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The Four Swans Therapy and Wellness Journal
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Duleek Wellness Company Shines With Top Industry Accolade
Duleek-based wellness centre Four Swans has been awarded the prestigious Rising Star 2025 accreditation by the All-Ireland Business Foundation (AIBF).
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Planning Ahead Is a Loving Act: Why Preplanning Matters
None of us like to think about the end of our lives and yet, every time I support a family through the death of a loved one, one truth becomes crystal clear: preplanning is one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind. As a death doula, my role is to walk beside people — not to fix, rush or avoid the inevitable but to help make space for reflection, clarity and choice. I support individuals and families in exploring what matters most as they approach death, including the very practical (and emotional) work of planning ahead.
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Identity - Who Am I?
"Who am I?" seems like a simple question—until someone actually asks you. Then suddenly, it's not so straightforward. How we answer often depends on the situation. At a party, we might talk about our hobbies or background. At work, we stick to job titles and roles. But if a police officer asks, we probably go straight to ID—name, age, maybe an address. When we stop and think about the question for ourselves, things get even trickier. We might start with the physical body—after all, it's our way of experiencing the world. Philosopher Alfred Whitehead (2008) said the body is essential to realizing we even exist, and Ian Burkitt (1999) argued that being human is more about doing than just thinking. Think about babies: they first learn who they are through their bodies—crying leads to being fed, pain leads to comfort. Their sense of self begins with physical experience, long before they recognize themselves in a mirror.
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Why Self Doubt is Burning Women Out
A fantastic new blog post by Paula, one of our wonderful student psychotherapists at Four Swans Why Self Doubt is burning Women out.
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Why Healthcare Professionals Need Therapy: The Silent Toll of Caring for Others
As a healthcare professional, you dedicate your life to the well-being of others. You manage high-stress situations daily, make critical decisions under pressure, and provide emotional support to patients and families—often at the expense of your own mental health. While patient care is always the priority, neglecting your own well-being can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion. Research increasingly shows that healthcare professionals benefit from psychotherapy, not just in times of crisis but as a tool for long-term resilience and well-being (Ruotsalainen et al., 2015). If you’re feeling exhausted, disconnected, or overwhelmed, therapy can help you navigate these challenges and sustain your passion for your work.
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Blooming through adversity: the healing power of therapy in cancer support
A cancer diagnosis is much more than a medical issue. It is a profound psychological event that reshapes a person’s sense of self, their relationships, and their future. The emotional toll extends beyond the individual to their loved ones, who also find themselves navigating feelings of fear, uncertainty, and often grief. At the different stages of a cancer journey—diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship - the psychological needs of the patient will vary. Psychotherapy plays a crucial role in addressing the challenges that arise, offering individuals and their families the tools to cope, to process emotions, and to find meaning in their experience.
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