MedMind

Bringing together self-inquiry and current medical understanding to help people navigate health challenges with greater clarity, confidence, and compassion.

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Where Medicine meets Mind

Co-created by myself and Prof Brendan O’Shea, MedMind combines evidence-based medicine with inquiry-based stress reduction to explore not only disease and treatment, but also the beliefs, fears, stress, shame, and emotional narratives that shape our experience of health.

Through interactive workshops and educational programmes, we offer a unique approach that empowers people to understand their health, navigate healthcare systems, and cultivate peace and acceptance in the face of illness and uncertainty.

What Is MedMind?

MedMind addresses complex health and disease-related topics including:

  • Obesity and overweight

  • Cancer survivorship

  • Pain and chronic illness

  • Death and dying

  • Caring for people living with dementia

  • Health-related anxiety, stress, shame, and fear

  • Guided sessions using The Work of Byron Katie (Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction) to explore limiting beliefs, emotional suffering, stress, shame, and fear.

  • Practical, evidence-based sessions covering:

    • Current medical knowledge and research

    • Treatments and medications

    • Prevention and risk factors

    • Navigating the healthcare system

    • Understanding available supports and options

Our approach combines two complementary elements:

Together, these approaches provide a comprehensive framework for living well with health challenges while fostering agency, acceptance, and resilience.

Why MedMind Matters

Health challenges affect far more than the body.

They can bring uncertainty, anxiety, self-judgement, and isolation. MedMind offers an innovative approach that addresses both the medical and emotional dimensions of illness and wellbeing. Understanding the science and knowing how to navigate healthcare systems gives people greater agency over their health. Learning how to question stressful thoughts and beliefs can reduce fear and create more peace, compassion, and acceptance.

Our aim is to support you in living positively and meaningfully.

What to Expect

  • A Deeper Understanding

    Gain evidence-based insights into health conditions, including the latest medical understanding of causes, risks, and effective interventions.

  • Practical Self-Inquiry Skills

    Learn and experience The Work (Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction) to identify and question beliefs about health, body image, identity, and self-worth.

  • Greater Clarity and Compassion

    Explore emotional narratives through guided reflection and inquiry, creating space for self-understanding and acceptance.

  • Actionable Next Steps

    Leave with practical strategies and informed choices to support your own wellbeing, that of a loved one, or your work within healthcare settings.

  • Confidence and Advocacy

    Develop greater confidence navigating healthcare systems and deepen your understanding of compassionate, stigma-free, evidence-based care.

MedMind Workshops

Beyond the Scales – Rethinking Overweight

23–25 October 2026 — The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare (in-person)

  • A facilitated, in-person workshop designed to bring together medical expertise and self-inquiry practices in a structured, interactive environment. It offers a space to explore weight and health through both a clinical and reflective lens, supporting a more complete and compassionate understanding of obesity.

  • The workshop blends:

    • Interactive medical sessions grounded in current research and clinical practice

    • Guided inquiry using The Work (Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction)

    • Group reflection and shared discussion in a supportive setting
      Participants move between learning, reflection, and experiential inquiry to engage both the mind and the lived experience of their beliefs.

    • A clearer, evidence-based understanding of overweight and obesity and effective approaches to care

    • Practical experience using self-inquiry to question limiting beliefs about body, health, and identity

    • Greater clarity, compassion, and confidence to support your own wellbeing or that of others, along with actionable steps for moving forward

  • This workshop is suitable for:

    • Individuals navigating their own weight or health challenges

    • Those supporting a partner, family member, or loved one

    • Healthcare professionals or practitioners working with people affected by obesity

    • Anyone interested in understanding the intersection of medicine, mindset, and self-worth

  • A highly interactive and experiential weekend that includes:

    • Medical teaching sessions

    • Guided self-inquiry exercises

    • Group dialogue and reflection

    • Opportunities for personal exploration in a safe, supportive environment

    The process is designed to be both informative and transformative, combining structured learning with lived experience

  • Prof Brendan O’Shea is a GP with over 35 years of clinical experience and Professor in Public Health & Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin. He has extensive experience in obesity research and medical education, including doctoral research on childhood obesity and leadership within national obesity programmes. His work focuses on evidence-based care, patient-centred practice, and improving outcomes for people living with obesity.

    Dr Nadine Ferris France is a certified facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie (Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction) and holds a PhD focused on internal stigma and shame. She facilitates workshops and retreats internationally, specialising in self-inquiry, belief work, and supporting individuals to question limiting thoughts around identity, health, and self-worth. Her background includes international development and global health, with a focus on stigma-related issues.

    Together, they bring a complementary approach that integrates medical science with deep self-inquiry, creating a balanced and supportive learning environment.

  • Location: The Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co. Clare
    Dates: 23–25 October 2026
    Format: In-person weekend workshop
    Cost: €550 (student/unwaged €450)
    Accommodation & Meals: Not included (hotel rooms and nearby accommodation available and recommended)

An immersive two-day workshop combining current medical understanding of overweight and obesity with self-inquiry (The Work of Byron Katie), facilitated by Dr Nadine Ferris France and Prof Brendan O’Shea. This program integrates evidence-based medical insight with reflective inquiry to explore not only the physical aspects of weight, but also the emotional narratives, beliefs, and self-perceptions that influence wellbeing and self-worth.

