Thought working as a clinical psychologist since 1994, I originally come from a nursing background and qualified both as a Registered General Nurse (1983) and a Registered Psychiatric Nurse (1984). A career change saw me completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in 1990 at University Of Massachusetts, Boston USA (graduating with a cumma sum lauda).

This was followed by a Master of Psychological Science in Clinical Specialization (M.Psych.SC.) in 1994 at University Collage Dublin (UCD). From 1994 to 1997 I worked as a clinical psychologist in the North Eastern Health Board in both their Community Care and Special Hospitals programmes. Since 1998 I have been working in Department of Adult Psychiatry, Mater Hospital, Dublin, as a Senior Clinical Psychologist. It is here I developed a special interest in Social Anxiety.

We started our first social anxiety group in 1999 and the programme has grown and developed steadily ever since. I have been a clinical supervisor since 1998 taking on Psychologist in clinical training (doctoral) – who invariably co-facilitate the Social Anxiety programme – from UCD, TCD UL & NUGI.

I am also a Clinical Supervisor, Lecturer and on Course Advisory Committee on TCD Diploma & Masters in Cognitive Therapy programme. And recently, I have been granted adjunct associate professor status in TCD’s department of medicine and psychology and adjunct professor status in UCD’s department of psychology. I have commenced a PhD in TCD that focuses on the clinical factors that influence outcome follow participation in our group programme entitled:

"An evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of a group based cognitive behavioural treatment for individuals with social anxiety disorder and an exploration of pre-treatment variables (moderators) that influence treatment outcomes".