Martina Carroll

As a Psychologist who has specialised in human development, Dr Martina Carroll is a firm believer in the role Writing and Poetry play in Positive Psychology. With a degree in Development Studies and academic qualifications in Psychology, she works mainly in teaching and research, and is a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland. Martina has lectured at the Schools of Psychology and Social Justice in UCD, the Dept. of Applied Social Science in Maynooth, and in the School of Psychology in Trinity College, Dublin. She has worked for many years in research training and supervision in Turning Point Training Institute, Dun Laoghaire, Regent’s University, London, and the Institute of Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy in Tallaght, and taught Cognitive Psychology and Experimental Research for the Open University in Ireland.

As she explains, “I encourage people to discover their creative side for the benefit of themselves, their families and/or communities because living life creatively can bring happiness, joy and excitement. It can take us out of ourselves and orient us towards the social world in positive ways, especially if we allow ourselves to become more open. We all have this wonderful ability to think abstractly, yet convention restricts us to how things should be, rather than freeing our imaginations to tackle the causes of stress and unhappiness. Writing can help free our imaginations and connect us to our deepest core.”