WHY I WORK IN THIS FIEld- By Michael McArdle, Co Longford!

Visit www.therapyroute.com to see my Biography

My work as a psychotherapist is not just a profession—it’s personal. It’s grounded in extensive lived life experience.

I come to this field not only with training and qualifications, but with the deep understanding that comes from surviving a life shaped by trauma. I have lived through childhood neglect, emotional and physical abuse, poverty, and the kind of trauma that leaves lasting imprints on both body and mind. In my adult life, I faced addiction, domestic violence, coercive control, and the silent struggles that so often accompany them. 

These are not just words to me—they are chapters of my own story. And it is this lived life experience that has become the driving force behind the work I do today. 

I know what it feels like to be unheard, misunderstood, and judged. I also know what it takes to rebuild, to heal, and to find meaning on the other side of pain. My therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and connection. I don’t just work from textbooks—I work from the heart, and from having walked the road myself. 

Lived life experience is not something that can be taught. It shapes how I listen, how I understand, and how I support those who sit across from me. It allows me to meet people exactly where they are—with no judgment, only respect for their courage.

I work in this field because I know change is possible. I’ve lived it. And I am deeply committed to helping others find hope, healing, and a renewed sense of self—just as I did.

Link to by Biography on Trherapy Routet?

Michael 😊