Ciara Walsh is a Social Worker (MSW) and an Accredited Play Therapist.
Ciara obtained her undergraduate degree in Social Science from University College Dublin (UCD). She subsequently received her Master’s in Social Work from University College Cork in 2002. She is a member of the Irish Social Work Association and is a registered Social Worker with CORU. Ciara continued her training with University of Canterbury Christ Church, Uk and achieved a Higher Diploma in Play Therapy. She is also a member of Play Therapy Ireland.
Experience has been gained in Ireland and abroad over the last 12 years with extensive experience in working with families and children. Ciara has worked as a Paediatric Medical Social Worker in the area of oncology, disability and long term illness and therefore has extensive experience in the area of grief and loss. She has achieved additional training through the Irish Hospice Foundation and has used programmes such as ‘Rainbows’ and ‘Seasons for Growth’ in this work. She has run bereavement groups for children and for parents supporting children who are bereaved by suicide.
Ciara has worked with children and families for the last 10 years in a community project run by the Child and Family Agency. She has gained extensive experience in working creatively and therapeutically with children and adolescents, facilitating groups for adults and young people and also working with individual families in a supportive and collaborative way.
Ciara has a particular interest in the area of building positive relationships and attachments between parents/carers and children. She specialises in the area of bereavement/loss and working with children/young people who have experienced parental separation.
Ciara is committed to ongoing professional development to include professional training in ‘Assessment of Child Welfare and Risk’, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Suicide Awareness (3T’s), Parenting Skills incorporating programmes such as Parents Plus, Incredible Years and One Parent Family. She has completed creative training in ‘Stages of Play in Attachment Difficulties’ and ‘Therapeutic Drama with Young People’. She has presented on working creatively with clients at University Level in Ireland.