ADHD & Autism Assessment Team
Our team of highly skilled, experienced, qualified Clinical Psychologists have completed specialist training in Autism and ADHD assessment and will guide you through the assessment process in a way that works for you.
Dr. Jessica Holland
Clinical Psychologist
DClin Psych, PhD, MSc, BSc Chartered Member, Psychological Society of Ireland
Jessica is a compassionate and thoughtful Clinical Psychologist with a deep interest in the connections between brain, body, and behaviour. With a strong background in clinical neuropsychology, mental health, and health psychology, she brings a holistic and evidence-based approach to her work with adults, adolescents, and families.
She supports clients in understanding how their cognitive, emotional, and physical health are interconnected—helping them to build resilience, improve psychological wellbeing, and navigate complex life experiences with greater clarity and compassion.
Clinical Focus
Jessica has experience working across a range of psychological and physical health difficulties, with particular expertise in:
- Anxiety, panic, and low mood
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Cognitive and neurological challenges
- Long Covid and health-related psychological distress
- Social anxiety and self-esteem
- Autism and neurodiversity (supporting young people and their families)
- Trauma and early life adversity
- Carer and family support
She draws on a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Jessica offers both therapy and psychological assessment, helping clients make sense of their difficulties and feel more empowered in their day-to-day lives.
Therapeutic Style
Jessica’s approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, and grounded in scientific understanding. With a background in neuroscience and health psychology, she’s especially interested in how physical and psychological health interact—and how this interplay affects emotions, memory, relationships, and coping.
She places a strong emphasis on psychological assessment and formulation, using these tools to tailor therapy to each person’s needs. Her aim is to help clients make sense of their experiences, develop practical tools for managing distress, and move forward with greater self-awareness and confidence.
Jessica works with adults in a way that is flexible and compassionate, meeting each person where they are and adjusting the pace and style of therapy to support their individual journey.
Education & Clinical Experience
Jessica began her academic journey with a BSc in Psychology from the University of Limerick, followed by a Master’s in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Maastricht, where she developed a strong interest in brain-behaviour relationships. She then completed a PhD in Psychology at NUI Galway, funded by the Irish Research Council, where she explored links between the immune system, cognitive function, and mental health.
Following her doctoral research, Jessica gained valuable clinical experience working as an Assistant Psychologist in a forensic setting, supporting individuals with emotional, behavioural, and neurocognitive difficulties. She went on to complete her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College Dublin, where she specialised in Neuropsychology and Health Psychology.
Since qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist, she has continued to work with individuals and families affected by Autism and long-term health conditions, as well as maintaining a strong interest in cognitive and neurological functioning.
Jessica has also presented her research at national and international conferences and continues to contribute to the field through academic publications and collaborations.
Research & Professional Interests
Jessica has a particular interest in the immune system’s influence on mental and cognitive health, especially in the context of Long Covid, trauma, and chronic illness. Her research has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals, with recent work exploring cognitive difficulties associated with post-viral illness and immune functioning.
Selected Publications
- Holland, J. et al. (2024). Immune response and cognitive impairment in Post-COVID Syndrome: A systematic review. American Journal of Medicine.
- Holland, J. et al. (2024). Self-reported immune status and subjective cognitive functioning in Post-Covid Syndrome. Brain and Behaviour.
- Sheehan, D., Holland, J., & Carr, A. (2024). The effects of working with child sexual abuse on professionals: A systematic review. Child Abuse Review.
- Burke, T., Holland, J., et al. (2022). Emotion recognition and brain structure in schizophrenia. Brain Sciences.
- Rokita, K., Holland, J., et al. (2021). Childhood trauma and social cognition in schizophrenia. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
(Additional publications available on request or via: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jessica-Holland-3
Qualifications
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University College Dublin
- PhD in Psychology, NUI Galway
- MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht
- BSc in Psychology, University of Limerick
Memberships
- Chartered Member, Psychological Society of Ireland (P.S.I.)
Appointments
Jessica is available for appointments Monday to Thursday each week.
To book an assessment appointment with Dr. Jessica Holland, please call the clinic on 091 727777 or get in touch via the contact page.
Dr. Emer Downey
Clinical Psychologist
DPsychSc | MSc | BA (Psych)
Emer is a warm and compassionate Clinical Psychologist who brings a rich clinical and academic background in psychology to her work. She supports neurotypical and neurodivergent adults in navigating emotional difficulties and life transitions. Emer is skilled in working with individuals who have experienced developmental or attachment trauma or are adjusting to major life changes such as parenting, bereavement or illness, with a particular interest in communication, identity, and relationships.
Emer uses a thoughtful, inclusive approach to help clients make sense of their inner world in a way that feels grounded, respectful, and empowering, in both individual therapy and collaborative Autism identification assessments.
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.