Lighthouse Psychology

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.

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.

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.

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:
🚩 Increased feelings of anxiety
🚩 Irritability and low mood
🚩 "Brain fog" and lack of concentration
🚩 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? 💧

26/01/2026

Did you miss our Family Therapist and Assistant Psychologist, Doireann Gough, on Beat 102 103 today? 📻

No worries! You can listen back to her professional take on the Beckham family drama, and what it teaches us about family relationships in general, at the link below.

It's the perfect companion for your Monday lunchtime or this evening's commute! 🎧

Listen here: https://www.goloudnow.com/podcasts/the-sunday-grill-1076/the-beckhams-and-family-breakdowns-570101?open_player=true?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_campaign=article&utm_medium=web

Brooklyn Beckham’s post about his parents got us talking about family breakdowns with family therapist Direann Gough from Lighthouse Psychology in Waterford.

24/01/2026

What can we actually learn from the latest Beckham headlines? 🧐

Tomorrow at 9 AM, our very own Doireann Gough, family therapist and Assistant Psychologist, takes to the airwaves on Beat 102 103. She’ll be applying a therapeutic lens to the recent Beckham drama, exploring what it tells us about family, fame, and relationships.

Don't miss it! 📻💻

23/01/2026

Raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involves unique emotional journeys. A recent study of 517 Greek families published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders highlights a critical but often overlooked factor: Parental External Shame.

Here is a breakdown of what the research found and why it matters:

🧩 The "Invisible" Burden
Many parents, particularly mothers, experience external shame, which is the painful sense of being negatively judged by others because of their child's condition. This study found that higher levels of this shame are directly linked to more challenges in overall family functioning.

📉 Impact on Family Dynamics
The research revealed that when mothers feel intense social judgment, it can disrupt three key areas of home life:
Communication: Shame can lead to social withdrawal or less effective communication within the family.
Problem-Solving: Families experiencing high external shame reported lower abilities to collaborate on daily challenges.
Personal Goals: Stigma can make it harder for family members to pursue their own individual growth and goals.

🏠 Structural Stability Matters
The study also noted that family structure plays a role. Two-parent households often demonstrated more effective communication and stronger problem-solving compared to separated families, likely due to the stabilising effect of shared caregiving.

❤️ A Call for Compassion
The takeaway? Supporting families with ASD isn't just about clinical therapy for the child; it’s about holistic support for the parents.

We need interventions that focus on parental mental health, resilience, and self-compassion.

Reducing social stigma is vital to helping these families thrive.

21/01/2026

Does your child with ADHD struggle with frequent meltdowns, impulsivity, or "switching off" when overwhelmed? 💡

At Lighthouse Psychology, we offer NeuroRegulate™, a structured, non-medical programme for children aged 6–16. We focus on helping your child’s nervous system become regulated and calm, rather than focusing on punishment or discipline.

Why Regulation First?
When a child's brain is overwhelmed, thinking skills switch off. By helping the body and brain feel safe first, children become much better at managing their emotions and learning new skills.

The Programme Includes:
NeuroSleep™ Profiling: Understanding how sleep impacts behaviour.
Regulation Skills: Sensory and body-based calming techniques.
Parent Coaching: Learning "co-regulation" to support your child at home.
Impulse Control: Building attention and flexibility once calm.
NeuroRegulate™ is grounded in neurodevelopmental science and is tailored to each child's unique needs.

📧 To Enquire: Email info@lighthousepsychology.ie with your child’s age and a brief outline of your concerns.

Note: This is a non-medical programme and does not provide medication. Suitability is reviewed prior to acceptance.

19/01/2026

💡 Staff Spotlight: Finding Calm in the Cold with our Assistant Psychologist

We sat down with our Assistant Psychologist, Hannah, this week to talk about one of the most common challenges: the "thought spiral." You know the feeling when anxiety or overwhelm takes the driver’s seat and it feels impossible to pull over.

Her go-to recommendation is a physiological "reset button" called Temperature Grounding.

Why Temperature?

"A temperature grounding technique uses intense sensations to quickly refocus your mind," she explains. "It disrupts the spiral and signals your nervous system to slow your heart rate down. It’s about bringing the body back to the now when the mind is stuck in the what if."

The "Ice Cube" Practice 🧊
One of her favourite ways to practice this is also one of the simplest. If you’re feeling panicked or overwhelmed, grab an ice cube and try these four steps:
1. Hold: Place the ice in your palm (or wrap it in a thin cloth if it’s too intense).
2. Focus: Pay close attention to the stinging cold, the texture of the ice, and the way it begins to melt against your skin.
3. Contrast: Notice the difference between the freezing ice and the warmth of your own hand.
4. Breathe: While you hold it, inhale slowly through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

No Ice? No Problem.
"If you're out and about and don't have ice nearby, try running cold water over your wrists or the back of your neck," she suggests. These areas are incredibly responsive to temperature changes and can signal your brain to "downshift" almost immediately.

The Takeaway
The next time you feel a wave of anxiety rising, remember that you don't have to "think" your way out of it. Sometimes, you just have to feel your way back to the present.

19/01/2026

Happiness is actually an ‘inside job’.