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Upcoming Sessions

  • Watercolor pink and red hearts with text reading "Carers of people living with dementia"

    Carers of people living with dementia

    22 November 2026, 10am – 6pm, Dublin (in-person)

    Hosted by: Seminars.ie

    Price: €80 - €150

    Book Now

Our Team

Dr Nadine Ferris France (Phd)

Founder

Dr Nadine Ferris France has over 25 years’ experience working in global health, education and leadership, supporting individuals, communities and organisations across Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.

She has been extensively involved in research, teaching and the development of programmes addressing self-stigma and shame, successfully completing doctoral research at University College Cork on self-stigma among people living with HIV. In 2015, she co-founded Beyond Stigma, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to addressing self-stigma through self-inquiry and community-based approaches.

She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Limerick, has previously lectured at Trinity College Dublin, and is a Certified Facilitator of The Work of Byron Katie (Inquiry-Based Stress Reduction), supporting individuals and groups through workshops, retreats and coaching.

Dr Brendan O'Shea

Dr Brendan O’Shea has been a General Practitioner in Co Kildare for over 30 years, providing personal medical care to individuals and their households.

He has been extensively involved in both medical education and research in the area of overweight and obesity, successfully completing doctoral research on childhood obesity at Trinity College in 2015.

He is Assistant Adjutant Professor at the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin, and has previously acted as Chair of the National Clinical Advisory Group of the HSE National Obesity Programme.  

Founder

What people are saying…

  • "Everyone should have a GP like Dr. Brendan O'Shea. He leads with compassion based on his own deep learning and experience and encourages others to do the same. If you can't see him in his own practice, attend one of his workshops. You'll leave with new health insights and the motivation to integrate them into your own life. Every health journey needs a guide and Dr. Brendan O'Shea is an exceptional one. Dr. Nadine Ferris France is a fantastic facilitator who draws on her wide knowledge and training to lead wellness workshops that are informative, interactive and kind. Participants leave with renewed self-confidence, practical tools and the feeling that they've been led through some potentially tricky terrain by a pair of safe and very gentle hands."

    —Participant, Dublin Workshop, June 2026

  • "This workshop kept me engaged consistently. At no point was I nodding off in boredom. The wealth of knowledge from the medical perspective on Brendan's slides and the vast experience that Nadine has in self inquiry/The Work blended so well. I left more knowledgeable and slightly less critical/with more compassion for myself."

    —Participant, Dublin Workshop, May 2026

  • "Nadine and Brendan provided a supportive and non judgemental environment where we could explore our thoughts and negative emotions about overweight. Brendan offered practical physical advice on obesity and Nadine facilitated the Work. Both of them are very authentic and compassionate people with a genuine desire to help others. After this one day workshop I feel mentally clearer about my food/weight issues and inspired to continue doing the Work."

    —Participant, Dublin Workshop, June 2026

  • "Great workshop, both Nadine and Brendan worked well together both bringing their expertise and brought some humour into the difficult converstion around self stigma and overweight but would have liked more on how to improve the self compassion/and rid of the inner critic. I met Nadine a few months ago. She immediately felt welcoming. I hadn't experienced her or her work before then and I was moved. I was excited to be invited for this program and like that I wasn't disappointed. They ( Nadine and Brendan) were amazing patient gentle obviously knowledgeable and fun. They made the day fun. Id definitely be attending more programmes in the future."

    -Participant, Dublin Workshop, June 2026

  • "I see that you are both incredibly skilled facilitators in a group work setting, as you were dealing with compassion and great focus on what was difficult and emotional content, buried really deep by myself and others for many years. The gentle, probing and encouragement to share and develop our thoughts and feelings was always an invitation that I and many others accepted within a safe space to aid understanding and acceptance. I loved all of what you had on offer in this workshop…. Freeing me up to believe more in my ability, my self care journey and self worth. Thank you Nadine and Brendan."

    -Adele, Dublin Workshop, May 2026

  • "I found this course better than any other weight loss course I have done in the past. There were plenty of times to reflect on the medical knowledge given. I found connecting with people that are on the same journey was very helpful. I came home last night full of hope for my future self. Nadine and Brendan were marvellous I couldn’t praise them highly enough."

    - Participant, Dublin Workshop, May 2026

  • "This is a beautifully held and thoughtfully curated program that is worth its weight in gold, ideal for anyone on a holistic health journey who struggles with weight. I highly recommend."

    -Participant, Dublin Workshop, May 2026

  • "Nadine and Brendans expertise perfectly compliment each other to bring us a wealth of knowledge and a deep dive into why we overeat and what to look out for in the future regarding healthier life choices. It was great to get honest, factual medical advice from Brendan and also the gentle help from Nadine and the work of Byron Katie to help us inquire, unlock and reflect on how life has brought us to where we are today, what has worked and what has not. I loved this seminar and think it will be a great benefit to many others going forward."

    -Participant, Dublin Workshop, May 2026