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Fosterfields, Athboy
Co. Meath, C15 A9P3
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For any enquiries, please contact us using the contact details on the page. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form.
Fosterfields, Athboy
Co. Meath, C15 A9P3
For any enquiries, please contact us using the contact details on the page. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form.
Assistant Psychologist
Ms Gaynor (she/her) is an Assistant psychologist at Smithsfield Clinic with a BSc in Psychology and MSc in Psychology & Wellbeing; both from Dublin City University. She has been volunteering with a crisis line for the past two years, and her research interests to date have centered around mind-wandering and how it may relate to psychological wellbeing. Niamh has worked in Smithsfield Clinic since August 2022, and assists in assessment, report-writing, the delivery of Magpies group therapy sessions and other administrative tasks. She also works with our specialist NECOA service, and is in training for administering the DIAMOND and providing therapy to younger clients.
Occupational Therapist
Emma is a Senior Occupational Therapist who graduated from the University of Ulster in 2006. With over 16 years’ experience she has worked as an OT in both the hospital and community settings. Emma has worked for over 15years with children within the HSE and is passionate about what she does. Emma commenced her private practice in 2022 and adopts a practical approach to assessment and intervention. Throughout her experience she will work at the pace of the parents and children to obtain the best outcome. Emma provides both assessment and intervention for children presenting with co-ordination difficulties, hypermobility, ASD, Sensory processing difficulties and difficulty with functional skills. Emma also has experience with complex seating and can provide assessment for children or adults in this respect. Emma can provide advise and support or training to teachers and SNA’s and has experience of running projects in school with great outcomes for the staff and children. These include a “sowing seeds in through Motor skills united programme which she presented at the AOTI conference in 2015, how to implement your sensory based programme in an Autism unit in the Meath area and most recently observations in a school in two ASD classes with hands on input and recommendations.
Emma has undertaken training over the years in Sensory integration, Is it sensory or behaviour, Housing adaptations, Assistive Technology, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), Specialised seating assessment mentorship, Floortime, BioKinesiology and Reiki Level 1.
Emma is registered to practice as an Occupational Therapist by CORU (Ireland’s Health and Social Care Professionals Regulator). Emma is a registered member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI) and BioKinesiology Association of Ireland (BKAI).
Emma qualified as a BioKinesiologist in 2021. BioKinesiology is a holistic approach to caring for your health, whether it is physical, emotional or mental health (i.e. gut issues, anxiety/depression/irritability/aggression, skin conditions/sleep issues or generally wellbeing. Through the traditional use of muscle testing we test many pathways in the body to ascertain what is the root cause is for the persons symptoms or feelings. We support the body by advising what to eliminate from your body and advise appropriate nutrition and supplementation. Emma aims to provide a practical and holistic approach to a child’s therapy and combine the two modalities to best support a child’s needs.
Contact on otwithemmao@gmail.com
Phone 0858408902
Assistant Psychologist
Mr Crehan is an Assistant Psychologist at Smithsfield clinic who graduated from the National University of Ireland Maynooth with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Psychology in 2022. He is currently completing a Masters Degree in Applied Clinical Neuropsychology in Trinity College Dublin.
Jack has worked as an Assistant Psychologist at Smithsfield Clinic since 2020. In the past he has worked with Virtual Reality to deliver mindfulness-based exercises at the clinic, with which he ran a pilot study on the applications of VR as an adjunct to therapy.
