SOS and Spirasi in Conversation.

Join SOS CEO Paula Lawlor as she chats with Dr Aishling Hearns from Spirasi - The National Centre for Survivors of Torture.

Spirasi leads in rehabilitating Asylum Seekers & Refugees who are victims of torture. In this episode, Paula and Dr Aisling discuss the work of Spirasi, the issues facing refugees and asylum seekers and the impact on their mental health.

About our guest:

Dr. Aisling Hearns, B.A. (Hons) Psychology, M.A. Addiction Studies, M.A. Cognitive Science, M.A. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, PhD in Psychology Research, Dept. of Psychology TCD and Trinity Centre for Global Health, A.P.P.I, I.C.P

Dr. Aisling Hearns is a qualified psychotherapist registered with the Association for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Ireland and the Irish Council for Psychotherapy. After gaining a BA in Psychology in 2003, she went on to attain several master’s degrees in Addiction Studies, Cognitive Science, and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy between the years of 2005 and 2011. Most recently, Aisling completed PhD research on the complexities of trauma experienced by survivors of torture and serious harm.

Aisling is the head of therapy in Spirasi and has worked in Spirasi for ten years. In addition to being a member of the senior management team in Spirasi and managing the wider therapy team, Aisling's role in Spirasi is to provide individual and group psychotherapy to survivors of torture and complex trauma with the aim of improving trauma symptoms and creating greater psychological resilience so that clients can begin to live a meaningful life again. In previous employment she has worked with severely traumatised clients suffering from addiction, psychosis, eating disorders and various personality disorders. In her private practice Aisling works with adults who have suffered trauma, complex trauma, depression and anxiety, in addition to providing shorter-term work for those interested in developing coping mechanisms to deal with particular life events. Aisling specialises in working in cross-cultural psychotherapy, working through an interpreter, and working with diverse or marginalised communities.

To Learn more about Spirasi, go to: Spirasi - Spirasi

To learn more about SOS, go to Suicide or Survive | Mental Health and Wellness Training | CHY 16442

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