Ep. 12: Difficulties Most Therapists Have in Common – with Maria Gleeson from Clonmel (Part 2)

Описание: Episode 12:

Watch the previous interview with Maria here:    • Ep. 11: Why Good Supervision Can Make or B...  

In this second interview with Psychotherapist, Clinical Supervisor, and Lecturer Maria Gleeson, I wanted to go deeper into her personal and professional journey. We started by talking about her early steps in private practice and what it felt like to meet her very first clients. Maria shared honestly about the anxieties that come with starting out and offered valuable advice for therapists at the beginning of their careers.
From there, we explored the role of different therapeutic approaches, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Maria explained what she appreciates about CBT — its practicality and usefulness — but also pointed out that therapy can’t just be a rigid six- to eight-week program. It has to be tailored to each client and open to whatever they bring into the room. We also touched on topics like supervision, ethics, and the role of homework in CBT, showing the realities of therapy beyond the textbook.
Later in the conversation, we discussed common struggles like OCD and anxiety, the insecurities new therapists often face, and the importance of ongoing training and placements. We closed by looking at the bigger picture of mental health today, weaving together both professional insight and lived experience.

EPISODE CHAPTERS:
00:00:00 Preview
00:01:02 Meet Maria: Therapist, Supervisor & Lecturer
00:02:10 Taking on the First Client
00:02:48 When Anxiety Shows Up in Therapy
00:04:01 Advice for New Therapists
00:06:04 First Steps with CBT
00:08:02 Why CBT Matters
00:08:49 Balancing Career & Therapy Life
00:12:30 Keeping Therapy Real
00:17:15 Why Supervision Is Essential
00:22:40 The Role of Ethics
00:30:05 Working with Different Clients
00:41:20 Homework in CBT
00:54:10 Therapy Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
01:08:45 Talking OCD & Anxiety
01:22:00 The Insecurities of New Therapists
01:37:20 Training, Placements & Lessons Learned
01:45:55 Desire for more CPDs
01:52:30 Linking Teaching to Placement
01:58:50 Bloopers

Guest Information:
I have extensive experience in the area of Mental Health and have worked in various roles
(ranging from training in IT, work experience, personal effectiveness to Programme
Coordinator for the Rehabilitation Training sector) in a Mental Health Training Centre in
Clonmel since 2004. During my studies I also spent three years volunteering as a counsellor
with Cuan Saor Women’s refuge offering one to one sessions with service users.
I hold a Pg Dip in Clinical Supervision in professional practice, MA in CBT, BA Counselling &
Psychotherapy, BBS Services Marketing with various trainings in Disability Studies and
Mental Health. I am also trained in EMDR & Couples therapy, I mainly trained in both to keep
up to date for my supervisees.
In 2015 I opened my own Private Practice in Clonmel and operate both online and in person
session for clients and supervisees. Thankfully my practice is always full but I do operate a
waiting list. My main focus in practice is Clinical Supervision both for
Counsellors/Psychotherapists and cross professional supervision. While this is the majority
of my work currently, I also continue to work with clients delivering both Psychotherapy and
CBT.
I recently took up the role of lecturing with ICHAS which I find very rewarding. Currently the
area I lecture on is the L9 Certificate in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice.
I deliver CPD events with APCP for the last few years, mainly focusing on CBT and helping
therapists bring CBT worksheets into their practice more successfully but am due to facilitate
a CPD for supervisors at the end of August.
I currently sit on the executive committee of APCP and love being involved in the
background development of vastly growing accrediting body.

Guest Contact Details:
https://www.mariagleeson.com
https://www.apcp.ie/apcp-users-1/mari...
https://instituteofcouplestherapy.com...
Instagram:   / mariagleesoncbtpsychotherapist  
Facebook:   / mariagleesoncounselling  
LinkedIn:   / maria-gleeson-13650916  

My Contact Details:
Check out my website and Instagram profiles below. I work as an online Psychotherapist in Ireland.
https://pavelpf-psychotherapy.ie
  / the.mental.health.expedition  
  / pavelpf_psychotherapy