About Us
Tribe Clinical Psychology is grounded in a deep commitment to belonging, community, and neuroaffirmative care. The name “Tribe” reflects both personal roots and shared values. One of us is originally from Galway — the home of the Tribes — and the name represents something central to our ethos: connection, shared understanding, and the importance of not facing challenges alone. Now based in Kilkenny, we have created a practice built on those principles of community and support.
Since 2020, we have worked within the public health service across a range of settings, including university hospitals, specialist mental health services, inpatient and community teams, disability services, and residential care. This breadth of experience has shaped a thoughtful and well-rounded understanding of neurodevelopmental and mental health presentations across the lifespan.
As parents ourselves, we bring not only professional expertise but also lived perspective to our work. We understand the hopes, worries, and complexities that can come with seeking clarity for your child — as well as the courage it takes for adults to explore their own neurodevelopmental profile. Working with children and families has always been central to our practice, and this continues to inform a compassionate, practical, and collaborative approach.
At its heart, Tribe Clinical Psychology is a space where clinical expertise meets empathy — and where individuals and families feel genuinely understood and supported.
Meet our team
Dr. Darren McDonnell
B.A., H.Dip. Psych., M.A., D.Clin.Psych, M.Ps.S.I.
Dr. Darren McDonnell is a Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Tribe Clinical Psychology. He completed his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College
Cork in 2023 and has worked in the field of clinical psychology for the past five years, with over a decade of experience across the broader field of psychology and support services. Originally from Galway, Dr. McDonnell settled in Kilkenny in 2025. As a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, his work is grounded in a person-centred, evidence-based approach, with a strong focus on understanding each individual’s unique experiences, strengths, and support needs. He has extensive experience conducting psychological and neurodevelopmental assessments for both children and adults, helping individuals and families gain clarity, understanding, and practical guidance. Prior to completing his doctorate, Dr. McDonnell worked as a Special Needs Assistant in a school supporting autistic children, as well as in university settings supporting neurodivergent students. These early experiences played an important role in shaping his interest in clinical psychology and deepening his understanding of neurodiversity across different stages of life. Throughout his career, Dr. McDonnell has worked across a wide range of services, including child, adult, and intellectual disability settings, as well as specialist services supporting refugees and asylum seekers and individuals experiencing psychosis, providing him with a broad and compassionate understanding of diverse life experiences and mental health needs. He also gained international experience in Boston, USA, working in a service supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. At the heart of his work is a commitment to seeing and supporting the whole person — creating a respectful and collaborative space where children, adults, and families can feel heard, understood, and supported in making sense of their experiences.
Dr. Aoife Farrell
B.Sc., M.A., D.Clin.Psych, M.Ps.S.I.
Dr. Aoife Farrell is a Clinical Psychologist, co-founder of Tribe Clinical Psychology, and a member of the Psychological Society of Ireland. She completed her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2023 and has over five years of experience working in psychology services, alongside more than fifteen years of experience in the broader field of psychology. Originally from Kilkenny, she returned to her home county in 2025 and now provides psychological assessment services to individuals and families locally across the South East and online throughout Ireland. Dr. Farrell has particular expertise in comprehensive psychological assessment for neurodivergent individuals, including assessments for autism, ADHD, and related neurodevelopmental profiles. Her approach to assessment is thorough, evidence-based, and person-centred. She integrates clinical interview, developmental history, and standardised psychometric assessment to develop a clear and comprehensive understanding of each individual’s cognitive, emotional, and developmental profile. A key focus of Dr. Farrell’s work is the preparation of clear, detailed psychological reports that outline assessment findings and provide practical, individualised recommendations. These reports are designed to support individuals, families, schools, workplaces, and other services in understanding a person’s strengths and needs and in identifying appropriate supports. Dr. Farrell has experience working across a variety of settings including child and adolescent, adult, and disability services. She has also completed specialist work supporting refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced war trauma and post-traumatic stress. As a scientist-practitioner, Dr. Farrell is committed to ensuring her assessment practice reflects the latest research and best-practice guidelines. Ethical and evidence-based practice are central to her work, and she regularly engages in professional development to remain up to date with advances in the field of clinical psychology.