About me and my work:
After spending half of my life in Ireland, and the other half on the west coast ( California and Oregon) I recently moved to Raleigh to be near some of my mentors in Chapel hill and friends
and family in the triangle area. I also love the access to beautiful parks, mountains and beaches
nearby.
In terms of education, I have a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies) I am also a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist by the National Board of Hypnotherapists. I also have a Masters Certification in Intuition Medicine from the Academy of Intuition Medicine ® , Mill Valley.
I have worked for approximately sixteen years with individuals, children, couples and families in a variety of settings such as public and private school, community mental health and private practice.
The following are some descriptions of the modalities that I am influenced by;
Emotionally Focused Therapy This is a form of therapy that primarily focuses on the underlying emotions that are involved in any given discussion or argument. It can be used in either individual or couples therapy.Quite often in relationship we focus on the story of what is being said or on the behavior that is being shown only to lose track of the love between us.Emotionally focused therapy helps individuals or couples to show down, identify their vulnerable emotions, and teaches clients how to express needs in a safe way.This
is an evidence based therapy and one of the most successful forms of couples therapy worldwide and is also used in individual therapy.
The work is based on Dr Sue Johnson's work and clients often learn unique and easy ways to express what they are really wanting to express, without harming their partners.Clients who work with this technique report that they understand their motivations and behaviors much better, and have a much deeper understanding for their partners , friends, families and co workers and communities.
Parts Work / IFS ( Internal Family Systems ) This work involves addressing the parts of us that might be wounded and too vulnerable to be exposed. Out of fear of being further wounded, the part hides behind a shield of some form.This protecting shield might show up in the form of anger that is out of control, comfort eating, overwhelming anxiety or depression.This pained part is likely to be linked to the role that we played in the face of rejection or pain in our family of origin.Life teaches us to cover up these scared parts and it can become a part of what we believe to be our personality. However, when these parts start to take over our emotional relationships and we feel lost or out of control ,it is during these times that asking for help can be of real benefit to us.
In this work, the therapist explores with the client ways to get permission from these defenses / shields or protectors that may have
been there for a long time.Its important to honor the role of the protectors, and also explain how healing the wound that is been hidden might help the role of the protector. The more the client becomes aware of what is the real authentic self versus the defended self, the more confidence, and self compassion is experienced by the client.
Mindfulness quite often plays an important role in my work. A person doesn't need to have a spiritual or religious practice or belief
to engage in this process.By giving the mind something to do like focusing on the breath, or the sensations of a guided visualization
a certain "spaciousness" can occur. This opening can often allow a different experience, where access to intuition is more available instead of the busy mind running the show. Mindfulness plays a central part in Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy ,Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy all of which I incorporate into my work.
Gestalt Therapy:This technique helps the client to focus on the "here and now". It allows the client to develop a better awareness in relationship to present time. The process involves focusing on emotional, mental and body senses. Sometimes something as basic as focusing on the client's breath can give a window into what emotions are really present. The work is experiential, and the therapist will give direct feedback when appropriate regarding the client’s expression, body language and presence so as to help the client to access more authentic feelings.
Gestalt therapy essentially aims to support the client embracing the sum of all the parts of the self. This work involves helping the
client to understand how all of the parts relate to the greater whole. The client explores the role that past experiences and or family of origin influences the present day experience. This process is an engaging experiential experience where the client can learn to have
a greater understanding of the reactivity showing up in present day. The goal is to embrace and accept what is present ,in order to change and grow.
Transactional Analysis (TA):Transactional analysis is a Psychoanalytical theory and method which helps the client to understand as a communicator the role that is played whether it be parent-like, child-like or adult-like.The theory is based on the concept that when we regress into a child-like state we quite often expect the other in relationship to parent or take care of us. Alternatively, we can fall into being the critical parent- like role insisting or inflicting our demands on others. This role can cause upset in relationship causing the other to fall into a child-like state in protest. We learn these roles in childhood, and have certain triggers that cause us to regress or fall out of our adult roles ,into either wounded child or critical parent.
The work is experiential and also embraces Gestalt Therapy techniques to engage the client in the process.The goal is to support the client to feel empowered in adult like states so as to ask for what is needed and embrace change and growth.
Energy Psychology explores the relationship between the body, mind and spirit or attitude. It explores how thoughts, feelings, bodily functions, sensations, neuron elasticity, belief structures, sounds, movements and other energetic patterns can influence well being.It takes into account the whole picture of a human versus just the mind.
Emotional Freedom Technique -EFT otherwise known as "Tapping" is one of the many techniques that falls under the umbrella of energy psychology.This technique explores the energy blockages along the meridians in the body ( much like the pressure points used in acupuncture) By tapping on the energy meridians, and addressing the psychological challenges, it can clear the energy blocks. This then helps to make room for positive thoughts and beliefs to be received and fully embodied.This can help alleviate anxiety, depression, insomnia and other painful emotional and physical conditions.
