Website coming soon…
6A Kilnap Business Park, Old Mallow Road, Cork
Tel: 021 430 4822
Email: info@steppingaheadclinic.com
Website coming soon…
6A Kilnap Business Park, Old Mallow Road, Cork
Tel: 021 430 4822
Email: info@steppingaheadclinic.com
Cathy Courtney is the Business Development Manager at Stepping Ahead Clinic, where she leads on strategic growth, service development, and operational sustainability. With over 25 years’ experience in senior administrative and management roles, Cathy brings extensive expertise across governance, human resources, and financial oversight.
She plays a central role in shaping the clinic’s strategic direction, supporting the expansion of services while ensuring that growth is structured, sustainable, and aligned with best practice standards. Cathy oversees the development and implementation of organisational policies and procedures, ensuring strong governance frameworks are in place to support longterm success.
In her role, Cathy also provides oversight of HR systems and internal processes, ensuring compliance with employment legislation and supporting a positive, wellmanaged working environment for staff. Alongside this, she manages financial operations and reporting, helping to maintain transparency, effective resource planning, and robust risk management as the organisation continues to evolve.
Cathy is committed to driving innovation and continuous improvement, working closely with the leadership team to enhance service delivery, strengthen operational efficiency, and support the ongoing growth of Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Ann graduated with a MSc Honours degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Limerick in 2012. Prior to this, Ann graduated with a BA in Health Promotion from Waterford Institute of Technology. Ann joined the Stepping Ahead Clinic team in 2015. Since joining the team, Ann has worked with children of all ages providing therapy and conducting assessments. Ann has completed training in Sensory Integration, DIR Floortime Approach and Parents Plus. Ann is also ADOS and ADI-r trained. Ann has always has had a special interest in providing support for parents and families in additional to the therapy we provide to the individual child.
In her current role as Clinical Manager, Ann is responsible for the training and management of the clinical staff to ensure a high standard of service is provided at all times to our clients and families. Ann continues to remain involved in clinical work on a consultation basis and as part of Occupational Therapy and Multidisciplinary Team Assessments.
Ann is extremely passionate about working with children, parents and families and trying to support them to overcome challenges and progress in everyday life. She wants to ensure that clients and parents feel supported and listened to during every interaction with clinic staff and that children benefit from the expertise of the therapy staff within the clinic. Ann is dedicated to the continued development and progression of the clinic and ensuring that all parents and children are provided with the best service.
Roscha recently graduated from UCC with a joint honours degree in English and Philosophy. Roscha is currently doing a conversion master’s in Psychology with the hopes of studying either Clinical or Educational Psychology in the future. Her job as an Occupational Therapy Administrator in the Stepping Ahead Clinic has provided her with professional exposure to life beyond college and study, giving her an insight into a number of different disciplines such as Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Psychological intervention.
This job is extremely rewarding, as she gets to communicate with a number of different individuals both from within and outside of the clinic providing her with a host of communicative, social, and organisational tools.
Kayleigh is an Office Administrator for Stepping Ahead Clinic. Kayleigh spent time in Birmingham, England before she returned home to Cork and joined the Stepping Ahead team. Her role involves appointment scheduling and communications as part of Autism assessments. Kayleigh thrives off organisation and scheduling appointments in a time efficient manner for parents, children and schools.
Clíodhna graduated from University College Cork with a BA in Applied Psychology in 2023 and later graduated from University of Galway with an MSc in Health Psychology. She is a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). As a previous Office Administrator for Stepping Ahead Clinic, Clíodhna has experience with the MDA process and now works as part of the Psychology and Multidisciplinary Team.
Clíodhna is passionate about building her professional experience and continually furthering her career in psychology.
