My name is Lorraine Mooney. My pronouns are she/her. I am married with 2 children.

Growing up I found the school environment difficult and isolating. With no guidance when I finished school, in a panic I embarked on a random course. I never had the opportunity to attend college. I had various administrative and retail jobs but always felt that I never fitted in. I was fuelled with anxiety to survive.

Embarking my wonderful journey as a mother I had no idea of the challenges we would face as my children struggled through early childhood and school. Due to our perseverance, we eventually discovered that our children were neurodivergent. Embracing this we looked for the support and services that were not available to us.

I decided to try and be a part of the solution and volunteered with Dyspraxia DCD Ireland. There I set up a teen group and supported other parents. Through my own experience, that of my children’s and witnessing the experience of others, I realised the negative mental health impact due to lack of awareness, training, and support for neurodivergent children, adolescents, and their families.

Trying to source therapists who had awareness and training was difficult, so I decided to embark on gaining the qualifications as a counsellor.

Having had difficulties in the school environment when I was younger and having a suspicion that I was also neurodivergent I embarked on discovering my differences. I am Dyspraxic, ADHD and have sensory processing issues.

I studied my degree in counselling and psychotherapy with PCI College, Middlesex University. I studied my Masters in integrative child and adolescent psychotherapy with IICP College, Dublin. I am a fully accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP) and adhere to their strict code of professional ethics.

Having both personal and professional experience in neurodivergence, a lot of my work is with this cohort of client. I also have an interest in working with the LGBTQIA+ community. I encompass, equality, diversity, and inclusion irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity. As a general counsellor and psychotherapist, I work in all areas of mental health and my continuation of professional development is ongoing.

I facilitate stress reduction and wellbeing workshops at Gerri’s Place, that host affordable and holistic wellbeing breaks.

I am at present actively involved in research around best practices for neurodivergent clients in therapy.

As creative and artistic therapy is important in my work in assisting clients, this year I am enhancing my studies in a certificate in working creatively with trauma with Jill Carter Sand play, Creative Arts & Trauma Ltd.

For my own continuous reflection and professional development, I attend supervision regularly. I feel that through my own life experiences and my professional development that I can offer a safe, inclusive, non-judgmental space and together we can embark through the therapeutic process.

“Healing comes only from what leads the patient beyond himself and beyond his entanglements in the ego”

Carl Jung.