Natasha Bailey (Hawthorn Counselling) (She/Her)

Want to know why you run from conflict or perhaps you find yourself going from calm to seeing red in a heartbeat? Are you confused about why you do the things you do or want to like yourself more? Do you find yourself having the exact same fights with your partner, child, friend, or yourself over and over again and cannot figure out how to resolve them? We are all relational beings and relationships can be both the source of mental wellness and distress whether they are romantic, friendship, parental or work relationships. In relationship counselling, I help partners have different, positive experiences that can help to restore trust and safety, reduce conflict and strengthen connection. In 1-to-1 counselling I help people relate more compassionately to themselves so they find it easier to connect with others. We may look at how early life shaped your ideas about yourself and others and impact the present. When you feel more connected with others it is easier to ask for what you need and work co-operatively to solve problems. Come and learn with me. I have been a newcomer (to Ireland, where I lived for 15 years), someone experiencing infertility and mid-life, a parent and a partner. I won't tell you what worked for me but I will offer skills that can help. Make no mistake, while we may dive deep we will do so with a clear structure and goals. After an initial assessment or snapshot of your life and day-to-day functioning, we will create goals and establish a timeline (although we only end therapy when you think you are ready). Issues often explored are communication, conflict resolution, culture, commitment, caring and sex, children and trust. I will never tell you what to do, but I do come to every session prepared with ways and activities for exploring what you want to do. These I hold lightly, always bending to your priorities on the day. Think of it like this, I bring ideas that offer a starting point to collaboratively build a map to get to your goals. What you fill it with and how you get to your destination is your own. Most importantly I sit with you in those moments that may feel really hard - your compassionate witness until you feel ready to do it for yourself. Think of me as your warm bright fire burning consistently with empathy, non-judgement and only when it works, some humour to lighten the load. You will hopefully leave therapy with more self-acceptance, a greater understanding of your own wants, feelings and needs but confident that you can also be responsive to others at the same time and with more skills in your toolkit. I am a qualified clinical counsellor with a Masters from City University. I came to counselling after 29 years of working with non-profits in such roles as a volunteer on a crisis line for women experiencing domestic violence and a group facilitator to help folks who were dealing with poverty, unemployment, mental health challenges and single parents gain skills for mental wellness and personal growth. I have been a newcomer (to Ireland where I lived for 15 years) and someone experiencing infertility and mid-life/menopause. I am also a parent and a partner. While I would never tell you what works for me or what to do, I think that navigating these life transitions, and then studying the evidence of what can be helpful to navigate them helps me collaborate with you to create a map to reach your goals. While I cannot claim to be an expert on racial and systemic oppression I can promise you that I practice cultural humility, study these issues continuously, am critical and self-reflective about my privilege and power, and strive to be an ally. I am sex positive, kink friendly and open to helping folks explore consensual non-monogamy, but also won�t bring it up if that�s not your flavour.