In Smithsfield Clinic he assists in assessment, scoring and interpreting measures, report writing, delivery of pilot-based ACT intervention and various administrative tasks.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Alison Stapleton is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Smithsfield Clinic, working alongside Dr Cassidy, Dr Kirsten, and Dr Moran to optimize interventions and maximize gains for young people. Alison also lectures in Psychology at Maynooth University and Dublin Business School. Alison is a member of the Student Editorial Board for the Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science and currently works at ACT Now Purposeful Living, a leading provider of ACT training in Ireland. Supervised by Prof. McHugh, Alison’s doctoral dissertation focused on selfing and rigid rule-governed behavior. Alison has published nine peer-reviewed articles and co-authored two book chapters on these topics, having recently contributed to The Oxford Handbook of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
For more information see here https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=QxCmh8YAAAAJ&hl=en.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr Orla Moran is currently a postdoctoral research associate with the NetwellCASALA research centre for aging in Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and a lecturer on the Diploma in Psychology with City Colleges Dublin. With a B.A. (Hons) in Psychology, Orla completed a PhD in Contextual Behavioural Science at University College Dublin (UCD). Orla’s current work includes examining the behaviour change impact of digital interventions, on older people with cardiac conditions. Orla has taught and supervised undergraduate and postgraduate students at UCD and DkIT. As an Assistant Psychologist with ACT Now Ireland, she has delivered training in third wave therapies such Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to both professionals and clinical populations. Orla has worked on the Changing Lives Initiative, within which she conducted a process and cost-effectiveness evaluation of the Incredible Years Parenting Programme for behaviours consistent with ADHD across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Orla is a member of the Editorial Board for the international Journal of Contextual Behavioural Science.
Assistant Psychologist
Keith Cregan, BCL with German, HDip Psych, MSc Applied Psych, Dip. CBT, Graduate Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, is an Assistant Psychologist in Smithsfield Clinic.
Soothsayer in Training
Brenda is a soothsayer in training, and she is still learning the ropes. Please be patient with her as she is still learning how to evoke a sense of calm in people. If she tries to eat your lunch or lick your face, we’re sorry.
Qualified Optometrist
Lynda McGivney-Nolan is a qualified optometrist with over 25 years experience in eye care. McGivney Opticians were originally established in 1833 in Henry St, in Dublin City Centre. In 2008 Lynda took her patient base and opening a new clinic in Bray, to offer her clients a continuation of enhanced eye care. The service is highly personal and tailored to each patient’s exact needs. Lynda specialises in trouble shooting tricky eye care issues and just loves a challenge.
In her role as Optometric Advisor to the Association of Optometrists Lynda regularly undertakes continuous further education, training and research to ensure she is abreast of all trends in eyecare and optometry.
Lynda lectures in Diabetic eye care, Glaucoma, retinal health and paediatric eye care.
Currently completing her Masters in Clinical Visual Optics with University of Ulster Coleraine, Lynda has also completed training in new areas of Optometry such as Vision Care for Down Syndrome and Special Needs patients, Vision Therapy and Behavioural Optometry.
As Clinical Director with Special Olympics Ireland Opening Eyes Programme, Lynda has a special interest in children’s eye care and eye care for people with intellectual difficulties and special needs. The clinic is specifically equipped to examine people of all levels of intellectual abilities and educational needs.
The Pembroke Eye Clinic is an accredited eye care provider with Down Syndrome Ireland.
Lynda is active in promoting eye health and has been responsible for national campaigns highlighting the need for better eye care in Ireland, AMD week, Glaucoma, Children’s eye care.
Chartered Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland
Dr Steve Gannon is a Chartered Psychologist of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), Psychology lecturer and therapist. He received his PhD in Psychology in the field of Relational Frame Theory from Maynooth University. Dr Gannon has taught Psychology in a number of universities in Ireland and developed Psychology modules for new courses in the area of early childhood education. His academic interests include the experimental analysis of behaviour, the role of avoidance behaviour in the maintenance of anxiety, intelligence and the social inclusion on of children with Special Education Needs (SEN). Dr Gannon has published research in these areas in peer-reviewed outlets and has presented research findings at international conferences. He has worked closely with people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their parents for over ten years. Dr Gannon is particularly passionate about using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-based interventions to support children, teens and adults. He specializes in the areas of anxiety, stress and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
BA, H.Dip Montessori, D.Psych.BAT, BCBA-D, M.Ps.S.I
Dr Hines is a Board Certified Behaviour Analysis at Doctoral Level and holds a Doctorate in Behavioral Therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis from Maynooth University Ireland, a Higher Diploma in Montessori Education from Birth to Six Years from St. Nicholas Montessori College, and a B.A. in Psychology from St. Mary’s College Notre Dame Indiana. Roberta is trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness-based Interventions. She has hosted online and in person training courses for Mindfulness/Meditation and most recently ACT for Childcare Professionals and ACT for Parents of Anxious Children. She is a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland and the Association of Contextual Behavioural Sciences.
