Joanne Gallagher, from Derry, is the first ever person to graduate with an MSc in Counselling Psychology in Northern Ireland.

The new course focuses on counselling as opposed to clinical methods of treating psychological problems such as the effects of relationship breakdown, bereavement, major trauma, anxiety or depression.

After spending a year working voluntarily with Zest, an organisation that offers help and support to people who are suicidal and who self-harm, Joanne decided to apply for the MSc in Counselling Psychology at the University of Ulster.

“It’s been really hard work over the past few years but it has been worth it to work in a field that is so rewarding and that really makes a difference,” said Joanne.

“As part of the MSc I worked for CALMS Stress Management Centre in Derry, who help people cope with a range of stress related problems from bereavement and divorce to anxiety and depression and I also worked as part of the Community Mental Health Team within the Foyle Trust.”

“Counselling Psychology is based on the concept of empowering people to help themselves and can be used in a wide range of settings such as to help manage physical illness, bereavement, trauma, life stresses, anxiety, eating disorders or depression. It can also be used in a school setting to help children cope with bullying or the loss of a parent.

“Now that I have graduated I hope to work as a counselling psychologist within the Foyle Trust. It is a very rewarding career and this new course will open up a lot of opportunities for people in Northern Ireland who want to pursue a career in this area of psychology.”

Winter Graduations 2004

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter