroom’ Talking to Aoife Walsh as part of this article.
Wednesday, 01/05/2019, Life & Parenting: 'Mammy, did you hear what I said?' - Do parents need to put the phone away?’ Kathy Donaghy interviewed Stella for this interesting piece in the Irish Independent today on parents and screens.
Wednesday, 10/04/2019, Life & Family: ‘Say Yes To The Communion Dress: It's the 'bridal boutique' experience for children... but is it all just innocent fun?’ Featured in this article talking about shops offering a bridal boutique experience to kids choosing outfits for the big day - complete with photo-friendly podiums. But is it all just innocent fun?
Thursday, 21/03/2019, Entertainment & Television: Do reality TV stars need support in fame game? Sheena McGinley asked what practical advice she would give someone who was considering seeking instant "fame and fortune" via a reality TV show.
Friday, 10/08/2018: Vanity flair! - ‘We live in a society where expectation is escalating and escalating’. Featured in an article by Rose Mary Roche where she looks at the pressure on men to beef up and buff up, and asks what lies behind it.
Friday, 13/04/2018, Life: The best way to talk to young children about the abortion referendum, according to an Irish psychotherapist. An article covering Stella’s chat with radio presenter Dr Ciara Kelly, Lunchtime on Newstalk.
Sunday, 31/03/2018: Why we have to face up to the monster of anxiety. She is reluctant to call it an 'epidemic,' but psychotherapist Stella O'Malley is very clear that we need to deal with the disorder of our age: anxiety, writes Emily Hourican
Irish Examiner
Wednesday, 01/04/2020, - Parenting during Coronavirus: How to get the balance right at home
quoted in Helen O’Callaghan’s article on Parenting during Covid-19 crisis: How to get the balance right at home.
Friday, 06/02/2020, ‘The special bond between grandparent and grandchild created through childminding' - Quoted in Arlene Harris' article on grandparents minding grandchildren.
Saturday, 01/06/2019, ‘Testing times: Stress management during the exams - for students and parents’ - Experts tell Arlene Harris how parents can best respond if their child’s exams don’t go according to plan.
Other Publications
October 2019, herfamily.ie: ‘Psychotherapist Stella O'Malley on how you can spot signs of bullying in kids’
Wednesday, 02/10/2019, Irish Mirror: ‘One of Ireland’s top child psychotherapists says emphasis on grades in school is 'demoralising' teenagers’
Wednesday, 14/08/2019, Belfast Telegraph: After the death of Nora Quoirin, the world can only look on at tragedies such as this in disbelief and horror
Saturday, 06/07/2019. Irish Mirror: ‘Siobhan O'Connor: 'Quest for Instagram perfection is robbing our children of their youth'. I tell how kids as young as eight or nine are lured into putting funny pictures of themselves on phones with bunny ears and stars, the beginning of a selfie addiction.
Saturday, 29/06/2019, My interview with RSVPLive about ‘revealing the dangers of entertaining your children too much’
Sunday, 23/-6/2019, ‘Larissa Nolan comment: Ana Kriegel murder trial shows we must finally cut kids' access to porn in Ireland’ I have seen a vast increase in the number of boys coming to her “disturbing by themselves” and seeking help.
Tuesday, 17/04/2018, My interview with RSVPLive about Ireland abortion referendum 2018: How should you talk to your child about it? featured in the Irish Mirror
Tuesday, 03/04/2018, My article The conversations parents need to have with their children after the Belfast rape case featured in the Belfast Telegraph
Saturday, 23/12/2017, Longford Leader, featured in a piece on Positive Health Week at Longford town's Meán Scoil Mhuire'
Sunday Independent
Sunday, 01/04/2018: 'Golden opportunity from the sordid details of a horrible night' - It doesn't matter what side of the argument you find yourself, some good should be made of the awful Belfast rape case. Download here
Sunday, 24/12/2017: 'Beat the blues by learning to live with what life has given you' - Writing about how the sooner we lose the notion of the perfect Christmas, the sooner we can relax and enjoy it.
Sunday, 03/12/2017: 'Psychological abuse at home leaves deepest kind of scars' - Writing about how the The Domestic Violence Bill is right to take into account the trauma of psychological abuse.
Sunday, 08/10/2017: ' 'Yesterday a girl (12) described how a boy in her class sent her an explicit pic' - About parents need to monitor children's online behaviour and accept their emerging sexuality.
