I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to return to college last year (2022) and I have just received my certificate from University College Cork in Continuing Professional Development in Responding to Problem Gambling. It’s been a few years since I was in college so I have to say I was a bit apprehensive to do the course but excited also. I just love learning! Why a course in Problem Gambling? Over the last few years, I have seen an increase in people seeking support around their gambling and felt the training would support my work. The pandemic has impacted people's gambling: how they gamble, how often they gamble and how much with many people developing gambling problems during this period. It is now much easier to place a bet with the explosion of online gambling. Paddy Power, reported a 30% increase in revenue in the third quarter [...]

This week I reopened my counselling practice! I am so delighted to be back at work. It almost feels normal but not the same as before if you catch my drift. I had to do a lot of preparation before I opened: creating a COVID-19 policy, rewriting my counselling contract, ensuring signs, sanitizer etc are on the premises. Basically doing what I can to ensure that myself and my clients are safe. BUT the biggest preparation I had to do was within myself. What I'm talking about is getting emotionally ready. I could have opened weeks ago but I just didn't feel ready and what I really mean is I didn't feel safe. Safety is a big thing for us humans, when we don't feel safe we feel under threat. This can activate our fight, flight or freeze responses. So, for me, it was important that I waited until I [...]

'Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness' Desmond Tutu I really love this quote. In the last few months having hope may have been very challenging for us. It's hard to stay hopeful with all the sickness and bad news we are hearing about. But, here in Ireland, the light is starting to shine through. On Monday, the restrictions we have been living with began to lift. Just some small changes but changes none the less. I love gardening and as the garden centres are open now I headed off to my local one to have a look. It was really quiet there which kinda surprised me but I guess there is still fear out there. But I'm not writing to tell you about my trip to the garden centre but more about how I was affected by it. Basically, I walked [...]

Surviving the Pandemic. Life with Restrictions in 2020   Its strange times, this era of covid 19. The world is scared. I’m scared and feeling uncertain of how this will pan out. Everyday people are getting sick with covid 19, people are dying. It’s a time of reflection for me, what was, what is and what will be. Every household is adjusting to massive change and mine is no different. I have to admit that I don’t like being restricted. I like my freedom, to be able to come and go as I please so I can sometimes feel claustrophobic. When this happens I know I need some time to myself. Whether it’s a quick walk, a cuppa in the garden or calling a friend it’s something I need to do to take care of myself.  I am definitely appreciating the simple things in life.   The Weekly Shop I [...]

What is stress? Stress is a physical response to a situation. When we perceive something as threatening our body goes into fight or flight mode. This causes our body to release hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol to prepare the body for action. The release of these chemicals causes different sensations in the body such as faster breathing, heart-pounding, and increased energy. This is all to prepare the body to act. If we are constantly in this stressed state problems can develop and the challenge is when our body goes into a stressed state for every event.   How can you be affected? When coping with a family members alcohol or drug use we can often be in a heightened stressed state. This can be damaging to our health and relationships as we are constantly living on the edge, waiting for the next crisis. This can result in [...]

Getting into treatment is one of the first steps in the right direction for a recovery survivor, but when a relapse (or multiple relapses) occur and the traditional 12-step program isn’t cutting it on its own, it may be time to incorporate alternative treatment methods into an otherwise traditional agenda. Obviously, this would be a move that should be discussed with a doctor, as there may be specific underlying health issues that need to be taken into consideration. For the most part, many individuals are able to maintain sobriety when infusing one or more secondary techniques into their routines. While yoga and meditation are among the most commonly discussed options because of their stress-busting benefits, there are other methods worth discussing, too. Acupuncture This ancient Asian practice involves inserting thin needles into specific trigger points to help detoxify and reduce withdrawal symptoms and muscle aches while controlling cravings. As this [...]

Starting counselling for the first time can be really daunting so I’m writing to ease that first experience. If you have never been for counselling before you won’t know what to expect which can add to feelings of anxiety and apprehension around it. The important thing to remember is that you have decided to come for counselling for a reason so make the most of the experience for your own wellbeing. In the first session, I will complete an intake form which gathers some general information such as age, occupation, family information etc. I will also go through the verbal contact to make it safe for us to work together. To get a better indication of why you have come for counselling I will also ask questions about: How you have been feeling lately. What are the main concerns you want to talk about? Medical history. Drug and alcohol [...]

