
Speakers Past & Present

Workshop: Working with Gender Dysphoria in Young People
November 2022
Stella O'Malley
Stella O’Malley is a psychotherapist, author, and public speaker. She holds a B.A. in Counselling and Psychotherapy, an M.A. in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and diplomas in Youth Studies, Psychometric Testing and Gender Identity counselling.
Stella is the founder and director of Genspect, an international alliance of professionals, parent groups, transitioned people and detransitioners. Genspect seeks to promote reasonable and well-informed voices in discussions about gender. She is also a founder of GETA, the Gender Exploratory Therapy Association, and a clinical advisor at SEGM, the Society for Evidence-based Gender Medicine.
Stella is a regular contributor to the media and has written 3 books: ‘Cotton Wool Kids’, 'Bully-Proof Kids' and ‘Fragile’. Stella is currently working on her new book 'What Your Kid is Trying to Tell You', whilst also studying for a PhD on gender dysphoria in children and adults.
Stella co-hosts ‘Gender: A Wider Lens’ the world’s leading podcast on gender and presented the C4 documentary 'Trans Kids: It’s Time to Talk'.
Stella's website;
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The Age of Anxiety: Understanding Anxiety in Children & Adolescents.
September & February 2019
Dr. Harry Barry
Dr. Harry Barry is a renowned and highly respected GP, consultant and author of numerous books on the subjects of anxiety, panic, stress & resilience. He is a regular contributor to national press and media and, for the past four years, has featured monthly on Today with Sean O’ Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1.
He is one of Ireland's most knowledgeable speakers on the subject of anxiety and panic attacks.
An experienced medical doctor Dr Barry has worked as a senior GP for over thirty-five years. He has a long-standing interest in mental health especially the management of anxiety, depression, toxic stress, prevention of suicide and how developing emotional resilience can transform mental health.
Having retired from full time general practice in 2013 Dr Barry now works on a consultancy basis combining clinics, writing, media and public information lectures as well as assisting fellow GPs, nurses and therapists with lectures and workshops.
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Harry's website;
drharrybarry.com
Effective Communication With Children & Teenagers
May, June & October 2018
Dr. David Coleman
During May, June & October 2018, parenting expert David Coleman presented five hugely successful talks entitled “Effective Communication with Children & Teenagers”. These talks captivated audiences in Cork, Limerick & Waterford.
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The presentations guided us through the fundamentals of effective communication; translating psychological theories into common sense advice on how we could best respond to our children.
An often humorous, yet practical guide for time-strapped, exhausted and stressed parents dealt with how to raise resilient and emotionally intelligent children.
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David is a practising Clinical Psychologist, TV and Radio Broadcaster, Author and Columnist. He has become best known here as the presenter of a number of RTÉ television series Families in Trouble, 21st Century Child, Teens in the Wild, Families in the Wild and Bullyproof. In 2013 Bullyproof won an IFTA for Best Documentary Series.
David's website;

The Art of Time Management
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November 2022 (Postponed)
Rosarii Ryan
Rosarii Ryan, BSc. BA. MIACP is a Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Psychology graduate and Corporate Trainer with over 10 years' experience.
Rosarii has worked extensively with two international EAP providers delivering wellness trainings to corporates including:
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Apple Inc.
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McAfee, LLC.
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Adobe Inc.
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Bank of Ireland Group plc.
Her private portfolio of clients includes:
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Law Society of Ireland
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BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.
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ABTRAN
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GlaxoSmithKline (GSK plc)
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Southern Law Association
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Blue Point Laboratories (BP Pharmaceuticals Laboratories Company).
Until 2001 Rosarii held the position of Radio Sales & Marketing Manager for RTE Radio and resigned from this position to pursue her current ventures.
Rosarii's website;

Keeping Up & Keeping Sane
in Close Relationships
May 2019
Dr. Maureen Gaffney
Dr. Maureen Gaffney is a distinguished psychologist, author, consultant and broadcaster. Her best-selling book Flourishing was the basis of the two-part documentary How to Be Happy which she presented on RTÉ television. Many will know her from her RTÉ radio work with Marian Finucane.
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Amongst many academic honours she has earned a B.A. in Psychology (University College Cork), an M.A. in Behavioural Sciences (University of Chicago) and a PhD (Trinity College, Dublin). She has served on the board of the HSE and was appointed by successive governments as a Law Reform Commissioner.
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She addresses a wide range of audiences here in Ireland, the UK, across Europe and the US. In addition, working with numerous organisations to build resilient, emotionally–intelligent leadership; advising major multinational companies in Ireland and in the US, including Intel, Boston Scientific, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Google & Amazon.
Maureen's website;
maureengaffney.ie
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Bullyproofing Kids
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September & October 2019
Dr. David Coleman
During September & October 2019, parenting expert Dr. David Coleman M.Psych. Sc. presented "Bullyproofing Kids" in four locations; Cork, Galway, Killarney & Limerick.
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David is a practising Clinical Psychologist, TV and Radio Broadcaster, Author and Columnist. He contributes regularly to the Sean O'Rourke Show on RTÉ Radio 1, writes a weekly column for the Irish Independent and has, so far, authored three books.
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Of course, David has become best known here as the presenter of a number of RTÉ television series Families in Trouble, 21st Century Child, Teens in the Wild, Families in the Wild and Bullyproof. In 2013 Bullyproof won an IFTA for Best Documentary Series.
A parent himself David is open and honest about his own struggles as a parent and how from time to time he fails to ‘take his own advice’.
David' warm, empathetic, direct non-nonsense and often humorous approach to the challenging job of parenting is one of the many reasons he is so well received.
David's website;

The Impact of Childhood Trauma: Understanding ACE's & Resilience
March 2019
Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk
Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk is a research scientist and developmental psychologist who earned her PhD at Yale University. Since 2011, following a 20 year career at the University of Dundee (School of Psychology), she has worked to help the public understand all that science has discovered about the importance of emotional connection for human health and happiness. She has become one of the leading advocates for ACE-Awareness and attachment-led practice in Scotland helping to build a society that's trauma-informed and in 2018 shared the stage with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris at the first ACE Aware Nation Conference.
Suzanne’s body of work includes how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a profound effect on the attachment system in children. Approximately 40,000 people have attended her various speaking events on ACEs, fostering connection, compassion and resilience.
Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk is an inspirational speaker combining expertise, inspiration and passion.
Suzanne's website;
suzannezeedyk.com