086 0832682 | sheelaghmccannhunt@hotmail.com | 66 Ardleigh Park, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
Testimonials
“My brother is most probably Asperger’s although never officially diagnosed. It was like she had known him and me for years. My relationship with him has now transformed. I have better boundaries and more understanding of his rituals, and routines. I am so grateful for all of her help and love her open door policy that allows me to visit for a top up when I need it.”
Dolores, Longford
“As the mother of a child with additional needs, I cannot recommend Sheelagh highly enough. When my daughter was undergoing tests for her condition I was worried and knew it was time to talk to a professional. I am so glad I found Sheelagh. Not only has she helped me cope with my own feelings and worries, she has given me invaluable advice to enable me to fully support my child. She is kind, sensitive and understanding and can always relate to issues I have.
She has been a very positive influence in what has been the most difficult time in my life. For that, I will be forever grateful. I look forward to our sessions and always leave feeling better and with a clearer mind. Thank you, Sheelagh.”
Maria, Mullingar
“From the first moment of contact with Sheelagh, a burden was lifted. It was obvious from the first phone call Sheelagh’s’ genuine interest to help and the generosity of her time, she was always available by phone and we always got an appointment within a few days. Knowing we had that professional backup and support in times of crisis is invaluable, the knowledge that she is there gives you the strength to continue.
On meeting Sheelagh we were instantly put at ease, it felt like we were chatting with a wise friend rather than a clinical therapy session. Sheelagh was a consummate professional at all times, she listened without judgment, and gave everyone the opportunity to voice their story and be heard.
Sheelagh always steered us on the right path, she always gave us not only excellent advice, but also the tools on how to act on it, and most importantly it always had the desired result. We found Sheelagh so down to earth, easy talk too, and could relate to us in layman’s terms, a language we could understand and identify with, she could simplify our problems and communicate a solution that was practical, enforceable, and immediate.
We cannot recommend Sheelagh highly enough, she saw us through a crisis and coming out the other side enriched our family life. We are forever indebted to her for the work she has done for us, that went far beyond her remit.
We can only thank her sincerely and wish her continued success.”
Mary Dempsey, Tullamore
“I am the proud granny of 5 grandchildren. One of them a 6-year-old boy has Autism. He is non-verbal and has an awful lot of sensory issues. He was diagnosed 2 years ago. It was a very difficult time for all of us. None of us knew what to say or how to help. I offered to mind him 3 mornings a week so my daughter could do a course. But I was at my wits end. He was so hard to mind. I had no idea what he wanted and would give him anything to just keep him happy. I soon learned that there is a thin line between autism and boldness. It was very hard to talk about his behaviour with my daughter as she instantly became upset and defensive. She was very sensitive about his diagnosis.
Sheelagh McCann came very highly recommended to me, and they were not wrong. From seeing Sheelagh I learned how to manage my grandsons’ behaviour much better. I also learned a lot about myself and my relationship with my daughter and what she was going through. I was so relieved that I could actually help. My whole family benefited and learned from the work I was doing with Sheelagh. I often hear her voice in my head and her little gems of wisdom when I’m faced with a difficult family situation and these are not always about autism. I don’t know where we would be if I had not met her. I go back to see her every couple of months and really look forward to it. The word thank you just doesn’t say enough.”
Rosemary, Roscommon
“My husband, daughter, and I have been clients of Sheelagh McCann on two different circumstances. The first time was when our daughter was in National School. She was making unusual involuntary noises at school and it developed into an issue. We had been to speech therapy, ear nose and throat specialists etc. and all returned saying it was not their field. The school principal gave us Sheelagh’s’ business card. We rang Sheelagh and straight away she reassured us as parents that we were doing everything possible and she would be able to help us. We made an appointment then to see her personally. I found Sheelagh very reassuring and pleasant on the phone, easy to talk to and very understanding and felt that things were going to get better. As a mother with mental health issues, I was sure I was going to be the reason for all our difficulties, as I have been told numerous times by other professionals, once again!! But to my amazement and delight, Sheelagh said to me, that it was not my fault. I could hardly believe my ears. For once, someone saw me as a concerned mother, rather than, a mentally ill person. I believed in Sheelagh from that moment on.
