Our People

Dr. Damien Connolly is a Chartered Senior Clinical Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and a registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC - UK)

Damien specialises in assessments for Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability for children and adolescents. Damien has over 22 years of wide-ranging experience as a psychologist in both public and private sector healthcare organisations in Ireland and the UK, specialising in the care and support of individuals with Intellectual Disability, mental Health conditions and autism across the lifespan. 

Dr Michael Coughlin is a Senior Clinical Psychologist who obtained his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsych) from the University of Glasgow. He brings a wealth of experience from working in the NHS in Scotland. Since returning to Ireland in 2015, Michael has worked in various settings including Children Disability Service, residential services, and paediatric neuro-disability. Michael is experienced in completing a wide range of psychological assessments and in providing therapeutic support to children, young people, and their families in a neuro-affirmative and solution-focused manner. Michael is passionate about working collaboratively with families and adhering to evidence-based best practice guidelines.

Dr Jennifer O’ Shea is a Clinical Psychologist with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Galway. Prior to completing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Jennifer complemented a B.Sc. in Psychology with the Open University and a Master's degree in Psychological Science at the University of Limerick. Jennifer is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.

Throughout doctoral training, Jennifer worked in diverse settings, including Adult Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and Disability Services. This breadth of experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the psychological and developmental needs of various communities. Jennifer has gained post qualification experience working with young people and their families as a Clinical Psychologist with a Children’s Disability Team.

Jennifer is trained in a range of psychological assessment tools and enjoys working flexibly to adapt assessments to the specific strengths and needs of each client. Jennifer places a particular focus on creating an open and comfortable environment for all of clients she works with.

Dr Cesar Jayaro is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist with extensive expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of Autism . He currently leads Autism evaluations across several clinics in Ireland, employing gold-standard tools such as the ADOS and ADI-R as part of multidisciplinary diagnostic pathways. With a strong background in neuropsychology, Dr Jayaro has conducted numerous Autism assessments for the HSE, ensuring each evaluation meets rigorous clinical and ethical standards. His work is informed by a wealth of international experience and academic research, allowing for precise, individualised diagnostic formulations that support neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Dora Marciniak is a highly experienced Senior Clinical Psychologist with a comprehensive background in both adult and child psychology, spanning over 20 years. She possesses extensive expertise in complex psychological and multi-disciplinary diagnostic assessments, the development of individualized support programmes (including Positive Behaviour Support Plans), and the delivery of individual and group therapy for a wide range of presentations including anxiety, bereavement, sexuality, dual diagnoses, and mental health difficulties with substantial experience working with adults and children with Intellectual Disability in both community and residential settings. Throughout her career Dora has demonstrated expertise in comprehensive assessment (cognitive functioning, adaptive behaviour, mental health), the development of individualized support plans, and provision of therapeutic interventions for adults and children with complex needs. A skilled supervisor and collaborative team player, she possesses a strong commitment to ongoing professional development, evidenced by extensive training in areas such as Emotion-Focused Therapy, Systemic and Family Psychotherapy, and CBT. Dora holds an extensive experience in various diagnostic assessments, including multidisciplinary team assessments, also as part of the Assessment of Need process and has provided advice to the HSE on the review of the AON process in the past. 

Dr Hannah O’Daly is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist who obtained her Doctorate in Psychological Science from University College Dublin. Prior to this, Hannah completed a Higher Diploma in Psychology at UCD and a Masters in Applied Psychology at Trinity College Dublin. Hannah has experience working in adult mental health, child and adolescent mental health, primary care and disability services, in both public and private settings. She has worked with children and adults across the lifespan. Hannah has a keen interest in the intersection between neurodivergence and mental health and takes a neuro-affirmative approach to her work with clients. She is committed to providing evidenced based, client centred assessments and psychological support to children and their families.