Roberta has over 20 years’ experience in the field of Early Intervention and Early Childhood Education. She is the founder of Tiddlywinks & Scallywags Early Learning Centre, where she specializes in creating enriched learning environments that foster the holistic growth of the child using the principles of ABA and Montessori Education. She has extended her understanding of early intervention by training in Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), Promotion of Emergent Advance Knowledge (PEAK), Hannen Language and Lamh. She is the co-author of Ready 2 Go Montessori and Play based curriculum. Roberta is actively involved in campaigning for the Early Childhood Sector and holds positions on the Boards of National Childcare Network and the Federation of Early Childhood Providers.
Roberta is the onsite coordinator for Saint Mary’s College Ireland program at Maynooth University. She has held this position since 2004. Roberta teaches ICS 250 Intercultural Engagement Through Study Abroad, which includes interactive lectures and excursions to cultural and historic sites in Ireland. The Ireland programme lives up to the promises of Sister Madeleva who said, “We promise you discovery: the discovery of yourselves, the discovery of the universe and your place in it.”
Roberta enjoys watercolour painting, and has exhibited with her local art club The Castle Keep Art Group. She is also actively involved in her local drama group, An Nuadha Players, where she helps design costumes for the yearly panto, and occasionally treads the boards. In her spare time she loves to keep flowers and chickens which she believes provide simple joys.
At the clinic, Robert co-runs various training programmes with Dr Cassidy and assists with the rollout of the Magpies project.
Professor of Psychology
Dr Cassidy and Professor McHugh work together on designing and carrying out research into the efficacy of ACT and RFT therapeutic interventions for youth clinical populations. For more information see here https://people.ucd.ie/louise.mchugh.
Professor McHugh is not available for appointments through our service at present.
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
Ms McLaughlin is a BCBA and has spent the past five years supporting children (4 – 17 years) and their families who have a diagnosis of ASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions within the Health Service. She works collaboratively to identify achievable goals that help the individual with personal struggles such as anxiety, low mood and fears. She values uplifting others by creating contexts in which individuals can see their own potential and become experts in themselves. She have a passion for ERP and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how it can be used to support individuals and their families achieve just that.
Charlene is only available for online appointments at present.
MSc, BCBA, LBA, PhD
Elle is a Board Certified and New York State Licensed Behavior Analyst (BCBA; LBA). She is the Founder and Director of Compassionate Behavior Analysis, PLLC, an Applied-RFT and ACT center for children and teens. Elle earned her PhD in relational frame theory (RFT; Psychology) at the National University of Ireland, Galway. She completed her MSc in Psychology at the University of Auckland with a concentration in applied behavior analysis, and she completed her HonsBSc in Psychology at the University of Toronto. Her research and clinical interests are in the development and acquisition of meaningful and functional language (RFT), and in helping children find meaning and joy in their lives (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT). Elle has presented her clinical work and academic research at numerous conferences, and she has published a number of articles regarding RFT and complex language development.
Elle loves animals (especially dogs), water skiing, wakeboarding, surfing, scuba diving, snow skiing, swimming, walking in forests, jungles, and botanical gardens, and reading poetry.
Elle is only available for online appointments at present.
