I am Mary, and I welcome you to my website. I am a qualified holistic psychotherapist based in Galway and a member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Your Story
Our lives are a series of stages or transitions. A transition is psychological process that a person goes through in order to come to terms with a new situation. They can be difficult, can cause fear and anxiety. However if it wasn't for transitions we would never change or reach our potential. A transition can make you reflect where your life has been and where it's going. Therapy can help you discover how best to manage these stages in life. It is only through self-awareness, self-understanding and compassion that we can work towards becoming best versions of ourselves. Together I work with my client to establish where they are at in their life journey and help them discover who they are and to find meaning and purpose in life.
Everyone's story is unique, important and special. I want to hear your story and help you feel empowered by your uniqueness.
If you need guidance, understanding and a safe non-judgemental space to explore and discover who you are and how to move forward, contact me.
I look forward to meeting you and working together.
Life is a journey not a destination
My Story
I am a qualified holistic psychotherapist based in Galway and a member of the IACP - Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I have a BA (Hons) in Holistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, and a Diploma in Psychology of Counselling. I also have a background in business and management and I am a graduate of the Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII).
In my early 40's I decided to change career path. Having worked in marketing and managerial roles I felt there was something more for me. I spent a long time deliberating what I would like to do and what type of work I would be best suited to. I chose psychotherapy as I wanted to make a difference by helping others. Over the years I have seen many friends and family struggle with what life has thrown at them and at times I myself have found life difficult. I spent five years studying psychology and the human condition. I have gained much more than I expected from my training and found myself on my own journey of self-discovery in exploring and reflecting on the person I am and who I want to be. There are only two promised days in life - the day we are born and the day we die. Nothing else is guaranteed and we don't have much control or answers regarding our destiny but I believe in living authentically whilst here on this earth and feel this can only be achieved when you know who you are and what's important to you. That's what I wish for my clients - to discover who they are.
As human beings, we may never fully understand ourselves and practice doesn't always make perfect but it definitely helps to progress on this life long journey of self-discovery.
Our Story
I trained as a holistic counsellor and psychotherapist and I presently work with individuals aged 18 and over. My main approach is Person Centred but I also draw from other therapy approaches such as Gestalt, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psychosynthesis, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EDMR).
EDMR is a type of therapy that helps people heal from difficult or upsetting experiences in their past that are still affecting them today. During EMDR, you talk with a therapist about your experience while also doing simple side-to-side eye movements (or other types of gentle back-and-forth actions). This helps your brain process and store the memories in a new, less painful way.
Many clients come to see me when they feel unsure about who they are or feel stuck in a particular stage of life. A mountain is sometimes used as a metaphor for life. On the climb of life, we encounter many stages along the way and these transitions challenge and test us. However we can also discover who we are, what our purpose in life is and what's important to us. The circumstances of everybody's life journey is different as everyone is unique. I work with my client to create a space so they can develop an awareness of what is preventing them from living their life to its fullest. It is only through self-awareness, self-understanding and compassion that we can work towards becoming best versions of ourselves. I adapt from a range of therapeutic approaches and techniques depending on each client's particular issue and what they are seeking to achieve in therapy. I believe the relationship between therapist and client is at the heart of the process of change in therapy.
So for anyone who feels they are at a crossroads in life, feels stuck, feels they have lost a sense of themselves or feels they have lost their way, we can work together to help you connect to who you really are and to become the narrator of your own story.
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken
Having done my own personal therapy and being on the other chair as a client, I admire the courage it takes for a client to attend therapy. I always value this truly unique and special vocation. I cherish the privilege of my role as a therapist and trust the process of the work.
Life transitions that I work with:
- Early adulthood – leaving home, starting college, new job
- Anxiety and stress issues – including low self esteem
- Relationship issues - including family and friends
- Circumstantial issues - becoming a parent, career transition, separation, divorce
- Sexual issues - exploring sexual identity
- Loss and grief including illness – losing a loved one, coming to terms with serious illness
- Identity issues - loss of your sense of where you fit in in the world
- Middle years – the sandwich years – loss of a sense of who you are
- Female midlife specialist – including menopause, who am I without expectations from others
- Later years – retirement, existential issues, what now?
What's the Story?
Reignite Pathways Together
Monday 19 May 2025
"Reignite Pathways Together" was created by Mary Lynn and Sandra Hannon after noticing a growing number of midlife clients, male and female alike, especially since Covid, were reporting feeling stuck, unmotivated, or at a crossroads. This 'midlife crisis' affects not just individuals, but also their families, workplaces, and overall wellbeing.
Research shows many employees and even leaders are simply coasting — lacking purpose, energy, and direction. Midlife, including menopause and andropause, is an important conversation that we often avoid.
This programme encourages self-discovery, purpose, and open dialogue in a supportive and interactive setting. The result? More engaged, energised individuals and healthier, more productive organisations. It's a win-win for everyone.
Putting Men's Mental Health Under The Spotlight
Thursday 21 November 2024
International Men's Day is celebrated annually on Nov 19th. As well as celebrating mens' positive contribution to the world, their achievements and contributions to their families & communities, it is a global awareness day for many issues that men face, including mental health issues, anxiety, homelessness, and suicide.
As a daughter, wife, mother, aunt and friend I want to support and understand men in any challenges they face in life so I was delighted to be asked to contribute to the Connacht Tribune's Spotlight on Men's Mental Health by Denise McNamara in my capacity as a psychotherapist and to highlight some of my experiences of the challenges men present with in the therapy room.
Áras an Uachtaran
Wednesday 21 June 2023
A standout date for me as it's not everyday you get to meet our amazing President Michael D. Higgins and his inspiring wife Mrs Sabina Higgins.
I was invited to a Garden Party at Áras an Uachtaran to celebrate Women's Advocacy Groups and the National Women's Council Of Ireland. An amazing day of so many inspiring women coming together.
Bon Secours Hospital
Saturday 22 April 2023
I felt honoured to be a guest speaker at the Bon Secours hospital Galway "Women's Health" General Practice Nurse Symposium that took place in the Connacht Hotel in April 2023.
It was a very inspiring and insightful day of meeting my fellow guest speakers, women's health professionals and in particular the practice nurses that show up for us every day.
TG4 Meanapas
Wednesday 02 November 2022
I felt very privileged to have been invited as a specialist panel participant in my capacity as a life stage psychotherapist on female midlife and menopause.
Thank you Gráinne Seoige and her team at TG4 for giving women of Ireland a voice to share their stories and educate others on their menopause journey.
Menopause Success Summit
Saturday 22 October 2022
I was thrilled to be a guest speaker at Menopause Success Summit discussing female midlife "The Psychological Journey, Crisis or Awakening?".
Midlife is a life stage I am particularly enthused about as not only am I a woman in her own midlife stage of life but female midlife is where I carried out my research for my final psychological studies. The Menopause Summit proved to be a great success and a day of female connection and empowerment.
Cleanmarine Blog
Thursday 24 August 2022
I was delighted to be invited to write a blog post for Cleanmarine on the topic of female menopause and midlife, and to address the question: is it a crisis or an awakening?
It is a subject I feel very passionate about and would appreciate any comments and feedback.
ICAP Book Review
Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Summer 2023 edition
I was honoured to be asked to review Michael Hegarty’s book “Gateways to Psychotherapy” for IACP.
The book provides a practical guide from starting a practice to working with clients, to using integrative techniques that can be used to help clients with their own process in understanding themselves more.