Return to the Workplace

Mental Health & Wellbeing Supports

Page updated 1 April 2022

In partnership with our Employee Assistance Service provider, Culture & Engagement have organised a programme of 5 webinars as more colleagues return to the workplace. We appreciate that returning to the workplace can present challenges and this series of webinars, designed by a team of Chartered Psychologists in Spectrum.Life, aims to provide the information and tools to support this period of change.

Starting on 8 March 2022 we will run a programme of webinars every Tuesday at 11am for 5 weeks. Register for each webinar you are interested in, and you will be sent a zoom link on the morning of the webinar.

Previous Webinars

Missed a session? No problem! You can catch up on demand via the Spectrum Website - (opens in a new window)View previous webinars

Registering for the hub

If you are not set up you can (opens in a new window)Register now using your UCD email address. As you are creating an account on the Spectrum.Life system, outside the UCD environment, it is essential that you don’t use your UCD Connect password for this account.

Upcoming Webinars

Building New Routines and Responding to Change

For those who have been remote working over the course of the pandemic, new routines were established that included integrating home life into their daily working schedule as well as additional time created due to a lack of a commute. Returning to the workplace, even in a part time way, will require new routines and a change to your days. This webinar will give you a framework for managing this change.

About the presenter: Dr Niall Loftus

Niall gained his professional qualification as a Psychologist, when he completed his Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at Teesside University in 2015. Niall initially completed his undergraduate in Psychology at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Following this he completed a Graduate Diploma in Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy at University of Limerick.

Mental Health Self Care

This webinar will support you with a manageable and practical toolkit for mental health self-care during this phase of COVID-19. The aim is to provide you with key takeaways so you can build your psychological safety techniques as you return to the workplace or continue to work in a hybrid manner.

About the presenter: Patricia McAdoo

Patricia McAdoo is a clinical psychologist with many years’ experience working in the Irish and UK health services. She is also a fiction writer and completed the M.A. in Writing Programme at the National University of Galway in 2004. Since then, she has had a children’s book and short stories published. Her new book, Writing for Wellbeing was published by Currach Press in May 2013.

Supporting Resilience

Resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of threat, adversity, or significant stress, and for many of us, the return to our workplaces may be a cause for concern. This webinar will assist you in building your resilience techniques in response to current changes in work patterns.

About the presenter: Dr Marie McGrath

Dr Marie McGrath, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Marie McGrath completed her Doctorate of Clinical Psychology with National University College, Galway. She has worked in child and family services and adult mental health care in both the public and private sector. Marie lived in Australia for 6 years and worked across both child and adult assessment and therapy teams. During her time in Australia, Marie worked in a child development team, where her role was to offer developmental and diagnostic assessment and complex therapy for children and adolescents. Marie also worked with St. John of God Hospital Services to set up, facilitate and co-ordinate an acute outpatient program for young people with significant mental health needs. Marie founded her own private practice in Australia and worked with adults with an array mental health needs. In 2017, Marie returned to Ireland and has been working in child and adolescent services in the community. Marie is passionate about psychology and mental health and has over 14 years experience in the field. She values a relational and humanistic style approach in her work with clients and believes that safety is paramount to supportive change. She is trained across multiple therapeutic approaches, including CBT, Schema therapy, DBT, Trauma Focused therapy, psychodynamic and attachment focused work. Marie has a specialist interest in many areas of psychology including working with teens, adults, women with fertility and adjustment issues and trauma. Marie's biggest value is to create a safe, warm and welcoming therapeutic space for her clients.

Understanding Anxiety   

The return to the workplace may create anxiety for some colleagues. This webinar will demonstrate coping techniques, give tips on relaxation techniques and how to deal with things outside of our control.

About the presenter: Cindy O'Connor

Cindy O'Connor has a BA in Counselling & Psychotherapy and an MA in Supervisory Practice. She holds a Doctorate from DCU and has researched "Therapists Experiences of Witnessing the Physical Manifestations of Self-Injury". In the past, Cindy has worked as Chief Clinical Officer with Pieta House for 13 years and was instrumental in developing the Clinical side of the service. Cindy was the first employee of Pieta and co-authored the Pieta House Suicide Intervention Model that is used by all Pieta House therapists. She also devised and delivered bespoke training workshops in the area of suicide, self-harm and mental health and has been a guest lecturer in DIT, UCD  and Trinity Colleges.

Managing Stress

Work stress, family stress, financial stress... Covid-19 and the return to the workplace may create a wide variety of stressors for colleagues. This webinar provides practical strategies for managing stress, helping to improve feelings about anxiety and stress in different situations.

About the presenter: Susanah Healy

Susannah is a Psychologist, Hypnotherapist, Management Consultant, Adult Education Lecturer, Mindfulness Meditation and Corporate Wellness guest speaker. She is also author of “Fabulous Jelly: Use Your Brain To Lose Weight” (Mercier Press). 

Her work takes her to all parts of Ireland and the UK. She has previously acted as an International Editor of the European Journal of Clinical Hypnosis and her second book which is rattling around her head will soon be put on paper. 

Susannah has been invited to comment, write and appear on numerous radio and television programmes and in print media. 

About the Employee Assistance Service

Please remember the Employee Assistance Service (EAS) is a confidential support service provided by an external provider. The EAS is available to UCD employees and their immediate family members providing a 24/7 mental wellbeing support service designed to assist you in dealing more effectively with any personal or work-related problems you might be facing.

Also, check out our Directory of Mental Health & Wellbeing Supports, Services and Networks.