Jess graduated with a Master’s in Applied Psychology from University College Cork. Jess is a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Jess is passionate about neuro-affirmative practice and early intervention to support child and adolescent mental health. Jess works as part of the Psychology and Multidisciplinary Team in Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Jess has previous experience working with neurodivergent individuals in both clinical and community settings, and is dedicated to continuing her professional development working towards her goal of completing a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
Lisa graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology. She is a graduate member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Lisa works as part of the Psychology and Multidisciplinary Team in Stepping Ahead Clinic. Lisa is trained in the administration of the ADOS-2 assessment and uses this training to support the delivery of comprehensive autism assessments.
Lisa is committed to ongoing professional development and plans to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology to continue building her knowledge and skills in order to best support the children and families she works with.
Dr Fiona Ryng is a highly experienced Educational and Child Psychologist with a Doctorate in the field. She is passionate about neuroaffirmative practice and is committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based Autism assessments that respect and empower neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Before joining Stepping Ahead, Fiona worked within a Local Authority in London, where she specialised in supporting adolescents with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Fiona’s professional interests encompass Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), motivational interviewing, and the broader fields of counselling and psychotherapy.
Fiona maintains her professional standing by holding current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the United Kingdom and membership of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Her work is underpinned by a strong belief in creating inclusive, strengths-based support for young people and their families.
Yvonne Lion-Cachet is a Senior Chartered Educational Psychologist with extensive experience in the field of children and adolescents. She initially graduated as a teacher, where her love of children was fostered. She then went on to complete her honours in education before embarking on her journey of psychology. Yvonne adopts a child-centred approach; rooted in positive psychology and a strengths-based approach. She thrives in a collaborative working environment.
Yvonne is passionate about ‘seeing’ the individual; acknowledging that humans are all unique with innate character strengths. Her favourite quote is by Brene Brown: ‘True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.’
Yvonne graduated with a Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy from City University London following a career in teaching. Yvonne is a CORU registered Senior Speech and Language Therapist and maintains registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in UK and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT).
Yvonne has extensive experience working in many paediatric health and education settings with children with a wide variety of communication needs in the public and private sectors in both UK and Ireland. These include a Deaf resource base, a special school for children with Autism, Early Years and Mainstream Schools Teams and most recently a Children’s Disability Network Team. Yvonne is trained and experienced in the use of Autism Diagnostic tools, ADI-R and the ADOS-2 and is strongly committed to being part of a dynamic, highly clinically skilled and neuro-affirmative multidisciplinary diagnostic team.
Sarah graduated with a BSc Honours degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork. Sarah joined the Stepping Ahead team in June 2022. Sarah is a CORU registered therapist and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Sarah is passionate about supporting children and adolescents with communication and swallowing difficulties, ensuring every child receives the care and attention they need to thrive. Sarah has developed a strong proficiency in AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) and has completed several courses to further enhance her skills in this area. As a member of the Autism Diagnostic Multidisciplinary team, Sarah is skilled in administering both the ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments, helping families understand and support their child’s unique needs.
Sarah has previous experience working within the CDNT, working with children with Autism, intellectual disability and other complex needs. Sarah has also worked within an acute care setting where she was an integral part of the stroke team. Sarah is continuously furthering her clinical skills and has completed additional trainings pertaining to AAC, Lámh, and Dysphagia. Sarah is a vibrant and dedicated therapist committed to tailoring her approach to meet the unique needs of each client.
Aoife graduated from the University of Essex with a Master’s in Speech and Language Therapy. She is registered with CORU and a member of both the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Aoife’s previous experience includes working in pediatric primary care settings across Belfast, tailoring assessments and interventions to meet children with a wide variety of needs.
After returning home to Cork, Aoife joined the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic. Aoife is passionate about working with children and families to support speech, language, and communication needs. She strives to create a fun, engaging environment with a strength-based approach to therapy and a strong emphasis on meaningful goals. Aoife is dedicated to continuous professional development and evidence-based practice to provide the best quality of child-centered care.
Jennifer is employed as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with the Stepping Ahead Clinic, Cork. Jennifer graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork in 2012. Jennifer is a full member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists and is registered with CORU.