Cognitive therapy focuses on the power of our thoughts and how these thoughts can affect our emotions and reactions. By learning
to identify certain thoughts that trigger harmful reactions, we can learn alternative ways to achieve a different reaction.
Psychodynamic Therapy is a way to explore a person's underlining unconscious patterns that often get to repeat over and over in their every day life. This pattern could come from an old familiar pattern of relating to a parent, teacher, relative or caregiver and it keeps making the same pattern in current time. The relationship with the therapist can give the client an opportunity to explore these patterns, discover new ways of making choices.
Hakomi Psychotherapy is a an experiential somatic therapy which helps to explore the body's wisdom in order to inform the mind, thereby integrating body and mind.The work is very present to how emotional beliefs and emotions affect our breath, posture, and
body in general.Mindfulness is a significant part of this technique as it invites the client to feel safe, and allow for the possibility of the unconscious mind or what we refer to the body mind to open up.
Hearthmath Technology
Is an evidence based therapy that is used widely by government bodies , health care organizations such as Kaiser Permanente and Stanford University. Scientific research has shown a direct relationship between stress and heart health. Heartmath research shows that when we are stressed that the heart rhythm pattern is erratic and disordered. When neural signals register this chaotic rhythm,
they then send signals to the brain that inhibit cognitive functions. Ever have the experience of being so stressed that you can't remember simple things like your own phone number or familiar names? So this cutting edge technology aims to give a direct
feedback to the client of the state of her/ his heart rhythm and then the work is to support the client to come into a more balanced
heart rhythm pattern.
Psychodynamic Therapy is a way to explore a person's underlining unconscious patterns that often get to repeat over and over in their every day life. This pattern could come from an old familiar pattern of relating to a parent, teacher, relative or caregiver and it keeps making the same pattern in current time. The relationship with the therapist can give the client an opportunity to explore these patterns, discover new ways of making choices.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy. combines cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness awareness techniques to support emotional
challenges and acceptance. It supports the theory that each one of us can hold several dialectical experiences at once eg feeling excited versus feeling sad.Thus, if somebody is feeling sad and very stuck, one might explore the part that is very hopeful and happy.
It essentially supports "positive psychology" tapping into the parts of us that are functioning so as to build on the "positive experiences"
Licensing information:
Clodagh O' Herlihy, Marriage & Family Therapist ( LMFT)
Clodagh O'Herlihy, CCHT
As a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, I am licensed by the National board of Hypnotherapists.
Phone number : 503-327-6440
After spending half of my life in Ireland, and the other half on the west coast ( California and Oregon) I recently moved to Raleigh to be near some of my mentors in Chapel hill and friends
and family in the triangle area. I also love the access to beautiful parks, mountains and beaches
nearby.
In terms of education, I have a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from CIIS (California Institute of Integral Studies) I am also a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist by the National Board of Hypnotherapists. I also have a Masters Certification in Intuition Medicine from the Academy of Intuition Medicine ® , Mill Valley.
I have worked for approximately sixteen years with individuals, children, couples and families in a variety of settings such as public and private school, community mental health and private practice.
The following are some descriptions of the modalities that I am influenced by;
Emotionally Focused Therapy This is a form of therapy that primarily focuses on the underlying emotions that are involved in any given discussion or argument. It can be used in either individual or couples therapy.Quite often in relationship we focus on the story of what is being said or on the behavior that is being shown only to lose track of the love between us.Emotionally focused therapy helps individuals or couples to show down, identify their vulnerable emotions, and teaches clients how to express needs in a safe way.This
is an evidence based therapy and one of the most successful forms of couples therapy worldwide and is also used in individual therapy.
The work is based on Dr Sue Johnson's work and clients often learn unique and easy ways to express what they are really wanting to express, without harming their partners.Clients who work with this technique report that they understand their motivations and behaviors much better, and have a much deeper understanding for their partners , friends, families and co workers and communities.
Parts Work / IFS ( Internal Family Systems ) This work involves addressing the parts of us that might be wounded and too vulnerable to be exposed. Out of fear of being further wounded, the part hides behind a shield of some form.This protecting shield might show up in the form of anger that is out of control, comfort eating, overwhelming anxiety or depression.This pained part is likely to be linked to the role that we played in the face of rejection or pain in our family of origin.Life teaches us to cover up these scared parts and it can become a part of what we believe to be our personality. However, when these parts start to take over our emotional relationships and we feel lost or out of control ,it is during these times that asking for help can be of real benefit to us.
In this work, the therapist explores with the client ways to get permission from these defenses / shields or protectors that may have
been there for a long time.Its important to honor the role of the protectors, and also explain how healing the wound that is been hidden might help the role of the protector. The more the client becomes aware of what is the real authentic self versus the defended self, the more confidence, and self compassion is experienced by the client.
