Well known photographer Marie Carroll-O'Sullivan chats to locals about their news, views and accomplishments. For this weeks column she caught up with local Counsellor & Psychotherapist David McSweeney, who recently opened his own private clinic in Killarney.

Over the last few weeks my daughter completed her Leaving Cert, attended her Debs and chose a path on paper for her future.

 It reminded me of how we had to start somewhere. Perhaps a more difficult path in today's world, than that of previous retiree interviews. Who knows? Inquisitive minds become saturated with information and obligations all of a sudden, and time becomes scarce, knee -jerked into the run-ragged, fast-paced schedules of this world’s typical 'adult life'. The human mind is a delicate thing and it's important to look after it.

My first time in Hilliard House, which backs Mangerton View on the grounds of Penney's car park. I had the pleasure of catching up with David McSweeney, from Killarney, who holds a BSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy from Cork Counselling Services and Training Institute as well as B.A. (Hons) in Psychology & Sociology attained through University College Cork. He has gained valuable experience working within community-based counselling organisations providing face-to-face, telephone and online counselling/psychotherapy to a wide range of clients from diverse backgrounds. “I am based here in Hilliard House for my private clients but I work with a number of services throughout Kerry. I work with Coolmine, which specialises in supporting people impacted by drugs and alcohol throughout Kerry. I am also based in Listowel, specialising in gambling addiction. 'My Mind' offers an online service where I speak with clients all over the country. I also work with Move Ireland in Tralee, working with families affected by domestic violence,” David explained. “When clients contact me through my website,enquiring about counselling, I typically offer a free 10/15 minute consultation before an initial appointment takes place. The reason I do this, is because I believe it is hugely important to make a connection and to 'fit' with your counsellor. It’s also important to feel at ease, build trust and feel safe” David continued.

“David, can I ask you what made you chose the path of counselling?” I asked. “When I was younger, I wanted to study computing and technology. However when I visited my career guidance counsellor in school, I shared a personal story with him for the first time, and felt instantly relieved and understood. The support this teacher gave me inspired me and I thought to myself, imagine if I could do that for others as a profession? Some years later, I heard he was in the process of retraining himself as a counsellor and is now a practising counsellor up the country. How fortunate I was. A friend of my late mother subsequently advised me what the best route was to train as a counsellor, which led me to the doorsteps of Cork Counselling Centre,” David explained.

I thought to myself how sometimes I need to switch off from my thoughts but how does a counsellor do that for himself? “The training plays a huge roll in that. As a counsellor, we are required to attend monthly supervision also. The training was difficult. It was an ‘experiential style’ training course, meaning learning through doing and seeing. The counselling training was much different to my time in UCC, there wasn’t a lecture hall with PowerPoint presentation, it was simply 20 chairs sat in a circle and 20 boxes of tissues in a group, which was facilitated by 2 professional counsellors. On day one, I felt like running back out the door, only that my wife had dropped me off, and I had no drive home. So I had no choice but to stay, but I’m glad I did. I also rely on the support of friends and family and hobbies. My wife, Kayleigh, also has a demanding job as a child psychologist, but we’re pretty good at checking in with each other at the end of the day.

“I’m a general humanistic counsellor by training but my interest in addiction has drawn me towards working largely in this area. The Minnesota Model is an approach to coping through meetings: e.g. AA, NA, GA meetings, focusing on a 12- step model, which can be of huge benefit for many, but I am a firm believer that at the root of addiction is often trauma, and like a medical illness, the healing is a cure at source, not just treating the symptoms. A counsellor can know every theory and intervention in the world but it's the therapeutic alliance where the healing can take place for people, which is why my best advice would be to shop around. There are many counsellors out there but like a pair of shoes, you need to find the right fit.

"The stigma of being 'abnormal' or 'broken' is thankfully becoming a thing of the past. There’s no doubt that talking to someone in a confidential safe can be hugely helpful. The hardest part can be picking up the phone and asking for help, but I’d encourage people to take the leap, and give it a go ” David added.

Thankfully today, I didn't need the tissues for my chat and snap with David, but I know the path to Hilliard House is always open when I do. If we make ourselves a priority once in a while, it's not selfish, it's necessary. Taking care of your wellbeing doesn't mean 'me first', it simply means 'me too'!

If you are thinking about exploring counselling you can reach David through his website www.dmcsweeneycounselling.com