Jennifer Ryan

Jennifer obtained her BSc in Psychology in 2003 and graduated from the University of Leicester with a MSc in Applied Forensic Psychology in 2006, with a special interest research in the role of gender and moral development on aggression in adolescence. She also has a Higher Diploma in Educational Guidance and Counselling from DCU and has completed her training in Conflict Resolution with Northside Mediation. She is a part-time lecturer in Psychology in Trinity College Dublin and lectures in UCD on the Graduate Diploma in Child Mental Health. She is the 'asktheexpert' in bullying for the Irish teen help resource www.reachout.com

 

Her anti-bullying work brings her into schools where she provides staff support workshops, student strategy based workshops and parent/board of management seminars. She also delivers specialised transition workshops for young people moving from primary to secondary schools. Jennifer has a special interest in promoting non discipline methods of dealing with bullying and using measures that assist in healthy emotional development of young people, both those targeted by and engaging in bullying behaviours.

 

One of the key foci throughout the school work is the development and nurturing of empathic skills which is crucial to breaking the cycle of bullying. She developed the MyLife programme in conjunction with Kidscape UK, and now runs one day workshops for young people who are bullied to raise self esteem and develop assertiveness skills. She also provides one to one consultations with young people and their families to combat bullying.

 

The MyLife Solutions team are passionate about delivering a safe, secure, space for young people to explore their experiences and develop the tools needed to manage difficult situations in the future.

Crucial to the healthy development of children and the breaking of the cycle of bullying is the education of carers to respond in the best way possible to negative, harmful behaviours.

 

For more information, visit www.mylifesolutions.ie