Existential
A Creative
Like A Coach
Challenging
Spiritual
Sensitive & Gentle
Get to know Katie
Katie O’Donoghue is a Relationship Coach and Couples Therapist who believes that everyone deserves a relationship where they are seen, heard, understood, and accepted for who they are.
However, Katie knows this can be difficult to achieve because many of us didn’t grow up in a home where we had the opportunity to feel this way, or where we didn’t actively learn what it takes to create a safe, stable, and loving relationship.
Recognising that every person is the common denominator in their relationships, Katie uses a mix of Inner Child Therapy, The Gottman Method, and Transformational Coaching to enable her clients to connect with and understand themselves more deeply, so that they can truly connect with and understand their significant other.
Katie believes that transformation and healing come about from creating a space where people can share their personal feelings, thoughts, and memories. After all, when you do this in any relationship, you are allowing someone else to get to know you – and that’s when relationship success can be achieved.
“The quality of our relationships determines the quality of our lives”
– Esther Perel
“There’s no easy way to say it but “your stuff”, or your deepest hurts from childhood, will keep following you around until you’re ready to take some time to heal them. It’s never just about your ex, your partner, or your parents but rather about the imprints and patterns lying deep within your subconscious mind. If you don’t seek to explore those patterns, to take ownership over them and actively change them, then you’ll continue to repeat them in your adulthood relationships.” – Katie
Katie brings creativity, curiosity, and warmth to her sessions where she aims to support clients in finding out the root causes to their relationship challenges. Through her practical tips and skills-based approach, Katie focuses on guiding you to revitalise your love life and create the connection you desire.
Katie’s Tips for Healthy Boundaries (and Ultimately, Healthy Relationships)
1. Know your limits: before getting involved in a relationship, what are you willing to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to? It’s best to be as specific as possible, including the more uncomfortable situations like intimacy in the bedroom. Without knowing your limits, you’ll likely end up giving a little bit more each time until you’ve given too much.
2. Know your values: your limits are determined by your personal values. Know what is important to you, stick by it and protect it.
3. Listen to your body: if you feel anxiety then chances are your boundary is being crossed or neglected. Try to understand what is coming up for you in those moments and what you can do to create safety.
4. Have self-respect and respect for others: boundaries are there to protect and respect yourself, others will set theirs for those very same reasons. Be mindful of interactions, try and find a win-win situation rather than engaging in power-play or unhealthy dynamics.
5. Be assertive and clear: communicate without any element of ambiguity. If they don’t understand what you are trying to say, they won’t be able to respect your boundaries.
6. Ensure there is a balance: some days you may end up giving or taking more within a relationship. That is okay when the time and circumstances are appropriate but if you are always one extreme or the other, then it is time to reassess the relationship and have an honest conversation.
My therapy song…
ALREADY – Beyonce, Shatta Wale & Major Lazer
“The song that makes me feel alive, present and ready to face the world.”