Family & Clinical Supports
At Ray of Sunshine Clinic, we provide psychological assessment and individual therapy for children and adolescents in Wicklow.
We work with families where there are questions about autism, ADHD, learning, cognitive development, emotional wellbeing, behaviour, or school-related difficulties. Our assessments are collaborative, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and neuroaffirmative, with a focus on understanding each child as a whole person.
Each assessment includes clear feedback, a detailed written report, and practical recommendations for home, school, and further support.
Ray of Sunshine Clinic
Child & Adolescent Psychological Assessment and Therapy in Wicklow
Ray of Sunshine Clinic provides neuroaffirmative, strengths-based psychological assessments and individual therapy for children, adolescents, and families.
The clinic supports families seeking a clearer understanding of their child’s strengths, needs, development, learning, emotional wellbeing, or neurodivergence.
Our approach is collaborative, respectful, and validating. We aim to help children and families feel understood, supported, and empowered.
Psychology Services
We provide comprehensive psychological assessments and individual therapy for children and adolescents experiencing developmental, learning, emotional, behavioural, or school-related difficulties.
Our assessments are designed to help families better understand a child’s strengths, needs, and support requirements. Each assessment includes a parent consultation, child assessment, standardised measures, and a detailed written report.
How We Can Help
Families may contact Ray of Sunshine Clinic when there are questions or concerns about:
Our Approach
Our assessment approach is collaborative, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and neuroaffirmative.
We understand that seeking an assessment for your child can feel like a big step. Our aim is to make the process feel respectful, validating, and supportive for both children and families.
Assessment is not simply about identifying difficulties. It is about developing a meaningful understanding of your child’s strengths, needs, preferences, and support requirements, so that clear and practical recommendations can be made for home, school, and everyday life.
What Is Included in an Assessment?
Depending on the type of assessment, the process may include:
Assessment Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| ADHD Assessment | €1,200 |
| Autism Assessment | €1,900 |
| Cognitive / Learning / Educational Assessment | €700 |
| Cognitive & Autism Assessment | €2,400 |
| Autism and ADHD Assessment | €2,700 |
| Comprehensive Assessment | From €1,200 |
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Individual Therapy | €100 per session |
| Session Length | 50 minutes |
Not Sure Which Assessment Your Child Needs?
Many parents are unsure whether their child needs an autism assessment, ADHD assessment, learning assessment, therapy, or a broader psychological assessment.
You are welcome to contact Ray of Sunshine Clinic to discuss which pathway may be most appropriate. We can help guide you toward the assessment or support that best fits your child’s current needs.
Meet out doctors
Dr Jade Walsh
Chartered Clinical Psychologist (PSI. M11882C)
Jade is a Clinical Psychologist experienced in assessment with children, adolescents, and adults. Therapeutic assessment is a central part of Jade’s clinical work; she prioritises a collaborative, strengths-based, and neuroaffirmative approach that supports meaningful understanding of neurodivergence. She places strong emphasis on involving clients and families throughout the assessment process to ensure it feels respectful, validating, and supportive.
Jade completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College Dublin. She has supported adults, children, and families across a range of Health Service Executive services, including Adult Mental Health, CAMHS, Primary Care, and Disability Services, as well as working with students in a university setting. Jade also brings experience from the National Health Service and completed specialist training within an Adult Eating Disorder multidisciplinary team.
Jade has a strong interest in trauma-informed and neuroaffirmative practice and is passionate about supporting neurodivergent individuals to feel understood, empowered, and safe. Upon graduating, she received a Clinical Excellence Award from the UCD School of Psychology.
Shorter Version
Dr Jade Walsh is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist experienced in assessment and therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and adults. She offers a collaborative, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and neuroaffirmative approach, with a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families to feel understood, validated, and empowered.
Jade completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College Dublin and has worked across HSE, NHS, university, mental health, CAMHS, primary care, and disability services. She is a Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Kate O’Beirne
Assistant Psychologist (PSI. M15419)
Kate is an Assistant Psychologist in Ray of Sunshine Clinic and a primary school teacher. With experience teaching in both mainstream and special education settings, in Ireland and abroad, Kate has a special interest in supporting children and their families to understand their own strengths and needs and to empower them to achieve their best. Kate aims to provide a warm, welcoming environment where families feel safe and listened to.
Kate completed a dual degree in Education and Psychology in Mary Immaculate College and was awarded the Certificate of Excellence in Psychology for her achievements during the course.
Kate is a Graduate Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Assessment reports at Ray of Sunshine Clinic are completed by a Chartered Clinical Psychologist and/or a CORU registered Occupational Therapist and are prepared in line with relevant professional standards and guidance.
Reports are written to support families in understanding their child’s strengths and needs, and to provide clear recommendations for home, school, and other relevant services.
Psychological assessments are typically completed over approximately 6 weeks, depending on the type of assessment, availability of parent and teacher questionnaires, and the complexity of the child’s presentation.
This timeframe includes the initial consultation, assessment sessions, scoring and interpretation of measures, feedback, and completion of the written report.
The length of therapy varies depending on the child or adolescent’s needs, goals, and response to support.
Some children may benefit from a small number of sessions focused on a specific difficulty, while others may require longer-term support. This will be discussed collaboratively with parents and the child or young person as therapy progresses.