Sunday, 27/08/2017, Life 'Parenting': 'What you can do if your child is being bullied' - As we face into a new school year, here Stella’s explains the cliques of childhood groups, why children bully, why they get bullied, and what you can do if your child is a bully, or is bullied
Sunday, 13/08/2017, Life: 'Boys & Girls' - Here, Stella is writing in the Sunday Independent.ie Life magazine about gender confusion
Sunday, 31/07/2016, Opinion: 'Why teaching your kids 'stranger danger' will not keep them safe' : About teaching our children about Stranger Danger
Sunday, 30/03/2014, Lifestyle: 'The tethered generation' : About how our children are tethered to their screens and need to leave the mothership
Sunday, 16/03/2014, Lifstyle: 'The commodified childhood' : About how big business is making millions by creating fear, tension and insecurity in parents
Irish Times
31/08/2021: Talking with Sheila Wayman on ‘Why it’s best not to say ‘don’t be shy’ to your quiet child’
Monday, 03/05/2021: ‘Ombudsman fields over 400 grievances about school bullying’ An article on speaking at the Oireachtas Education Committee on the rise in serious bullying
Saturday, 08/12/2018: How to survive Christmas with a difficult family. Stella giving some advice as to how to cope with a difficult family at Christmas
Saturday, 21/07/2018: 'Where do children play? Annoyed resident's letter sparks debate' Do you always know where your children are? And – perhaps more importantly – should you? A debate which ran online over a letter uploaded to Twitter, which had been sent by an “annoyed resident” of Ailesbury Lawn in Dundrum, South Dublin, highlighted the divergence in people’s attitudes towards children playing outside.
Saturday, 16/06/2018. Stella spoke to Jen O Connell for this article in Irish Times 'Creepy, Actually: Romcoms mistake harassment for romance'
Tuesday, 19/12/2017, Life & Style: Writing about how ‘Christmas is gender driven. It's women believing the fun is in their hands’ where 'Women can get very stressed over Christmas . . . feeling a murderous rage’
Friday, 03/11/2017, Sharing her thoughts in an interesting piece on 'Flyers on flirting? The tricky issue of sexual consent on campus'
Saturday, 7/10/2017, Life & Style: Sharing her thoughts in Jennifer O'Connell's article 'Spy kids: the next generation of nursery surveillance devices is here' about the psychological toll on parents of nursery surveillance
Saturday, 12/08/2017, Life-Style & People: 'How to stop your child being bullied – or being a bully'
Tuesday, 07/04/2015, Books: 'Why are we over-parenting, and what damage is it doing our children?'
Irish Examiner
Friday, 22/10/2021, Creche crisis: The pros and cons of asking grandparents to become childminders. Talking to Sharon Ni Chonchur, about ‘ Creche crisis: The pros and cons of asking grandparents to become childminders’
Thursday, 30/07/2020, ‘Teenage kicks: How to keep your teens entertained on holidays ‘
Thursday, 2/11/2019, ‘Treatment delays for young people who have experienced sexual assault detrimental to recovery’. Reacting to a report from Cari, the organisation that provides support for children affected by child sexual abuse, that revealed they have a waiting list of 83 children and require more resources to provide treatment.
Friday, 09/08/2019, 86% drop in children cycling to school - In Denmark, there is a law that bans parents from driving children to school if they live less than five miles from the school, Stella thinks something similar could work here, but there are risks.
Friday, 17/08/2018, 'Well-known parents share their back to school tips?' I spoke to the Irish Examiner about the dreaded back to school thing.. Though I think i'd rather holidays lasting forever.
Saturday, 04/08/2018, 'Are Women Really Hardwired to love Thrillers?' Rowena Walsh examines a genre we can't get enough of and Stella threw her thoughts into the debate in the Irish Examiner.
Saturday, 30/06/2018, 'When mum really does know best'. Stella spoke in this article with Rowena Walsh along with other parenting experts in the Irish Examiner about managing our own children over the summer break.
Friday, 01/06/2018, 'Baby in the middle: When a new arrival turns your relationship upside down'. Stella is mentioned in the Irish Examiner talking about how babies impact relationships
Saturday, 30/06/2018, 'Therapists were relieved when the WHO listed gaming addiction as a mental health condition'. Now we can finally call this issue as we see it, Stella writes in this piece.
Sunday, 27/08/2017, Cyberbullying: 'Girls' lives can be ripped apart by angry boys who can't have them’
Journal.ie
, 09/11/2020, Wellness: ‘Young people have suffered so much this year - they need our support’
Saturday, 14/02/2020, Coronavirus: ‘We're all in this together': How to look after your wellbeing and those around you during the coronavirus outbreak’ Speaking to TheJournal.ie on how to look after your well being and that of others during the covid-19 crisis.
