Psychotherapy Training and Accreditation
Stephen received a Diploma in Counselling from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) in 2001 and a Masters in Psychotherapy from the University of Sheffield in 2010. He has completed extensive postgraduate training in Gestalt therapy, completing the Certificate in Gestalt and the the Advanced Diploma in Gestalt Therapy with the Dublin Gestalt Centre. He has also attended 5 international summer residential programmes in Gestalt Therapy with Bob and Rita Resnick of GATLA (Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles).
Stephen has also done extensive further training in many areas including Group Facilitation, couples counselling, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), EMDR, sexuality and sexual orientation, sexual abuse, and sensorimotor psychotherapy (Level 1).
He has a Diploma in Supervision from the Dublin Counselling and Therapy Centre. Stephen is an accredited counsellor and supervisor with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).
Counselling and Psychotherapeutic Approach
Stephen works with a wide range of issues that can arise for individuals both within the workplace and in personal life. Many of these issues can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, panic, low self-esteem, confusion, relationship difficulties, or negative behavioural and thought patterns. The main therapeutic influence on his work is the Gestalt approach, which emphasises the importance of relationship and dialogue between the therapist and client.
He works closely with individuals at a deep level to help explore and understand the issues underlying these feelings. He is particularly interested in working on issues around relationships, self-esteem, sexuality, and in existential issues such as living a more meaningful life. He also works with couples and with therapy groups.
Counselling Experience and Areas of Interest
Stephen has worked as a therapist in private practice since 2001. He established Mind and Body Works in 2002 and in the background he is actively involved in the management of the centres. He was originally a Business Studies and Human Resources graduate from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and has a background of over 12 years experience in personnel management.
He is very interested in the training of psychotherapists and has worked as group therapist on the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Trinity College Dublin since 2010. He has also previously been involved with other psychotherapy training courses including the Dublin Counselling Centre and Tivoli Institute, working in roles such as group supervisor, group facilitator and skills trainer. He also worked as tutor on the Certificate in Counselling with NUI Maynooth.
Stephen regularly runs a number of workshops for therapists and related professionals around Working with Gestalt Therapy, Sex and Sexuality, and Understanding Gay and Lesbian Sexuality. He is available for individual supervision and group supervision to counsellors and psychotherapists in both IACP and IAHIP and to professionals working in related services.