About
Lend A Hand Counselling and Psychotherapy was established in 2018 by Mary Prenty, a professionally qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist.
The inspiration for the practice was born from Mary’s involvement in the world of business, sport and community which alerted her to the many difficulties people encounter in their day-to-day lives. Through this experience, she has been privileged to develop excellent relationships with people from a broad spectrum of society. These relationships – and her exposure to the challenges people face – stirred a desire in her to explore the areas of counselling, psychology and psychotherapy, as she has always had a genuine interest in the wellbeing of others, and the empathy and emotional intelligence to engage with them in a meaningful way. A personal experience of serious ill-health in 2004, and the forced contemplation of her own mortality, also had a profound effect on her.
All of these experiences, led her to return to studies to pursue these interests, and she qualified from Middlesex University, London in 2013 with a BSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy and she continues to invest in her professional development completing courses in Sandplay Therapy, Addiction Studies, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Body Psychotherapy, Suicide Intervention Skills (CAMS), Leadership and Executive Coaching and Reflexology. View all Mary’s qualifications below.
Mary is a member of the Connacht GAA Health and Wellbeing committee which is proactive in the use of alcohol, drugs and gambling amongst players and the committee are constantly pushing the boundaries in relation to Policy changes. She is Secretary of the East Mayo GAA Board and she is also involved at county level in Mayo. She is a voluntary mentor with South West Mayo Development Co. which is an organisation committed to the economic development of the region.
“At Lend A Hand, we offer a discreet and confidential counselling service where you can feel safe to talk to us in complete confidence.”
Testimonials
“Mary is passionate about her work and helping others deal with their challenges and difficulties – on a number of occasions, I have turned to her for advice when working with clients of mine”
“Mary is very committed to her work with clients. She knows how to build a healthy working relationship with them while enabling them to develop necessary skills for personal growth. I have found Mary to be reliable, responsible, dedicated and hard-working, willing to go the extra mile when needed”
Qualifications
- Advanced Diploma in Personal Leadership and Executive Coaching (In Training)
Kingstown College, Dublin - Accredited Member of Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
- BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy
Middlesex University, London - Diploma in Community Drugs and Alcohol Work
Awarded by University College, Dublin, and validated by HETAC. (Distinction)
- FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate (Distinction)
Urrús, Ballymun, Dublin - Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy
PCI College, Dublin - Reflexology Refresher Course
Aromaflex Universal Reflexology Academy - Certificate in Psychology
NUI Maynooth, Co. Kildare (conducted via Vita House, Roscommon)
Other Relevant Qualifications
- Certificate: Test Administration & Test User: Personality
British Pyschological Society - Certificate: Keyworking and Care Planning
Urrús, Ballymun, Dublin - Workshop: Kepner Healing Tasks
Mayo Rape Crisis Centre, Belmullet, Co. Mayo - ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
Living Works, Foxford, Co. Mayo. - Certificate: Body Psychotherapy
Oscailt, Pembroke Rd, Dublin. - Certificate: Sand Play Therapy Skills (Part 1)
The International Society for Play and Creative Arts Therapies - Certificate: Advanced Introduction to Addiction Studies
Urrús, Ballymun, Dublin. - Certificate: Introduction to Addiction Studies
Urrús Ballymun, Dublin. - Certificate in Drugs and Alcohol Awareness
Knock Counselling Centre, Knock, Co. Mayo.
- Certificate: An Introduction to Art Therapy
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin. - Certificate: Continued Professional Development:
Will Parfitt Masterclass in Psychosynthesis, Co. Wicklow - Certificate: Assessing Domestic Violence
The Family Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. - Certificate: The Art & Craft of Couples Therapy & Family Therapy
The Family Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. - Certificate: Focusing
PCI College, Dublin. - Certificate: Caring for the Carer
New Beginnings Counselling Ltd, Athlone, Co. Westmeath - Certificate: Helping Women Recover
Hope House Chemical Dependency Treatment Centre, Foxford, Co. Mayo - Certificate: Reflexology
Tutors Maria Shelley and Maureen Connolly, Galway).
Lend A Hand therapies include: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Humanistic Integrative Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), Rehabilitation Therapy for Drug & Alcohol Addiction, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, support with Depression, Anxiety and Bereavement Issues and more.
GET IN TOUCH
Lend A Hand, Clare St, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, F35 NW89
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