Helplink Mental Health - Mayo

Pauline is an MA student in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Integrative) with the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences. Pauline holds a B.Ed (Exeter University), a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work, (Leeds Polytechnic); a Diploma in Systemic Management, (Roehampton Institute), and an MSc in Systemic Management (University of Sunderland). Pauline has experience in working with domestic abuse, child protection, adoption, fostering, and adult safeguarding. She has also worked as a management and social work consultant, independent supervisor, trainer, and social work service manager. Pauline is experienced in exploring neuro-diversity from the client’s perspective and has also assisted parents who are navigating educational challenges with their children. Pauline uses a person-centred approach combined with an affective relational understanding in her counselling practice. She utilises CBT and systemic tools as appropriate for the individual. Pauline is a student member of the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists (APCP) and of The National Association for Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy (NACP). She is registered with CORU as a social worker.

Petrova holds a Higher Diploma in Marriage and Relationship counselling from St. Patricks College Maynooth and has been working as a couples and relationships counsellor for many years. Petrova’s experience includes working with domestic violence, sexual abuse, trauma & PTSD, bereavement, infidelity and addiction. Petrova is pre-accredited with NAPCP. She uses a person centred and often integrative approach tailored to suit the clients needs. Petrova will provide an empathic, compassionate safe space for clients to explore their boundaries, needs and goals.

Mary has graduated with a MA in Addiction Studies with Dublin Business School, a BA in Addiction Studies in Athlone IT, a Certificate in Youth Work Practice, and a Diploma in Community Development & Practice, with NUI Galway. She is an accredited member of the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) and has worked over 8 years as a Deputy manager in an emergency respite centre for young people in care. She has also trained and worked as Advocacy support worker in residential mental health facilities, both residential and day services. She specialises in providing a variety of therapeutic supports for clients experiencing, mental health difficulties, dual diagnosis, engaging in cross addiction behaviours, crises interventions and a vast range of both behavioural and psychological addictions.

Kevin holds a BA Hons degree in counselling and addiction from the Tralee Institute of Technology and is an executive director (treasurer) of the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI). Kevin is fully accredited with the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland is a member of the accreditation committee and has a wide range of experience in the addiction field.

Gary holds a BA in Counselling & Psychotherapy with Addiction Studies, a BA Level 8 in Counselling & Psychotherapy (First Class Honours), and a Level 9 Certificate in Addiction Studies (Gambling), all from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences in Limerick. He is a fully accredited member of the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) and the National Association for Professional Counselling & Psychotherapy (NAPCP).

Ciara holds an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Integrative Modalities) from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology & Sociology, a QQI level 5 Certificate in Psychology and Counselling, a QQI Level 6 Certificate in Essential Counselling Skills, and a Professional Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring. She is pre-accredited with National Association for Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy (NAPCP). Ciara’s therapeutic style is integrative which is completely tailored to the client’s needs and goals. Ciara has worked with long-term clients, and short-term clients and feels that her experience as a coach compliments her work as a counsellor.

Natalie holds an MA (1st class) in Counselling and Psychotherapy from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS) and is an accredited member of the National Association for Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy (NAPCP) and The Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP). She provides person-centred counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to long- and short-term clients, both adults and adolescents and tailors her services to meet their needs. Natalie has engaged with a varied client base on issues including anxiety and depression, chronic stress, grief and loss, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation, and sleep disorders. She has also completed a placement at Ireland’s National Rehabilitation Hospital and has a particular interest in working with those in recovery following injury or trauma. Recently Natalie received a Professional Certificate in Couples Counselling from PCI College and is one of Helplink’s online couple counsellors. Natalie has also completed the course ‘An Introduction to the Integrative Perinatal Counselling Model’.

Cormac Lyons, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, is a graduate of the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences where he achieved a master’s degree in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He began practicing psychotherapy in 2021 and throughout his time practising, he has worked with clients aged between 18-60. He has helped clients cope with various mental health issues like depression and anxiety as well as other issues such as anger and stress management. Cormac’s dissertation was focused on the attitudes that men living in Ireland have towards seeking professional mental health help and has completed various workshops on topics such as EDMR, complex grief, and trauma.

Heike Felzmann has a Masters level degree in Psychology (Dipl.psych.) from the University of Hamburg, a BSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy from PCI College, and a MSc in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy from Trinity College Dublin. She is accredited with IACP. Her experience includes working with clients with a wide range of mental health difficulties, with a particular interest in working with neurodivergent clients and clients with chronic mental health issues. She works from an acceptance-oriented CBT perspective.

