“The purpose of our lives is to be happy”. Dalai Lama
My name is Joanne McQuillan. I began my journey in counselling 25 years ago but due to family circumstances was not able to continue studies. Family bereavement changed how I looked at the world and my life, and I returned to study. With the guidance of excellent counselling tuition and experienced supervision, I completed a foundation degree in counselling. I then completed diplomas in cognitive behaviour therapy, child psychology, couples counselling, counselling children, young people and counselling supervision. I also have teaching qualifications which enable me to write and deliver bespoke mental health related courses and work part time as a college lecturer.
I have worked and volunteered, for various charities and agencies for nearly 10 years. I opened my private practice in 2017, originally based in Coleraine for some years offering counselling. When the Covid19 pandemic hit, this led to closure of everything. I worked throughout lockdowns from home online and telephone only.
My dream came true last year when we moved house and I was able to have a private, accessible home office to work from offering clients convenience and privacy in our counselling and supervision sessions. I have private off road parking and full wheelchair accessibility.
Over the years I have added to my professional knowledge and skills by attending various training courses. This is to enable offering a variety of counselling modalities in client work and training delivery for individuals and groups. I have worked in schools mixing learning about building emotional resilience with art, music and movement to encourage children and young people to be more aware and intuitive of their mental health.
I enjoyed supporting elderly residents in care homes to express and process their lived experiences. I have supported a village community through the shock and disbelief of tragedy and sudden bereavement. I have spent time with so many wonderful people from age 7 - 81, supporting and guiding them to unburden themselves and move into acceptance of themselves and their lives.
Counselling requires a high level of self awareness to ensure ethical and safe practise. I regularly attend my own supervision and personal therapy to enable me to process my own ‘stuff’ too. Once I learned to recognise my patterns of behaviour and relating to others, I was able to make the choice to change and grow within. Counselling has given me a deeper level of understanding myself and the world around me, my past lived experiences and how they impacted me throughout my life.