Throughout my career, I have reached several important milestones that have shaped my professional development and deepened my commitment to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities.

I was fortunate to begin my journey studying Psychology at the University of Galway, where I benefited greatly from the excellent teaching and guidance of the academic staff in the Department of Psychology. During my time in Galway, I volunteered with Ability West, gaining invaluable experience supporting adults with intellectual disabilities. This experience opened my eyes to how meaningful and rewarding a career in this field could be.

Another significant milestone was earning my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from University College London. The programme’s high-quality academic teaching and clinical placements provided an exceptional foundation for my professional development. I was particularly grateful for the opportunity to complete a specialist placement at the Tavistock Centre within a lifespan service for individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autistic people, which further strengthened my expertise and deepened my commitment to this area of practice.

In 2017, I joined Avista CLG as a Senior Clinical Psychologist, a position I have held since. This role has enabled me to continue developing my skills in the clinical psychology of adults with intellectual disabilities. The opportunity to provide psychological support to this population is deeply rewarding; contributing to the enhancement of individuals’ psychological wellbeing feels both a privilege and a responsibility. This work is also profoundly meaningful in a historical context. People with intellectual disabilities have too often faced therapeutic pessimism and exclusion from psychological services. Mike Bender’s (1993) reflection on “the unoffered chair” remains a powerful metaphor for this history, symbolising the many individuals who were denied the opportunity to participate in therapy or to have their psychological needs recognised. Being able to offer that chair today, and to ensure that adults with intellectual disabilities are seen, heard, and supported in their psychological wellbeing, represents both an ethical imperative and a deeply rewarding aspect of my professional practice.

My family, friends, and teachers have undoubtedly had numerous significant influences on my career direction. I can recall many conversations that nurtured a caring and compassionate attitude towards people regardless of their sociodemographic background, as well as a drive to understand human behaviour and a curiosity about psychological phenomena that can sometimes feel difficult to comprehend. I was encouraged to value education highly and to pursue a career in a subject I genuinely found interesting. I felt very supported by my family in pursuing Psychology as a career, which in retrospect feels both laudable and progressive, given that psychology has not traditionally been a field commonly chosen by schoolboys.

I feel very fortunate to have studied Psychology at the University of Galway, and its academic staff certainly motivated me to continue the path to qualifying as a psychologist. Professor Todd G. Morrison was my PhD supervisor, and he was truly excellent—invested, knowledgeable, and supportive—and I learned so much from him. My volunteering days with Ability West were also formative, and I have Linda Keane, Volunteer Programme Manager, and the adults with intellectual disabilities supported by Ability West, to thank for so many valuable learning opportunities.

Throughout clinical training and since qualification, I have received highly beneficial clinical supervision across the various services in which I have worked, and I feel I learned something unique from each supervisor. Most recently, as a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Avista CLG, my work has been primarily supervised by Deirdre Taylor and Dr Seán Shanahan. Deirdre was instrumental in inducting me into the service and generously shared her extensive experience and wisdom. Seán, the National Head of Psychology within Avista CLG, brings compassionate clinical leadership, deep psychological expertise, and a strong commitment to ethical integrity, all of which contribute greatly to both my professional development and to the organisation more broadly.

Finally, I believe my work colleagues and the adults with intellectual disabilities themselves at Avista CLG have been extremely influential in my evolving career direction within the organisation. I have enjoyed working with staff to improve people’s quality of life and support them to live their best lives of their choosing. I learn so much from each person with an intellectual disability, and I greatly value the time we spend together.

As a Senior Clinical Psychologist at Avista CLG, my work is highly varied and rewarding. The following provides a representative, though not exhaustive, overview of my core professional responsibilities and areas of practice.

Carrying a clinical caseload of adults with intellectual disabilities provides opportunities to undertake comprehensive psychological assessments, develop complex formulations, and deliver rights-based, person-centred interventions. This work allows me to offer psychological supports that are both compassionate and respectful of human rights. It also provides meaningful opportunities to advocate for individuals and to support them in leading fulfilling lives of their own choosing.

