about

Nora O’Sullivan H.Dip. Psych., CBT Therapist, M.N.A.P.C.P., M.A.R.C.H.T.I.

Mobile: 086 394 39 63    Email: accessnora@gmail.com
Website: www.noraosullivan.ie

Nora has an H.Dip. in Counselling and Psychotherapy from U.C.C. She is a qualified CBT therapist and is an accredited member of N.A.P.C.P. She has also trained with Capacitor International Multicultural Wellness Education (please refer to article on website) and has completed extensive continuous professional development courses among which are Child Sexual Abuse with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Suicide Intervention Skill with ASSIST and Understanding Self Harm as well as participating in regular and ongoing supervision.

In her work Nora uses the Humanistic and Integrative approach. This involves the integration of mind, body, emotion and spirit practices. She incorporates Person-Centred, Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, Reality Therapy and Family Systems Therapy approaches and uses the Capacitor practices to help bring about awareness thus enabling the client find his/ her own answers. She has wide ranging experience working with individuals, adolescents, families and groups. Nora works with stress related issues such as anxiety, bereavement, panic attacks, parenting and suicide prevention as well as issues such as relationships and self esteem.

Her other areas of special interest are in the field of addiction recovery which includes addictive behaviour, self harming, gambling, eating disorders, alcohol and drugs, O.C.D. etc.

Nora also works with a variety of mediums such as Art, Relaxation techniques, Meditation, Visualisation, Breath work, Affirmations and EFT. She is also a qualified Reflexologist and Reiki therapist. Among the services she offers are telephone and outreach therapies.

Nora has worked for many years facilitating recovery groups in an addiction treatment centre in Cork. She has worked in Bandon Holistic Centre as a counsellor and in Westgate Counselling Service as a counsellor and psychotherapist which among her other duties also involved covering for the Director as required. She has a private practice in Douglas, Cork and in addition has recently helped set up Access Cork Counselling in Ballincollig, Co. Cork along with three other experienced therapists.

Fees:

Individual Counselling € 60
Family Counselling € 80
Small group work € 80+ (depending on the number in the group).

I am an accredited member of IACP and a registered member of CORU. I’m involved in a professionals group “Age: Wisdom and Hope” where we consider pertinent issues for the Older Adult.

As a counsellor it is my firm belief that every person can live a happy and fulfilled life and equally I believe that it is not always easy to believe this or indeed to achieve it. With this I can offer help and guidance for you to achieve or change whatever it is you want to change. This type of work happens at your own pace, at a time in your life that is right for you, in a safe and confidential setting.

Training
I received my basic education with The Sisters of Mercy and since then I have completed a degree in social science, a masters degree in education, a diploma in Montessori teaching, certification with William Glasser Ireland as well as numerous courses including Social Work, Gestalt Therapy, Health Care Management, Couple Counselling and CBT etc.

Experience
As a social worker I was privileged to work with a number of different organisations both in Scotland and Ireland, with individuals, families, groups and in residential care facilities for young people and the older population. I have vast experience of working in child protection services thus having gained ‘hands on’ experience and learning from people who were vulnerable and strong, hurt and healed, victims of abuse who became survivors, educators and fully functioning enlightened people. I’ve also worked directly with people with disabilities, the elderly, their families and support networks.

Voluntary Experiences
I’ve volunteered with a diverse range of services, communities and organisation in Scotland and England, Israel, and Kenya as well as in Ireland. These include: Citizen’s Advocate for People with Disabilities, Group and Individual Counselling in a Rehabilitation Centre in Mombasa, Pre School Children in Haifa, The Simon Community, Women’s Aid, Adapt House, L’Arche Communities, St Vincent De Paul and numerous others, each of which I learned so much from.

Employment
I have worked as secretary, student nurse, care worker, ‘at home respite carer’, social worker (with the elderly, people with special needs, abuse and protection services) a counsellor and a lecturer. I’ve also had less attractive sounding jobs but with the same ability to learn and develop as a professional and personally including bar and restaurant work, cleaner, cook, nursing assistant and housekeeper.

Presentation Experiences
I worked as a lecturer for several years and presented classes in as many novel ways as possible with a huge focus on personal development. I offer Elder Abuse Interactive Workshops and a visual and oral presentation on Extreme Self Neglect. I’ve taught counselling courses at UCC and PCI College as well as devising a HNC in counselling in Scotland. I taught evening classes on Personal Development and Effective Communication at Ballincollig Community College and Cornerstone Training in Tralee.

Clients
I like working with people where ‘relationships’ is core to the presenting issues and I often work with couples. Having trained with ACCORD Counselling and volunteering with them for a year I have developed skills and knowledge in this specialised area. I always enjoy the challenge of working with young people and I often wonder if they get as much out of it as I do. I find them to be intelligent, bright and most are like ‘a breath of fresh air’.

Joint Family Work
My colleague Nora and I regularly do joint work where she may work with one parent and I another and we come together to help them negotiate a number of issues in relation to: the child as the priority, marriage/ relationship termination, different parenting styles, bullying in the family/school etc.

Specialised Training
I did a Diploma in Counselling with The Church of Scotland in Glasgow in the 90’s and more recently I completed a CBT course with them. I’ve completed courses in Gestalt, Relationship Counselling, Domestic Violence/ Domestic Abuse, Reality Therapy/ Choice Theory, Bereavement and Loss and Life Transitions.

Fees
I charge €60 per 1 hour session for an individual, €70 for couples counselling, and fees for other services can be negotiated. I accept cash or personal cheques.

Practice Teacher and Supervision
I am an experienced practice teacher with BASW and MSW students from UCC. I offer one to one and small group supervision to social work and social care colleagues and I work using Morrison’s 4 Stage Model.

Research/ Interests:
I have been involved or interested in a variety of topics over my career and to date I’ve worked with numerous people in producing papers/ studies in: a Person Centered Appraisal System, Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy in Children and Fictitious and Falsifying Illness in the Older Adult, Relationship, Sexuality and Education for People with intellectual Disabilities as well as Elder Abuse and Extreme Self Neglect. I also co-authored a paper on a UCC practical and novel approach to teaching PHN & MSW students together as the practitioner with members of the Social Work and Nursing Faculty.

If you would like a presentation or workshops in any of the above (and other related topics) please contact me first by email (my preference) and we can arrange a mutually suitable time to discuss.

‘Old ways won’t open new doors’ (NK)