For this episode, we have Alan Kavanagh from Dublin, Ireland. Alan speaks on Acceptance as a way of truly living.

As a hardworking, compassionate, ambitious, motivated and flexible individual, Alan has gained knowledge, skills and competencies in a range of areas related to the counselling profession. He possess a strong ability to connect and engage with clients in both one-to-one and group settings, remaining empathetic and non-judgmental. He have an excellent understanding of social issues affecting those struggling with mental health and substance misuse issues, as well as a solid grasp of community development principles. Although addiction can take many forms, not only that of a substance nature. Alan strongly believe in the social determinants model of health & how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to the development of issues throughout our lifespan. He believes too often we can individualise the issue thus label the person as the cause & do not factor in:

‘The social conditions in which people live powerfully influence their chances to be healthy. Indeed factors such as poverty, food insecurity, social exclusion and discrimination, poor housing, unhealthy early childhood conditions and low occupational status are important determinants of most diseases, deaths and health inequalities between and within countries’ (World Health Organization [WHO] 2004)

Alan is a passionate & committed life long learner who feels sometimes there can be a strong pressure for people to prove their worth, and that sometimes value can be placed too heavily on pieces of paper & should never outweigh the value within a person to be present. While education is no doubt empowering there is value in all forms not just the ones that are certified; especially, that one we call Life.

Alan shares the most vital thing he has learned, is that without practicing Self-care we will harm rather than help the person that needs to be heard. We got into this work because we care so we need to protect our best intervention to support at all costs, which quite simply is our authentic & empathic ‘Self’; otherwise, we will pay a heavy price.

One of Alan's favourite quotes is "No matter what it's done for your mind your education has been a failure, if it's failed to open your Heart" St.Francis de sale