Online Only Training & Accreditation
Alan Kavanagh is an accredited member of IACP. Alan obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy with IICP College where he will soon complete a Level 9 in CBT. In addition, he holds a Level 7 in Addiction Studies with NUI. He is a committed lifelong learner and was awarded a scholarship for an Advanced course in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Act Now purposeful living, which he is presently undertaking. Alan continues to expand his knowledge; however, places greater value on his continuous personal development work. As no one comes to ‘be’ in isolation, Alan also appreciates the systemic lens of familial relations and respects how that influences all relationships. He has done training in Narrative Therapy and aims to progress further in this approach as he strongly agrees with the tenet of this training: ‘the person is not the problem; the problem is the problem’ (White & Epston). Alan works with adults and practices in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Approach
When you listen generously to people, they can hear the truth in themselves, often for the first time. And when you listen deeply, you can know yourself in everyone – Rachel Naomi Remen
Alan’s approach is integrative, drawing on many useful techniques which include Person-centred therapy; Reality Therapy; ACT; CBT; Narrative Therapy while valuing Contemporary Psychoanalytic thought. Collaboration is vital and what we agree to work upon together will be the starting point; however, the approach is client led so the course can change. Sometimes, it is not necessarily about change, rather about accepting and coming to terms to what was, what is and what may be. He believes in client choice and trusts in their ability to overcome what brought them to counselling. Primarily, listening without judgement and with compassion is the foundation which the therapy will be built upon. Often, counselling is a place where people come after trying many other ways to deal with their issues. These attempts are not failures but useful information that can be used in therapy to find aspects that work and let go of methods that no longer serve a purpose.
Experience & Areas of Interest
Trauma is an area that Alan continues to deepen his knowledge in. Alan is passionate about human-rights, social justice, gender and sexual diversity. Alan is the Co-founder of Fire & Ice Men’s programme which engages men in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Men’s development work and the Wim Hoff Method. Alan has authored two articles that were published on prevalent topics in our field:
Kavanagh, Alan. (2017). Penetrating the Silence of Sorrow: Counselling Those Bereaved by Suicide.– Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy (formerly Éisteach). Summer Edition. IACP Journal.
Kavanagh, Alan. (2018). Healing Wounds: An Integrative Approach to Counselling Clients who Present with Vicarious Trauma. Inside Out Journal- IAHIP (Irish Association Humanistic Integrative Psychotherapy). Winter Edition.
*Online therapy offered at a reduced cost to in-person therapy while restrictions are in place.
Languages
English