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      Welcome to Conor O'Leary Counselling & Psychotherapy

      Counselling & Psychotherapy
      Adults • Children • Adolescents
      Wicklow & Online

      Helping Leaders, Parents, and Children Navigate Anxiety, Trauma, and Pressure.
      I work with people who are carrying responsibility, stress, or emotional strain, whether in leadership, parenting, or navigating difficult life experiences, and help them develop the clarity, stability, and resilience needed to move forward.

      About me

      I am an accredited psychotherapist with a background in counselling, leadership, and the voluntary sector.

      My work is informed both by professional training, including a Master’s in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, and by many years supporting individuals and families affected by serious illness and life challenges.

      I specialise in the psychological impact of pressure, whether that shows up in leadership, parenting, or childhood development.

      Our daily lives can be challenging and I know only too well what it’s like to struggle with some of life’s issues.  Sometimes we become stuck and need support to help navigate the many issues that life can send our way.  I am here to help you as a Psychotherapist and Counsellor.  Whether you are starting or continuing your personal development journey, this begins with a safe, trusting, and non-judgmental space. This kind of relationship is at the heart of my work, allowing you to explore your thoughts, emotions, relationships and experiences with openness and compassion. Together, we can uncover meaningful insights into your behaviours, emotional patterns, and ways of thinking—empowering you to move toward your full potential.  With all my clients, I fully believe that change is possible.

      I have a particular interest in trauma-informed therapy, and how traumatic events (big or small) impact us.  I have spent many years supporting individuals and families affected by cancer and serious illness. I am interested in how our childhood experiences shape our life in general.  I also deeply value the restorative power of nature and the outdoors. Time spent in natural settings can ease stress and anxiety, and often opens a path toward healing, resilience, and personal fulfilment.

      If you’re considering working together, the best first step is to get in touch.

      We can discuss what you’re looking for and whether this approach is the right fit.

      Specialist areas include:
      • Nervous-system informed leadership
      • Parent support for anxious or overwhelmed children
      • Child & adolescent psychotherapy
      • Trauma, illness, and emotional resilience
      Who I Work With:

      Leaders & Professionals

      You’re managing pressure, responsibility, or sustained stress, and need a way to stay grounded, think clearly, and lead effectively without burning out.

      Parents & Families

      Your child is anxious, struggling, overwhelmed, or changing, and you want to understand what’s happening and how to support them in a meaningful way.

      Children & Adolescents

      Young people navigating anxiety, emotional difficulty, behavioural changes, or life transitions, who need a safe, structured, and developmentally appropriate space.

      Organisations & Schools

      Teams and systems under pressure looking to better understand stress, trauma, and emotional wellbeing at both individual and organisational levels.

      My Approach:

      My work is grounded in a simple principle:

      When we understand how the nervous system responds to stress, we can change how we think, feel, and act under pressure.

      I combine:

      • trauma-informed psychotherapy
      • attachment and developmental psychology
      • nervous system regulation
      • practical, real-world application

       

      This allows for work that is not just reflective, but structured, practical, and change-oriented.

      A Different Kind of Support:

      This is not about quick fixes or surface-level coping.

      It’s about:

      • understanding patterns that have developed over time
      • building emotional capacity under pressure
      • creating lasting change in how you respond to stress, relationships, and challenges
      Ways to Work With Me:

      1:1 Therapy & Psychotherapy:

      For adults, adolescents, and children

      Parent Support & Guidance:

      Helping you understand and respond to your child’s needs

      Executive & Leadership Coaching:

      For professionals managing sustained pressure

      Workshops & Organisational Work:

      For organisations and groups facing emotional challenges

      For teams, schools, and organisations:

      Who need support and guideance

      Conor O'Leary

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      Follow me

      I am an accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based support to those navigating life’s challenges. My academic background includes a First Class Honours BSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy from Middlesex University, a BSc in Economics & Sociology from University College Dublin, and a Certificate in Voluntary Sector Management. I am also a certified Stanford Cancer Thriving & Surviving Course Leader, and currently completing a Master’s in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy.

      With many years of experience in the social care, voluntary, and community sectors, I’ve seen firsthand the transformative impact of counselling. I believe that with the right support, everyone can find their own path forward. My work has long been rooted in advocacy for community-based cancer support, reflecting both personal and professional dedication to this.

