About
My Story
My name is Dr Karen Ward and my PhD research united both my beloved professions of Counselling Psychotherapy and Shamanic Energy Therapy.
I have always loved the archetypal energies of Grandmother Moon and combined with a yearning to sit in Irish themed Women’s Circles, I founded Moon Mná in 2009.
From our Dublin based Clinic, my husband, John Cantwell and I co-founded and run the Slí an Chroí School of Irish Celtic Shamanism. This is simply described as a holistic way of living and healing in tandem with nature based spirituality. This tradition of wisdom and mysticism is both ancient and contemporary, Celtic and pre-Celtic.
My Vision
Equality and Inclusivity
I yearn to live in a world where everyone is respected and valued for who they are and where they are in their lives. I do my utmost to bring this philosophy to many in all I offer in my vocational work.
Holistic Health for All
I strive to reach as many people as I can offering a myriad of ways to learn self-healing methods for mental, emotional and energetic well being.
Conversation is Valued
I endeavour to promote the important indeed vital message that talking about any issues or problems to an appropriate person can be life changing. No one needs to ‘bottle up’ – help is available.
My professional background:
Below is a summation of my academic work and training over the years in reverse order from most recent to my formative years.
PhD
My Doctor of Philosophy thesis topic was: An Investigation into how meanings of spirituality develop among accredited counsellors when practicing a new shamanic energy therapy technique (Dublin City University). This innovative practice, based on Irish Celtic Shamanism, was developed by me over many years for use within a therapeutic setting.
MA
My Masters thesis was: Transpersonal spiritual healing: a study of the philosophies of shamanic energy healing master practitioners in Dublin (All Hallows College, Dublin City University). This study was cutting edge in bringing the 'pagan spiritual' to an academic setting.
Degree
My original postgraduate study was in the Life Sciences field where I obtained a B.Sc (Hons) (University College Dublin).
Additional Experience and Training
The Four Winds Society, USA, (Directors and Teachers: Dr. Alberto Villoldo and Linda Fitch)
Medicine Wheel and Healing the Light Body School (taught in Ireland) 2003-2005 Mastery Classes 2004-2007, which included:
Walking With Protection (Psychic Protection)
Working With The Sacred (Archetypal Energies)
Reading The Signs Of Destiny (Divination)
Mesa and Ceremony (Prayer Bundle)
Munay-Ki (Rites Of Consciousness)
The Irish Centre For Shamanic Studies, (Director and Teacher: Martin Duffy)
Shamanic Practitioners Course 2006
Advanced Shamanic Practitioners Course 2007
Shamanic Counselling 2009
Shamanic Breathwork 2010-2019
Transpersonal Therapist Training 2006-2019
Druidic Bard Training, Craobh Airgead School of Druidry, Kilkenny (Directors and Teachers: Eimear Burke and Howard Campbell) 2014-2017
Fieldwork:
Ireland: Sacred Sites/Seasonal and Solar/Lunar Gatherings/International Shamanic Gatherings (ongoing)
Iceland: Indigenous Healers Sólveig Jónsdóttir, Jón Ágúst Gudjónsson 2019
Peru 2013, 2011, 2009, 2005
Q’ero Paqos (Initiation): Don Sebastian Succle Apaza , Dona Maria Apaza, Don Alejandro Apaza.
Aymara-Lake Titicaca Mentor: Jorge Luis Delgado
Australia: Anangu Elders, Uluru 2010
International Shamanic Gathering, Q’ero Paqos: Don Franscisco Flores, Don Umberto 2008
Mexico: Huichol Tradition 2004
Finland: Arctic Circle Sites 2003
USA: Native American Ceremonies with Chumash Shaman, Lone Eagle 2002
Counselling Psychotherapist and Supervisor MIACP (Member Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy: 2001 and 2009)
Counselling Psychotherapist Supervisor (Brief Therapy Group: 2005-2006)
Holistic Counselling Psychotherapist (Irish Association of Holistic Medicine: 1995-1997)
Reiki Master (Usui Dorset Street Centre)
Vinyasa and Hatha Yoga Teacher (The Yoga Teacher Training Centre yttc and the Elbow Room)
Aromatherapy Massage and Nutrition (Walmar Centre)
Reflexology (Footprints School of Reflexology)
Clients included UCD, AIB, ESB, Áras an Uachtaráin and various Government Depts.
Towards Healing facilitator and co-facilitator of Trauma Training, Self-Care and Reclaiming My Sexuality for survivors of institutional and parish abuse (2009 – 2016)
Founding consultant Counselling Psychotherapist for Smashing Times Theatre and Film Company’s award winning Suicide Prevention and Intervention Performance and Workshops for schools and communities for 2007-2017
Holistic Health Presenter/Therapist RTE’s prime time well-being programme ‘Health Squad’, RTE (2002 – 2007)
Energy Therapist ‘Last Resort’, BBC (2009)
Well-being Panelist ‘tv am’ Morning Programme”, TV3 (2009)
Numerous interviews, holistic health matters, RTE, Newstalk and Regional.
Contributor, ‘This Sacred Earth: 2012 Phenomenon’, (Wild Pure Heart 2009).
‘The Health Squad Guide to Health and Fitness’ (Onstream Publications, 2005)
Naturally Good Health magazine quarterly (2009 to date)
RTÉ’s website Brainstorm section (2017-to date)
‘Change A Little To Change A Lot’ (Merlin Publishing, 2009)
The annual ‘Moon Mná Diary-Journal’ (Acrobat Design & Publishing, 2017 – to date).
‘Soul Seers – an Irish Anthology of Celtic Shamanism’ co-editor and contributor (Acrobat Design & Publishing, 2019).
My Services
Mind Your Precious Self Podcast
Following my clinical work over 25 years ( I am now retired), client queries and frequent questions mushroomed organically into this delightful podcast series available now.
Energy Therapy Technique
This innovative technique facilitates therapists harness an energetic and spiritual dimension in their clients quest for wholeness during their therapeutic sessions.
Holistic Workshops and Talks
These entertaining and highly informative sessions are educational yet life changing both for corporate/community groups. Available on request.