Davina is a professionally qualified social worker since 2007 graduating from University College Cork. Davina has worked with Children and Families from initial Child Protection risk assessments at the point of referral, to making medium-and long-term plans for children who are in care. Her professional Social Work practice includes conducting risk assessments, parenting capacity assessments, risk assessments, managing a mixed caseload of children at risk in the community, children in care including foster care; family placements, residential care; and high support. She conducted investigations into allegations of child abuse, including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

Davina worked for over 8 years as part of a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. During this time, Davina was an active member of a fast paced, multi-disciplinary team where she managed her own caseload of children and young people who are experiencing significant mental health problems that require intensive support. Davina was involved in direct intervention with children and families and indirect intervention with schools and local community initiatives. She assisted with difficulties such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotional and behavioural problems, anxiety related disorders, depression, OCD, eating disorders, oppositional disorders, Psychosis, self-harm, and suicidal ideation/intent, ASD, learning difficulties and any other mental health difficulties that significantly impact on the lives of children and families.

Davina is a qualified therapist with dual training e.g.: family work, Counselling/ Psychotherapy (ongoing), EMDR (specialising in Child and Adolescent EMDR), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (Level 2 to be completed July 2021), Play Psychotherapy (Accredited Play Therapist), Senior Clinical Supervision in Creative Arts and Play, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (TF-CBT) and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) skills, Safe and Sound Protocol, Therapeutic/Psycho-educational Group work and Behavioural models.

2023 – 2024 | Specialist Diploma in Developmental Trauma, Greenane Centre

‍2020 – 2022 | Master’s Degree in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy, IAPTP/ IAHIP 

2005 – 2007 | Master’s Degree in Social Work - University College Cork  

2002 – 2005 | Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science - University College Cork  

Further Education and Training

2021 – Present | Monthly Professionaland Training Sessions with TIGALA

2023 | Recognising and addressing maladaptive breathing patterns in anxiety and panic attacks with Patrick McKeown

‍2022 | Interpersonal Neurobiology 

2021 | Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy

2021 | Theraplay Level 1

2020 | EMDR Ireland( specialising in child and adolescent EMDR)

2018 – 2017 | Interpersonal Communications - University College Cork  

2017 | Circle of Security International –Marino College, Dublin.  

2016 – 2015 | Ericksonian StoryPlay, Level 2 – StoryPlay Global, Phoenix, Arizona

2014 | Ericksonian StoryPlay, Level 1 – StoryPlay Global, Phoenix Arizona

2013 | Course Director in Play Therapy – Play Therapy international

2013 | Clinical Supervisor in Creative Arts & Play – Christchurch Canterbury University.  

2011 – 2010 | Diploma in Play Therapy – Christchurch Canterbury University.  

2009 – 2008 | Certificate in Therapeutic Play – Christchurch Canterbury University.  

Section 36d Relative Foster Care Assessment: Whilst working as part of the Dublin/ Mid-Leinster team, I had experience of completing a number of Section 36d assessments. Also, completed Fostering Assessments with Origins Fostering Agency.

Children and teenagers with complex needs and difficulties in engaging with professionals

Children and young persons who have experienced trauma including relational and developmental traumas

Trauma and Attachment difficulties as well as building resilience and empowering children and young people

Utilising creative interventions to engage with children, young people and their families to aid the therapeutic relationship

Infant Mental Health (Member of the North Cork Infant Mental Health Network and a member of the Irish Association for Infant Mental Health)

Working with families whose Parents have mental health issues

Provided Student Social Workers from UCC, UCD and TCD with professional placements (2011-2021)

‍

Volunteering

‍

I am a volunteer with BUMBLEance (Ambulance service for children with rare genetic disorders).