Our team

Dr Deirdre Kearney

Director, Principal Behavioural Psychologist

Dr Deirdre Kearney is the clinical director. A Chartered Behavioural Psychologist, her expertise is grounded in a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and a career spent establishing and leading behaviour support services across Ireland. 

Dr Kearney specialises in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), Applied Behaviour Analysis, neurodiversity supports and trauma-informed practice.

Her extensive career includes establishing and managing behaviour support services for organisations, including St Patrick's Centre, Kilkenny; the Delta Centre, Carlow; and KARE Support Services.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr Kearney serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at Trinity College Dublin. Since 2021, she has been a lecturer and postgraduate thesis advisor for the MSc in Applied Behaviour Analysis. 

Her academic excellence was recognised with an Irish Research Council (IRC) postgraduate scholarship in 2019. She also holds a first-class Master of Arts in Applied Behaviour Analysis from NUI Galway and a BA in Psychology from University College Dublin.

Dr Kearney is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, has doctoral level membership with the Irish Society of Behaviour Analysts and is also a graduate member of the Supervisors Association of Ireland.

Jonathan Kearney

Business and Operations Manager

Jonathan Kearney is the Business and Operations Manager at Deirdre Kearney Behavioural Psychologist Ltd., where he oversees the day-to-day running of the organisation and supports the continued growth and development of the service.

Jonathan grew up in a family business environment, which shaped his strong work ethic and practical approach to problem-solving. From an early age he developed an understanding of how organisations operate and the importance of delivering high-quality service to clients.

His professional background spans several industries including retail, telecommunications, sound engineering, entertainment and performance, tourism, and business start-ups. He previously worked with O2 in retail, where he developed expertise in customer service, team coordination, and operational systems. Alongside this, Jonathan has extensive experience in sound engineering and live entertainment, managing technical production and performance environments that require precision, organisation, and adaptability.

Jonathan has also been involved in the development of new business ventures, giving him broad experience in building systems, managing operations, and supporting organisations as they grow.

At Deirdre Kearney Behavioural Psychologist Ltd., Jonathan brings this diverse experience to his role by ensuring that operational systems run smoothly, supporting the team, and helping the organisation deliver responsive and effective services to the families and professionals it works with.

Jesse Larkin

PBS Worker

Jesse is dedicated to helping children and families thrive through practical, person-centred strategies that enhance quality of life.

She holds qualifications in Positive Behaviour Support, psychology, and applied social studies. With extensive hands-on experience, she has supported families to develop person-centred approaches that make a real difference in daily life.

Her work has spanned day service and residential care settings, where she has supported children and adults with diverse and complex needs.

Jesse has worked closely within multidisciplinary teams—partnering with educators, therapists, and healthcare professionals to ensure cohesive and holistic support for each individual and family.



Guided by the core values of partnership, empathy, and empowerment, Jesse believes that meaningful progress happens when families are supported to recognise and develop their existing strengths and skills in order to achieve their goals.