Our daughter was very shy, quiet and easily upset by loud noises. She was very frightful. She was in first class when her voice became an issue. She used an unusual voice in class and the teacher and classmates commented on it and from then on she was afraid to stop it- up to sixth class. We were afraid it would continue on into secondary school.
We brought our daughter to see Sheelagh for several sessions. She was very pleasant and reassuring to our daughter and made her feel comfortable to stay with her on her own without my presence. I sat in for the last 10 mins of the session, she discussed what our daughter was willing for us to know about her difficulties, and how we as parents could help her. She gave her some simple and very effective homework to do also.
I found our daughter didn’t disclose much to us as parents but I did notice little changes she said she did in school and how it went for her. She became a lot calmer in herself, looking forward to starting a new school and an ordinary voice returned.
On this circumstance, the most important aspect we all got from Sheelagh and her professionalism is BELIEF. She believed that our issue could be rectified and we subsequently believed in her. Our daughter has since started Secondary School with a normal voice and has not looked back since.
Thanks very much, Sheelagh.
Our second circumstance is when our daughter experienced bullying in secondary school.
Our daughter in the first two years of secondary school suffered isolation bullying and all that goes with it- lack of self-confidence, anxiety, no friends, outbursts of anger, nausea, not sleeping etc. to the degree that we were considering moving school.
We rang Sheelagh, and straight away she remembered us without me telling her our case history, which I was very impressed with. As it showed me that she took a genuine interest in her clients and that her work was more important than just a job, it was a genuine caring profession to her. Sheelagh was able to see us in a matter of a few days, no hassle. I met Sheelagh on my own again and gave her a brief of our new situation. This time Sheelagh informed me that my daughter would have to be treated more like an adult now. She would have to be respectful to our daughter and only disclose what was allowed by my daughter to a certain degree. Our daughter got exercises to do, challenges to face, to push her boundaries! She did them and found that things were not as bad as she thought- hence self-confidence improved. She calmed down greatly at home and family life is good now. She subsequently stayed in 3rd year at the same school, with no talk of moving, which is great. She is in a group of 5 girls and occasionally 2 boys!! She is doing her mocks this weather, cool calm and collective, thought the mocks would be hell! It is down to Sheelagh, being able to get across to our daughter, in understanding her feelings and being able to teach her the skills to handle them.
We are very appreciative of you Sheelagh for all your help. Life is so much easier and happier.
Wishing you every success in future endeavours.”
The R family, Athlone
“I have been to see Sheelagh at various times in my life over the past few years. I believe everyone should go to a session with Sheelagh at least once in their lifetime. I find that whatever is going on in my life I will always come away motivated with a plan that I can follow through on. Sheelagh has helped me to overcome postnatal depression, to grieve for a family member and everything in between.
I feel I am at a place in my life that I am happy with myself. In the past, I was extremely hard on myself but found from going to therapy with Sheelagh I have learned to leave the past in the past and move on. I find Sheelagh to always be so professional, and she is always extremely pleasant. No matter what issues arise I know she will help me to find and solution and support me fully while I work through it. I am very grateful to have contacted Sheelagh as I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her guidance. Many thanks.”
Clare, Lucan, Dublin
" I retired in 2017 after working as a nurse for over 45 years. I didn’t have a leaving party or want any fuss. Just finished my last shift and slipped quietly away. A year later I was so lost. I had no real purpose in life or any real direction. I think I may have also been a little depressed.
A good friend gave me Sheelagh McCann’s number. I took me a couple of months to admit to myself that this situation was not going to get better without some help. I was so disappointed in myself. I had spent my entire life helping others to look after themselves and here I was not coping,
Anyway, I rang and made an appointment. To be honest it was the best decision and investment in myself I had made in a long time. I learned so much about myself in my work with sheelagh. I learned to finally let go of all my high expectations and notice and enjoy the simplest things in my life. Together we made a working plan and explored the things I felt were important and enjoyed in life. It had been a very long time since anybody had asked me what I wanted, and then helped me find ways to get it. Taking time to try different things was important and not being disappointed if they did not work out was a real bonus.
I am still growing and learning even at my age. I am enjoying life so much more and I have absolutely no problem asking for direction or support. I have learned to make my self-care a priority and any time I need a pick me up I lift the phone to sheelagh without hesitation and book an appointment."
Theresa