      In our sessions, I tailor my approach to meet your individual needs, drawing from a range of therapeutic models including humanistic, psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and developmental psychology.

      Above all, our work together is confidential, respectful, and non-judgmental—creating a space where you can feel safe to explore, heal, and grow.


       

      How can Counselling & Psychotherapy help me?

      Counselling and psychotherapy can be incredibly helpful for you in many ways. The therapeutic approaches I use provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. By working together, you can gain insights into your emotions, behaviors, and patterns of thinking.

      Counselling and psychotherapy can help you develop coping strategies to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. It can also assist you in improving your communication skills, enhancing your self-esteem, and fostering healthier relationships. Additionally, coming to therapy can aid in resolving past traumas, addressing unresolved issues, and promoting personal growth and self-awareness.

      Counselling and psychotherapy offer you the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of you, develop effective problem-solving skills, and worktowards positive changes in your life.

      Therapeutic Services

      My services include one to one counselling and psychotherapy with adults, children and adolesents.

      My practice is based at No 5 The Courtyard at Fishers, The Old Schoolhouse, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow. Telephone and video counselling are also available.

      Our appointments together typically last 50 minutes and are usually weekly but are tailored to your specific requirements. I provide counselling and psychotherapy for a range of issues (along with practical resources and supports) including but not limited to:

      • Anxiety
      • Depression
      • Stress management
      • Anger management
      • Serious illness
      • Cancer related issues
      • Panic attacks
      • Family Issues
      • Self-esteem
      • Bereavement, grief and loss
      • Trauma
      • Personal Development
      • ADHD
      • Spirituality
      • Work Related Issues
      • Separation and Divorce
      • Relationships
      • General Counselling

      Working with Children & Adolescents:

      Children and teenagers often show distress in different ways than adults. This can include anxiety, withdrawal, behaviour changes, or school‑related difficulties.

      Therapy provides young people with a safe and consistent space where they can explore feelings, build coping skills, and develop confidence.

      When working with children or adolescents:

      • therapy is adapted to their age and stage of development
      • parental involvement is included in a careful and supportive way
      • the child or young person’s safety and wellbeing comes first

      I work with young people experiencing:

      • anxiety or emotional overwhelm
      • low mood or withdrawal
      • behaviour or school difficulties
      • family changes (such as separation or illness)
      • loss, grief, or significant life events

      Online Therapy:

      Online therapy is available for adults and older adolescents.

      It can work well if:

      • travel is difficult
      • work or school schedules are demanding
      • you want greater consistency

       

      Online sessions are confidential, structured, and supported in the same way as in‑person therapy.

      Practical Information:

      • Session length: 50 minutes
      • Fee: €80 per session
      • Location: Wicklow
      • Online sessions: Available
      • Availability: I work with a limited number of clients to ensure care and consistency

       

      If you are thinking about starting therapy, the best first step is to get in touch with a brief outline of what you are looking for. I will let you know about availability or suggest other options if needed.

      Nervous‑system informed leadership:

      I work with professionals and leaders on nervous system informed leadership.

      Nervous‑system informed leadership isn’t about being calm all the time.

      It’s about capacity.

      The capacity to stay grounded when pressure rises.

      To pause before reacting.

      To recover more quickly once the moment has passed.

      Leaders with more regulated nervous systems tend to:

      • communicate more clearly
      • make steadier decisions under stress
      • create environments where others feel safer and think more creatively

       

      These aren’t personality traits or “soft skills.”

      They are psychological capacities and they can be intentionally developed.

      If you’re leading while carrying sustained pressure, responsibility, or complexity, the work isn’t to eliminate stress. It’s to build the internal conditions that let you meet it differently.

      I work with professionals and leaders one‑to‑one as a counsellor and psychotherapist to develop this capacity in a practical, grounded way.

      You’re welcome to get in touch to book an in person or online consultation.

      Organisational & Non‑Profit Consulting:

      (Limited Availability)

      In addition to therapy, I offer short‑term consulting to non‑profit and community organisations.

      This work is practical, values‑based, and informed by many years of experience in the voluntary sector. It focuses on helping organisations think clearly during times of pressure or change.