Communication (expression and understanding) is a fundamental skill for children, teenagers and adults to develop; Jennifer is passionate about working to enhance the communication and interaction skills of children with speech and language needs and supporting their families to follow-through on strategies in everyday life. Parents and caregivers are in the best position to support their children and young people to develop their communication and interaction skills in naturalistic ways. Jennifer also greatly enjoys being part of the clinic’s Multi Disciplinary Assessment Team and provides parents and families with support around their child’s assessment and potential diagnosis.
Before joining the Stepping Ahead Clinic, Jennifer worked as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with the Rainbow Club Cork Centre for Autism – Jennifer worked very closely with the children and the families of the Rainbow Club in supporting the children to develop their communication, interaction and social skills through everyday strategies and activities. Jennifer worked as a home tutor with young children with a diagnosis of Autism; as a Speech and Language Therapist with children and teenagers with Down Syndrome at ‘Down Syndrome Cork’ and as a private Speech and Language Therapist providing a home-based therapy service. Jennifer greatly enjoys working with young children with significant communication and interaction needs and uses a variety of approaches including ‘Hanen: More than Words’ strategies, core communication boards, AAC, Picture Exchange Communication System and Lámh signs to support these clients, their families and their teachers in everyday life.
Áine graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy from University College Cork. Áine is registered with CORU and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT). Áine has experience working with all age groups, but has a particular interest in working with young people with speech and language differences, who are neurodivergent, and supporting young people and their families to identify goals that are person centred and meaningful to them.
Before joining the Stepping Ahead Clinic, Áine worked as a Speech and Language Therapist with the North Wicklow Children’s Disability Network Team. Additionally, Áine’s work on this team involved actively supporting young people in a Special School for children with a diagnosis of Moderate to Profound Intellectual Disability. Áine worked in partnership with young people, their families, and wider community to identify meaningful goals using a family-centred approach.
Áine is committed to ongoing professional development, and has completed additional trainings in Lámh, AAC, and Paediatric Feeding Eating Drinking and Swallowing. As a member of the Autism Diagnostic Multidisciplinary Team, Áine has training and experience completing the ADOS-2. Áine is committed to supporting young people and their families to feel supported and to achieve meaningful goals through evidence based, child-led intervention.
Jonathan is a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with a Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of Essex. He brings a breadth of experience from his work in specialist schools and colleges across London, where he supported young people with special educational needs and disabilities. He is registered with CORU and is a member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists.
After returning to Cork, Jonathan joined the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic, where he currently provides assessment and intervention services for children with a diverse range of needs. He has a strong interest in supporting children with Autism and in the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems.
Jonathan’s therapeutic approach is inclusive, affirming and strengths-focused, with a clear commitment to supporting children and their families. He works collaboratively with clients and families to identify and pursue goals that are meaningful and relevant to them.
Andrea graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI).
Andrea has both professional and personal experience of supporting people with additional needs. This has given her a real appreciation of the value of empathy, patience, and strong therapeutic relationships, which continue to guide her approach as an Occupational Therapist.
Andrea has a genuine passion for working with children and their families. She enjoys helping children to reach their potential, while also supporting parents and caregivers with practical tools and strategies that make everyday life easier and more fulfilling. She believes therapy works best when it is collaborative, and when families feel understood, supported, and encouraged.
Committed to continuous learning, Andrea regularly engages in professional development to expand her skills and provide the best possible care. She is dedicated to creating a warm, positive, and relaxed environment where children feel comfortable and confident, and families feel welcome and reassured.
Jodie graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy from University College Cork and is a newly qualified Paediatric Occupational Therapist. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI).
Jodie is passionate about supporting children’s development, independence, and emotional well-being through meaningful and engaging therapy. She has a strong interest in early childhood development, sensory processing, and helping children build the skills they need to participate in everyday activities. Jodie recognises the importance of supporting not only the child but also their family, valuing the key role that parents and caregivers play in supporting a child’s development and therapy journey.
