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’:

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