Lead OCD and Anxiety Behavior Specialist
Mikala (she/her/hers) is the Lead OCD and Anxiety Behavior Specialist at NECOA’s Boston location. In her work with clients struggling with these disorders, Mikala utilizes evidence-based modalities including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Mikala’s role at NECOA’s Midlands location includes providing training and consultation for clinicians, as needed.
Mikala received her training by Dr. Lisa W. Coyne at McLean’s Child and Adolescent OCD Institute (OCDI Jr.) where she worked as both a Lead Community Residence Counselor and Clinical Research Assistant until August of 2020. In addition to transitioning into her clinical roles at NECOA in April of 2020, she also became the Clinical Research Coordinator and Clinic Manager at the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety, Boston.
Besides being passionate about her work, Mikala enjoys being in nature, exploring new places and foods, and spending time with her family, friends, and puppy, Malinda Sue.
Mikala is only available for online appointments at present.
Chartered Counselling Psychologist
Dr O’Connell is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist specializing in ACT and Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). He is an experienced therapist, having worked in a variety of settings (primary care; student services; psycho-oncology; in-patient and outpatient clinics for psychosis; residential and out-patient centres for complex trauma and challenging behaviour) providing therapeutic treatment for a range of difficulties, including:
Dr O’Connell has given workshops at both national and international conferences on the application of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy. He delivers the most up-to-date therapeutic approaches, which are based upon over thirty years of research.
In Smithsfield Clinic, Dr O’Connell carries out assessments. He is currently only available for psycho-educational assessment services with us. If you wish to book an appointment for other consultation or therapy services, you will need to contact him directly at https://instituteofpsychology.ie/our-psychologists/dr-sean-oconnell.
Assistant Psychologist
Ms Russell is an Assistant Psychologist at Smithsfield clinic who graduated from Dublin City University with a First Class Honours Degree in Psychology. She then went on to receive a First Class Honours Masters Degree in Psychology and Wellbeing in Dublin City University.
Amy also received a distinction in ‘Train the Trainer’ with the Open College.
Amy previously worked in an Applied Behavioural Analysis school for children with Autism, ABACAS, Kilbarrack where she was an ABA Tutor. She previously chaired a society in DCU for two years which provided art, drama and dancing classes for adults with intellectual disabilities. Amy is currently volunteering as a social skills coach with PEERS Ireland™. She also works as a home tutor for a child with Autism. Amy co-founded ‘Upside’ an online initiative which provided learning videos to vulnerable people out of education due to COVID-19. Amy’s article has been accepted for publication in the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders which will be released later this year.
In Smithsfield Clinic she assists in assessment, scoring and interpreting measures, report writing, delivery of a pilot-based ACT intervention and therapy with clients. Amy is also the Intake Co-ordinator for the clinic and liaises with clients and undertakes administration tasks.
Occupational Therapist
Niamh is a Clinical Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and their families. She has previously managed children’s Occupational Therapy teams and has worked in a variety of paediatric settings across the HSE and NHS. Niamh specialises in screening, assessing and providing intervention to children and young people who experience difficulties with coordination, handwriting, organisation, attention and concentration, and emotional regulation. Niamh also works with children and young people who struggle with daily living tasks, who have disordered sensory processing, and students who require assistive technology at school. Niamh is a mum of two and loves outdoor activities. More information regarding Niamh’s professional background is available here.
Smithsfield Clinic have worked collaboratively with Ms Niamh Mallon over the past number of years and we highly recommend her for OT related questions, therapy or assessments. With parents’ permission, we are happy to discuss your child’s case with Niamh but if you wish to book an appointment with Niamh, you’ll need to contact her directly at www.thechildrensot.com.
Speech and Language Therapist
Oonagh works with our psychologists administering our autism assessments only and is not available for other SLT services at our clinic at this time. If you wish to book speech and language therapy assessment or treatment with Oonagh, please contact her directly at www.thespeechsoundclinic.com.