      This can include:

      • team or reflection days
      • support with roles, systems, and operations
      • communications during change
      • trauma‑informed organisational thinking
      • nervous system informed leadership

      Contact Me:

      If you would like to arrange an appointment, please contact me at the details below.   A short message outlining what you’re looking for is helpful. I will reply as soon as possible to discuss next steps or availability.

      My practice is based at the following locations in North Wicklow:

      Newtownmountkennedy:

      No 5 The Courtyard at Fishers, The Old Schoolhouse, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow.

      Kilcoole:

      Rise Counselling & Psychotherapy, 1 Druids Court Kilcoole Industrial Estate, Creowen, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow.

      Online Counselling also available.

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      Ways to Work With Me:

      I offer structured, trauma-informed support across four areas:

      • Individual therapy
      • Parent and family work
      • Leadership and professional support
      • Organisational and school programmes

       

       1. Individual Therapy & Psychotherapy

      Who this is for:

      Adults who are:

      • experiencing anxiety, stress, or burnout
      • navigating life transitions or difficult experiences
      • dealing with the impact of trauma, illness, or loss
      • wanting to better understand patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships

      What the work involves:

      Sessions provide a space to:

      • understand emotional and behavioural patterns
      • develop practical ways to respond differently under pressure
      • build resilience and emotional regulation capacity

      This is not just about talking, it is about structured change over time.

      Format:

      • 50-minute sessions
      • Weekly or as agreed
      • In-person (Wicklow) or online

       

       2. Parent Support & Child / Adolescent Work

      Parent Support:

      Often, the most effective way to support a child is through helping the parent understand what is happening underneath behaviour.

      Who this is for:

      Parents who are noticing:

      • anxiety, withdrawal, or overwhelm in their child
      • behavioural changes or emotional difficulties
      • the impact of stress, illness, or family pressure
      • uncertainty about how best to respond

      What we focus on:

      • understanding your child’s emotional world
      • recognising patterns of stress and regulation
      • learning how to respond in ways that support development and security

      Format:

      • Parent-only sessions
      • Parent + child work where appropriate

      Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy:

      Who this is for:

      Children and young people experiencing:

      • anxiety or emotional overwhelm
      • behavioural difficulties
      • school-related stress
      • family changes or illness
      • grief, loss, or trauma

      Approach:

      Work is adapted to the child’s age and developmental stage and may include:

      • talking therapy
      • creative approaches
      • structured emotional support

      Parental involvement is always handled carefully to support the young person while maintaining safety and trust.

       

      3. Executive & Leadership Coaching

      Nervous-System Informed Leadership:

      Leadership under pressure is not just a strategic challenge, it is a psychological one.

      Who this is for:

      • senior leaders
      • business owners
      • professionals managing high levels of responsibility

      Focus areas:

      • staying grounded under pressure
      • improving clarity in decision-making
      • managing stress and emotional load
      • developing consistent, stable leadership presence

      Outcome:

      Leaders with greater emotional regulation:

      • communicate more effectively
      • make steadier decisions
      • create more psychologically safe environments

      Format:

      • 1:1 sessions
      • short-term focused work or longer-term development

       

      4. Organisations, Schools & Programmes

      I offer structured, practical input to organisations managing pressure, change, or increasing emotional demands.

      Corporate & Professional Teams

      Workshops and programmes focused on:

      • stress and burnout
      • emotional regulation under pressure
      • communication and psychological safety
      • leadership effectiveness

       

      Schools & Education Settings

      Support for:

      • understanding anxiety in students
      • trauma-informed approaches in the classroom
      • staff wellbeing and emotional capacity

       

      Healthcare & Non-Profit Sector

      Particularly in the context of illness and family stress:

      • supporting children through serious illness in families
      • staff emotional resilience
      • trauma-informed organisational thinking

      Formats Include:

      • workshops (half-day / full-day)
      • multi-session programmes
      • advisory and consulting work

       

       

      Fees & Availability

      Fees vary depending on the type of work.

      • Individual sessions from €80+
      • Parent and specialist work varies
      • Organisational work priced per project

       

       

      I work with a limited number of clients to ensure quality and consistency.

       

       

      Next Step

      If you are considering working together:

      • Get in touch with a brief outline of what you’re looking for
      • I will respond with availability or next steps