Collaboration is central to my role. I work closely with a range of stakeholders within the often complex support systems surrounding individuals. I particularly value the interdisciplinary nature of the work and the shared problem-solving that occurs within multidisciplinary team meetings.

Supervision and professional development are also key aspects of my role. I provide clinical supervision to trainee clinical psychologists from various universities who complete placements at Avista CLG. I find this aspect of my work especially rewarding, and I aim to provide trainees with a rich and supportive learning experience that inspires them to pursue careers in the field of intellectual disability.

contribute to national discussions, promote best practice, and advocate for the psychological needs and rights of people with intellectual disabilities.

Working as a clinical psychologist with adults with intellectual disabilities is deeply rewarding, but it comes with unique challenges. One key challenge is communication. Individuals express themselves in many ways, ranging from fluent verbal communication to non-verbal or behavioural communication. This requires psychologists to adapt their approaches, use accessible formats, and attend closely to non-verbal cues. Understanding someone’s emotional wellbeing often involves interpreting behaviours and exploring what they might be communicating so that we can respond in ways that respect their autonomy, rights, and preferences.

Sometimes, working with autistic people who also have an intellectual disability can present particularly complex challenges. Many of these individuals have strong and highly specific sensory support needs, such as sensitivity to noise or light. These needs must be carefully accommodated in service settings to create a genuinely person-centred environment and minimise the potential for distress and dysregulation. Psychologists should approach these challenges as opportunities to provide support that truly honours each person’s unique neurodivergent profile.

Another challenge is adapting psychological assessments and interventions. Standard tools and therapeutic approaches often need modification to match the individual’s strengths, cognitive profile, and communication style. Person-centred adaptations ensure that assessment results are meaningful and that therapies remain accessible, relevant, evidence-informed, and ethically delivered.

Working within complex support systems can also be challenging. Adults with intellectual disabilities are often supported by multiple stakeholders, including families, disability organisations, healthcare providers, and residential or day services. Coordinating effectively across these stakeholders requires collaboration, advocacy, and sensitivity.

Supporting the psychological wellbeing of people with intellectual disabilities is especially rewarding. Research consistently shows that this population faces a significantly higher risk of adverse life experiences, including abuse, trauma, and discrimination, compared with both the general population and individuals with other types of disabilities. Mental health difficulties are also more prevalent among those with greater cognitive impairment. Despite this, recruiting psychologists into intellectual disability services can be challenging, making the need for expert psychological input even greater. I take great satisfaction in working to help meet this need.

If someone is considering a career as a clinical psychologist working with adults with intellectual disabilities, I would emphasise the significant positive impact they can have throughout their career. I would encourage them to keep this in mind while exploring the field practically. They might consider volunteering or working within an intellectual disability organisation to gain firsthand experience and the opportunity to spend meaningful time with people with intellectual disabilities. For those in professional training programmes, completing core or elective clinical placements in this area can provide invaluable insight. Qualified psychologists can also apply for posts, meet with the relevant manager, and explore whether the role aligns with their interests and skills. Finally, there are many excellent resources to support an informed decision, such as Stephen Urwin’s Beautiful Lives, which offers thoughtful perspectives on the experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities, including an accurate appreciation of how society has historically failed this population and what needs to be done to address this.

Compassion, ethical integrity, and emotional sensitivity are fundamental to effective practice as a clinical psychologist working with people with intellectual disabilities.

I greatly benefited from my time volunteering with people with intellectual disabilities at Ability West, where I assisted in delivering a drama class and an exercise class. This experience offered invaluable opportunities to spend meaningful time with individuals with intellectual disabilities, learn from them, and gain insight into their lives and perspectives. I believe this experience provided a strong foundation for my subsequent work in the field.