Clinical Psychologist 

Prior to studying psychology at Queens, I studied and worked as an actress for a number of years. For me, the most self-fulfilling part of performing was character development and being gifted the opportunity to view the world through someone else’s eyes. It was this realisation that led me towards studying psychology. To ensure I was making an informed choice, I decided to teach myself an A level in psychology and straight away I knew I was making the right decision to pursue the undergraduate degree at Queen’s. 

I embraced the varied learning opportunities of the degree and also enjoyed working as a research assistant under Dr Mihalis Doumas in the School of Psychology during second and third year. 

I was excited to learn that I had been chosen to complete a final year modular placement. My placement was with Carecall Ltd. (now part of Inspire Wellbeing). I worked under the direct supervision of the consultant psychologist and psychotherapist and clinical lead of the company. During the placement, I conducted clinical intervention outcome analyses for counselling services offered by the company which included the Queen’s University counselling services and employee assistance programmes for the Department of Education, Ireland. I also completed literature reviews to support future business aims and presented my findings to stakeholders, helping to secure the renewal of contracts for services. This placement was my first experience of working with clinicians and conducting clinical research, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This opportunity, together with working as an undergraduate research assistant, undoubtedly influenced my interest in clinical psychology and research. 

After achieving a first class honours and being awarded the British Psychological Society undergraduate prize, I embarked on a PhD at Queen’s under the supervision of Dr Kate Woodcock. My PhD research explored the impact of environmental contextual factors associated with emotional and behavioural differences in children and young people from across the diagnostic spectrum. This work also assessed the trans-diagnostic role of executive function and emotion regulation. During the PhD, I was provided with opportunities to disseminate my research through publication and through participating at international conferences and conducting research trips. The PhD developed my resilience and taught me to be adaptive to unexpected challenges – a skillset which became invaluable given that I had two children during my PhD! 

Following the birth of my second daughter, I worked as an assistant psychologist in the HSE and an associate psychologist in the NHS before completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College Dublin. During clinical training, I continued with my interest in trans-diagnostic research, now with a focus on the role of parental emotional socialisation and cognitive emotion regulation in children and young people with and without diagnoses. 

I now work as a clinical psychologist in a HSE Children’s Disability Network Team and The Adult Autism Practice. I am also a regular columnist for NI4Kids and Scotland4Kids magazines. I feel very fortunate to work as a clinical psychologist and I recognise very clear threads that connects my learning during undergraduate classes and the third year placement module to the work I carry out now on a daily basis. 

I cherish the memories I have from my days at Queen’s, and in particular the amazing friendships I made there. My happiest memory at Queen’s was probably when my fellow PhD students and faculty members threw a surprise baby shower for me! The thoughtfulness and support I received during this time touched me deeply. 

If I had a piece of advice for undergraduate students at Queen’s, it would be to not be afraid to ask staff members about further opportunities for development and learning. From my experience, they are only too happy to help. I am so glad I struck up the courage to do so. Embarking on a psychology career can be highly competitive and thus, the additional opportunities the School of Psychology afforded me were priceless in building my CV and most importantly, my confidence. Another piece of advice would be to be ambitious in the goals you set for yourself. And if one of those goals is to complete a placement, I’d say go for it.