Allan Clarke (MSc)

You want to talk about mental health but you want to make it entertaining, that’s why you want someone who has the knowledge, the clinical experience and the Irish gift of the Blarney.

I am the proprietor of Kildare Psychotherapy & Counselling and former host of the Straight Talking Mental Health podcast (which ran for 3 years and 125 episodes). I hold a BSc (Honours) degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy and an MSc in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy. My Masters dissertation was on Video Game Addiction and my own study area of interest is in neuroscience and trauma. I am also a Certified Trauma Specialist with the Trauma Institute International.

I am highly sought speaker and deliver lectures and workshops to parents, schools, health groups and also present corporate workshops on mindfulness. As a male therapist I get a lot of male clients and am frequently asked to deliver talks to groups on men's mental health.

My down to earth explanation of complex issues, my thousands of client hours experience and my sense of humour mean I am able to discuss the presenting issues in a relatable manner.

I am a self-confessed nerd, stand up comedy lover, frustrated golfer and will forever be a 90's hip hop kid at heart. I've been playing video games since the Spectrum 48k and when I find the time, I indulge in my other love – acting. In 2012 I won Best Actor at the All Ireland Drama finals.

Discussion points from my own life:

·        Grew up in a council estate

·        Alcoholic father & depressed mother

·        Broken home (can’t even say I’m a child of divorce because my parents separated when I was a kid and still aren’t divorced)

·        Near suicide as a teen

·        Experience of depression

·        Former hip hop DJ & rapper featured on Irish radio & TV (yes I’m white and Irish)

·        Award winning Actor (2012 Best Actor All Ireland Finals)

·        College at 33 for a Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy

·        Masters in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy

·        Single Dad

·        Children ranging in age between 25 – 6 (got a do over)

·        Over a decade of clinical experience in private practice

·        Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asperger’s) at 44