How to Protect Yourself Around Harsh or Inappropriate People You Can’t Avoid
It all begins with an idea.
When someone is harsh with you, talks inappropriately, and makes you feel small or stupid, it can be very difficult to cope, especially if there’s no way to avoid them. In these situations, it helps to focus on both protecting yourself internally and setting boundaries externally. First, remind yourself that their behavior is a reflection of them, not a measure of your worth. You can quietly ground yourself with affirmations such as “Their words don’t define me” or “I know who I am,” so you don’t take on their negativity.
When possible, try to set boundaries, even if only in small ways. A calm, firm response like “I don’t appreciate that comment” or “That’s not appropriate” can make it clear that their behavior won’t be accepted. If directly confronting them feels unsafe or too difficult, you can still create invisible boundaries by limiting eye contact, keeping your responses minimal, and refusing to engage with their attempts to make you feel small. Sometimes a neutral approach, known as the “grey rock” method, is useful — you respond in flat, short, factual ways, without showing emotion, so their harshness loses its power to provoke you.
It can also help to protect your mental space while you’re with them. You might imagine a kind of shield between you and their words, so what they say bounces off instead of sinking in. Slowing your breath in those moments can also shift you away from feeling triggered and into a calmer state. Afterwards, it’s important to process what happened: writing things down helps you separate their behavior from your own identity, and talking it through with someone you trust prevents you from internalizing their negativity.
In the longer term, if this person is part of your workplace, family, or another setting with clear structures, you may want to explore formal ways of addressing the behavior, such as HR, mediation, or support from a supervisor. And if removing them from your environment isn’t possible, strengthening your support system elsewhere can help balance the impact of their negativity.
Starting Therapy
It all begins with an idea.
Beginning therapy is an important step toward understanding yourself, improving your wellbeing, and creating meaningful change in your life. Many people feel nervous or uncertain about reaching out for the first time, and that is completely natural. Starting therapy means giving yourself the time and space to explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
As a psychotherapist in Dublin and online, I offer a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can talk openly and at your own pace. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, stress, low mood, relationship challenges, or simply looking for personal growth, therapy can help you gain clarity and develop new ways of coping.
Taking the first step may feel daunting, but it is also a sign of courage and self-care. If you are ready to begin your journey, I invite you to get in touch today to arrange your first psychotherapy session in Dublin or online.
Therapy for Burnout, Anxiety & Work-Related Stress
It all begins with an idea.
Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or constantly on edge? Burnout and anxiety can make even simple tasks feel difficult. Therapy provides a calm, confidential space to understand what’s happening, reduce stress, and rebuild balance—at a pace that suits you.
How therapy can help
Burnout: Recognise the signs (exhaustion, cynicism, reduced focus), set boundaries, and restore energy with sustainable routines.
Anxiety: Learn practical tools to manage racing thoughts, worry, panic, and perfectionism.
Stress & work-related stress: Address workload pressures, people dynamics, and imposter feelings; develop resilience and healthier coping strategies.
Long-term change: Improve sleep, mood, and concentration; strengthen self-confidence and emotional regulation.
What sessions are like
I offer a warm, non-judgemental space—in Dublin and online—where we explore your experience, identify stressors, and tailor strategies you can use right away (breathing and grounding skills, boundary-setting, values-based planning, and reflective practices).
Who I work with
Professionals at all career stages, students balancing study and work, and anyone navigating high responsibility, caregiving, or change (new role, return after leave, career transition).
Common signs you might need support
Constant tiredness or Sunday-night dread
Irritability, worry, or difficulty switching off
Sleep issues, muscle tension, headaches
Perfectionism, overworking, or procrastination
Feeling stuck, disengaged, or “not yourself”
Getting started
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Reach out today to arrange your first psychotherapy session in Dublin or online. Together, we can create a plan that supports your wellbeing—at work and beyond.
LGBTQ+ Counselling
It all begins with an idea.
Everyone deserves a space where they can be fully themselves. I offer LGBTQ+-affirmative counselling in Dublin and online, providing a confidential, non-judgemental space to explore identity, relationships, mental health, and life transitions. Whether you’re questioning, out, or anywhere on your journey, therapy can help you feel understood, supported, and empowered.
How counselling can help
Identity & self-acceptance: Explore sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression at your own pace.
Anxiety, stress & low mood: Build practical tools for worry, overwhelm, and minority stress.
Coming out & family dynamics: Navigate conversations, boundaries, and safety planning.
Relationships & intimacy: Improve communication, attachment patterns, and confidence—solo or as a couple.
Work & study challenges: Manage workplace bias, burnout, and performance pressure.
Life transitions: Gender-affirming paths, moves, break-ups, bereavement, or starting over.
What to expect
Sessions are collaborative and compassionate. We’ll focus on what matters to you—grounding skills for immediate relief, reflective work for deeper change, and values-based steps to support your wellbeing. In-person in Dublin or secure online sessions available.
My approach
LGBTQ+-affirmative and trauma-informed
Respect for your language, pronouns, and lived experience
Culturally sensitive, intersectional, and aligned with ethical guidelines
Is this for me?
You might benefit from LGBTQ+ counselling if you’re experiencing:
Persistent stress, anxiety, or low mood
Isolation, shame, or internalised negativity
Relationship or intimacy concerns
Difficulties at work, school, or home related to identity
A desire to know yourself better and feel more at home in your life
Getting started
You don’t have to do this alone. Reach out today to arrange your first LGBTQ+-affirmative counselling session in Dublin or online. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports your mental health and honours who you are.
Counselling for Grief
It all begins with an idea.
Losing someone or something important can leave you feeling overwhelmed, numb, or painfully alone. Grief is a natural, often non-linear process — and counselling provides a safe, compassionate space to sit with your loss, make sense of your feelings, and find ways to carry on with meaning. I offer grief counselling in Dublin and online, tailored to your unique experience and pace.
How grief counselling can help
Process difficult emotions: Name and move through sadness, anger, guilt, relief, or numbness in a held, non-judgemental space.
Understand your grief: Learn about how grief shows up physically, emotionally, and cognitively, and normalise your experience.
Develop coping strategies: Practical tools for managing intense moments, anniversaries, and triggers (grounding, self-care plans, sleep support).
Rebuild routines & meaning: Create daily structures and values-based steps that gently restore connection and purpose.
Support through transitions: Navigate complicated family dynamics, bereavement at work, or multiple losses (relationship, job, health, or identity).
Trauma-informed care: When grief is accompanied by traumatic images or sudden loss, we work safely and slowly to reduce overwhelm.
Who this is for
Anyone navigating the death of a loved one, relationship breakdown, loss of health, job or role, or the end of an important life chapter. Grief looks different for everyone — whether your loss feels recent or long-standing, counselling can help you find steadiness and hope.
What to expect in sessions
Sessions are warm, confidential, and paced to your needs. We’ll listen to your story, identify what’s most distressing right now, and co-create a plan that might include short-term coping tools and longer-term meaning-making work. Sessions are available in person in Dublin and securely online.
Getting started
You don’t have to carry this alone. Reach out today to arrange a grief counselling session in Dublin or online and take the next gentle step toward healing.
