One of the most challenging and rewarding occupations is care-giving. Recently, I delivered a talk to the Filipino Carers’ Lifeline Association of Ireland. The topic was ‘compassion fatigue’. The term compassion fatigue was first coined by Dr Charles Figley, who became more and more fatigued listening to horror stories of war told by US soldiers…

HAPPINESS can be such an elusive concept. What does it truly mean anyway? When everyone’s idea of happiness is unique to them. I regularly hear the same declaration in my clinic: ‘I just want to be happy.’ Often clients seek out therapy because they come to realise that they are not happy in the life…

Over the last four weeks, I had the privilege of hosting three members of the Badjao tribe from the Philippines in my house. I have worked closely with them over the last 10 years as part of a charity programme I organise for Catholic University School. It has been one of the most rewarding aspects…

 I really need help with my teenage son. I recently went through a very difficult separation, we are still not out of it yet but things are beginning to settle down. My son had a very good relationship with his father but that has changed over the last number of months. My ex husband…

My 13-year-old son has changed a lot in the last year. He was always easy going and had loads of friends but now I find he doesn’t want to go out and spends far too much time in his bedroom. He also tells me that he is anxious and he has recently stopped going to…

Toxic masculinity. Nothing has divided public opinion quite like this topic in recent times. It has launched people like Jordan Peterson into the stratosphere, while toppling others. But what is toxic masculinity? Well, it is a type of masculinity that colonises and subjugates. It is oppressive and dominates, like Shelley’s Ozymandias all must obey its…

Our nation, and maybe especially Dublin, the capital, is bracing for the devastation that this weekend’s St Patrick’s Day festivities leave in their wake. I have doubts about St Patrick’s Day. For years, I have walked through the town the day after the celebrations and seen broken glass, vomit, blood, shop fronts defaced, and the…

Last week I explored the nature of anxiety. I discussed the amygdala and how we are hardwired to experience a bout of anxiety from time to time. In this week’s column I am going to outline how parents can support their child suffering with anxiety. If we step back from the disorder it does seem…