Grad Dip / MA in Integrative Psychotherapy

The service users, fundraisers, volunteers and professional therapists who are the backbone of Console the Su***de Charity have been let down by the failure of corporate governance at the charity. They have also been let down by the failure of the state, until this year, to have effective regulation of charities. The charity regulator now needs to be given real teeth. Ireland has an enviable tradition of volunteering, and charities hold a position of great trust which can be easily eroded. Charities play a central role in the fabric of Irish Society, often providing services that fill a gap when the state's weak social provision falls short. We need to ensure that there is robust oversight of charities. So politicians, please ensure that regulators do their job without fear or favour. We the public also have a role, we need to be willing to ask questions when we encounter something that seems wrong; we need to demand and expect accountability. The current situation at console further undermines vulnerable people who have already been undermined by issues of su***de. As the new board at Console comes to grips with its task we can only hope that they will put the needs of the service users back at the heart of things.

Congratulations to the 2nd Year Graduate Diploma psychotherapy students who have just completed a very successful summer school with UL tutors Oonagh Roantree and Michael O'Toole in Teach Bhride in Tullow. Thanks to Carmel and her team in Tullow for looking after everyone so well ... they have great facilities there as the photo shows.

The 2016 international conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (www.sepiweb.org) will be held in TCD Dublin from 16th to 19th June. The SEPI conference brings together the very best of international integrative psychotherapy research. It is worth taking time out of your practice to attend.

First year Grad Dip Psychotherapy students are attending the UL summer school in Teach Bhride Tullow Co. Carlow this week. Wishing all the students well in this intense learning experience.

Great experience working on "the Shadow" with 3rd year UL postgrads at our "Therapeutic Relationships -the transpersonal experience" summer school in the Boghill Centre in the Burren. Thanks to Sonja, Cari and the woofers for looking after us so well and thanks to Boghill and the Burren for proving a container and stirring our energies all at the same time.

The next practice seminar for 4th year postgrads is on setting up as a practitioner - accreditation, business, networking.

There will be an open Information evening on the integrative psychotherapy programme on Monday 18th April, 5.30 to 8pm in UL. Please email [email protected] to express interest in attending (reservations not required).

Essential theory during rugby world cup

See below as an example of key polarities in life ... the guys in red won!

That will be an interesting car journey home... live analysis on TV3 now.

Magnificent win for Wales tonight ... who can tell what is possible

Please consider signing the mental health pre-budget petition on https://www.mentalhealthreform.ie/petition2015/ and please encourage others to do so too

Mental Health Reform » Petition 2015   Mental health activists from across Dublin have today (25/08/2015) joined Mental Health Reform, the national coalition on mental health, […]

Great to meet the new UL integrative psychotherapy postgrads on Friday as they began a four year learning journey into the depths of human experience