Chartered Counselling Psychologist
Ms Curtin is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and functional analytic psychotherapy (FAP) trainer. She has experience working across a variety of settings including organisational, psychiatry, addictions, psycho-oncology, community, public, and educational settings.
Ms Curtin and Dr Cassidy collaborate on trainings for clinicians on the usage of ACT therapy for various populations nationally and internationally. For direct appointments with Aisling, contact her via the ACT-Now website at www.actnow.co.
Aisling teaches on multiple university courses at Masters and Doctorate level and regularly delivers ACT workshops internationally. She is a published author, most recently co‐authoring The Power of Small, a number one bestseller in Ireland. Aisling’s first book, an edited volume co-edited by Matthew Skinta, “Mindfulness and Acceptance for Gender and Sexual Minorities” was published by New Harbinger. Aisling regularly contributes to the media on how to make small but powerful changes when everything feels too much. She has been featured in multiple media outlets including the Irish Times, Sunday Independent, The Today Show, Elaine, Ireland am, Radio 1, 2FM, and Psychology Today. She is keen to bring this transformative approach out to as many people as possible.
Assistant Psychologist
Ms Drumm is an Assistant Psychologist at Smithsfield Clinic who graduated from Ulster University with a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Psychology in 2018. She went on to complete a Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology from Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
Chloe has worked as an Assistant Psychologist for the past two years since finishing her Masters in 2019. She worked in Psychologists in Primary School (PIPS) with children aged between 8 years old and 12 years old. In this role she supported children’s mental health through play therapy on a one-to-one basis in a Deis school in Dublin. Chloe also worked as an Assistant Psychologist for the HSE in the Early Intervention Team (EIT). In this role, she observed and co-administered cognitive and autism assessments, scored up assessment forms and co-facilitated parent intervention groups e.g Stepping Stones and ACT.
In Smithsfield Clinic she assists in assessment, report writing, delivery of a pilot-based ACT intervention to build social skills in school aged children and various administrative tasks.
Intern
Ms Macabacyao is a final year BSc Psychology student at Maynooth University, who hopes to pursue postgraduate education in psychology and work in the field. She conducted her work placement at Smithsfield Clinic where she assisted in the running of an art club for children and teenagers with anxiety and the delivery of virtual reality (VR) therapy. She also assisted with writing reports, scoring of assessment checklists, and creating information packs about the clinics most commonly seen intellectual, psychological, and behavioural difficulties.
Currently, her work at the clinic involves assisting in the management of the RaiseYourIQ Facebook page, a page for the Raise Your IQ brain training system affiliated with the clinic along various miscellaneous tasks.
Educational Psychologist & BCBA
Ms Eidman is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with a postgraduate degree in School Psychology from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, US. She has been supporting individuals experiencing various learning and behaviour differences across a range of settings for over 25 years. She has delivered trainings in the US, throughout islands in the Caribbean, and here in Ireland. She has also presented at several national and international conferences, and has guest lectured at Trinity University on topics related to Applied Behaviour Analysis.
She began her career at the prestigious Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD, in the United States. While working in the Division of Developmental and Behavioural Paediatrics, she treated behavioural difficulties in children diagnosed with a range of developmental and genetic conditions. She made Ireland her home in 2008, when she was asked by a parent group to relocate and establish a special school for autistic children. She has been providing training and behavioural support to families, schools, and service providers throughout Ireland since 2010.
Shannon has extensive experience supporting children from ages 18 months onwards. She feels strongly that any intervention or form of support must be evidence-based, but also respectful, pragmatic, and child and family-centred. She has an interest in naturalistic and developmentally appropriate early intervention and has completed advanced training in the Early Start Denver Model. She has also completed an Advanced Course in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-Based Interventions, allowing her to integrate ACT into her positive behaviour support plans to more effectively and compassionately reduce difficulties while improving children’s overall social and emotional well-being.
She has a great appreciation for individuals who identify as neurodiverse, having experience not only in a professional capacity, but also personally at home. She is the parent to two unique and fabulous teen boys.
