Couples Counselling and Family Systems
Couples Counselling
Finding Your Way Back to Each Other
Relationships are our greatest teachers, but they can also be our greatest challenges. At We Care Counseling and Psychotherapy, we provide a dedicated space for partners to move past "he said/she said" and get to the heart of what matters.
What is Couples Counseling?
Couples counseling is a process of exploration. It’s about identifying the repetitive "cycles" that cause disconnection. Whether you are struggling with a specific crisis or a slow drift apart, therapy helps translate the language of hurt into the language of needs.
As renowned relationship expert Dr. Sue Johnson says:
"The most functional way to regulate difficult emotions is to share them with a person you trust and who responds to you."
Why Do I care About Your Relationship?
I don’t just watch from the sidelines. I help you navigate the "dance" of your relationship by bringing a unique blend of professional training and lived experience.
• Breaking the Cycle: I use CBT techniques to help you identify the negative thought patterns that trigger arguments before they spiral.
• Building Secure Attachment: Having navigated complex attachment styles myself, I offer deep empathy for the fear and vulnerability that often hide behind anger.
• A Neutral Ground: At WeCare, the "client" is the relationship itself. I ensure both voices are heard equally in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
Before
After
Family Systems
Healing the Whole, Not Just the Part
In family life, we often focus on the "problem person," but at We Care Counseling and Psychotherapy, we understand that every individual is part of a larger, interconnected web.
What are Family Systems?
Family Systems Theory suggests that a family is an emotional unit. If one person is struggling with anxiety, addiction, or behavioral issues, it impacts—and is impacted by—everyone else in the home. By looking at the "system," we stop pointing fingers and start looking at how the family can heal together.
The pioneer of family therapy, Virginia Satir, once noted:
"The family is a microcosm of the world. To understand the world, we must first understand the family."
Why Choose WeCare for Family Support?
Family dynamics can be messy, but Ispecialise in helping you find clarity within the chaos.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Expertise: I help families understand the different "parts" of their dynamic—helping you see how a child’s rebellion or a parent’s withdrawal is often a protective mechanism.
• Lived Insight: My work is grounded in the belief that "We" is stronger than "I." My own journey through hurdles gives me a grounded, realistic perspective on family recovery.
• Empowering Change: We don't just talk about the past; we look for Solution-Focused ways to change the rules of the system, ensuring every family member feels seen and valued.
Family Support
Parenting Support
Navigating the Challenges of Raising the Next Generation
Parenting is perhaps the most rewarding role we will ever hold, yet it is often the one we feel least prepared for. At We Care Counseling and Psychotherapy, I provide a supportive space for parents to process their frustrations, fears, and hopes without judgment.
The Philosophy of Conscious Parenting
Parenting support isn't about "fixing" your child’s behavior; it’s about strengthening the relationship between you and your child. When a parent feels supported, they can better support their child.
As the psychologist and author Dr. Haim Ginott famously wrote:
"Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression."
Why Choose We Care for Parenting Support?
I help parents move from reactive discipline to proactive connection.
• Breaking Generational Cycles: Using my lived experience and training in attachment, I help you identify "ghosts in the nursery"—patterns from your own childhood that may be influencing how you parent today.
• CBT Tools for Parents: I provide practical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools to help you manage the stress and "parental burnout" that often lead to conflict at home.
• A Compassionate Mirror: You don't need a lecture; you need a safe place to say, "This is hard." I offer the empathy I once sought, helping you find your own wisdom as a parent.
Parenting Support
Workplace Bullying and Professional Stress
Reclaiming Your Voice and Your Value
Work is where we spend the majority of our waking hours. When that environment becomes toxic due to bullying or excessive pressure, it doesn't just affect your career—it bleeds into your health, your family, and your sense of self.
The Impact of Workplace Trauma
Workplace bullying is a repetitive pattern of mistreatment that can lead to symptoms similar to PTSD. It often leaves individuals feeling isolated and doubting their own competence.
As workplace expert Gary Namie, Ph.D., states:
“Bullying is a laser-focused, systematic campaign of interpersonal destruction."
Why Choose We Care to Help You Heal?
If you are struggling with a toxic work environment, you need more than just "stress management." You need a strategy for recovery and empowerment.
• Validating Your Experience: Having worked extensively with victims of bullying, I provide the validation you might be missing at work. We start by acknowledging that what is happening is not your fault.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) for Work: We look at the "parts" of you that feel silenced or diminished and work to restore your internal authority and confidence.
• Strategic Decision Making: Whether you choose to stay and set boundaries or plan your exit, I use a Solution-Focused approach to help you make the best decision for your mental health and future.
Workplace Bullying and Professional Stress
Reliable Credentials You Can Trust
Your Therapist: Helen Shaughnessy
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MSc in Addiction Counselling and Psychotherapy
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BSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy (PCI/Middlesex University)
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Accredited Member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MIACP)
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Certified in Couples Counselling (IICT) & EMDR Trained
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Professional Certificate in Family Dimension in Addiction