Tuesday, 26/02/2020, Opinion: ‘'The children I meet are often shattered by their social media use'.
Sunday, 13/08/2017, Magazine: 'Bully-Proof Kids'
Sunday Business Post
Saturday, 01/09/2017, Irish County Living: 'Bully-Proof'
Book Reviews
12/07/2021. London Evening Standard; ‘Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality by Helen Joyce review: A tour de force’
04/05/2021, Quillette.com; ‘Gaslighting the Concerned Parents of Trans Children—A Psychotherapist’s View’
27/04/2021, Culture; The Standard.co.uk; ‘ Material Girls: Why Reality Matters for Feminism by Kathleen Stock review’, Book Review
21/03/2021, Entertainment; ‘Don’t confuse being nice with being good: Jordan Peterson returns with more rules for living’, Book Review
Psychotherapist Stella O'Malley on coping with Covid-19 Anxiety | The Late Late Show | RTÉ One
'Raised by the Village', 6.30pm, Monday, June 4 2018 RTÉ One': Here's the story of two city families who need major help with parenting and are taking drastic steps to get it. In a last ditch attempt to rein them in, they’re each moving their troublesome teen to the heart of the countryside and allowing them to be raised by the village. Under the guidance of one of Ireland's top child psychotherapists, Stella O’Malley, the problem pair will get a dose of teenage life in an Irish village.
Resident parenting expert on ‘Cad Faoi Na Tuismitheoirí’ Watch here
Am I Here?' is a humane exploration of people who live on or off the streets of Ireland's capital, making visible the stories that thousands of feet walk past every day. Covering themes of trauma, addiction, and ultimately love, the documentary was called "an indictment of Ireland" by the Irish Times. It premiered on RTÉ One on the 17th April, 2023 @ 9.35pm.
Appearance on 'RTE Today' With Daithi & Maura, 23.10/2017 - Talking about occupational burnout along with Maria Sweeney
"Prime Time Special on Gender Dysphoria: Number of children seeking treatment has multiplied by 35" . Aired 9.30pm, Tuesday, January 22 2019, RTE One. Watch here.
Virgin Ireland
Monday, 10/04/2023; On Tonight VMTV talking about the criteria for trans people in sport; Watch here.
Wednesday, 03/11/2021: On Tonight VMTV talking about climate anxiety; Watch here.
Tuesday, 09/01/2018: 'Talking about Back To School Anxiety' with many students becoming quite anxious and worried about the build up of work and pressure surrounding state exams 'Watch Here'
Monday, 28/08/2017: 'Worried about your children being bullied? I was the 'Elaine' show talking about bully proofing your kids.
Tuesday, 22/08/2017, Ireland AM: Sharing advice and answering questions about bullying. 'Watch Here'
MISC
Talking to Sky News correspondent about how to talk to children on the issue of abortion as Ireland prepared for the forthcoming abortion referendum, which was held on May 25 last. 'Watch Here'
Speaking to Conall Ó Moráin for iKydz about internet safety, parenting and some general tips on how to keep kids safe online and the impact of screens on children 'Watch Here'
On The Radio
I'm a guest on a variety of radio programmes where I talk about mental and well-being topics as well as topical issues of the day.
Here's just a sample:
NewsTalk
Newstalk Breakfast, 07/08/2024, ‘Why ‘relentless’ compliments for young girls aren’t healthy’
Newstalk Breakfast, 11/07/2024, Majority of Irish people ‘do not trust the Government’
Newstalk Breakfast, 10/04/2024, ‘We don’t live in a utopia - why children should defend themelves against bullying’
Newstalk, Hard Shoulder, 31/04/2024, ‘Most people just deny’ - What to do if your child is the bully’
Times Radio UK, 05/09/2023, ‘It's not the job of the police to decide that taking a photo is a hate crime.’