Founder and Director of Clinic Services
Sarah Cassidy, PhD, is an Educational, Child and Adolescent Psychologist. She specialises in the assessment and treatment of learning, emotional/behavioural difficulties, mental health difficulties and neurodevelopmental differences with clinical populations. She is the Founder and Director at Smithsfield Clinic, a private psychology service in Ireland for children, adolescents and their families using only evidence based scientific treatment methods. She has also worked as an educational psychologist within the Irish school system for the last 20 years, conducting assessments and advising parents and schools how to best support children with learning and emotional/behavioural challenges. In this context, she has developed classroom and school wide interventions for improving educational, behavioural and mental health outcomes.
Dr Cassidy is also the co-director of the newly launch New England Centre for OCD and Anxiety, Irish Midlands Branch, with Dr. Lisa Coyne. This is the first specialist intensive outpatient OCD service in Ireland and has oversight by NECOA Boston, USA. Drs Cassidy and Coyne also offer parent training via Smithsfield Clinic and NECOA. Drs Cassidy and Coyne are also co-authors on several upcoming books for children on using ACT for coping with the very common experience of anxiety. The first two of these books under contract will be out in 2022.
Dr Cassidy also lectures in Psychology at Maynooth University, Ireland, where her specialist research areas include child and adolescent developmental psychology, counselling and educational psychology. She is an honorary lecturer at University of Cardiff, Wales. She also assists with doctoral supervision of various candidates in other psychology departments nationally and internationally and collaborates on research projects with these same students. Smithsfield Clinic is also a recognised host for educational psychology placement students at two Irish universities. Dr Cassidy is a Peer Reviewed ACT trainer and trains psycho-therapists and allied professionals in both professional and post-graduate settings throughout Ireland. Dr Cassidy is a reviewer for two different scientific journals. She is a clinical supervisor and advisor to several services offering psychology services to children and adolescents. She is frequently invited to deliver guest lectures in her areas of research.
Dr Cassidy received her PhD in Psychology in the field of Relational Frame Theory and its articulation with intellectual development. She was author of the first empirical demonstration of the positive effects of intensive derived relational responding skill interventions on intelligence (Cassidy, Roche & Hayes, 2011), and has co-authored several papers and book chapters since that have validated and extended this effect. Dr Cassidy is a very experienced workshop leader and has delivered over 30 workshops worldwide in the domains of ACT, RFT, educational and counselling psychology. She is co-founder of Relational Frame Training Ltd, which developed the online SMART training software. She continues to conduct research in this area in an effort to keep pace with the ever changing needs of modern humans. She is a professional member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (where she is also the chairperson of the membership committee) and a panel member of the Scheme for Commissioning of Individual Psychological Assessments (SCPA) which assists with providing National Educational Psychological Services in Ireland where NEPS do not have a psychologist in place. Finally, Dr Cassidy is a full professional member of the American Psychological Association (APA) and a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI).
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr Coyne is the Founder and Senior Clinical Consultant of the McLean OCD Institute for Children and Adolescents at McLean Hospital and is an Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the New England Center for OCD and Anxiety (NECOA) and is the Past President of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). She is a member of the Clinical and Scientific Advisory Board and is on the Faculty of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). She is also a licensed psychologist, a peer-reviewed ACT trainer, and author. She has authored multiple articles and chapters on ACT with children and adolescents and is a co-author of the books “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Clinician’s Guide for Supporting Parents” (Elsevier) and “The Joy of Parenting” (New Harbinger). Her new books, “Stuff That’s Loud: A Teen’s Guide to Unspiralling When OCD Gets Noisy” (New Harbinger & Little Brown), “Stop Avoiding Stuff: 25 Microskills to Face Your Fears and Do It Anyway”, were published in 2020.