Jodie takes a holistic, strengths-based, and evidence-informed approach to therapy. She aims to create a warm, inclusive, and playful environment where each child feels safe, supported, and empowered to explore their potential. Jodie is committed to ongoing learning and professional development, and brings fresh enthusiasm, compassion, and creativity to her role as a paediatric occupational therapist.
Carol is a dedicated paediatric occupational therapist with a First-Class Honours degree from University College Cork. She is a CORU-registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI).
With clinical experience spanning Ireland and Australia, Carol specialises in supporting children and young people aged 2–18 with Autism, ADHD, developmental coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia, sensory processing differences, and a range of functional challenges.
Her experience includes managing diverse caseloads in both clinic and school settings, leading group-based interventions such as community access and school readiness programmes and conducting comprehensive assessments as part of multidisciplinary teams. Carol is proficient in administering and interpreting a wide range of standardised assessments, and designing tailored intervention plans that promote motor skills, sensory integration, emotional regulation and self-esteem.
Carol values a collaborative approach, working with schools and families to ensure the best outcomes for each child. Carol is committed to best practice and being a trusted partner for families seeking assessment, intervention, and ongoing support for their children.
Eimear graduated from University College Cork in 2020 with an Honors Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is a CORU-registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Eimear has experience in paediatric practice and multidisciplinary autism assessment and intervention. In 2025 she returned from Sydney, Australia, where she worked in a paediatric therapy service, managing her own caseload and providing school-based interventions.
Prior to her time in Australia, Eimear was part of the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic from 2020 to 2023, supporting children and adolescents with autism, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), sensory processing differences, and emotional regulation challenges.
She is trained in the use of Autism diagnostic tools such as the ADOS-2 and ADI-R and has contributed to multidisciplinary assessments across both clinical and educational settings. Eimear also has training in the DIR 101 Floortime approach. In addition to her clinical work, Eimear has experience as a practice educator, having supervised a final-year Occupational Therapy student on placement. She is passionate about collaborative practice and strives to empower families through clear communication, practical recommendations, and compassionate support throughout the assessment and intervention process.
Jenny holds a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Cumbria in United Kingdom. She is a CORU-registered Occupational Therapist and a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Jenny is trained in the ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessment tools and is part of a multidisciplinary autism assessment team.
She has international experience working within the Justice System in Australia and across various mental health services in the United Kingdom. After returning to Cork, she joined the team at the Stepping Ahead Clinic, where she currently provides assessments and interventions for children with a wide range of needs. She has a particular passion for facilitating group sessions and brings a bubbly yet calm approach that helps children feel at ease and engaged. Dedicated to ongoing professional development, Jenny continually enhances her skills to ensure she delivers the highest quality of care to her clients.
Orla is a dedicated and highly enthusiastic Senior Occupational Therapist with a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Essex. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). She brings a wealth of experience from diverse areas including stroke rehabilitation, acute medical units, healthy aging, neuroscience and critical care, all within a fast-paced acute adult setting in central London. Driven by a long-standing passion for paediatrics, Orla gained valuable experience with a Paediatric Community Occupational Therapy team before returning home. Orla is also a member of the Multi-Disciplinary Assessment (MDA) Team in Stepping Ahead and is trained in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). She is currently completing the Sensory Integration Education course, further enhancing her clinical skills and knowledge.
Orla is deeply committed to delivering high quality assessments and school observations and enjoys Autism Diagnostics within the MDA team. She loves consulting with families and providing clear, supportive feedback and recommendations to help them feel empowered in their child’s development. Orla is a diligent and compassionate therapist who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of her clients.
Kevin graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. He is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). Following Kevin’s graduation, he worked in a range of inpatient and community settings within the Mental Health Services in London, before returning to Cork and joining the team at Stepping Ahead. This experience has provided him with the knowledge and skills necessary to work collaboratively with families and to tailor approaches and interventions to meet individual needs.
