Before joining UCC in August 2017, I was the head of psychology at Cope Foundation, managing a team of clinical, counselling and educational psychologists in a service that supports children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. I am a chartered clinical psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and a former member of the PSI Council. I was the Academic Director of the Diploma in Autism Studies at University College, Cork. Since 2015 I have been a member of the Programme board on the Doctor of Clinical Psychology in UCC. As a clinician in the field, I have supervised many trainee clinical psychologists and am delighted to be involved in the development of the new programme for clinical psychology training in UCC.

My research interests are quite varied, but include: Many themes relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder and Asperger SyndromeTheory of mindEmotion regulationAlexithymiaSimulationist theorySensory difficulties Teaching social skillsASD in girls and womenFood aversions Emotion recognition from facial expressions, posture, gesture and movementFolk psychologyIntellectual disabilities – particular dementia care, staff training, personality theory