“It is a joy to be hidden, but a disaster not to be found.” – D.W. Winnicott
The Therapeutic Journey
Therapy is a journey and can provide a safe space and a pathway to delve deeper into issues that may be affecting your day-to-day life. From the moment we are born and throughout our lives, we encounter various obstacles and challenges – relational difficulties with peers, partners, or families; personal restrictions with crises of identity and the varied small ‘t’ and big ‘T’ traumas of life.
We also develop ways of coping with these challenges, many of them automatically and unconsciously. While some of these coping strategies might be useful, most times we outgrow these beliefs and ways of being. At this point, our comfort zones become uncomfortable and we are forced to go inward, to explore the depths of ourselves, to reassess who we are and how we relate to the world.
For me, therapy is a journey home and it is a privilege to journey home with my clients.
Denis Ryan
Psychotherapy & Family Constellations
About me
Life crises and various personal challenges brought me to the field of therapy. I initially began my training exploring the transpersonal ‘soul’ realms of the individual, training to be a Shamanic practitioner in both Ireland and Peru. After traversing the idea of ‘Spirit’, I began to explore more closely the Body and Mind and embarked on an intensive 4-year training in a body-focussed branch of psychotherapy, namely Biodynamic and Integrative psychotherapy. Since then, I have also completed a one-year training in Compassionate Inquiry with international trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté and a one-year training in Family Constellation facilitation.
I have designed and delivered courses for both Arthritis Ireland and the Migraine Association of Ireland on the topic of chronic pain and how long-term health conditions affect our mental health.
I have been a member of the training team at the Trácht Psychotherapy Foundation since 2020, focusing mostly on Biodynamic therapy skills and group-process work for trainee psychotherapists.
I am a fully accredited member of IACP (Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy).
Biodynamic and Integrative Psychotherapy
Biodynamic psychotherapy explores how many of our defensive patterns and postures become ‘locked’ in the body and I support my clients through talk-therapy to explore the root causes of their issues.
The therapeutic relationship is central to my work, and I work not just for my clients but with my clients to explore whatever issues may be presenting. With my client-work, I have specialised predominantly in complex trauma, early childhood issues, addiction recovery and crises of identity (sexuality, chronic health conditions, LGBTQ+ issues, life stagnation and life transition).
Family Constellation Therapy:
Family constellation therapy offers a wide lens in which to explore and understand what may be underpinning issues or challenges in a client’s life. Through understanding, we can find acceptance. Once we find acceptance, we can move forward into our lives.
While Family Constellations are generally done in a group setting, individual sessions can be useful to expand and explore issues that may be challenging to share in front of others.
Generally, these sessions are done in 2 or 3 blocks, with space given in between for integration.
Next Steps
Finding the appropriate therapist and the right match is a crucial element to the healing process.
I am currently fully booked for face-to-face sessions. However, if you are interested in being added to my waiting list or if online sessions suit, please get in touch at denisryantherapy@gmail.com or 087 4562587.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” – Carl R. Rogers