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Joan Connolly

Psychotherapy - Counselling - Acupuncture

Greystones, Co. Wicklow

Winter always turns to Spring

About Me

Welcome to my tranquil therapy space beside the cove in Greystones, Co Wicklow. From my early twenties I have embarked on a journey toward self-discovery, healing, and personal transformation. I discovered the ancient wisdom of acupuncture and the art of psychotherapy which continues to guide me on a transformative journey toward mental, emotional, and physical balance. I have a passion for healing and a commitment to compassionate care which has been shaped over four decades of experience working in various disciplines as a nurse, social worker, acupuncturist and more recently as a psychotherapist.

In 1996 I gained extensive training working in the main teaching hospital in Kunming, China which inspired me to establish one of the first NHS Acupuncture clinics in London.

Joan Connolly, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Acupuncturist in Wicklow

BSc RGN Dip Ac (UK) Dip Ac (China) NLP MA

 I use a holistic approach in diagnosing and treating various physical and emotional conditions and always provide my client’s with a thorough explanation of the fundamental TCM concepts of restoring or maintaining balance between Yin and Yang in the body. I am committed to expanding my expertise and received training from an esteemed Acupuncturist in Japan in 2015 which inspired me to train in Japanese Acupuncture with the highly respected Stephen Birch in Dublin. I am fully registered acupuncturist and a member of the Acupuncture Council of Ireland.

A few years ago, I completed my training as a psychotherapist and gained an Honours Masters in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy with the Tivoli Institute, Dún Laoghaire. This qualification is awarded by Southeast Technological University (SETU). I work from a humanistic, psychodynamic, and integrative perspective and incorporate other therapeutic frameworks such as Attachment Theory, Existential Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Psychosynthesis Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

I am deeply passionate about empowering people to understand themselves and their internal process so that they can improve their relationship with themselves and others. I believe that in transforming our way of thinking and behaviour, we can gain self-mastery and enjoy being our true authentic self. I am a fully accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and adhere to their strict code of ethics and practice.

IACP logo
Tivoli Logo
SETU logo
Acupuncture Council of Ireland logo
Counselling room in Greystones, Wiclkow

Your First Session

Your initial Psychotherapy, Counselling or Acupuncture session with me takes place in a nurturing and confidential environment, fostering a safe space for your healing journey. The first meeting involves an open conversation where you can freely express your thoughts and feelings about your health concerns and goals. I draw on my extensive expertise and experience of four decades working with people to explore tailored therapeutic approaches, promoting empowerment and self-discovery. During your first sessions I will go through a registration form with you that will include your contact details and information about the confidentiality. I will give you a copy of this form to keep. Each session is a collaborative and personalized experience to help you gain greater insight into the difficulties and challenges you are facing, help you understand them so you can transform them to make better, heathier choices moving forward.

Counselling room in Greystones, Wiclkow

Psychotherapy & Counselling

Counselling and Psychotherapy are transformative processes designed to help individuals navigate life's challenges and enhance their overall well-being. In these therapeutic modalities, individuals work collaboratively with me a fully accredited psychotherapist to explore and understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Counselling typically focuses on specific issues or concerns, offering practical strategies and support to address immediate challenges. On the other hand, psychotherapy delves deeper into the root causes of emotional difficulties, promoting long-term personal growth and self-discovery. Both approaches provide a confidential and non-judgmental space where clients can freely express themselves, gain insight, and develop coping skills to navigate life more effectively. Whether seeking short-term guidance or embarking on a more profound exploration, counselling and psychotherapy with me can offer you valuable tools to cultivate new ways of beings to lead a more fulfilling and authentic life.

Joan Connolly, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Acupuncturist in Wicklow

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a holistic healing practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine that involves the strategic insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body. I have three decades working as an acupuncturist having trained in the UK, China, and Japan. The ancient art of Chinese medicine and the time-honoured treatment of Acupuncture is based on the concept of vital energy, or "qi," flowing through meridians in the body. By targeting these energy pathways, acupuncture aims to alleviate pain, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. The procedure is painless, and many individuals find it deeply relaxing. My extensive expertise ensures a personalized and comfortable experience, allowing clients to tap into the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture for physical, emotional, and mental harmony. Whether seeking relief from specific ailments or pursuing a proactive approach to wellness, acupuncture with me is a pathway to holistic healing and balance.


What issues can Counselling and Psychotherapy help with?

People come to me for Psychotherapy - Counselling for help with a wide range of issues such as:

Relationship problems

Grief, loss or bereavement

Depression

Problems with confidence or self-esteem

Anger management

Issues relating to sexuality

Difficulties at work or in retirement

Problems with family or College life

Feelings of stress or anxiety

Problems with addiction

Trauma and post-traumatic stress

Abuse

Panic attacks

What issues can Acupuncture help with?