Newstalk Breakfast, 09/07/2023, ‘Growing up in Ireland Report on the lives of 13-year-olds’
Newstalk, Pat Kenny Show, 07/07/2023, ‘Don’t have high expectations when travelling with children’
Newstalk, Hard Shoulder, 26/06/2023, ‘Cancel culture has an ‘insidious impact on people’s lives’
Newstalk, Hard Shoulder, 24/05/2023, ‘Competitiveness in Kids’ Sport’
Newstalk, Hard Shoulder, 11/04/2023, ‘Loneliness: A common problem in Ireland’
Newstalk, Hard Shoulder, 20/02/2023, ‘Rewriting Roald Dahl's books 'a reckless way of intruding on literature'
Newstalk Breakfast, 23/01/2022: ‘Child Mental Health Services Report Absolutely Terrifying for Families’
Newstalk ‘The Hard Shoulder’, 15/01/2023: ‘Keeping friendships later in life 'must be intentional'
Newstalk Breakfast, 12/12/2022: ‘Social media becoming a prime marketing tool for cosmetic procedures’
Newstalk Breakfast, 16/11/2022: ‘Politicians to hear about the state of our gender services’
Newstalk with Pat Kenny, 27/09/2022: ‘Is Homework really necessary?’
Newstalk with Pat Kenny, 30/08/2022: ‘Irish classrooms are still too big’
Newstalk Breakfast, 16/06/2022: ‘Dublin Pride , RTE and free speech’
Newstalk Breakfast, 18/05/2022: ‘A men-only support group is to be established next month by Bodywhys’
Newstalk Breakfast, 12/04/2022; ‘Irish hoarders and the rubbish they won’t get rid of’
Newstalk, a podcast, 23/12/2021: ‘How to get through self isolation over Christmas’
Newstalk Breakfast, 01/12/2021: ‘Where is Tony the Holohan for Mental Health’
Newstalk Breakfast, 01/12/2021; ‘Keep calm and carry on ! How can we maintain our mental resilience in the days’
Newstalk, The Pat Kelly Show, 08/11/2021: ‘Children who have a good relationship with their father are happier ESRI Report Finds’; Speaking about the importance of a good dad.
Newstalk, The Pat Kenny Show, 12/10/2021: Children’s access to online pornography should be tackled at primary school level. Speaking in reaction to comments made by a high court judge recently.
Newstalk Breakfast, 28/09/2021: ‘Imposter syndrome could be ripe among Covid era students’ Talking about it more here.
Newstalk Breakfast, 26/05/2021: ‘Hear how to talk to your children about bad news stories’ Giving some tips and advice
Newstalk Breakfast, 02/012/2020: ‘Should under 16s need permission to access puberty blockers’
Newstalk Breakfast, 29/10/2020: ‘Raising your child are as ‘Theybie’ - Is it a good idea’
Newstalk Breakfast, 15/08/2020: ‘2000 appointments scheduled HSE mental health services compared to 2019’
Newstalk Breakfast, 04/08/2020: ‘Should young people turn to online sex to prevent Covid-19’
Newstalk Breakfast, 31/08/2020: ‘Irish Happiest people in Europe when it comes to relationships’
Newstalk Breakfast, 07/07/2020: Discussing plans to change transition process for transgender teens.
Newstalk Breakfast, 12/05/2020: Discussing whether keeping schools closures during covid-19 could damaging to our children.
Newstalk, Breakfast, 28/02/2020: Discussing how to talk to children about the coronavirus.
Newstalk Breakfast, 03/04/2019: ‘Would you let your young daughter go to a make up party?’ Joined a discussion on this issue
The Hard Shoulder, 11/09/2018: ‘Would you smash your child's device if they misbehaved?’ I discussed disciplining your children with Ivan Yates.
Lunchtime Live, 05/09/2018: 'The real meaning behind 'This Little Piggy' I talked to Ciara about nursery rhyme, and why the real darkness behind them is nothing to worry about.
Newstalk Breakfast, 13/08/2018: "999 service for mental health" Mental Health Minister Jim Daly outlines a new phone & online mental health service that he hopes to roll out in 2018. I give my reaction.
The Hard Shoulder, 07/08/2018: Is Shouting at your children as bad as shouting? : Telling Kieran the long term effects of shouting.
Newstalk Breakfast, 31/07/2018: 'Why are our youths as anxious as ever? Giving my reaction to new stats from Jigsaw that says anxiety among youths is at an epidemic level.
Ivan Yates on Newstalk, 19/97/2018: 'When is it ok to leave kids home alone' Discussing what is an appropriate age to leave children home alone.
Newstalk Breakfast, 19/06/2018: ' Helicopter Parenting-How damaging is it to your child?' Discussing the issue of helicoptering parenting and and how damaging is it to your child?
Newstalk Lunchtime Live, 31/05/2018 : 'The effects of this adoption controversy run deep': Talking to Ciara about the effects of the adoption controversy, and listeners told their adoption stories. Listen Here.