Fay holds an advanced diploma in integrative adult counselling. She studied in England over 4 years with Iron Mill College (sister college to PCI). She has experience working with CRUSE bereavement services and her background would have been 10 years nursing. She is a member of the BACP and currently working towards her accreditation with IACP. Her therapeutic lens would be Rogerian (person – centred), however, she draws on different counselling approaches to suit the individual. She has experience in trauma, bereavement, identity issues, general anxiety and low mood. She has worked with individuals from 18 years+. Fay also sees some clients on our Irish Abroad Service.

Adrian graduated with an honours degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy from PCI College. As a therapist he worked with the students of Limerick Institute of Technology, both young and mature, for four years. Here he sat with clients through challenges like anxiety, depression, loss, family issues and low self worth. 

As an accredited therapist with IACP, Adrian works in accordance with their code of ethics. He practices an eclectic style of therapy, tailoring his approach to meet the individual needs of each client. He also specialises in emotional and binge eating.

Emily Vanderkamp is a qualified integrative psychotherapist who takes a flexible and client-centred approach to therapy. She draws from a range of therapeutic models, including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), somatic therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic approaches, to create a personalised and holistic experience for each client. Her focus is on meeting individuals where they are, tailoring therapy to their unique needs, backgrounds, and goals in a supportive and compassionate space.

Emily is currently pursuing a Master’s in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy with PCI College, further deepening her expertise in working with young people. With experience in community-focused roles, she works with clients facing a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and life transitions. She recognises the interconnected nature of emotional, mental, and social well-being and is committed to helping clients gain clarity, build resilience, and develop effective coping strategies.

Mary has a Post Graduate Diploma from NUIG in Practice Based Play Therapy (QQI Level 9).  She also holds a Post Grad Diploma in Community Nursing (QQI Level 9) from Sydney University. Mary is completing a Specialist Diploma in Developmental Trauma at the Greenane Centre. Mary trained as an Integrative School Aide with a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mary qualified as an Early Years Educator from Early Childhood Ireland (QQI Level 6); her blended work experience with early years and special needs education proved the perfect background for her Practice Based Play Therapy. Mary is a trained facilitator in Circle of Security Parenting Programme (COSP™) which is a Relationship Based Parenting Programme. Mary’s therapeutic approach is firmly rooted in evidence-based developmental Trauma informed practice and through the lens of Attachment Theory. Mary is a fully accredited member of Play Therapy Ireland and Play Therapy International.

Mary sees clients from age 3 to 12 years old with displaying behavioural and emotional conditions including bereavement, separation and loss, developmental attachment issues, anxiety, behavioural issues, school refusal, pre and perinatal trauma injury, bullying, medical/surgical trauma, all

Neurodivergent presentations:- ASD, ADHD, ADD, and Sensory Processing Dysregulation. Mary sees parents and/or caregivers who wish to partake in the COSP™ 6/8 week parenting programme.

Hamza Mahoney is pursuing a Master of Science in Loss & Bereavement (Clinical Practice) at RCSI and the Irish Hospice Foundation. He has first-class honours and a Bachelor of Arts in Counselling with Addiction from Munster Technological University. Professionally, he holds Pre-Accredited Membership with IACP and Accredited Membership with ACI. Hamza offers diverse counselling modalities encompassing face-to-face and remote sessions for individuals facing addiction, anxiety, bereavement depression, mindfulness, relationships, self-esteem and self-harm ideation with extensive experience working in an addiction rehabilitation centre, managing transitional housing, a national suicidal helpline and works on our Gambling & Gaming Addiction Program. His work has been published in national journals and newspapers, contributing to the broader discourse on mental health, societal challenges, and addiction. A passion for catalysing positive change drives him; excels in community enrichment programs and is adept at fostering meaningful connections. 

Ronan qualified as a counsellor from the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS) in Limerick in 2022.  He also recently completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Gambling studies and Addiction Recovery at ICHAS. He is a fully accredited member of the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland. Ronan is involved in his local community on various committees, organising fundraising. Ronan works on our Gambling and Gaming Addiction Program.

Aoife is an M.A student at the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences (ICHAS), where she currently studies Integrative methods in Counselling and Psychotherapy. She also has a B.A in Psychology from University of Galway and an MSc in Psychological Science from University of Limerick. She is a student member with the Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland (APCP) and a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). She has completed SafeTalk and ASIST courses. Aoife has a keen interest in person-centred and humanistic therapy.