Susi Lodola Counselling

09/11/2025

This weekend wrapped up the third Professional Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy this year and I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to train so many therapists who are dedicated to supporting teenagers with their mental health.

Each course this year has been fully booked, and I’m truly thankful to everyone who’s taken part. The openness, curiosity, and willingness to share made each weekend lively and full of meaningful learning.

The training has built a strong reputation for being both comprehensive and down-to-earth, with a real focus on what works in practice. It’s been lovely to see therapists leave feeling more confident and equipped to support young people in therapy.

A huge thank you also to our three brilliant guest lecturers, all of whom will be part of next year’s programme:

🌿 **Dr Malie Coyne** – Chartered Clinical Psychologist and bestselling author of *Love In, Love Out*. Malie is the Psychological Lead and Co-Author of the *A Lust for Life* Primary Schools Programme, sits on their Advisory Panel,

🌿 **Orlaigh Byrne MSc** Master’s in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, along with Postgraduate Diplomas in Special Educational Needs and Autism. With over 20 years’ experience as a Post-Primary teacher, Orlaigh has worked extensively with neurodivergent young people and their families and facilitates autism classes in secondary schools.

🌿 **Clodagh Ní Ghallachóir MSc** – Counsellor, psychotherapist, and organisational psychologist with a Postgraduate Diploma in Family Law. Clodagh delivered an engaging session on the legal and ethical aspects of working with adolescents, covering boundaries, contracting, and confidentiality — sparking lively and valuable discussions.

✅The Professional Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy is aligned with IACP (Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) requirements for working with clients under 18 and qualifies for 30 CPD hours.

✅The next course begins in February and places are already nearly full. To find out more please get in touch info@susilodolacounselling.com

31/10/2025

31/10/2025

Professional Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy

✅This IACP approved 30 CPD hours course offers comprehensive, practice-focused training aligned with the IACP’s standards for working with clients under 18.

✅You’ll gain clear understanding of adolescent development, learning how to match your therapeutic approach to each stage and how to work collaboratively with parents, schools, and families.

✅The training integrates creative interventions, Compassion Focused Therapy, and CBT-informed approaches, with a strong emphasis on ethical and legal practice. Guest lecturers from clinical psychology, law, and neurodiversity bring specialist expertise on working with neurodivergent adolescents, consent and confidentiality, and involving parents in therapy.

✅Participants receive comprehensive learning materials, case-based teaching, and a clear, adaptable framework for structuring therapy with adolescents.

Here’s what past participants have said:

⭐️“This was by far the best CPD course I’ve done. The calibre of lecturers and quality of materials far exceeded my expectations.” – Jennifer Flynn, Psychotherapist

⭐️“It’s given me such a boost in confidence when working with adolescents. The course was packed with practical tools I’ve already started using.” – Jen Conefrey, Psychotherapist

⭐️“Incredibly enriching and empowering from start to finish… I now feel much more prepared and attuned to the developmental stage of adolescents.” – Emaior Hartnett, Psychotherapist

⚠️ The February 2026 course is already filling up — early booking is recommended.

Read full reviews and course details on my website.
https://susilodolacounselling.com/product/professional-certificate-in-adolescent-psychotherapy-feb-2026-30-cpd/

26/10/2025

🧠 Why we need to talk more about early intervention in young people’s mental health

As therapists we often meet young people when their struggles have already become deeply embedded. But research shows that mental health difficulties often begin much earlier than we realise — sometimes as young as five years of age.

A global meta-analysis of over 700,000 people (Solmi et al., 2022) found that:
🌱 One in three develop symptoms before age 14
🌿 Almost half before 18
🌼 Nearly two-thirds before 25

This means that many lifelong mental health challenges start long before adulthood, during years when the brain is still developing the systems responsible for emotion, thinking, and social understanding.

A 2023 paper by Uhlhaas and colleagues explains why this happens. During childhood and adolescence, the brain goes through “sensitive periods” — windows of rapid growth and reorganisation when experiences shape neural circuits that support emotion regulation, identity, and stress management.

These same periods that make young people more vulnerable also make them more responsive to help. That’s why early intervention matters so much. When we offer understanding, therapy, and support early on, we’re not just reducing distress — we’re working with the brain’s natural capacity to adapt and recover.

This idea is central to my Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy.
We explore how early onset links to brain development and why timing matters. We look at developmental theories from Vygotsky and Piaget, and draw on philosophical perspectives like constructivism, existentialism, and neuroconstructivism to understand how young people make sense of their world and form identity.

🩵 When we recognise the signs early, understand how the brain develops, and offer the right kind of support, we have a real chance to change the course of a young person’s life.

Most mental health difficulties begin early — sometimes even before school age — but with timely understanding and intervention, their course can be changed.

13/10/2025

Places are filling already for 2026.
Have you any questions about the course?

12/10/2025

A few snapshots from this week’s training day in the Professional Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy.
I love the energy and discussions each week and thank you to for her valuable contribution as a guest lecturer to the course. ❤️

Bookings are open for 2026 courses now.
Link in bio.

24/09/2025

Today I had the privilege of running a workshop with a group of educational psychologists, exploring how children can share their stories through symbols and art.

For many children, putting feelings into words can be difficult. Creative approaches like drawing or using symbols can provide a safe and gentle way for them to show what’s really going on inside.

When words feel too big, creativity can give them a voice.

20/09/2025

The demand for therapy for teenagers has never been higher. With long waiting lists across services, it’s encouraging to see so many therapists investing in upskilling so they can support young people with the challenges they face in their day-to-day lives.

Just a week ago, I finished teaching the second Professional Certificate in Adolescent Psychotherapy this year. The course is designed to be evidence-informed, practical, and enriching—giving therapists the knowledge and skill to work with teens.

I’ve been given permission to share feedback from some of the course participants. A huge thank you to everyone who took part and thank you for your generous feedback.

14/09/2025

I wrapped up teaching the Professional Certificate in Adolescent Therapy this weekend. What a fantastic group of therapists — curious, reflective, and so generous in discussion. I really enjoyed the energy and participation over the past few weeks.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Malie Coyne - Clinical Psychologist, Orlaigh Byrne, and Clodagh Ní Ghallachóir for their expert inputs — your practical wisdom and experience added real depth to the learning.

I’m taking a little breather, out in the polytunnel with my vegetables 🌱 — a few hours to reset before the next round.

The next Adolescent Therapy course starts 4 October and is fully booked — that will be the third adolescent cohort this year. I’ll run three courses again next year and look forward to welcoming Malie, Orlaigh, and Clodagh back to share their experience once more.

It’s been a wonderful experience — thank you to everyone who took part.

Dates for next years courses are on my website and are open for enrolment.