Newstalk Breakfast, 17/05/2018: 'Friend or Foe to your child' Discussing if fairytales are damaging to our children after research showed that 1 in four parents are changing fairytales as they feel they are inappropriate. Listen Here.
Newstalk Breakfast, 20/04/2018: 'Should Parents Reward their children with Sweets?' Speaking about the pros and cons of rewarding your children with sweets. Listen Here
Lunchtime Live, 10/04/2018: 'How do you talk to children about the abortion issue?' Giving Dr Ciara Kelly some advice on how to approach talking to children about abortion, if it comes up. Listen Here
Lunch time live, 29/03/2018: 'Is porn culture destroying our young people? Talking to Richard Chamber wondering about social media and porn culture, as we tried to dissect what we can learn from the Belfast trial. Listen Here
Lunchtime Live,16/01/2018.'Are Children Refusing to go to school from anxiety.' Chatting to Dr Ciara Kelly on how to deal with children who are refusing to go to school. Listen Here
Lunchtime Live, 01/12/2017: ‘Is bribing your children a legitimate parenting technique’. Talking to Dr Ciara Kelly about why bribing or incentivising can work when parenting. Listeners also got involved. Listen Here
Lunchtime Live, 19/09/2017: ‘How Do You Prepare Your Child For Dangers of Bullying’ Listen Here
Interview with Sarah Carey, 17/06/2017: Talking about the ISPCC ‘Headbomz’ ad and whether we should shield our children from mental health issues. 'Headbombz' ad and children' Listen Here
Interview with Pat Kenny, 17/02/2015: Talking about how are we raising a generation of cotton wool kids. ' Listen Here
RTE RADIO
Speaking to Brendan O’Connor about ‘Celebrity Court Cases & Toxic Relationships’, 04/06/2022
Speaking on ‘Drive Time’ about how it really does take sixty years for us to be happy with your body, 60 years to love your body, 04/08/2021
Speaking on ‘Drive Time’ about adults still living with their parents, 09/07/2021
Speaking on ‘Today with Claire Byrne’ about Naomi Osaka Withdrawal From French Open 01/06/2021
On the Brendan O’Connor show on RTE 1 with author Kathleen MacMahon speaking about self confidence and women, 08/05/2021
Speaking with Ciara Ni Bhroin about ‘why the ‘new normal’ will be a slow adjustment to some people, 09/05/2021. Here was I was talking about people’s anxieties as we finally come out of Lockdown.
Talking on RTE Radio 1 that there has been a noted increase in instances of serious school bullying resulting in physical and/or sexual assault, 04/05/2021. Listen
Talking with Sarah McInerney on Drive time about increase in school bullying, 04/05/2021
Talking with Sarah McInerney on Drivetime about Social media and body image, 29/01/2021
Talking with Katie Hannon about ‘Coping with Covid-19’, 28/12/2020
Talking with Claire Byrne about Meghan Markle writing about her miscarriage, 25/11/2020
Talking with Sarah McInerney about when shopping becomes an addiction. 11/06/2020
Talking with Marty Morrissey on ‘The Ryan Tubridy Show’ about the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects and difficulties, 13/04/2020
Reacting to a report from Cari, the organisation that provides support for children affected by child sexual abuse, that revealed they have a waiting list of 83 children and require more resources to provide treatment, 21/11/2019 - Listen Here.
Talking on ‘Drive Time’ to Mary about Fine Gael Senator Jerry Buttimer's call for parenting classes to be made mandatory for the parents of youth offenders, 21/10/2019 - Listen Here
Interview with Cormac Ó hEadhra on 'Today With Sean O'Rourke, 14/08/2017 - Talking about Bully-Proof Kids' Listen Here
Interview with John Murray, 8/04/2015 - Talking about Cotton Wool Kids ' Listen Here
Interview with Dave Fanning, 12 /08/2015- Talking about the Leaving Certificate ' Listen Here
today FM
The Last Word with Matt Cooper, 02/06/2022: ‘The Last Word On Health : Panic Attacks’
The Last Word with Matt Cooper, 05/08/2021: ‘Why Body Image Improves with Age’
Podcast with Mairead Roan, 18/05/2021: ‘ My husband says he hates our son’ - a brave mother’s asks Mairead for help.
The Last Word with Matt Cooper, 04/05/2021: Talking about increase in bullying in our schools. Listen at 53 mins.
The Last Word with Matt Cooper, 17/08/2020: Is Lockdown bringing out the worst in our Teenagers?
