Dr Lauren Smith (Online only)

Dr Lauren Smith is an Irish Clinical Psychologist specialising in the treatment of children, adolescents, adults and families with a range of social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

It is important to her that the young people she works with feel empowered and heard and that they work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan in line with their goals. She believes that helping clients harness their strengths and find solutions to problems allows them to live a full and meaningful life in line with their values. Her expertise lies in understanding and addressing a range of developmental and behavioural challenges, whilst wholly working with families to foster healthy relationships and improve their quality of life.

Lauren draws on a range of different psychological models in providing child therapy, including CBT, DBT, ACT and CFT to offer the highest level of support to individuals with mental health difficulties such as anxiety conditions, depression/self-harm/mood disorders, trauma and OCD. Prior to her work in the UAE, Lauren worked as a child psychologist across a variety of mental health settings, most notably in a specialist children's hospital providing support to children with long term physical health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions. This work included adjusting to health conditions, supporting social and family relationships, managing anxieties around medical treatment and concerns for the future.

She also has experience working in child and adolescent mental health teams, providing psychological interventions to children presenting with a range of mental health concerns. Lauren also worked in a specialist service for children with intellectual disabilities, Autism and ADHD who were experiencing mental health or behavioural difficulties.

As well as her therapeutic work, Lauren also conducts a range of neurodevelopmental and psychoeducational assessments. She provides consultations on how to adapt settings and ways of working to meet the needs of the young person whilst being aware of the impact of physical and mental health conditions at different developmental stages.

It is a privilege for Lauren to hear the stories that clients tell her, and she feels committed to working in a way which fosters hope and resilience in those who she supports.