He is a member of the MDA Team in Stepping Ahead, and is trained in administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Kevin has a special interest in adolescent mental health, anxiety and social participation.
Leah graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI).
Leah is a kind and compassionate therapist who has a strong interest in sensory regulation, child and adolescent mental health, and supporting children and their families to promote independence in everyday activities and a positive and fulfilling quality of life. She has personal and professional experience working with children with additional needs, including autism, ADHD, and Down Syndrome. She also has experience in child and adolescent mental health and care of older adults, further supporting her understanding and awareness of the broader challenges that can impact a child or young person and their family, and their participation and engagement in activities they need to, want to, and have to do.
Leah takes a holistic, inclusive, evidence-based, and child and family-centred approach to practice. She strives to create a fun, positive, and collaborative environment that highlights the child or young person’s strengths and abilities and provides them with the safety and security to explore and develop their unique sense of self.
Rowen is a dedicated and compassionate Occupational Therapist who holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Glasgow Caledonian University. She brings valuable experience from her work in rehabilitation with older adults in Scotland, where she focused on promoting independence and enhancing community participation.
Upon returning to Ireland, Rowen joined the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic, where she now works in paediatrics. She has a particular interest in supporting children with sensory and emotional regulation challenges, as well as fostering independence and functional skills in daily life. Rowen has completed training in Functional Visual Skills and Visual Perception through University College Cork (UCC), which further informs her holistic and evidence-based practice.
Rowen’s therapeutic approach is inclusive, positive, strengths-based, and empowering, with a strong commitment to supporting neurodivergent children and their families. She strives to create a collaborative and nurturing environment that celebrates each child’s unique abilities and potential.
Rachel graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Occupational Therapy, and is CORU registered in addition to being a member of AOTI.
Rachel has experience of working within paediatric, mental health and older adult settings as part of her academic work placements. Furthermore, Rachel worked alongside adults with intellectual disabilities as a trained healthcare assistant within Cope Foundation for five years. This role gave Rachel many opportunities to grow and further develop both personally and professionally and taught her the importance of adopting a holistic and person-centred approach.
As a parent to two young children, Rachel has a keen interest in both the areas of paediatrics and neuro-affirmative practice. Rachel’s own personal experience has shaped her core beliefs which focus on delivering therapeutic care that is individualised and meaningful for both the child and their family.
Niamh is a CORUregistered Occupational Therapist and member of AOTI. She holds a master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University of Essex and has experience across adolescent, paediatric and adult settings. Her background includes supporting teenagers excluded from school, working with children in care, and providing adult primary care services in Jersey, Channel Islands.
After returning to Ireland, Niamh further developed her skills in an adolescent mental health setting before joining Stepping Ahead Clinic. She is passionate about empowering children and families, creating a fun and nurturing therapeutic environment, and working from a strengthsbased, childcentred approach. Niamh is committed to continuous professional development and evidencebased practice to ensure highquality care.
Juanita graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa in 2006 with a Bsc (Hon) O.T. She is registered with CORU and a member of AOTI. She has over 15 years’ experience working in the field of Paediatrics and has worked for a number of services including private practice, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and CoAction. While in CoAction, Juanita was employed as the Head of Service for the Occupational Therapy Department and as part of her clinic role, she worked as a member of the Progressive Disability team.
Juanita has a keen interest in continuing professional development and has undergone training in Sensory Integration, visual perception, SOS feeding, DIR floortime, Sensory Regulation for Infants and Toddlers and ABLE training for relation based brief interventions. Juanita is additionally SIPT, ADOS and ADI-R trained.
Juanita has a special interest in providing early intervention for children with complex developmental profiles. She brings extensive experience in supporting children and their families in ways that are neuro-affirmative, strengths-based, and responsive to each child’s unique way of engaging with the world. Juanita is passionate about working collaboratively with families and values the importance of partnership in supporting meaningful outcomes.
She particularly enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team and is skilled in collaborating with colleagues to develop thoughtful, holistic, and coordinated approaches to intervention.