People come to me for Acupuncture for help with a wide range of issues such as:

Pregnancy

Depression

Fertility Issues

Joint/ Muscular Pain

Menopause

Sleep Issues

Arthritis

Digestive Problems

Migraine

Autoimmune Conditions

Reviews

"When I contacted Joan, I was in a bad state mentally after something traumatic happened in my life. I had never done therapy before and was always maybe a bit skeptical. Straight away I found Joan very easy to talk to and I was able to engage with Joan and the process very quickly. I spent 8 months with Joan and I looked forward to every session, I can honestly say that therapy is one of the best decisions I made Joan is a big part of that; very calm, very easy to talk and asked the right questions to get me through what I was going through and I learned a lot about myself in that time. I recommend therapy to a lot of my friends and family who are going through anything, and always I would recommend Joan!" K (Greystones)

"I will be forever grateful for my time working with Joan it was the best decision I ever made and it has 100% changed my life for the better. I had tried therapy in the past but it never lasted long as I never felt I benefited. When I met Joan everything clicked, I felt heard speaking to someone who I felt truly cared. The sessions were very beneficial for me and Joan really helped me to see situations from a different perspective. She helped me gain confidence, assertiveness and appropriate boundaries. She is very passionate about her work and is able to give lots of in depth knowledge and references, which really helped me. I would highly recommend her to anyone!" S (Dublin)

"I would like to express in writing my sincere gratitude for the many wonderful, positive changes that you have affected in me and your personal inspiration which in part made me" Help myself”. I am so happy to have discovered you and your wonderful work, you have truly given me a new lease of life for which I am very grateful." C. Galustian

"Joan is one in a million and I am so lucky that she entered our lives eight years ago. She is highly qualified, experienced, kind, giving and thorough. I went to Joan 8 years ago when conventional medicine turned me away as no hope of ever conceiving! We had tried everything, gone to specialists with the last IVF Specialist telling me to go and speak to a Counsellor as I would never conceive. Well Joan proved them wrong on two counts.

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She set a plan for both myself and my husband, we would both see her regularly. She helped us with our diet, with everything that would help us. I got pregnant twice under her gentle care! She has great patience, takes great care with every aspect of your care and is always there for you. My husband and I are still going to Joan. I would highly recommend her without hesitation." Yvonne

"I first met Joan in Oct 2014, from my first meeting with Joan I sensed some hope and was optimistic for what I could gain from this experience. Joan was very professional and made me feel at ease right from the start, I felt a sense of connection and that for the first time someone understood how I felt and could see how this was holding me back. Joan taught me how to relax and to see that there was light at the end of the tunnel.

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She challenged me at times to take ownership of how I dealt with things in my mind and that I had the power to overcome and deal with these challenges in my life. I now feel that I have my Life back. I cannot speak highly enough of Joan and the professional way in which she carries out her work. Thanks, Joan, for all the Help you have given me." Stephen 

"I first received treatment from Joan over three years ago to help me deal with pregnancy related issues. During the time since then, I have had to deal with some traumatic experiences in my life. The sessions with Joan have been invaluable in helping me get my life back on track. Most recently I was suffering from back pain as a side effect of pregnancy. After just one session with Joan the results were remarkable, I have not even felt a slight twinge of pain since If you are in need of acupuncture treatments, I cannot recommend Joan highly enough." Marie

"I began seeing Joan last summer at 16 years old. Acupuncture had been my very last resort due to my fear of needles and I was sceptical regarding this form of medicine. After counselling and doctors’ appointments had not helped with my anxiety, I made the decision to give acupuncture a try. Right from the very first appointment, Joan made me feel safe and calm.

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The needles were certainly not what I expected, and I released I had nothing to be nervous about. I started to understand what was going on in my head. I was taught about my mental health issue; about what anxiety was and how to cope with it. Joan gave me the tools I needed to help deal with my everyday anxiety. I went from being too scared to leave my house without panicking or being in a constant state of anxiety to travelling to America, touring Europe with my friends, (bye bye fear of planes!), performing on stage, re-discovering hobbies and talents I had let go due to fear and becoming a much happier, healthier, and confident person. Meeting Joan and having acupuncture has without a doubt been a life changing experience. I can whole heartedly say that my outlook on life has changed dramatically since I started acupuncture with Joan. I no longer think of myself as a weak person. Joan has helped me find my inner strength and taught me how to live again. I realise that acupuncture wouldn't usually be someone of my age's first choice for dealing with the many issues teenagers have to deal with whether it be anxiety, depression, or stress (to name a few), but considering how much I learned (and am still learning) from it, I think it would be extremely beneficial to many young people. I now look forward to my acupuncture appointments like a trip to the spa, a re-charge of energy, my weekly boost of happiness. I honestly believe that acupuncture will strengthen even the weakest person." - Aoife

"Joan has worked with me in the NHS and Private sector for 9 years. She is honest, reliable and a trustworthy member of the team. She is a very capable Acupuncturist." Dr E Ansell.

"Joan is an excellent clinician and a very intuitive practitioner. Her loyal client group is a testament to the quality of her work." J Oliver, Physiotherapist and Owner, Holistic Health, London.

