Mary Barrett

Mary Barrett is an educational psychologist who has worked with Maudsley Health since 2019. She has a background in educational psychology, educational leadership and in primary school teaching, previously working as a primary school teacher in immersion education and bilingual schools.

Mary completed both a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) in 2010 at University of Limerick, before completing a postgraduate degree in Educational Leadership in 2013 and a Masters in Educational Psychology in 2016, both from University College Dublin. Mary has experience working with children and young people across education, disability, mental health and private sectors, previously working with the National Centre for Youth Mental Health Ireland and in physical and neurological disability services.

Mary takes a strengths-based, systemic approach towards her work with young people, families and education providers and has supported whole school policy development and training for numerous programmes including FRIENDS for Life and Incredible Years. She has provided professional consultation and supervision in inclusive education and pastoral support.

Mary utilises standardised and dynamic methods of assessment for behavioural, neuropsychological and neurodevelopmental presentations. She is experienced in applying evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) interventions when supporting young people with a wide range of social, emotional and behavioural differences such as anxiety-related and mood-related difficulties, learning and cognitive difficulties, conduct, behavioural and regulation-based presentations.

Mary has been a panel member and keynote speaker at national and international conferences and has published research in special education and bilingualism. She has a particular clinical interest in inclusive education and in working with and supporting neurodiverse populations.