News
Era of the Sober-Curious
If Taylor Swift can have eras, then so can the rest of us, and I think we should call this one the Era of the Sober-Curious. You see, to be ‘curious’ is a fundamental intention for anyone engaging in a process of psychotherapy. What will underpin the value of an individual’s therapeutic experience is their […]
Trauma and dysregulation
Stress affects everybody at different points in their life. Some stress is necessary and also welcome at times. It helps to provide focus when we must prepare for an important meeting, sit an exam or prepare for a change. When the event is over our body returns to safety and feelings of calm. We return […]
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Dating Apps: Navigating Rejection and Building Self-Esteem
The Paradox of Abundance: More Choices, More Rejection In the grand bazaar of love, dating apps offer a smorgasbord of potential partners with just a simple swipe. But here’s the kicker: while they expand our romantic horizons, they also amplify the likelihood of rejection. Imagine being at an all-you-can-eat buffet, except you’re not the one […]
Listening versus Hearing
Listening is something that most of us participate in daily. Whether in the office with colleagues, at the shops, chatting with friends or listening to the radio, it’s an ongoing effort. However, many people feel that they are not heard. The person listening may have the ability to recite something back to you about the […]
Mind Craft – Recognising The Embodied Mind
As yet I’m unsure but following some serious consideration of Putnam et al’s. (2016) article on “optimising learning in college” and some personal reflection in terms of metacognition, I’m hoping I’ll find it (Putnam et al., 2016). A key component surprised me at first but having given it some reflection I’ve discovered again that there […]
International Women’s Day
Inspiring Inclusion: A Counselling and Psychotherapy Perspective on International Women’s Day 2024 In a world where there seems to be a holiday for almost every occasion, I am sure there are many that would question the significance of International Women’s Day. In today’s modernized society you might be forgiven for thinking that women have achieved […]
Former student Aideen McCarthy Cudmore on her journey into Counselling after PCI College
Prior to the PCI College opening in Kilkenny, I was involved in participating and completing the online original version of the certificate course as were some of my siblings. We would discuss what it was like for us and Dad (Co-Founder Liam McCarthy) would use the feedback in his designing of modules. In those days […]
Congratulations to Carthagena Minnock, Winner of the 2020 Martin Kitterick Award!
Carthagena Minnock a recent graduate of the BSc Honours degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy, is this year’s winner of the Martin Kitterick Award. The Award is given annually to the PCI College final year student who produces the most relevant, thoroughly researched and engaging thesis, of outstanding academic quality. PCI College bestows the award in […]
My Dad, Liam McCarthy, co-founder of PCI College.
Long before PCI began, while teaching at the primary school and secondary school level, Dad (Liam) was always involved in setting up programmes for adult learning. 30 years ago this year he had a vision, a plan to bring to fruition his own dream. His vision was what we now know as PCI College. Liam […]
Addiction Problems: A Moving Target
Addiction problems are always changing and evolving in unpredictable ways, as society changes and evolves. A hundred years ago, the nature of alcoholism as an addiction problem was just beginning to be teased out (and widespread acceptance of the idea was still a long way away). The reality of addiction to heroin and other narcotics […]
Being Humbled by Cultural Humility
The work of therapy requires, at its most basic core, unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence. We are committed to walking alongside the other, without judgement while maintaining an openness that embodies humility in the human condition. Most of us would pride ourselves in our ability to look beyond presenting issues and straight through to […]
Congratulations to Sarah Jane Cleary
We are delighted to announce the winner of this year’s Liam McCarthy Scholarship as Sarah Jane Cleary from Kilkenny. Sarah has had an interest in pursuing a career in Counselling & Psychotherapy for some time and was delighted to be presented with this amazing opportunity to fulfil her dreams through receiving a scholarship onto our […]