Halloween is one of those special nights in a child’s calendar. Where nearly every neighbour, except, of course, the ones who turn off the lights and sit in darkness, have an Everest of sweets and all you have to do to procure a fist full is wear something scary, call in and utter those magic…

WHEN we decide to have children we never think that our child will be anything but healthy and happy so a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) can really challenge parents and leave them wondering what the future will hold for their child. In my experience parents can be quite reticent to bring their child…

As a systemically trained family psychotherapist, much of the work I do is with families in crisis. Whether that is due to separation, addiction, or mental health issues, the family can come under pressure from many facets of modern life. However, over the years, I have found working with families who are homeless or in…

We are now five weeks into the school year and filling out their CAO form to decide their future is becoming a reality for sixth-year students. In my work, I often meet young adults, their head down, anxiously describing how they don’t know what they want to do after school. Perhaps we put too much…

Cork is one of those special cities. A place where everyone is somehow connected to each other, where your neighbour has your house key and is there when you need support or a bottle of milk. So, when something tragic happens it happens to us all, because, as I said, we are all connected. I…

IN my work, as a systemically trained family psychotherapist, I am always looking at the ecologies in which we live. None of us exist entirely on our own; we are all part of many systems at all times. Whether that is the family, school or the wider societal system, and we are perpetually receiving feedback…

My 16-year-old son changed school this year due to bullying in his old school. I was very worried about him last year and really was at a loss as what to do. His father passed away when he was eight and I don’t think he has ever gotten over that. His young brother has needs…

In last week’s article I wrote about the urgent need for parents to teach their children how to cope with adversity so that they can successfully manage many of the challenges they will face over the course of their life. I suggested that the study, carried out by the Union of Students in Ireland into…

As exam pressure mounts ahead of the Junior and Leaving Cert next month, parents have been advised to keep calm and shelve their own anxieties. There’s just five weeks to go until around 120,000 schoolchildren will complete their tests all over the country. Family therapist Richard Hogan has told how mums and dads need to…

IRELAND’S first study into college students’ mental health has revealed some very worrying trends. The study, carried out by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), has elucidated some figures that should serve as a serious warning to teachers, parents and policy makers. Our students, the study shows, are struggling with serious mental health conditions…