Originally hailing from Ireland, I am a mother and an experienced practitioner psychologist trained to doctoral level and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)- the sole regulatory body for practitioner psychologists in the UK. I am also a registered member of the Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice (ACHIPPP) and the International Society for Coaching Psychology (ISCP).​​

​

 My experience includes working in local authorities providing educational psychology services to primary and secondary schools as well as a pupil-referral unit (PRU) for students aged 11+. I have undertaken statutory assessments, participated in SEND panels and was the lead psychologist in a project to revamp SEND services in one of England's largest local councils. My work has allowed me to develop a strong knowledge and understanding of the legal system and the myriad of SEND policies and laws relating to a child or young person's experiences of learning. This includes my previous work with youth offending teams and supporting young people and their families involved in the criminal justice system,

 

I have a vast breadth and depth of experience working in NHS CAMHS. In South London, I worked for many years delivering family-based therapy and intervention for children and young people experiencing distress. This included anxiety, low mood, self-harm, suicidal ideation, navigating loss and bereavement as well as issues related to gang-related activity and street violence. I devised and delivered emotional regulation groups for primary- and secondary-school children as well as delivered multi-family groups in community settings. I also managed a group of mental-health practitioners delivering a range of emotional wellbeing support services to a population of over 10,000 students.   

​

​My doctorate provided me with rigorous training in standardised and dynamic assessment, consultation, individual and group work, cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, motivational interviewing, personal construct psychology, groupwork interventions such as therapeutic storywriting and therapeutic stories. There was also a very strong focus on research and critical analysis of the literature which means I provide clients with a robust evaluation of the latest research and critical appraisal of any evidence or data that we are working with. I love statistics and supporting people to make sense of evidence, including quantitative data. My doctoral thesis explored the impact of mothers' symptoms of anxiety and low mood on their responses to infant distress using approach-avoidance tasks.  

 

I have trained with the Anna Freud National Centre for Children & Families in Multi-Family Therapeutic Groups as well as Adaptive Mentalization Based Integrative Treatment, (AMBIT).

​

I have also trained in Attachment Narrative Therapy at the Institute for Family Therapy.

​

In my independent practice, I have acquired vast experience working in private clinics in Harley Street, Surrey and Kent as well as in independent schools and educational provisions.

​

I regularly work with international clients and have a solid understanding of the intricacies of  state, public and international schools.

​

I use psychology to help people to understand issues and to solve problems. Common difficulties include dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, weak working memory or anxiety related to learning.

​

Prior to my doctoral training I worked as a Childline Counsellor, as a clinical-forensic assistant psychologist, as well as teaching and supporting primary-school children with SEND.