At Ray of Sunshine Clinic, therapy is adapted to the child’s age, developmental stage, needs, and interests.
Where appropriate, sessions may include play, storytelling, drawing, art, creativity, and conversation alongside evidence-based therapeutic approaches. The aim is to help children feel comfortable, understood, and supported.
If you have private health insurance in Ireland, you may be able to claim back part of the cost of therapy or assessment, depending on your individual policy and provider.
Families are advised to contact their insurer directly to check what is covered under their plan.
No. Parents are welcome to self-refer to Ray of Sunshine Clinic.
A referral from a GP, school, or other professional is not required, although any existing reports or relevant background information can be helpful as part of the assessment or therapy process.
Therapy at Ray of Sunshine Clinic is tailored to each child or adolescent’s individual needs.
Clinicians draw from evidence-based and formulation-led approaches, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed, strengths-based, and neuroaffirmative practice. Depending on the child’s needs, sessions may include elements of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, compassion-focused approaches, mindfulness-based approaches, systemic thinking, parent consultation, and creative therapeutic methods.
Yes. Continuing professional development is an important part of clinical practice.
Clinicians engage in ongoing professional development and reflective practice to ensure her work remains informed by current evidence, professional standards, and best practice in child and adolescent mental health, psychological assessment, trauma-informed care, and neuroaffirmative practice.
Appointments are available in clinic and online at Ray of Sunshine Clinic.
Where appropriate, some parent consultations or feedback sessions may be offered online. This can be discussed at the time of booking.
Yes. Family involvement is often an important part of supporting children and adolescents.
At Ray of Sunshine Clinic, parents are actively involved in the assessment process, and parent consultation may also form part of therapy where helpful. This ensures that support is joined up and practical for the child’s everyday life at home and school.
This depends on your child’s age, needs, and comfort level.
Many children and adolescents meet with the psychologist individually for part of the assessment or therapy process. However, if your child feels anxious, distressed, or would prefer a parent to be present, parents are welcome to join until the child feels more comfortable.
The pace is always guided by what feels safe and supportive for the child.
Ray of Sunshine Clinic provides psychological assessment and therapy for children and adolescents. If you are unsure whether the service is suitable for your child’s age or needs, you are welcome to contact us before booking.
The first appointment usually involves meeting with parents to gather background information, understand current concerns, and discuss your child’s developmental, emotional, educational, and family history.
For therapy, the first appointment helps us understand what support your child may need and whether Ray of Sunshine Clinic is the right fit.
It can be helpful to bring or send any relevant previous reports or documents, such as school reports, educational psychology reports, speech and language reports, occupational therapy reports, medical letters, or previous mental health assessments.
School input is often helpful, particularly for ADHD, autism, learning, or educational assessments. With parent consent, we may ask teachers to complete questionnaires or provide relevant information about your child’s learning, attention, social communication, or emotional wellbeing in school.
Where appropriate, an assessment may lead to a diagnosis, such as autism or ADHD. However, the purpose of assessment is broader than diagnosis alone. We aim to develop a meaningful understanding of your child’s strengths, needs, and support requirements.
If your child does not meet criteria for a diagnosis, the assessment can still provide valuable information about their strengths, needs, learning profile, emotional wellbeing, and practical supports that may help at home and school.
Yes. Ray of Sunshine Clinic offers autism assessments, ADHD assessments, and combined autism and ADHD assessments where both areas need to be explored.
Yes. We offer cognitive, learning, and educational assessments where there are concerns about learning, school progress, literacy, numeracy, attention to schoolwork, or educational support needs.
Yes. Assessment reports include practical recommendations for home and school, where relevant. These may include strategies to support learning, emotional regulation, attention, communication, sensory needs, or school participation.
Where appropriate, reports can include recommendations that may support applications for school-based accommodations or supports. Any additional letters or forms can be discussed depending on the request.
Yes. Ray of Sunshine Clinic takes a neuroaffirmative approach. This means we aim to understand and respect neurodivergent ways of thinking, feeling, communicating, and experiencing the world, while also identifying areas where support may be helpful.
We recommend explaining the assessment in a calm and reassuring way. You might say that they are meeting someone who helps children understand how their brain works, what they are good at, and what might help make things easier at home or school.
We understand that attending an assessment or therapy appointment can feel daunting. We work at your child’s pace and aim to create a warm, calm, and supportive environment. Parents can support their child in sessions where needed.
Yes. Information shared with Ray of Sunshine Clinic is treated confidentially. There are some limits to confidentiality, particularly where there are concerns about safety or risk. These limits will be explained at the beginning of the process.
Yes. Psychological assessments include a written report outlining the assessment findings, formulation or diagnostic conclusions where relevant, and recommendations for home, school, and next steps.
Where appropriate and subject to availability, therapy may be offered following assessment. Recommendations for other supports may also be provided.
No. We do not prescribe medication. If medication is something you wish to explore, you may need to speak with your GP, paediatrician, or psychiatrist.
Ray of Sunshine Clinic is not an emergency or crisis service. If there is an immediate risk to your child or someone else, please contact emergency services, your GP, or your local out-of-hours mental health service.
Our cancellation policy is 48 hours.
Currently, we do not have a waiting list, you can book your first appointment by contacting reception.
Ray of Sunshine Clinic is based in Rathnew, Wicklow.