Psychologist In Cork
Ann Fielding
Clinical Psychologist Cork MA Clin Psych; Registered Clinical Psychologist, Psychological Society of Ireland Introducing Ann Fielding, Clinical Psychologist I have been practicing as a Clinical Psychologist for 13 years, providing adult and child psychotherapy and counselling treatment for a range of mental health problems. I am a registered member of the Clinical Psychology division of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). I am originally from Cape Town, South Africa, moving to Ireland in late 2006. I opened my private practice in Cork City in 2008, where I provide psychotherapeutic intervention to adults and children for a range of problems, including mood disorders, relationship problems, personality disorders and existential crises. I am passionate about helping people to better manage their mental health problems and overcome the limitations of their thinking and self-concepts so that they can open up to richer, more fulfilling life experiences. I started out studying drama at the University of Cape Town, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Performer’s Diploma in Speech & Drama. My interest in psychology developed later, and I returned to full-time post-graduate studies in Psychology in 2000. I have a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology specialising in the psychodynamic approach. I provide both short-term solution-focused psychotherapeutic interventions and also specialise in longer-term in-depth psychotherapy for survivors of childhood trauma. The psychodynamic approach underpins my practice, but I also use a range of interventions including cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques and Sandtray therapy. I use these different intervention methods because I believe that it is important to learn how to manage symptoms such as excessive anxiety, stress, low mood etc., and to understand why the symptoms are there. Is it a genetic pre-disposition or linked to a deep-seated belief about Self or Other? Are their changes that must be made to current circumstances – a relationship, work or the way we relate to ourselves? Sometimes it’s a combination. The psychodynamic approach focuses on the internal world (a kind of blue-print for relationships, how we feel about ourselves and how we expect to be treated by others), developed in childhood via our interaction with significant others, and the way in which this manifests in the therapy relationship. The aim is to identify, understand and ultimately move through deep-seated patterns in order to free the real Self. Although psychotherapy can be challenging at times, it is always worthwhile. Some people struggle with the idea of seeking help from a professional, thinking that they should be able to manage by themselves. However, it is very difficult to get perspective about something that is going on inside our own minds. The viewpoint of a specialist in this area is an important ‘sounding board’. Some feel ashamed of their mental health problems, when in fact there is no need to. Everyone struggles with their mental health at times; it is part of the human condition. Thankfully attitudes about seeking help for mental health issues are changing and many are realising how important this is. Nothing is more precious than the state of our minds; we take our internal worlds with us everywhere we go…. How long does treatment take? I prefer to tailor the intervention to the individual needs and preferences. Some require a long-term treatment that spans many years, others get great benefit from a course of 6 to 12 sessions. Sessions are usually held weekly, but in some cases more frequently and in others a monthly or bi-monthly session is all that is needed once the major changes have been accomplished. |
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