The Last Word with Matt Cooper, 04/08/2020: ‘HSE Advise Young People To Stop Having Sex And 'Dial-An-Orgasm' Instead’
The Last Word With Matt Copper, 21/01/2018:
Should RTÉ Drop Graham Linehan From Transgender Debate? Discussing with Matt and other guests whether RTE should drop Graham Linehan from Prime Time Special on Transgender Issues, aired on Wednesday, January 23 2019. Listen Here.
Are Teenagers Putting Popularity Over Online Safety? 11/01/2019. Concerns have been raised about the safety of young people who use Yubo, a social media app which is being described as "Tinder for teens". Here Stella discusses along with other guests how some teenagers are making friends with people are strangers and who could be predators. Listen Here.
Psychotherapist Stella O'Malley adds that teenagers are "making friends with people who are strangers and who could be predators.
The Last Word With Matt Cooper, 02/07/2018: 'Is Love Island Promoting Unrealistic Body Ideals? I joined Matt and other panelist to discuss this popular show where I added that Love Island is "cementing the idea that if you look good, the world is your oyster, and if you don't, you're of no value. It's a depressing message." Listen here
Saturday Breakfast With Alison Curtis, 16/09'/2017,: 'What Every Parent Needs To Know About Dealing With Bullies' I joined Alison on Weekend Breakfast, who was very intrigued by my insights. Listen Here
The Last Word With Matt Cooper, 23/08/2017, : Talking about how to 'Bully-Proof Your Kids'
Sunday Brunch, 11/12/2016: 'Avoid the Family Drama this Christmas'. Sharing my advice on avoiding arguments over Christmas. Listen Here
The Last Word With Matt Cooper, 16/04/2015: 'What's making Irish parents paranoid?' I share my advice on avoiding arguments over Christmas Listen Here
kfm
Kildare Focus, 25/04/2018: Chatting to Ciara Plunkett on raising happy kids in an anxious world. Listen Here
Kildare Focus, 25/01/2018: Talking to Ciara Plunkett on how to support a child with anxiety' . Listen Here
Kildare Focus, 08/01/2018: Talking to Ciara Plunkett about 'Bully-Proof Kids: Practical tools to help them' Listen Here
MISC
Midlands 103, 12/04/2023: ‘More Than Half Of People Felt Lonely Last Month’
RnaG, 22/11/2022' : ‘Stella O’Malley, Síciteiripeoir agus Údar’
Midlands 103, 29/02/2020: ‘Parents Urged To Reassure Children About Coronavirus’
Midlands 103, 06/02/2019: “Parents, Stop Demonising Phones – Take Responsibility”
BBC Radio Ulster Discussion Panel, 03/08/2018: Talking about the benefits of risk!
Voice of Islam Radio, 29/06/18: An interesting conversation about children's mental health. “Humans in distress often internalise it & hurt themselves to release pain. If a child is dark/mean/negative towards themselves – that is a red flag. Parents need to acknowledge this & to address it.” - @stellaomalley3 (Psychotherapist & author)
KCLR FM, 02/10/2017: KCLR Live talking with Eimear Ní Bhraonáin
WLR FM, 30/04/2015: Interview with Billy McCann 'Talking about competitive parenting leading to insecure parents '
Testimonials from a recent parenting talk at Belvedere College
“Yes well done for organising!
She is so down to earth & relatable.
Some speakers can make you feel like you’re everything wrong but Stella certainly doesn’t.
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“What a WONDERFUL talk. She is absolutely fantastic. Thanks so much.”
“I’m blown away by this, so much great advice can we have part 2 please!!! She is lovely and so honest with no nonsense!! Thanks all and congratulations on a most successful talk .”
“Your talk was really helpful. Just “like sitting down having a coffee with a friend” was one piece of feedback! I totally agree.
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“I am in fourth year student and I just wanted to get in touch to say thank you for your talk today. We get a lot of speakers in to our school but I can honestly say yours was the most personal, interesting and enjoyable one we’ve had since I’ve been in the school.
I admire what you do and I found some of the things you said today very helpful. Thank you very much for coming to visit the school.”
“ “Superb talk tonight by Stella on Bully-Proof Kids - Very engaging and learned a lot.””
“I really liked the way Stella O’Malley took her lead from the Q&A function. Made it very interactive and pertinent to parents’ concerns/comments.”
“Stella’s talk was fascinating; packed with practical information and startling insights into human behaviour. I’d recommend this talk to anyone.”
“I was surprised how much I benefited from this talk - after the evening I was finally motivated to have the courage to live my life according to my own beliefs and values - and not everyone else.”