Marian O'Herlihy

Suaimhneas (soov-nass) is an Irish word which translates to calmness, harmony, peace, tranquility and safety. At times for all of us, it can be difficult to access these states. If this is true for you, let me help you to rediscover your ‘suaimhneas’. Seeking help can be difficult, and trusting somebody to whom you can disclose your personal struggles can be a daunting step. I provide a safe, confidential, non-judgemental space where you can discuss whatever it is that is troubling you.

I have a particular interest is working with clients whose lives have been impacted by loss, be it through bereavement, relationship breakdown or loss of identity as a result of a significant life change. Transitioning through these significant life events comes with challenges but you don’t have to do it alone.

Anxiety is an area of challenge for many people and often leaves clients feeling like they have no control over their anxious state. I enjoy supporting clients to understand and befriend their nervous system, engaging with their anxiety and reducing the fear that anxious episodes cause. 

In longer term work I can assist clients to revisit their past experiences, working at the source of the trauma with the aim of minimising the activation which still feeds their anxiety today.

I also enjoy supporting clients who have lost sight of who they are. This can hit at times of significant life transition such as relationship break-up, children moving out of home, loss of a loved one etc. but can also creep up on us for reasons outside our awareness. A person's identity can be tied up in how we are in relationship - be it with ourselves, our loved ones, our workplace colleagues or indeed the job we do. This means we can lose connection with our internal compass as we make adjustments to fit in to relationships, job identities, work environments etc. Developing a strong sense of self identity can have life enhancing benefits.

My work to date has included supporting clients whose adult lives are adversely impacted by traumatic childhood experiences and this has prompted me to search out newer thinking in this field. I have a keen interest in the developing neuroscientific landscape, which tells us so much of how the body and brain work together to protect us from the effects of trauma. So much information is available to us today on the role of the vagus nerve in the workings of the nervous system. I am excited for the possibilities this holds for my clients to free themselves from what is holding them back so that they can live enhanced, fulfilled lives.