Lighthouse Psychology

Lighthouse Psychology Lighthouse Psychology based in Waterford offers comprehensive psychological services to all.

Is it ADHD, or is she just wired differently?If your daughter is struggling with focus, seems perpetually anxious, or is...
20/02/2026

Is it ADHD, or is she just wired differently?

If your daughter is struggling with focus, seems perpetually anxious, or isn't responding to typical ADHD strategies, you might be looking for a missing piece of the puzzle.

Many parents are surprised to learn that Triple X Syndrome (47,###), a genetic difference affecting about 1 in 1,000 girls, often goes unrecognised because its "footprint" looks so much like ADHD.

Common Overlaps:
👉 Focus: Difficulty staying on task or following instructions.
👉 Learning: Specific struggles with reading or language.
👉 Social: Intense shyness or feeling easily overwhelmed in groups.
👉 Emotional: High sensitivity to her environment.

Why Clarity Matters: While the symptoms look the same, the support shouldn't be. Understanding if it is a genetic difference rather than a neurological one changes how we approach her education, her social development, and her self-esteem.

The Good News: A simple blood test (karyotype) provides a definitive answer. An experienced psychologist can help you determine if this is a path worth exploring.

It isn’t about "labelling" your daughter, it’s about giving her a roadmap that actually fits her terrain. If your gut is telling you there’s more to the story, trust that instinct.

ADHD is not a motivation problem and effective ADHD support is not about tips, hacks, or encouragement.Real ADHD interve...
18/02/2026

ADHD is not a motivation problem and effective ADHD support is not about tips, hacks, or encouragement.

Real ADHD intervention requires psychological understanding of:
👉executive functioning
👉emotional regulation
👉cognitive load
👉avoidance and overwhelm

Coaching works best when it is psychologically informed and grounded in how the ADHD nervous system actually functions.

📢 Important Notice for Our Clients: New Parking RulesIf you have an upcoming appointment at Lighthouse Psychology or the...
16/02/2026

📢 Important Notice for Our Clients: New Parking Rules

If you have an upcoming appointment at Lighthouse Psychology or the Irish Eating Disorders Centre, please be aware that Ardkeen Shopping Centre has introduced new parking arrangements from Monday, 26 January.

To ensure your visit is as stress-free as possible, please take note of the following:

Free Period: The first 90 minutes of parking are free.

Extended Stays: If you plan on staying more than 90 minutes, a charge of €2 per hour applies (max €10/day).

Payment Method: Payment can ONLY be made via the Easytrip app.

Enforcement: Euro Car Parks monitors the area using camera technology. While warnings may be issued initially, repeat non-compliance may lead to clamping (€80 release fee).

đź’ˇ Our Recommendation
We highly recommend downloading and setting up the Easytrip app on your smartphone before your next appointment. This ensures that if your session runs over, you can manage your parking easily without any interruptions.

School shouldn’t feel like a battleground.At The Lighthouse Psychology Clinic, we don’t believe in forcing children back...
13/02/2026

School shouldn’t feel like a battleground.

At The Lighthouse Psychology Clinic, we don’t believe in forcing children back to the classroom. Instead, we focus on healing the distress, shutdown, or panic that keeps them away. Our School Refusal & Reintegration Clinic is a dedicated space designed to help children build the emotional strength to return on their own terms.

Ready to find a way forward? https://lighthousepsychology.ie/

Getting what you need shouldn’t mean losing your peace.Do you ever find it hard to ask for what you need without feeling...
09/02/2026

Getting what you need shouldn’t mean losing your peace.

Do you ever find it hard to ask for what you need without feeling guilty or starting an argument?

At Lighthouse Psychology, we use Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) to help you navigate these tricky interpersonal waters. One of the most effective tools in the DBT toolkit is DEAR MAN.

This skill is designed to help you communicate your needs clearly and assertively while keeping your relationships healthy and your self-respect intact.

🔹 Describe the situation (stick to the facts!)
🔹 Express your feelings
🔹 Assert what you want
🔹 Reinforce the benefit to the other person
🔹 Mindful of your goal
🔹 Appear confident
🔹 Negotiate for a win-win

Getting stuck in "either/or" thinking can often lead to unnecessary stress and self-criticism. Dialectical thinking allo...
06/02/2026

Getting stuck in "either/or" thinking can often lead to unnecessary stress and self-criticism. Dialectical thinking allows us to hold two seemingly opposite truths at the same time, finding balance in the middle. ⚖️

In Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), we learn that life isn't always black and white. You can be doing your absolute best AND still have room to grow. You can feel angry with someone AND still hold deep love for them.

