Our Team
Our experienced multidisciplinary team includes professionals in Psychology, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy.
By working collaboratively, we build a full picture of your child’s unique strengths, differences, and support needs, leading to thoughtful, accurate assessments and practical, individualised recommendations.
We are committed to ongoing professional development and staying aligned with best practice. Our work is grounded in a neuro-affirming approach, and we actively learn from and value the lived experiences of autistic individuals and the wider neurodivergent community.
Keep reading to find out more about us!
Dr. Rachel Gately, Chartered Educational Psychologist and Clinical Director
Rachel is a Chartered Psychologist with nearly 20 years’ experience supporting children, young people, and families. She is an active committee member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) Special Interest Group for Psychologists in Private Practice as well as the Special Interest Group for Psychologists Supporting Autistic People, contributing to the development of best practice in these fields.
Rachel completed her Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology at the University of Birmingham (2010–2014) before establishing Solas Psychology in 2020. She brings a wealth of international experience from roles across the UK and Australia, including Educational Psychologist, Child and Family Therapist, Clinical Lead of an autism assessment team, and part of a multidisciplinary NHS team specialising in helping young autistic children.
Alongside her extensive experience supporting autistic individuals, her specialised interests include developmental trauma, children in care, early childhood development, and literacy. Her holistic, trauma-informed approach is at the heart of her work at Solas Psychology.
She is trained in a wide range of therapeutic modalities, including Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Theraplay, and Video Interaction Guidance (VIG), allowing her to tailor supports to the unique needs of each child and family.
Rachel’s dedication to her field has been recognised through her nomination as a finalist in the 2022 Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards (Galway Chapter) in the Solo Businesswoman category.
Dr. Alison Bonham, Chartered Senior Clinical Psychologist
Alison is a Chartered Psychologist with more than 16 years of dedicated work in both clinical and educational settings, specialising in the assessment and support of children and adolescents. Alison has practised across both the UK and Ireland, bringing a broad and nuanced perspective to her work.
Her interest in developmental disabilities and neurodiversity began early in her career during her time as an Assistant Psychologist at Broadmoor and St. Andrew’s Mental Health Hospitals in the UK, where she worked with young people facing complex mental health challenges. This foundational experience led her to a role as a Behaviour Therapist with the Daughters of Charity in Limerick, deepening her expertise in supporting children and young people with additional needs.
Alison earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Limerick in 2009. Since qualifying, she has held clinical roles on multidisciplinary teams within the HSE, including with Corlann (previously known as the Brothers of Charity) and Enable Ireland. She has also served as Lead Senior Clinical Psychologist in a private multidisciplinary autism assessment service in Cork, where she played a key role in guiding comprehensive, compassionate assessments and supports.
In addition to her clinical work, Alison has contributed to the academic field as a tutor at Dublin City University and as a guest and part-time lecturer, as well as a thesis supervisor, at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
Now working as an Associate Clinical Psychologist at Solas Psychology, Alison brings extensive expertise in child development, disability, and autism assessment and support. Her specialist interests include autism-related profiles such as PDA ('Persistent Drive for Autonomy') and mental health.
Alison is deeply committed to a neuro-affirming, family-centred approach that focuses on individual strengths, real-world needs, and supporting children and families in achieving meaningful quality of life.
Rachel O'Mahony, Senior Occupational Therapist
Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Occupational Therapy from University College Cork, where she graduated from in 2018. She is the founder of Thrive Outside Occupational Therapy and she specialises in nature-based therapy.
Rachel is the first practitioner in Ireland to formally train in the CONTiGO approach, supporting holistic child development through therapeutic experiences in natural environments. Combining her professional expertise with a passion for the outdoors, she creates supportive and inclusive spaces where children can develop key skills, build confidence, and engage meaningfully with the natural world.
Rachel has gained valuable clinical experience working as part of multidisciplinary teams in both Ireland and the UK, supporting autistic children, young people and their families throughout the autism assessment process with compassion and clarity.
Recognising that the assessment journey can often feel overwhelming, Rachel is committed to ensuring that parents feel supported, informed, and listened to at every stage. Her calm, thoughtful and empathetic approach is central to the care she provides.
In addition to her CORU registration, Rachel is a member of the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, and the UK’s Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), reflecting her commitment to maintaining the highest professional standards in her practice.
To learn more about Rachel’s work, visit https://www.thriveoutsidetherapy.com/
Jessica McGrath, Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Jessica holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of Limerick, awarded in 2017. She is registered with CORU and an active member of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists, the Therapist Neurodiversity Collective, and the Independent Speech Therapists of Ireland. Her clinical work is grounded in evidence-based practice and a strong commitment to neuro-affirming care.
Jessica has developed broad clinical experience across a variety of health and education settings. During her training and professional career, she has worked within Adult Disability Services, Paediatric Primary Care, Early Intervention Teams, and specialised School Age Teams.
Jessica has a particular interest in supporting autistic children and young people, and her work is informed both by current research and by insights from the autistic lived experience. She aims to work collaboratively with families to better understand each child’s communication profile, strengths, and support needs.
Her areas of expertise include Gestalt Language Processing (Natural Language Acquisition), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and Speech Sound Disorders. She has also completed additional training in areas such as emotional regulation, sensory processing, Lámh, and autism assessment tools including the ADOS-2 and ADI-R.
Jessica is committed to ongoing professional learning and regularly engages in continuing professional development, particularly in relation to neuro-affirming practice, autism assessment, and report writing. She values working as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure that children and families receive thoughtful, comprehensive, and supportive care.
Jessica will be presenting at the Neurodiversity Ireland Summit 2026, a leading national event dedicated to advancing understanding, inclusion, and best practice in neurodiversity. Find out more about thisevent here https://www.neurodiversityireland.com/neurodiversity-ireland-summit-2026
To learn more information about Jessica’s work, visit https://www.instagram.com/jessicamcgrathslt/ and www.jessicamcgrathspeechtherapy.ie
Karen Gately, Practice Manager
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of Galway, graduating in 2014. She brings to her role a strong clinical background combined with extensive international and teaching experience before joining Solas Psychology as Practice Manager in 2023. This has helped give her a deep understanding of how diverse cultural, social, and educational systems can shape a child’s developmental journey.
Karen has received formal training from the UK in administering both the ADI-R and the ADOS-2, two gold-standard tools in autism assessment used by our team. Drawing on this expertise, she has played a central role in developing Solas Psychology’s child- and parent-centred assessment model, helping to ensure that every family’s experience is thorough, respectful, and grounded in compassion.
As the first point of contact for our families, Karen brings a calm, empathetic presence to what can often be an emotional and uncertain time. She has supported hundreds of families across Ireland through the autism assessment process - guiding them with clarity, understanding, and evidence-based information. Her approach reflects Solas Psychology’s core values of collaboration and family-centred care.
Karen is passionate about empowering families to feel confident and informed when navigating next steps, whether that involves professional support services, educational planning, or connecting with community supports. She is committed to promoting neuro-affirming practice, recognising and celebrating the strengths, individuality, and potential of every child and young person.
Whether you’re seeking guidance about our assessment process or looking for information on supports for autistic children and young people in Ireland, Karen is here to help.