Dr Clare Cullen is a Clinical Psychologist, who obtained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DPsychSci) from University College Dublin. She is experienced in working with individuals across the lifespan, from young children to older adults, experiencing a wide range of difficulties. Clare has worked in various settings, including Primary Care and CAMHS, Children Disability Services, Adult Mental Health and other hospital-based services. She is very committed to evidence-based practice and has worked in mental health research, both in Ireland and Canada. 

Clare is experienced in carrying out a wide range of psychological assessments and in providing therapeutic support to young people in a way that is individual to them, their strengths and their needs. She has also provided individual consultation to parents and facilitated supportive parenting groups.

Clare is passionate about creating a warm and non-judgemental space, where the voice of each young person and their family is prioritised. She uses a collaborative, strengths-based approach to ensure that young people and their families experience a meaningful Autism identification process that is guided by best practice. 

Kate is a CORU-registered Speech and Language Therapist who supports children and families through the assessment, diagnosis, and intervention of speech, language, and communication needs. Kate works collaboratively with parents to create practical, individualised support plans that fit naturally into everyday routines.

Kate graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2023 with an honours degree. She has gained valuable experience while working within specialist ADHD and Eating Disorder teams in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).  She is passionate about person-centred and evidence-based care and is motivated by seeing how accessible support can make a meaningful difference to children’s communication, confidence, and overall quality of life.

Michael is a qualified Occupational Therapist (OT), having earned his BScOT degree from University College Cork in 2010. Over the course of seven years, he gained valuable experience working as an Occupational Therapist in various settings in London, including Neurological rehabilitation and orthopaedic rehabilitation.

In 2015, Michael furthered his expertise by obtaining a Masters in Sports Therapy from London Metropolitan University. Seeking additional challenges and experiences, he relocated to New Zealand and Australia in 2017, where he spent three years honing my skills in areas such as Concussion Rehab, Vocational Rehab, and Paediatrics.
His approach involves specialised training and extensive experience in utilising assessments and interventions tailored to individual needs. Michael is an invaluable member of the multidisciplinary clinic team, contributing significantly to autism diagnosis.

He specialises in developmental delay, upper limb rehabilitation, feeding difficulties, developmental coordination disorders, autism, and sensory processing challenges

Natasha Kiernan is an Occupational Therapist at Thrive Clinic Dublin with over 20 years’ experience supporting children and families across a wide range of paediatric settings. She trained at the University of Ulster, qualifying with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy in 2003.

Natasha has extensive experience in the assessment and support of children with Autism, Developmental Coordination Disorder, syndromes, sensory processing differences, and motor skill difficulties. She has completed a broad range of specialist post-qualification training in neurodiversity-affirming practice, with particular expertise in sensory integration.

Her practice is child-centred and strengths-based, focusing on supporting meaningful participation at home, in school, and within the community. Natasha values working collaboratively with families to develop a shared understanding of each child’s unique strengths and to support their development in a positive, practical, and empowering way.

Sri is an Occupational Therapist who graduated from Dr. MGR Medical University in Chennai, India. He has been working with children since 1999. Initially, working at Sathyalok Association, a voluntary organisation, for three years, and then moved to Malaysia to work for an organisation serving children with disabilities (ages 0-18). Sri completed a master's degree in Psychotherapy and Counselling in India before relocating to Ireland in 2004. He has been providing services to children with disabilities in Ireland for over 20 years. He possesses extensive knowledge of Neurodevelopmental Therapy, Sensory Integration Therapy, and 24-hour postural management (seating). He has conducted multiple groups (SOS feeding) for children with feeding difficulties alongside Speech and Language Therapists. His objective is to assist children and their families in achieving independence in daily living activities.

Anne-marie qualified with a second-class honours in early childhood care and education from Technological University Dublin. She has been teaching for over 10 years, working in diverse settings across Dublin. She specialises in supporting children and families with additional needs. She is our first aid responder and designated liaison person. After her many years of teaching, she has decided to redirect her passion for helping children to assisting them on their diagnosis journey. Anne-Marie is the friendly face that will greet you in the clinic on the day of the assessment.