The elements of design in the context of careers and life:

I hold a BA Hons in Marketing, a Certificate in Counselling and Psychotherapy and an Advanced Diploma in Executive & Life Coaching, and am commencing a Masters in Guidance Counselling at DCU this autumn. My work as a Guidance Counsellor in Secondary Education is informed not only by my own educational journey, but by my deep interest in positive psychology, emotional intelligence and creativity and flow theory. These are, the foundational elements of my approach to career and life design.

They demand that we know ourselves on a deep level. What are our highest values? What are our core character strengths? Our we extraverts or introverts or a bit of both depending on the circumstances? What stuff from our past triggers upset and impedes our ability to motivate ourselves and self regulate and interact effectively with others? These elements provide us with information we use to design our life from the inside out; they help us to define our purpose and the impact we want to make on the world. Most importantly, they help us create a solid foundation upon which to build a life that supports us to optimise our talents and enhance our experience of life.

Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology theory is about what enriches our lives to make them meaningful. It is about human flourishing and is associated with well-being. The Positive Psychology movement defines well-being as the presence of positive emotion, positive relationships, engagement (flow), meaning and positive accomplishment. These are the factors which contribute to human flourishing.

Emotional Intelligence

The factors that contribute to human effectiveness. The pillars are self awareness, self management, social awareness and relationship management. Emotional Intelligence relates to how effective we are at navigating our way in society.

Creativity & Flow theory

The factors that contribute to our creative capacity and ability to access flow; the state of complete absorption in a task when your strengths are aligned with a challenge. Based on the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, into the psychology of discovery and invention and engagement with everyday life. Our creativity relates to our ability to solve problems, stay open to new possibilities and hold on to our curiosity and sense of playfulness as we move away from childhood.