Areas of Expertise

Emer places a strong emphasis on working in a neurodiversity-affirming way. She also has a special interest in helping parents navigate the emotional complexities of caregiving and family life, drawing on attachment theory and practical parenting models to support meaningful connection and emotional well-being. She works with neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals who may experience the following:

• Anxiety and low mood
• Grief, loss and adjustment to life transitions
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Relationship and attachment challenges
• Trauma
• Parenting challenges

Therapeutic Approach

Emer places the therapeutic relationship at the heart of her work, creating a safe, non-judgemental space where clients can explore their thoughts and emotions with openness and curiosity. Her approach is collaborative, client-led, and grounded in compassion.

She draws on a number of evidence-based therapies including:

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
• Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Attachment-based models
• Neurodiversity-affirming frameworks

Emer has completed specialist training in autism assessment, including the ACIA, ADI-R and ADOS-2 tools.

Background & Experience

Emer completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at NUI Galway in 2021, building on her earlier qualifications in psychology and speech and language therapy.

She brings over a decade of experience from her earlier career as a Speech and Language Therapist, working across HSE and NHS settings with adults and children with communication and swallowing difficulties. During this time, she developed a strong interest in the psychological dimensions of communication and human connection.

As part of her psychology training and professional work, Emer has worked across a variety of services:

• Adult and older adult mental health
• Child and adolescent mental health (CAMHS)
• Mental health and neurodevelopmental services for individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Early intervention and primary care teams

She joined Evidence-Based Therapy Centre in 2023, where she now works with adults seeking meaningful, evidence-based support for emotional wellbeing.

Research & Professional Interests

Emer has a long-standing interest in the emotional experiences of people with communication difficulties and those who are neurodivergent. Her doctoral research explored early relationships in children with Developmental Language Disorder from the perspective of their parents.

She has published work in the areas of intellectual disability, and was awarded the Health Research Board Summer Scholarship for her  research.

Selected Publications (as K.E. Lavin):

• Lavin, K.E., Norman, H.A., & Murphy, C.A. (2009). An exploratory study into the experiences of adolescents with specific language impairment (SLI) in Ireland: insights from parents and adolescents. Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, 17, 92–110.
• Lavin, K.E., McGuire, B.E., & Hogan, M.J. (2006). Age at death of people with an intellectual disability in Ireland. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 10(2), 155–164.

Professional Membership

• Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) – Chartered Member

Availability

Emer is currently available for therapeutic appointments on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Autism identification assessments on Mondays. To book a session, please call the clinic on 091 727777, email admin@ebtc.ie, or get in touch via our contact page.