"To be the difference that makes a difference"
Gregory Bateson
ABOUT
ABOUT
Dr. Claire Stephens is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with more than 10 years of experience working with clients affected by physical and mental health issues. Claire uses an integrated approach to therapy based on the current research and evidence in the field. Claire’s experience has shown her that often our symptoms or patterns of behaviour make sense when we consider our context and story. Claire applies psychological assessment and formulation skills (collaborative meaning-making) to guide therapeutic interventions. Claire has worked in the UK, Australia and Ireland since qualifying. She specialises in working with children, young people and their families with a background in paediatric psychology, learning disabilities and systemic family therapy.
EXPERIENCE
Claire has worked across a variety of settings, working directly with children, young people, families, adults and staff teams. Her career has equipped her to address a broad range of physical and mental health issues. Claire has worked in acute inpatient and outpatient settings and in community-based specialist services. As part of her work in rural Australia, she received government support to offer specialist psychological therapies to Indigenous and First Nations communities with complex needs. Claire hopes to develop interventions and strategies that are co-created with children, their families and the wider systems and communities supporting them.
SERVICES
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Therapeutic interventions for children, young people, and families (collaborating with schools where required):
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Individual therapy for children and adolescents
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Family therapy sessions
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Support for parents and caregivers
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Individual therapy for adults
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Supervision:
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As a qualified supervisor, Claire provides supervision to clinicians working with young people and families
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Ensures quality and ethical standards in therapeutic practices
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Consultation/Training:
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Teaching and training for allied health staff
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Focus on issues affecting children, young people, and families
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Instruction on reflective practice approaches
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Psychological skills training for staff groups
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EDUCATION
Claire holds a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Queen’s University Belfast. Her research focused on language development and the effects of socioeconomic status on cognitive development in children. Subsequently, she completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psy) at the University in Exeter, graduating in 2017. Claire has specialised experience and training in paediatric psychology, paediatric palliative care, children’s learning disabilities and family therapy.
Claire is registered with several regulatory bodies, including AHPRA (Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency), HCPC (The Health and Care Professions Agency), and the PSI (Psychology Society of Ireland).
SPECIALTIES
Dr. Claire Stephens specialises in paediatric psychology and systemic family therapy. Her approach is informed by current research and evidence, emphasising collaboration with clients and families to create shared understandings (formulations) that guide interventions. Claire employs a variety of therapeutic models including systemic family therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and attachment-based narrative therapies. Her work with children and families often incorporates creative methods from therapies such as Theraplay and drama therapy to facilitate expression, communication and practising skills.
Claire works with clients experiencing a range of symptoms including anxiety, depression, school refusal, OCD, bullying, family separation, grief and loss, phobias, physical illness, chronic pain and illness, adjustment issues, developmental delays, behaviours of concern, abuse, and trauma.
Claire recognises the interplay between symptoms and a client’s context and story which drives the need for tailored and individualised therapeutic support.
Thank you for your interest in Dr Claire Stephens’ clinical psychology services. To schedule an appointment or to inquire about her service, please call or email her using the information below.
As a Clinical Psychologist, I am committed to supporting individuals and families to build upon their own strengths and resilience, to share and make sense of their experiences and beliefs with me and with one other and to explore potential ways forward that can help them.
Dr. Claire Stephens
CONTACT ME
PHONE
087 9776546
ADDRESS
First Floor Office, 2a Convent Rd, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, A96 W7C