Meet Dr. Jill Pollard,
Senior Clinical Psychologist
(BA Psych., MSc. Applied Psych., D.ClinPsych., C.Psychol., Ps.S.I.)
PSI chartered member (C.Psychol. PsSI, PSI Membership No M10338C)
I am Dr. Jill Pollard, Senior Clinical Psychologist and founder of Be Kind Psychology. I have over 20 years’ experience working with neurodivergent individuals, and 13 years specialising in autism, ADHD, educational, and neurodevelopmental assessments across the lifespan.
I hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Limerick (2012), where I was awarded the Patrick Brosnan Medal for Research Excellence. I completed an MSc in Applied Psychology at Trinity College Dublin (awarded with Distinction) and a First Class Honours BA in Psychology from NUI Galway.
As a Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), I meet the highest professional standards for training, ethical practice, and evidence-based assessment.
In Ireland, many services, including the HSE and Department of Education, require that diagnostic assessments be completed or overseen by a chartered or HSE-validated psychologist. Reports by unchartered practitioners are often not accepted for school supports, disability allowances, or access to state-funded services.
My clinical experience spans a wide range of public services, including Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Young Adult Mental Health Services (YAMHS), and the Dyslexia Association of Ireland. I have particular expertise in autism, ADHD, intellectual disabilities, complex presentations, and psychoeducational assessments.
At Be Kind Psychology, I provide:
Autism assessments for children, adolescents, and adults
ADHD and educational assessments
Neurodevelopmental profiling and diagnostic clarification
Support for individuals with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental health needs
I am trained in best practice assessment tools, follow international best practice guidelines, and take a neuro affirmative, attachment, and trauma-informed approach. My work is grounded in clinical excellence, compassion, and deep respect for each individual’s unique experience.
Whether you are seeking answers, clarity, or support, I offer a safe and collaborative space to explore neurodiversity with kindness and confidence.
You can check my listing with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) here.
Meet Rachel Kennedy,
Independent Speech and Language Therapist
B.A., MSc., CORU Registered (SL010232)
I am a speech and language therapist with extensive training working with both children and adults in terms of their communication and swallowing. I have been in practice since 2014 and have experience in almost every setting, age range and health condition from three different countries and within public and private settings.
I worked in Vancouver, BC, Canada for several years as a highly specialist speech-language pathologist and director of education at a neuroaffirming multidisciplinary practice where I worked with children, teens, adults and families navigating many different things, including complex disability, neurodivergence, trauma, displacement and mental health difficulties. The unique family-first autism intervention funding model in B.C. allowed our practice to engage with families and people across the span of years, advocating for their needs and development in their schools, communities and to involve their experiences at the level of clinical education and training.
I am highly adept and experienced with navigation of subtle, unique or complex diagnostic formulation as part of a multidisciplinary team. I have lived experience as both clinician, parent and patient and I aim to bring empathy and solution-focused support to people and families who prefer humanistic, compassionate and functional approaches.
I am a member of the Independent Speech Therapists’ Ireland (ISTI) as well as the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT).