ABOUT US
Our Mission
Our mission is to give everyone a genuine understanding of how their brain and body systems work — and how to use that knowledge to protect their physical and mental health.
Every time we trigger a stress response, we trigger a cascade of hormones. In the short term, these are essential for survival. In the long term, unresolved chronic stress leads to inflammation, physical illness, and stress-related conditions including anxiety, depression and burnout. We don’t teach people how to cope with stress. We teach them how to understand it — so they can work with their own biology rather than against it.
Meet the team
Joan Maycock
MSc Health Psychologist
Joan is an MSc Health Psychologist, BSc Psychologist, Counsellor, Mediator, Consultant, Researcher, Trainer and Stress & Burnout Programme Developer. With over two decades of experience, she specialises in the stress response system, depression, burnout and anxiety. She translates the biology, physiology and psychology of stress into easy-to-understand English — giving people a real understanding of what is happening inside their brain and body, and the tools to do something about it. Joan’s approach is grounded in evidence-based research, including current scientific findings on depression, the stress response system, and the role of hormones and neurotransmitters in physical and mental health.
Caitriona Nic Ghiollaphádraig
Body Awareness Specialist
With decades of experience working with movement as a tool for health and wellbeing, Caitriona brings a unique understanding of how physical movement directly influences the brain and nervous system. At Eirinn Retreats, she translates the neuroscience of movement into embodied practice — showing participants how conscious body movement activates the parasympathetic nervous system, regulates stress hormones, and supports the brain-body system.
Barbara Palero Moreno
MSc Work and Organisational Psychologist
Barbara is passionate about helping people and organisations thrive. In addition to her Master’s degree, she holds a Professional Diploma in Human Resource Management and is qualified to administer and interpret psychological and aptitude assessments. Barbara combines scientific knowledge with practical experience to better understand human behaviour, workplace wellbeing, and performance and is committed to helping individuals reach their full potential.