"I had a total knee replacement and subsequently, as was to be expected, had considerable swelling of the knee joint and calf muscle. After a few sessions with Joan the swelling was greatly reduced and I have no doubt that the treatment was a huge factor in reducing the swelling, controlling my pain and speeding up my overall recovery.Joan is an extremely caring and competent practitioner and I have no reservation in actively encouraging anyone in the same position to seriously consider a course of treatments with her." David 2011

"Joan established an Acupuncture clinic at Athena Medical Centre (an NHS Practice) from 1997 to 2002). Her management of clients was productive, professional, and cost effective. She would be an asset to any team." Dr Okoreaffia.

"Thanks for all your help. I found you, when I was at a low ebb and I definitely needed advice on how to move forward. Counselling is hard but Joan put me at ease about what we were talking about. Its tough but definitely worth it. Anyone looking to go down this road please do not hesitate to call her, you will be glad you did." Wayne (Wicklow).

"I really can’t thank Joan enough for getting me through the last few years. I first met Joan in 2006 when I had been struggling with the 3,679 different symptoms of the menopause (ok, slight exaggeration) for a couple of years and had just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I remember bursting into tears when I heard this kind voice saying “don’t worry we’ll get this sorted".

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She had to treat me sitting in a chair as there was no chance of my endeavouring to get up on her ‘table’ – so we both knew it was not going to be a quick fix. I had been suffering from fibromyalgia (undiagnosed) for a few years, so it really had a grip on me when I first started the acupuncture sessions with Joan and it did take a while to improve, especially as this was alongside all my menopausal symptoms. On my part, I think I have been a very thoughtful and generous client. Every time Joan manages to get me back to rude health, I come up with something new to challenge her. As I think I am nearing the end of the menopause and the acupuncture has helped to alleviate many of the symptoms and my fibromyalgia has completely disappeared, so I decide to go and get breast cancer. Again, I can’t believe how supportive Joan was to me during this time as I found the chemotherapy was really awful and quite scary. The fact that Joan is a qualified nurse and worked for many years in the NHS in the UK meant that she understood the whole medical process I was going through. She even visited me at home for acupuncture sessions when the chemotherapy was really bad. I am writing this in November 2013 and feel I have got most of my energy back since my breast cancer treatment during 2010.I still see Joan regularly as I do have ongoing little things to keep on top of –vertigo, arthritic knees, diverticulitis and, of course, general aches and pains from sitting in front of a computer all day. As I am now in my ‘60s, I have to accept that the arthritis is probably a ‘keeper’ but acupuncture does help with the pain and I enjoy my visits with Joan and would recommend her skills as an experienced acupuncturist unreservedly."

Nancy.

"Following 3 devastating miscarriages I met with Joan after getting her number from a friend. Joan was compassionate and understanding, while being pragmatic and knowledgeable. Each time I left a session with her I was a bit calmer, a bit stronger and more confident. Within months I fell pregnant with a strong, amazing baby girl!!I had a wonderful pregnancy and labour. I look back on this time with huge gratitude and optimism for any woman who is having difficulty conceiving or sustaining a pregnancy." Janet

"I started attending Joan in the summer of 2011 after two pregnancy losses. I decided to try acupuncture to boost my fertility, but it did so much more than that. The treatments were invaluable to me. Joan helped me in so many ways to boost my fertility and most importantly to overcome my fears and help me to believe that I would have a baby when the time was right.

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I became pregnant when receiving treatment and continued to attend Joan throughout my pregnancy which I considered to be a vital part of my antenatal care. I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and honesty believe that my treatments with Joan really helped to bring this about and I cannot thank her enough. Joan is an excellent listener and I always feel lighter physically and emotionally after my treatments with her. I could not recommend her strongly enough."

Sinéad

"Not only does Joan have a wealth of experience in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and is an excellent acupuncturist, but she is also very astute and intuitive in her work. From the first moment I met Joan I felt at ease as if I was speaking to a dear friend or trusted family member. I have always found her to be accommodating, professional, nurturing and very understanding.

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We also had plenty of laughs all the way! When I was suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome, acupuncture with Joan really helped to reduce the pain I felt and increase my energy levels however it was a comment she made about my job and not using all my gifts, talents and skills that really changed my life forever. As I said she is very astute and intuitive! I felt heard and that is so important to anyone dealing with chronic illness. Joan I am forever grateful for the part you played in my recovery, and I am happy to recommend you as an acupuncturist and healer." - Nancy

"Joan was my first experience with therapy and it has been a very positive experience. I was introduced to her at the beginning of my cancer diagnosis when I was really struggling and every week I was getting stronger. After a year of hard work I have a new-found respect for myself and a better understanding of my limits and needs." K (Greystones)

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Get in touch

Contact me if you would like to have a chat about any of the therapies I offer, or to ask about booking psychotherapy and acupuncture sessions. Alternatively, you can call me on 0876711164.

© Joan Connolly

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