Primary Care Child Psychology Service: Dublin West

Welcome to HSE Dublin West Primary Care Psychology Services. We hope that you find the information on our page helpful.

What is The Primary Care Child Psychology Service?

  • Our service offers support to children and adolescents (0-17) with mild to moderate psychological issues.
  • We aim to provide psychological assessments and interventions in a confidential and supportive environment in order to alleviate psychological distress and to improve psychological functioning.
  • We offer interventions depending on the level of support a child needs by a ‘Stepped Care Approach’:

steppedcare-approach

Everyone has access to our self-help bibliotherapy resources.

Some people are referred, attend a consultation and undergo individual or group therapy. 

The Primary Care Psychology Service is for anyone who lives within Dublin West including:

  • Lucan
  • Ballyfermot
  • Clondalkin
  • Inchicore
  • Chapelizod
  • Rathcoole
  • Palmerstown
  • Saggart                                                                                    

What can we support you with?

Mild to moderate child difficulties related to:

  • Behaviour
  • Cognitive / development concerns
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Trauma / Stressful life events
  • Difficulties managing feelings
  • Assessment and screening of non-complex difficulties
  • Social and interpersonal difficulties
  • Relationship difficulties between parent and child
  • And more...

It may not be necessary for your child to attend the service. Often we work in collaboration with parents on how to best support their child.

Returning to School Resources

Useful information to help you in supporting your child’s return to school:

The NHS has produced:

What services do we offer?

Self-Help Information

Bibliotherapy is available to everyone! We often recommend bibliotherapy to help with mild to moderate mental health issues and have created a self help reading list which provides resources for many issues that you and / or your child may be experiencing. The majority of these books can be found at your local library

Workshops                                                         

We occasionally give workshops throughout the year on different themes of interest for parents such as Fussy Eating, Attachment, Anxiety, Resilience, Sleep, Emotions and Mindfulness. Please see your local library or below for details when they are released.

Parent and Child Interventions

  •  We offer regular parent groups where parents can develop skills to support their children with additional emotional and psychological needs.
  •  We offer groups for children to improve their awareness of their feelings and emotions and help them to develop skills to cope with them when they are overwhelming.
  •  We sometimes offer 1:1 intervention to clients who require a higher level of care.

How can you be referred?

  •  Children can be referred by a healthcare professional, such as your GP, a Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Public Health Nurse.
  •  Children may also be referred through their school, with your permission.
  •  You can also arrange a self-referral with the contact details provided below.

What happens if you get referred?

  •  We operate a stepped care model with parents and children accessing support based on their needs.
  •  Referrals are reviewed and if deemed appropriate for the service a referral acknowledgement letter with an estimated waiting time is sent to the referral agent and client.
  •  Sometimes, the service may recommend a family access other community services while waiting for an appointment with the psychology service.   
  •  Together we will decide which type of support would be most helpful for you and your child – either in our service or in the wider community.
  •  An offer of an initial assessment appointment will be sent as soon as possible.

Additional information – Data Protection

  •  A talk with a psychologist is confidential.
  •  Information is only shared with specific individuals or services in situations where there is a concern for you or others’ safety.
  •  Sometimes, with your permission, we may link with other healthcare professionals, e.g.: a speech and language therapist, to make sure you are best supported.
  •  Find about more about how we use your information (PDF)

Who are we?

Psychology Team

Dr Deborah Russell Carroll, Principal Psychologist Manager

Dr Maeve Murray, Senior Clinical Psychologist

Dr Ruth McIntyre, Clinical Psychologist

Dr Aoife O’Laoide, Clinical Psychologist

Niamh Ryan, Assistant Psychologist

Nicola Roche, Assistant Psychologist

Eadaoin Foden, Assistant Psychologist

Kim Clarke, Assistant Psychologist

Where are we?

Dr Deborah Russell Carroll

Dr Aoife O’Laoide

Nicola Roche

Kim Clarke

The Maple Unit,
Cherry Orchard Hospital,
Ballyfermot Rd.,
Dublin 10.

 

Dr Maeve Murray

Ballyfermot Primary Care Centre
Ballyfermot Road,
Cherry Orchard,
Dublin 10

 

Dr Ruth McIntyre

Niamh Ryan

Eadaoin Foden

Steeple House Primary Care Centre
Ninth Lock Road,
Clondalkin,
Dublin 22.

Contact

Dr Maeve Murray: 01-7956101

Dr Ruth McIntyre: 01-7957736

Niamh Ryan: 01-7957735

Eadaoin Foden: 01-7957734

Nicola Roche: 01-7955305

Kim Clarke: 01-7955305