My Story

For years, I worked in a career with the so-called ‘golden handcuffs’', secure, but not fulfilling.  I told myself this was “my job” and wondered what else I could possibly do.  At that stage in life, I couldn’t imagine ever finding work that I was truly passionate about, something that would make me excited to get up in the morning.  That only happened in the movies, or so I thought.

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Until it happened.

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I finally found the courage to step away from that role.  I didn’t know exactly what the future held, but I did know that I wanted to think differently and live differently.

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That’s when I discovered Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Life Coaching.  From the very first day of training, I realised this was what had been missing.  I had spent so long caught up in “my story” that I hadn’t realised I had the power to change it — and write a new one.

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What began as a course “just for me” soon became something bigger.  I saw how the tools and techniques improved my mental health and my outlook on life, and I started sharing them with family, friends, and then clients.  I realised that helping people, listening, guiding, and supporting was not just a skill, it was my passion.

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As a mother of two daughters, I also saw the impact in my own home.  NLP and coaching transformed how I communicated and parented.  Along the way, I discovered the research of Dr. Carol Dweck on Growth Mindset, and it became a cornerstone of my work.  I tested it (with permission!) on my two little “guinea pigs” at home, and the results were remarkable.  One of my daughters, who often struggled with anxiety, developed healthier ways to face her fears and worries.  Watching that transformation deepened my commitment to this work.

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Since then, I have continued to build my knowledge so I can offer the most up-to-date, evidence-based support to parents, young people, and organisations.

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My Qualifications

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• Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology (University of East London)

• 4 Post Graduate Certificates from SETU with Dr. Colman Noctor:

  • Practical Interventions for Children & Young People in Mental Distress

  • Child Development & Mental Distress

  • Contemporary Issues for Children & Young People

  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders 

• NFQ Level 6 Child Development & Child Psychology

• Diploma in Life Coaching

• Licensed Master Practitioner of NLP

• Certified Youth Mental Health First Aider (Mental Health First Aid Ireland)

• Completed Mind Out Programme (National Youth Council of Ireland)

• Currently studying Creative Mindfulness for Children & Teens (Accredited by the International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance)

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Alongside this, I run a local Youth Club with a fantastic team of parents, supporting over 100 teenagers and 10 Junior Leaders every Friday night.  Nearly a decade of experience working directly with children, young people, and families has taught me that change is always possible, and even the smallest step can create a big impact.

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ParenTalk – Bringing This Work to Organisations

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I am also Co-Founder of ParenTalk Ireland (www.parentalk.ie), a consultancy that partners with corporate organisations such as hospitals, financial services etc. to support working parents.  We provide tailored workshops, forums, and one-to-one consultations, helping companies reduce stress in their workforce, reduce absenteeism, improve productivity but most importantly improve employee wellbeing, and create more supportive workplaces for parents.

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Through both my private practice and ParenTalk, my work now spans families and organisations, always with the same goal: empowering people with the tools to face challenges with confidence, resilience, and hope.

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How I Can Help

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I work with:

• Children & Young People: supporting confidence, resilience, self-esteem, friendships, bullying, anxiety, negative self-talk, persistence, and coping with worries.

• Adults: in areas such as confidence, motivation, work-life balance, career direction, and overcoming limiting beliefs.

• Parents & Families: offering guidance on communication, parenting challenges, family dynamics, and building stronger connections at home.  I also support parents in managing their own mindset, wellbeing, and experiences of neurodiversity, so they feel better equipped to navigate both personal and family life.

• Organisations: through ParenTalk, providing workshops, forums, and resources that directly support employees who are also parents.

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If you would like to explore how I can support you, your child, or your organisation, I would love to have a no-obligation chat.

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Thank you for taking the time to get to know me.​

Sharon x