Empathic Exchange
Welcome to Empathic Exchange, a podcast hosted by a qualified therapist and made to give listeners easy-to-understand insights on important mental health challenges.
Each episode centres around an honest and thought-provoking conversation with guests sharing their stories and experiences — From mental health professionals & advocates to people with lived experiences.
Our goal is to help break the stigma & foster empathy by creating a platform for authentic discussions about mental health challenges, triumphs, and everything in between.
Join us as we explore the human side of mental well-being, helping you to better understand the complexities of mental health in today's world.
Our podcast is hosted by Dan O'Mahony a qualified Counsellor & Psychotherapist & lecturer at PCI College - Ireland's leading provider of education in the fields of counselling, psychotherapy, & mental health.
To find out more visit: www.pcicollege.ie
Empathic Exchange
Ep. 16 | A Daughter’s Story: Mental Illness, Loss, and Resilience
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In this moving and intimate episode, Chantelle shares the deeply personal story that shaped her life and guided her toward the work she does today. She opens up about growing up with a mother who lived with severe mental health challenges, spending long stretches in hospital and creating a childhood filled with uncertainty, fear, and emotional complexity. At just 15, Chantelle experienced the devastating loss of her mam Geraldine to suicide, a moment that forever changed the trajectory of her life. The episode explores how this loss impacted Chantelle’s own mental health, the silent battles that followed, and the long, winding journey of healing she embarked on. Through reflection, resilience, and support, Chantelle found meaning in her pain and eventually discovered a sense of purpose in helping others navigate their own struggles. This path led her to become a therapist, offering the understanding and compassion she once desperately needed herself. This episode is a story of grief, strength, transformation, and the power of turning personal hardship into a source of connection and healing for others.