By replacing "but" with "and," we open up space for self-compassion and more nuanced relationships. Which of these "ANDs" resonates most with you today? 👇

Get the tools you need to support your child at home. 🏠Sometimes, you just need an hour with a professional to get your ...
04/02/2026

Get the tools you need to support your child at home. 🏠

Sometimes, you just need an hour with a professional to get your questions answered. Hannah is offering dedicated Parent Question Sessions to help you bridge the gap between a diagnosis and daily life.

What we cover in 60 minutes:
🔹 Understanding your child's specific needs.
🔹 Management tools for the home environment.
🔹 A listening ear for your worries and concerns.

Available via phone or in-person.

Visit us at https://lighthousepsychology.ie/ to learn more.

Meet Eileen – Child & Adolescent Mental Health Specialist at LighthouseSince joining us last July, Eileen Carr has been ...
02/02/2026

Meet Eileen – Child & Adolescent Mental Health Specialist at Lighthouse

Since joining us last July, Eileen Carr has been a vital part of the Lighthouse team, bringing her immense expertise as a Child & Adolescent Mental Health Specialist and Holistic Therapy Practitioner.

Eileen is a dual-qualified Registered General and Mental Health Nurse with over 20 years of experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Throughout her career, she has been a steady support for young people facing complex emotional and psychological challenges, with a deep-seated expertise in trauma, abuse, and emotional dysregulation.

Her dedication to healing has taken her across the globe, including humanitarian work in conflict zones like Iraq and Palestine. These experiences have given Eileen a unique and profound perspective on the resilience of families and the importance of compassionate, trauma-informed care.

Eileen is a strong advocate for a "whole-person" approach to wellbeing. Alongside her clinical nursing, she is trained in holistic therapies such as Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, and Lymphatic Drainage. She loves how these practices can naturally support sleep and stress management when integrated with traditional psychological supports like psychotherapy and CBT.

Whether she is supporting children, adolescents, or families, Eileen’s goal is always to create a safe, nurturing environment where everyone feels seen and heard. We are so proud to have her wealth of experience and her compassionate spirit at the heart of our team!

What I’m hearing every Friday from parentsEvery Friday, I speak with parents across Ireland who are worried about their ...
30/01/2026

What I’m hearing every Friday from parents

Every Friday, I speak with parents across Ireland who are worried about their child and unsure what support is needed. Increasingly, I’m hearing the same concern.

This week alone, three children with Inattentive ADHD-related regulation difficulties were given detention for behaviours linked to how their brains work — despite also being praised for kindness and effort. Somehow the positive points don’t balance against the negative points.

This isn’t helping.
In these cases, detention increased distress and emotional dysregulation, and ultimately over time,school refusal and parents tell me this is happening again and again.

Schools are under pressure — but when difficulties are neurodevelopmental, purely behavioural responses can make things worse.

Children need support that’s psychologically informed.
Not punishment. Not unregulated “quick fixes”.

This is a conversation Ireland needs to have.

When school feels impossible, pressure makes things worse.Our School Refusal & Reintegration Clinic provides structured ...
30/01/2026

When school feels impossible, pressure makes things worse.

Our School Refusal & Reintegration Clinic provides structured assessment, emotional regulation support, parent coaching, and individualised reintegration planning for children aged approximately 6–17.

This is a non-medical, trauma-informed service.

Details are available from the Lighthouse Psychology office.

Emotionally Based School Refusal is distress, not behaviour.Early psychological support can prevent long-term school avo...
29/01/2026

Emotionally Based School Refusal is distress, not behaviour.
Early psychological support can prevent long-term school avoidance.

Contact us for specialist EBSR support.

Did you know that your brain is about 73% water? 🧠💦At Lighthouse Psychology, we often talk about the big steps toward me...
28/01/2026

Did you know that your brain is about 73% water? 🧠💦

At Lighthouse Psychology, we often talk about the big steps toward mental wellbeing, like therapy and mindfulness, but sometimes the smallest habits lay the foundation for a clearer mind.

Even mild dehydration can lead to:
đźš© Increased feelings of anxiety
đźš© Irritability and low mood
đźš© "Brain fog" and lack of concentration
đźš© Reduced sleep quality

Staying hydrated helps regulate cortisol (the stress hormone) and keeps your cognitive functions sharp. Think of it as "internal maintenance" for your mental health.

Next time you feel a spike in stress, try reaching for a glass of water first. It’s a simple, evidence-based way to support your nervous system.

How are you staying hydrated today? đź’§

Address

Top Floor, Ardkeen Shopping Centre, Dunmore Road, Waterford X91 AE01
Waterford

Telephone

+353852326557

Website

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