About
Although from a farming background in Cobh, I joined the Irish Navy directly from Leaving Cert in 1985. In the mid 1990s while working in the Navy HR Department, I was invited to become involved in an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which was then in its infancy.
From this my journey into the world of counselling in Cork began. From 1994 to 2000, I completed 5 years in CIT where I graduated with an Honours Degree in Counselling. I completed a Diploma In Addiction Studies in Arbour House Treatment Centre in Cork in 2004, and I then went on to complete a Masters in CBT in 2008 in UCC. Also that year I completed a Diploma as a Stress Management Instructor with the Stress Management Institute of Ireland.
From 1994 to 2010 I worked primarily as a therapist with the Irish Naval Service. I have a particular expertise accumulated in working within the EAP Arena. I am a fully accredited CBT therapist with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapists (BABCP) as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Ireland (CBTI)
Since 1999 I have gained immense experience in the provision of Critical Incidence Stress Management (CISM).
CISM is an adaptive short term helping process for groups or individuals that have been involved in a traumatic incident. I have provided CISM services to numerous organisations throughout Ireland.
In September 2010 I entered private practice on a full time basis. I was invited to become the first dedicated CBT Therapist in Cork IT, Student Counselling Department, where I work on Mondays. In 2015 I was asked to anchor a pilot project in the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) where I am developing and delivering a Maritime Life Skills Programme to MNCI students in helping them to be equipped with the unique challenges of life at sea. I work the remainder of the week in my private practice as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist in Cobh County Cork. Students from other third level institutions also seek out my CBT services privately. I have extensive experience in providing CBT Therapy to young people. I am on the Trinity College CBT Supervisory panel for the past four years and I currently supervise Cork CBT students on Trinity College’s Diploma and Masters in CBT. In 20014 I was also invited to join UCC’s Supervisory Panel as an external supervisor for their inaugural Post Graduate Diploma in CBT.
Away from the world of therapy and in order to have some balance in my life, my primary interests are playing tennis at a competitive level and keeping fit. I am also heavily involved in coaching juvenile Hurling and Football teams in Cobh as well as being on the Cobh GAA Coaching Committee.
Publications
A Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Alcohol Intervention Programme is an Effective Secondary Prevention Approach for New Employees Entering an Irish Workforce: A Pilot. This case report was published in the Journal of Military Medicine in November 2010 and is available by clicking on the following link:
In January 2012 I presented the above paper at the Irish Council of Psychotherapies Second National Conference in Dublin Castle.
Thesis
A Brief Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Alcohol Intervention Programme is an Effective Secondary Prevention Approach for New Employees Entering an Irish Workforce: A Pilot Evaluation. Paul M. Mc Carthy, University College Cork, MA Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Radio Interview
I recently took part in a UCC radio show The Health Zone. Chatting about Cognitive Behaviour Therapist (CBT) and how it works.
Therapist warns of Covid-19 impact on OCD sufferers
I was interviewed for an article on the Echo recently... click here for more
'OCD robs you of the joy of living': Cork counseller on the debilitating condition
I was interviewed for an article on the Echo recently... click here for more
