COVID-19 Update
Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, and Government recommendations about social distancing, Kear has now moved all appointments online for the time being. While the online booking system remains disabled, Kear has some capacity to accept new referrals. Please feel free to email me directly: kear@psychology-ireland.ie to discuss your therapy needs.
SLIDING SCALE/REDUCED FEES
Kear is aware that many people’s incomes have been adversely affected by the pandemic, and is open to negotiating a reduced fee for both new and existed clients in cases of genuine need. Please don’t allow financial constraints to be a barrier to seeking the help you need at this most challenging time.
PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID (PFA)
In addition to individual therapeutic consultations, as part of her professional response to the current COVID-19 crisis, Kear recently completed online training in Psychological First Aid, PFA with Dr. Eddie Murphy, Clinical Psychologist through Therapyhub.ie
Kear has volunteered to offer FREE sessions of Psychological First Aid (PFA) with Mental Health Charity, A Lust for Life, in partnership with Therapyhub.ie. This service is available for the duration of the current crisis.
You can make a self-referral for PFA with Kear here: www.therapyhub.ie/therapist/kear_brain. If you have any further questions about this service, please email me.
WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID (PFA)?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Psychological First Aid, or PFA as first-line psychosocial support during and after a crisis event, such as the current pandemic. It is a brief, one-off intervention, that aims to provide:
- Humane, supportive & practical assistance to fellow human beings who recently suffered a serious stressor
- Non-intrusive, practical care and support
- Assessment of needs and concerns
- Helping people to address basic needs (food, water)
- Listening, but not pressuring people to talk
- Comforting people and helping them to feel calm
- Helping people connect to information, services and social supports
- Protecting people from further harm (WHO, 2016)
For more detailed information on PFA go to: https://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/ppt.pdf
Clarity
Connection
Compassion
- Anxiety, Depression, Stress
- Bullying & Work-related issues
- Co-Dependency
- Domestic Abuse
- Fears, Phobias & Panic Attacks
- Grief & Loss
- Life Changes and Transitions
- Maternal Health: Pre, Peri and Post-Natal Concerns (including Fertility Issues, Infant Loss & Miscarriage)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Relationships & Sexuality
- Substance Misuse and Addiction
- Trauma & Post Traumatic Injury (PTSI & Complex PSTI arising from Childhood Abuse)
Approach
Dr. Kear Brain is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP)
Clients are welcomed into a warm, safe, compassionate, non-judgemental and empathetic space. Within this space, individuals are invited to unpack their thoughts and feelings as well as gain a greater sense of clarity regarding the issues that are troubling them. The overall approach can best be described as individualised, supportive, friendly and integrative. There is a clear understanding that therapeutic needs are not the same for every client. Kear draws on numerous therapeutic models and skills, including Somatic Experiencing, a specific approach to working with chronic stress and trauma. A decision on which therapeutic approaches to apply is informed by the needs, presenting issues and preferences of each client.
Kear is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland. As a Chartered Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland (C. Psychol. PSI), Kear is committed to adhere to the PSI’s Code of Ethics, and to ongoing engagement in continuing professional development every year.
Online Appointments
Please note that online appointment booking has been disabled for the moment. Due to high demand, I am not in a position to offer bookings to any new clients at the moment. However, please feel free to email me directly kear@psychology-ireland.ie to discuss your therapy needs or if you’d like to be added to the appointment schedule for early 2020.
Kear came highly recommended to us when we needed some guidance in relation to our 6-year-old boy. At first we were hesitant in using Skype as a means of communicating but to our surprise it was not a barrier, primarily because of Kear’s compassion, professionalism and the delivery of the therapeutic guidance we received for our boy. Kear demonstrated early on her vast knowledge and experience in dealing with varied and complex cases. Kear suggested the therapeutic intervention Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. Kear explained these with ease and clarity and gave real tangible examples for implementation in a child focused and age appropriate way. We were very reassured by Kear checking with us on progress and her following up. In working in this way we were able to see the bigger picture and learn how we could help our son in a positive and playful way. Not only has Kear got an encyclopedic knowledge of Clinical Psychology but she also possesses real life, every day knowledge of children. Thank you Kear, so much!
Useful Information
Ireland SE Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute (SETI)
Psychological Trauma
What Every Trauma Worker Should Know | Article by Zoe Lodrick, MSc. BA Hons. UKCP
Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)
Psychologists Protection Society (PPS)
Psychology Matters 40 Tips
Services
Qualifications
Somatic Experiencing Ireland
3-year advanced, post-qualifying professional Training as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP).
University of Limerick
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
University of Roehampton, London
BSc (Hons) Psychology
Testimonials
Kear has been a wealth of knowledge and support to me and the Board of Clare Haven Services. Her professional work is guided by a rare skill which is sensitive and discerning.
Having Kear as a confidant has been invaluable especially as a sounding board in complex and challenging cases.
Kear is a fabulous Clinical Psychologist, able to base all her work on evidence-based research and yet use techniques that are totally human and feel very real and impactful. Having known Kear for nearly twenty years she is completely focused on doing the right thing, always up to date with the latest research in her field and keen to continually learn herself, all which ensure the greatest experience for her clients.
She is reliable and consistent in her approach with clients I have recommended her to and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her work.
I have known Dr. Kear Brain professionally since 2011, when we were colleagues on the West Clare Community Mental Health Team for a period of time. She is a very experienced Clinical Psychologist who has worked in the Mental Health Services in Co. Clare for many years. In my role as a GP I have referred many of my patients to her and the feedback from patients has always been positive.
Furthermore, I have recommended Dr. Kear Brain to my GP colleagues in Co. Clare.
Published Material & Other Musings
Breastfeeding Multiples | Easy Parenting Magazine, with Tips by Kear
It is absolutely possible to breastfeed twins, or even more! Find out about the benefits of nursing, and how to make it easy for you and your babies. Once you’ve recovered from the surprise of finding out that you’re expecting twins (or more!), you’ll probably start...
Relatively Speaking by Jen Hogan, with expert advice from Dr. Kear Brain.
While it's rarely the intention, well-meaning in-laws and their advice can cause friction. Jen Hogan gets some expert advice on how to build stronger family relationships. Relationships with in-laws, particularly mothers-in-law, have been the butt of jokes since time...
Surviving & Thriving After Post Natal Ill Health as a Multiple Mama
As an expectant first time mother of twins, all my reading and research throughout the pregnancy highlighted the increased risk of Post-natal Depression (PND) for mothers of multiples. The statistics caution us that mothers of twins are nearly twice as likely to be...