depression

Coming off medication – can counselling help?

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The below article by Ceire Sadlier describes her experience involving both Doctors and Counsellors as she gradually decided to come off medication for anxiety & depression.

She describes something that many clients can feel namely the pressure to “come off” medication which can be unhelpful and in some cases dangerous if not managed correctly.

The article also describes an initial negative (and expensive) experience when looking for counselling support.  This is something many clients describe which underlines the need for clients to research their therapists and to look around until they find one which fits and where a therapeutic relationship can develop.

What may work for one client in terms of a therapist may not necessarily work for another.  Therapists have been trained in different modalities and also often have specific specialties and post qualification training in specific areas.  All questions to ask about when making contact.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/it-is-three-months-since-i-took-the-last-anti-depressant-1.3275077

Battling Burnout?

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Burnout is something  many clients visit a counsellor for – often describing it in relation to work and family commitments.

The  ICD 11 (International Classification of Diseases) lists it now as an occupational phenomenon, describing chronic workplace stress that can bring about

  • feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
  • increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and
  • reduced professional efficacy.

It also notes Burnout refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life.  Of course there can be more to it than that as other aspects of life can also influence the occupational phenomena, such as self employment.  This  article from the Irish Times articulates that an exact definition is elusive.  Here is another relevant article on the issue.

Our team has practitioners with specific experience linked to supporting clients with burnout in workplace/occupational settings.  Many have worked with EAP (employee assistance services) covering areas like workplace bullying,  illegal or unreasonable performance standards and lack of consideration around supporting neurodivergent employees.  Also we can provide support  supporting self employed people from burning out alongside those navigating demanding workplace environments with family or chronic health demands.

If you make contact here we can discuss what may be useful in more detail

Economic Boom & Bust – The “business cycle” and mental health

/ Talk Therapy Dublin / 2 Comments

Over the past seven years my community based work as a therapist and in advocacy roles has put me face to face with the harsh effects of economic recession.

I have worked with many individuals & families experiencing first hand the effects of sudden homelessness,  unexpected unemployment and serious accommodation issues to name but a few.

These experiences have repeatedly brought home to me how economic recession and the “boom bust” nature of the business cycle has serious implications for the nations mental health.

As we experience a new part of this cycle,  it is worth pausing to think about whether our current approach to areas like health, housing and employment has evolved at all in light of recent experiences.

This becomes more urgent when considering impending changes to global corporate tax policy, Brexit and our growing/ageing population are all likely to figure in the next phase of this cycle.

This article highlights results of research led by Trinity College Dublin (based on the Growing Up in Ireland study)  and puts some data and context behind the discussion.

Counselling support for women who have had abortions

/ Talk Therapy Dublin / 3 Comments

Abortion is an emotive, divisive topic often discussed with a  judgmental tone that can leave many women feeling alienated.

This article from the Irish Independent discusses significant gaps in Irish counselling supports for women who have undergone an abortion.

Having worked with a number of women whose mental health has been affected by their experience of abortion in this country, I think it is worth pausing to consider the reality of the current situation.

  • Are the current support systems across the Republic of Ireland adequate for women who either choose or are forced to undergo an abortion?
  • Is the experience different for women not linked to the national maternity hospitals?
  • What support is there for those using abortion pills?

With a variety of practitioners experienced supporting women in a non judgmental professional manner Talk Therapy Dublin is available to provide support or information on this issue.