As a psychologist, I have often worked with teenagers and adults who can’t point to a single traumatic event in their past, but who carry a quiet heaviness — a sense that they were never particularly good at anything. These are often the clients who say things like: “I was never the top of theContinue reading ““Never Quite enough”: The Trauma of Mediocrity”
Tag Archives: Childhood Anxiety
The Power of Music: A Psychologist’s Reflection on Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Emotional Regulation
Introduction Over the years, I have worked with children, young people, and adults struggling with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, and sensory processing challenges. Many of them—particularly those with autism, ADHD, or other Special Educational Needs (SEN)—have faced significant barriers to self-expression, connection, and self-soothing. Yet time and again, I have witnessed how music reaches themContinue reading “The Power of Music: A Psychologist’s Reflection on Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Emotional Regulation”
“Endless Possibilities: Reflecting on Support for Children with Down Syndrome and Their Families”
Every year, World Down Syndrome Day serves as a reminder of the beauty of diversity and the profound value of inclusion. As a psychologist, I find this day offers an important moment to pause and reflect on the incredible resilience of children with Down syndrome and their families — and the power of meaningful supportContinue reading ““Endless Possibilities: Reflecting on Support for Children with Down Syndrome and Their Families””
Nurturing Healing: The Role of Nature and Social Connections in Trauma-Informed Practice
Trauma-informed practice is gaining recognition as a crucial framework in supporting individuals who have experienced adversity, emphasising the importance of understanding trauma’s far-reaching impacts on mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Integrating nature-based interventions and building supportive social connections offers a holistic pathway toward healing for both children and adults. This article explores how these elementsContinue reading “Nurturing Healing: The Role of Nature and Social Connections in Trauma-Informed Practice”
Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Intergenerational Trauma and Its Impact on the Next Generation
Trauma does not exist in isolation. It passes through families, communities, and cultures, shaping the experiences of generations to come. Intergenerational trauma—also known as transgenerational or historical trauma—refers to the ways in which the effects of deeply distressing experiences are transferred from one generation to the next. This phenomenon is evident across many populations, fromContinue reading “Breaking the Cycle: Understanding Intergenerational Trauma and Its Impact on the Next Generation”
Trauma Awareness
Supporting a Trauma Informed approach to Mother’s Day in Early Education This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day in Ireland, but as we know, Mother’s Day is widely celebrated; it can also bring a complex array of emotions for survivors of Trauma in childhood or during childhood. Very often, it is the more significant holidays orContinue reading “Trauma Awareness”
Collaborative Partnerships: Supporting Parents to Enhance the Language of STEAM
As a Parent of three not-so-small boys anymore, it has always been my mission to instill confidence, resilience, and self-confidence in my children. Looking back I have to say I think I managed this successfully, but not without some hurdles and some help along the way. These three are young men now, and successful youngContinue reading “Collaborative Partnerships: Supporting Parents to Enhance the Language of STEAM”
Dr M’s thoughts 