Having originally studied a BA Honours Degree in Social Science and obtained a Masters of Social Science (social work) at University College Dublin, I began my professional career as a child protection social worker and later as a family worker at a family centre in Dublin.
Wishing to specialise further, I studied family therapy at the Mater Family Therapy Unit and UCD and graduated in 2002. Since then I have worked with children, adolescents and their families in a number of family centres in Dublin, in the West of Ireland and in my own private psychotherapy practice located in Elphin, Co. Roscommon. I also work with individuals and couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships at home, work or with extended family. Since 2000, I lecture full-time in social care and early childhood education and care at Athlone Institute of Technology.
I am a Registered Family Therapist with FTAI, ICP and EAP.
Professional Doctorate in Systemic Practice (2020), University of Bedfordshire, UK. I recently completed my doctoral studies. My Research Dissertation entitled “Creating Spaces for Relational Reflexivity in Social Care Education” involved working with students in reflexive learning groups to assist social care students to become more reflexive of themselves and their own family and life experiences for their practice. It is envisaged that this research may also be useful in training and education contexts with other disciplines.
Newspaper clip – A week in my family therapy practice.