Mindfulness quite often plays an important role in my work. A person doesn't need to have a spiritual or religious practice or belief
to engage in this process.By giving the mind something to do like focusing on the breath, or the sensations of a guided visualization
a certain "spaciousness" can occur. This opening can often allow a different experience, where access to intuition is more available instead of the busy mind running the show. Mindfulness plays a central part in Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy ,Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy all of which I incorporate into my work.
Gestalt Therapy:This technique helps the client to focus on the "here and now". It allows the client to develop a better awareness in relationship to present time. The process involves focusing on emotional, mental and body senses. Sometimes something as basic as focusing on the client's breath can give a window into what emotions are really present. The work is experiential, and the therapist will give direct feedback when appropriate regarding the client’s expression, body language and presence so as to help the client to access more authentic feelings.
Gestalt therapy essentially aims to support the client embracing the sum of all the parts of the self. This work involves helping the
client to understand how all of the parts relate to the greater whole. The client explores the role that past experiences and or family of origin influences the present day experience. This process is an engaging experiential experience where the client can learn to have
a greater understanding of the reactivity showing up in present day. The goal is to embrace and accept what is present ,in order to change and grow.
Transactional Analysis (TA):Transactional analysis is a Psychoanalytical theory and method which helps the client to understand as a communicator the role that is played whether it be parent-like, child-like or adult-like.The theory is based on the concept that when we regress into a child-like state we quite often expect the other in relationship to parent or take care of us. Alternatively, we can fall into being the critical parent- like role insisting or inflicting our demands on others. This role can cause upset in relationship causing the other to fall into a child-like state in protest. We learn these roles in childhood, and have certain triggers that cause us to regress or fall out of our adult roles ,into either wounded child or critical parent.
The work is experiential and also embraces Gestalt Therapy techniques to engage the client in the process.The goal is to support the client to feel empowered in adult like states so as to ask for what is needed and embrace change and growth.
Energy Psychology explores the relationship between the body, mind and spirit or attitude. It explores how thoughts, feelings, bodily functions, sensations, neuron elasticity, belief structures, sounds, movements and other energetic patterns can influence well being.It takes into account the whole picture of a human versus just the mind.
Emotional Freedom Technique -EFT otherwise known as "Tapping" is one of the many techniques that falls under the umbrella of energy psychology.This technique explores the energy blockages along the meridians in the body ( much like the pressure points used in acupuncture) By tapping on the energy meridians, and addressing the psychological challenges, it can clear the energy blocks. This then helps to make room for positive thoughts and beliefs to be received and fully embodied.This can help alleviate anxiety, depression, insomnia and other painful emotional and physical conditions.
Cognitive therapy focuses on the power of our thoughts and how these thoughts can affect our emotions and reactions. By learning
to identify certain thoughts that trigger harmful reactions, we can learn alternative ways to achieve a different reaction.
Psychodynamic Therapy is a way to explore a person's underlining unconscious patterns that often get to repeat over and over in their every day life. This pattern could come from an old familiar pattern of relating to a parent, teacher, relative or caregiver and it keeps making the same pattern in current time. The relationship with the therapist can give the client an opportunity to explore these patterns, discover new ways of making choices.
Hakomi Psychotherapy is a an experiential somatic therapy which helps to explore the body's wisdom in order to inform the mind, thereby integrating body and mind.The work is very present to how emotional beliefs and emotions affect our breath, posture, and
body in general.Mindfulness is a significant part of this technique as it invites the client to feel safe, and allow for the possibility of the unconscious mind or what we refer to the body mind to open up.
Hearthmath Technology
Is an evidence based therapy that is used widely by government bodies , health care organizations such as Kaiser Permanente and Stanford University. Scientific research has shown a direct relationship between stress and heart health. Heartmath research shows that when we are stressed that the heart rhythm pattern is erratic and disordered. When neural signals register this chaotic rhythm,
they then send signals to the brain that inhibit cognitive functions. Ever have the experience of being so stressed that you can't remember simple things like your own phone number or familiar names? So this cutting edge technology aims to give a direct
feedback to the client of the state of her/ his heart rhythm and then the work is to support the client to come into a more balanced
heart rhythm pattern.
Psychodynamic Therapy is a way to explore a person's underlining unconscious patterns that often get to repeat over and over in their every day life. This pattern could come from an old familiar pattern of relating to a parent, teacher, relative or caregiver and it keeps making the same pattern in current time. The relationship with the therapist can give the client an opportunity to explore these patterns, discover new ways of making choices.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy. combines cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness awareness techniques to support emotional
challenges and acceptance. It supports the theory that each one of us can hold several dialectical experiences at once eg feeling excited versus feeling sad.Thus, if somebody is feeling sad and very stuck, one might explore the part that is very hopeful and happy.
It essentially supports "positive psychology" tapping into the parts of us that are functioning so as to build on the "positive experiences"
Licensing information:
Clodagh O' Herlihy, Marriage & Family Therapist ( LMFT)
Clodagh O'Herlihy, CCHT
As a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, I am licensed by the National board of Hypnotherapists.
Phone number : 503-327-6440