Oh no you’ve had a drink/drug/bet, let’s get out a big stick and beat you with it! The dreaded relapse is something many people fear. They can look on it negatively which is a pity really because then the lesson is missed. A relapse doesn’t ‘just happen’ There is always a lead up to it and herein lies the learning. When we look on a lapse negatively we can miss on the personal learning that is in it. While that may be hard to hear at the time identifying thought patterns and behaviours leading up to the lapse can be a revelation. Plus it can also prevent future lapses. Unfortunately many people look on a lapse with distain and disappointment which can further compound the feeling of guilt and failure. So let’s look at the learning that we can take from a relapse. What do you need to [...]

You are allowed to have fun in recovery so in this blog I wanted to write about protecting your sobriety over the summer. As there are always festivals, concerts and a whole load of social activities  it’s important that you take steps to mind your sobriety. The temptation to drink or use is always there but the risk increases when you are at an event, particularly when you are surrounded by people drinking and using. The question you have to ask yourself is ‘are you in a place in your recovery where you feel strong enough to resist and say no?’ So, if you are going to an event there are some things you can do to take care of yourself and of course enjoy every moment of it. Surround yourself with family and friends who support your recovery. Identify in your group who won’t be [...]

Unfortunately suicide has become much too prevalent in Ireland. We have seen an increase in people taking their lives spanning all age groups. Now this blog isn’t going to be about trying to understand why someone takes their life, that’s a topic for another day. What I am going to write about is what happens after, what happens with the family and friend that are left. I have seen plenty of blogs, articles and papers about anxiety, depression and mental health and I have great understanding and empathy around it. We need these writings to raise awareness around suicide. We also need people to know that someone that takes their life isn’t being selfish or self-centred. They are at a really low point in their life and for reasons of their own are unable to see a way out and ask for support. With the devastation after a [...]

What’s it like to be a teenager growing up today? Have you ever sat down and really thought about this question?  If you have kids or teenagers now would be a good time to sit and really think about it. I would love to hear your thoughts. I have to say I really admire and respect our young people. I love their honesty and enthusiasm for life. I love their energy and the fact they can challenge our thinking and beliefs. Even though we adults think we know it all, sometimes we need to stop, listen and learn from our young people. The Challenges. Young people are really up against it in today’s society. Everything has become so hurried, rushed and frantic. Fast Wi-Fi, phones, exams, jobs, hobbies. We have our kids rushing from one activity to another. Where’s the down time, where’s the time to [...]

Let’s go for one drink? That is often the rock people perish on! One turns into two which turns into three and so on. What often starts as one drink can turn into an all-out binge. In Ireland drinking alcohol (by the gallon!) is engrained in our culture. We are a nation of binge drinkers, that’s just the way it is, we have no off button, no meter to say when enough is enough. When working will clients to reduce their alcohol consumption they are genuinely shocked when I tell them the recommended limit; 11 units per week for a woman, 17 units per week for a man. We genuinely don’t know this, it’s not that we are ignoring the information it’s just that if we don’t have any serious negative consequences (except the odd hangover!) we don’t seek out this information. Drink Vs Drugs What [...]

Happy New Year from Eileen at Inner Healing Counselling It’s that time again where we reflect on the past year and plan for the New Year. Resolutions are made and broken, often within the first hour!! 2016 has been a very busy year for me. I have been working really hard in my practice and am learning so much in the process. I am now a registered business owner which is something I am really excited about. I have launched my online counselling service, learnt how to market my practice and have to say I am enjoying the new skills I am developing. I have become pretty apt at updating my website and am constantly learning which is great. I love being challenged and my practice is definitely keeping me on my toes. Challenging Times. Last year in my new year’s blog I wrote about [...]

Traditionally addiction treatment centres in Ireland are abstinence 12 step based, using a combination of educational talks, one to one counselling and group therapy where clients are admitted for a 4 to 6-week program. However, the increasing popularity and success of complementary therapies have meant that some treatment facilities now incorporate some of these therapies into their treatment program. So what complementary therapies are being used and how does it support client’s treatment and recovery? Complementary Therapies such as equine therapy and yoga are excellent practices when recovering from an addiction. Equine Therapy Equine therapy is an effective treatment for people struggling with issues like depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol dependence. Horses are sensitive animals who are tuned into what people are projecting and feeling. The horse will react differently depending on how the person is projecting and the horse will react by either approaching [...]