The rhythms of rest and sleep with Ciara Breen
This podcast will take a relaxed and curious look at sleep and rest, the daily rhythms and habits that can support rest and sleep, and the barriers that life can throw in the way including illness, cultural expectations, stress and life roles.
Learning Outcomes
- How to raise and explore the topic of rest and sleep with clients
- Learn about the influence of the circadian rhythm on sleep and how people can either support this cycle, or disrupt it through patterns and sleep habits
- Discuss some of the barriers to rest including financial, cultural, and personal factors
Meet our Experts

Ciara Breen is an Occupational Therapist with over twenty-five years of experience in neuro-rehabilitation and older persons rehabilitation. She has long held a particular interest in fatigue and sleep and has more recently also developed further specialism in sleep by training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi). In her private practice, The Brí Clinic, Ciara assesses and treats people with a range of causes for their fatigue, including neurological conditions such as stroke and brain injury, energy-limiting conditions such as ME and Long Covid and lifestyle factors such as burnout and shift working. Ciara has also held a range of leadership positions and representative roles both within the HSE and internationally and continues to do so.

Nicky is a dedicated Occupational Therapist with over 16 years of experience, specialising in disability, posture, and seating. She has worked in both in patient and community settings, and most recently served as a seating therapist within the HSE.
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