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
Ms Julianne Bell is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who has worked in the field for over 20 years. She completed her Psychology Undergraduate Degree at Queen’s University Belfast and then received a Masters with Distinction in Behaviour Analysis from the University of Ulster.
Over the years she has worked to support individuals with a range of developmental differences such as ASD, ADHD and Down Syndrome. Initially her work was focused on early development then, as a teacher at the New England Centre for Children and as Clinic Director of an Autism Centre in India, her work expanded to include academic, functional living and vocational support for teenagers and young adults.
More recently Julianne has specialised in supporting children, teens and young adults who struggle with the challenges associated with Emotional Behavioural Disorders, OCD and Anxiety, and Sleep Disorders. Her clinical practice is a strengths-based approach which is grounded in evidence-based practices within Clinical Behaviour Analysis (e.g. Exposure and Response Prevention, Behavioural Activation, Behavioural Parent Training) and Contextual Behaviour Science (e.g. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy and Compassion Focused Therapy).
MSc, BCBA
Joeleen is a graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway, having completed a Masters in Applied Behaviour Analysis, and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA).
Joeleen has extensive experience of behaviour Analysis. She works with children from 20 months to 18 years with learning and behavioural differences. She has worked in a wide range of settings to include preschools, schools, the home and community providing training and individualized behaviour support to families and schools. Joeleen has a keen interest in early intervention, specifically; naturalistic, developmentally appropriate intervention and has completed the Early Start Denver Model, introductory training. While Joeleen initially focused on early intervention, as the children she supported grew, so did her interests. She has taken a strong interest in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness-based interventions and now integrates ACT into her behaviour support plans.
In her spare time, Joeleen enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two young children, and horse riding.
Assistant Psychologist
Ms Ryan is an Assistant Psychologist at Smithsfield Clinic who holds a BA (Hons) in Psychology and a Master’s in Psychological Science from University College Dublin. She previously worked as an Assistant Psychologist with ADHD Ireland, where she co-founded a new service which was awarded funding for young adults with ADHD. She also co-facilitated support groups and personal development sessions for adults with ADHD. Aislinn also has experience as a Research Assistant on the My World Survey 2 (National Study of Youth Mental Health) and an Autism de-stigmatisation intervention with children. Aislinn has held the role of an Access Leader for 3 years at UCD, as part of widening participation projects, engaging with prospective students from underrepresented backgrounds at higher education.
At the Clinic, Aislinn has co-facilitated a Magpies group on Emotional Regulation for children with emotional/behavioural difficulties. Additionally, Aislinn observes assessments, scores and interprets measures, and writes assessment reports.
Resident Greeter and Soothsayer
Cocoa is Dr Cassidy’s family dog and is usually seen roaming around the clinic grounds. Cocoa is a very friendly, good-natured dog and is easy to approach. However, if you or your child are afraid of dogs, we will make sure she is not present when you visit.
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst
Dr Larkin is certified with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board and graduated from Maynooth University with a Doctorate in Psychological Science (Behaviour Analysis and Therapy) in 2014.
She has extensive experience of Behaviour Analysis in a range of clinical settings. She has also worked with both pre-school-, and school-aged children with autism, assessing skills and deficits and helping to develop and support skills such as communication, receptive language, visual perception, imitation, etc. Furthermore, she has worked directly with children as a tutor in a classroom setting, managed a small team of tutors as a class teacher and has designed and implemented behaviour support plans. Dr Larkin also worked in the Ontario Autism Programme, Toronto, supporting children (aged 3-18) and their families by designing and implementing behaviour support strategies.
Dr Larkin currently works with adults with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) living in residential settings. She works with staff teams to support people with ID to live meaningful lives and to be part of their own communities. She is particularly interested in disseminating behaviour analysis work and has presented her doctoral thesis and case studies at conferences such as Division of Behaviour Analysis (DBA) and Ontario ABA (ONTABA).
In Smithsfield Clinic, she provides behaviour support to individuals and families.