About me
My experience and background
Born in the Scottish Borders, Irene spent her formative years in South Wales and Derbyshire, returning to the Borders when she was around 11 years old. Barring a short time in Fife, she has lived in the Borders ever since, moving around but always coming back to her home town of Lauder.
Irene trained as a psychiatric nurse at Dingleton hospital which remains regarded as a pioneer in the treatment of mental illness. During her training she experienced a wide range of clients including at that time general medicine, spending time at Peel Hospital and the brand new BGH which opened at the time.
From Dingleton Irene went on to work at Stratheden Hospital in Fife working with individuals with enduring mental health needs. She then moved to work with Lothian Regional Council, as a development officer for mental health in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. She set up many community based groups and activities for people with mental health needs across the broadest spectrum. Irene continued to work in Wester Hailes for some time moving on to work with voluntary organisations also.
It was at this point Irene decided to retrain as a social worker, and came back to work in the Borders as well as live there. She worked initially in Duns before going back to the mental health service, after additional training to become a mental health officer. She undertook a very specialist role developing the use of mental health legislation in Scottish Borders. Irene developed a significant expertise and was as a result asked to contribute to training and publications to share her knowledge.
Latterly Irene managed the mental health social work services in the Borders, covering the entire authority. Having contributed significantly to the development of new procedures, structures and legislation she was responsible for their implementation. The intensity and demands of the post became untenable and Irene decided to focus on a much improved work life balance. Undertaking NLP Master Practitioner training helped Irene to reach this conclusion as clearly it was a difficult decision to make to give up a successful career, and step into the unknown.
Irene qualified as an NLP master practitioner on 1 June 2008 following, Practitioner training in 2007 she has been using her skills with friends, colleagues and acquaintances since qualifying in 2007. Irene meets regularly with fellow NLP masters to share practice issues and she is striving to continue to build on her knowledge and experience, a process she anticipates the need to do until she retires!
Like previous professional employment Irene believe it is essential to maintain and develop skills and knowledge. She also believes that professionalism is key to ensuring that individuals receive a quality service. You can be assured of confidentiality and professional safeguards within the practice.
NLP has changed Irene's life, she is a more rounded individual who is relaxed and at ease. She has made decisions and taken actions that she would not have had the confidence to do in the past, despite being a confident person. Irene feels she now has the right balance between life and work, she’s stopped a couple of habits and has developed an emotional maturity absent before.
Irene no longer drinks cola (she used to drink around 4 cans a day) and has a greater belief in her ability to exercise and has recently fulfilled a childhood dream to have her own horse. Irene now has the permanent loan of an ex race horse, called Crackle (race name Carnacrack) who is the most gentle, well mannered horse. The whole family love him, especially Sparky, Irene's daughter’s pony who arrived at the same time. The family has three dogs a cat and 5 hens. They are currently renovating an old house, while living in a log cabin on site. There are seldom any dull moments in the Thomson household.
View Irene's professional qualifications, memberships and registrations.
Contact details
Telephone
01578 722 196
The telephone is not manned at all times but please leave a message and Irene will get back to you as soon as possible
Contact form
Post
Trabrownhill Therapy
Whitlaw Road
Lauder
Scottish Borders
TD2 6QA