Robyn graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). Robyn is a member of the Occupational Therapy and Multidisciplinary Team in Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Robyn is trained in the administration of ADOS-2 & ADI-R assessments and uses this professional training to conduct individualised, holistic autism assessments. Robyn enjoys working with a variety of professionals including Speech and Language Therapists and Psychologists to support parents and children to develop an understanding of autism.
Robyn also provides therapeutic intervention to children and adolescents, and their families. Robyn utilises her knowledge of autism identification in order to provide neuro-affirmative therapeutic support to her clients.
Robyn enjoys working collaboratively with families in order to identify children’s areas that require support and ensure the necessary supports and strategies are in place to support children in their growth and development. Robyn enjoys participating in Continuous Professional Development opportunities, such as the DIR 101 FloorTime course, in order to expand her skillset and provide the highest quality of care to her clients and their families.
Rebecca graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Years and Childhood Studies and then went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy in the University of Limerick. She is registered with CORU, is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI) and is on the committee of the Paediatric Advisory Group. She has training in Sensory Integration, Lámh, PECS, Handwriting Without Tears, is ADOS-2 and ADI-R trained and is a member of the Autism multidisciplinary assessment team.
Rebecca has experience providing assessments and intervention to children with a wide variety of needs and is dedicated to continuing her professional development to provide the highest quality service for her clients.
Louise graduated from University College Cork with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. She is registered with CORU and a Member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI). Following her graduation, Louise spent time working with children and adolescents within Mental Health Services in Ireland.
Louise has a special interest in Autism, and has completed a Diploma in Autism Studies within UCC and a Postgraduate Diploma in Ayer’s Sensory Integration from Sheffield Hallam University, earning the title of Advanced Sensory Practitioner.
Louise is a registered Clinical Mentor for Sensory Integration students. Louise is trained in administering both the ADOS-2 and ADI-R assessments and is a dedicated member of the Autism team in Stepping Ahead Clinic.
Kellie graduated from National University of Ireland, Galway in 2016. She is registered with CORU and is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland (AOTI). Kellie is a passionate occupational therapist dedicated to helping children thrive in their everyday lives.
Kellie has had the privilege of working with children with sensory processing differences, ADHD, Autism and coordination difficulties, just to name a few. Kellie’s approach to therapy is rooted in compassion, creativity, evidence-based and neuro-affirmative practice. She believes in creating a nurturing, engaging, and strengths-based environment where children feel safe, included and empowered to explore, learn, and grow.
Kellie is passionate about supporting children to participate in their learning and play activities in the school environment. She collaborates closely with families, educators, and other healthcare professionals to identify barriers to participation and create practical and individualised strategies that support learning, attention, motor development and regulation. By working together with families and schools, Kellie aims to create consistent and supportive environments that empower children to reach their full potential.
Clodagh graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southampton in 2016. After qualifying, she gained valuable experience working in Mental Health services in the UK, where she supported individuals with a wide range of complex needs. This experience has greatly shaped her therapeutic approach and continues to inform her work today.
In 2019, Clodagh returned home to Cork City and joined the team at Stepping Ahead Clinic, where she currently works as a Senior Occupational Therapist. Since joining the clinic, Clodagh has worked closely with children, schools, caregivers, and families—delivering therapy, completing Occupational Therapy assessments, and contributing to multidisciplinary assessments. She has completed additional training in courses such as DIR Floortime, Sensory Integration, and is trained in both ADOS and ADI-r.
Clodagh is passionate about supporting children, teenagers, and their families, with a strong interest in mental health and emotional well-being. She believes in the importance of educating and empowering families, and values the opportunity to help others better understand their child’s needs.
Clodagh aims to make appointments fun, enjoyable, and relaxed for children and families, creating a warm and supportive environment that helps put everyone at ease. She is deeply committed to delivering high-quality, family-centred care, and is proud to be part of the Stepping Ahead Clinic team.