Gráinne Gallagher – Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

My name is Grainne Gallagher and I am a Clinical Nurse Specialist working in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Community Team.  I have just completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy at ATU St Angela’s Campus

Can you share your career path to date?

I commenced my undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mental Health Nursing, at Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK in 2008, graduating in 2011. Following qualification, I began my career as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, working within acute mental health services in the UK.

In 2014, I returned home to Ireland and joined Lois Bridges, an approved centre in Dublin specialising in the treatment of eating disorders, where I worked until 2015. In 2016, I moved to the adolescent community mental health team in Linn Dara, before progressing to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) within Cavan Monaghan CAMHS.

During my time in CAMHS, I progressed from a Staff Nurse role to Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), developing my clinical knowledge and expertise in working with young people experiencing a range of mental health difficulties.

In 2025, I decided to further develop my career and commenced the Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy at ATU St Angela’s Campus

Following completion of the course, I have recently transitioned into my current role as a CBT Clinical Nurse Specialist within adult mental health services.

This career journey has provided me with a broad range of experience across acute, community, adolescent and adult mental health services, and has allowed me to develop a particular interest in psychological therapies and supporting people in their recovery.

What does your current role involve?

I currently work as a CBT Clinical Nurse Specialist within Adult Mental Health Services in the HSE. My role involves providing specialist CBT assessment and evidence-based psychological interventions to adults experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. I work collaboratively with individuals to develop personalised treatment plans, support recovery, manage risk, and develop practical strategies to improve mental wellbeing. I also work closely with the multidisciplinary team and other services to ensure coordinated and person-centred care.

What motivated you to start studying?

I was motivated to further develop my clinical skills and confidence in delivering evidence-based psychological interventions. I wanted to strengthen my therapeutic approach, support better outcomes for those I work with, and progress my career towards a Clinical Nurse Specialist role.

Why did you choose this course at ATU?

I chose the CBT course at ATU because of its strong focus on practical learning and applying CBT theory to clinical practice. I was also interested as it aligned with BABCP accreditation guidelines, which gave me confidence in the quality and professional recognition of the course. At the time, it was the only CBT course in the Republic of Ireland offering this level of alignment with BABCP requirements.

How do you find the process of studying in a flexible manner? What elements did you find helpful? Were there elements you found challenging?

I found the flexible approach to studying very helpful, particularly as I was able to complete the course while working full-time. However, the course still required a high level of commitment, with regular lectures, supervision days, assignments, and clinical hours. Managing these alongside work could be challenging at times and required good organisation and time management.

I found the support from the ATU lecturers, particularly Dr Michelle Murphy, extremely helpful. They provided clear guidance and were always supportive with assignments, which made the academic side of the course much less stressful. Their support helped me feel more confident and prepared throughout the course.

How do you balance work and study?

Managing the course alongside a full-time job was challenging at times, but having a routine helped. I planned my week and used my weekends to catch up on reading, assignments, and other course work.

During the course, I had to make some changes to my usual routine and give less time to social activities. My interest in CBT kept me motivated, especially as I could see how useful it was in my day-to-day clinical work. The encouragement from my supervisor and support from my workplace also made a big difference in helping me manage everything.

In terms of your employer, were they supportive of your decision to study? Are there elements of the course that are particularly relevant to your current employer?

My Assistant Director of Nursing was very supportive of my decision to undertake the course, particularly as completing the training was part of the requirements of my role. My workplace also supported my learning by allowing me to gain experience in different placement settings, where I could develop and apply my CBT skills in practice. This gave me valuable opportunities to build my confidence and experience as a learner.

What advice would you have for anyone considering studying a flexible learning programme?

My advice to anyone thinking about doing a similar course is to be prepared for the amount of time and effort involved. Good time management is important, especially when balancing work, study, and clinical placements.

I would also recommend choosing a course that you are genuinely interested in and that will benefit your career. Make the most of the support from lecturers, supervisors, colleagues, and other students. There will be busy periods, so it is important to be patient with yourself and remember that it is okay to take a break when needed.

In what way has studying with ATU benefitted your career to date?

Studying with ATU has strengthened my confidence, and professional identity and clinical skills. It has enhanced my skills to assess, formulate, and intervene therapeutically with people within the service. It has also supported my progression towards a Clinical Nurse Specialist role and broadened my future career opportunities within services.

Has this course provided any unexpected benefits to your career?

One of the biggest benefits for me has been becoming more confident in how I communicate and reflect on my work. The course has helped me look at situations differently, organise my thoughts, and feel more confident when making clinical decisions. It has also helped me contribute more confidently when working and communicating with the wider team.

Do you find that the elements you are studying have practical relevance in your day-to-day role?

The course has been very useful in my everyday clinical work. I use what I have learned to better understand the needs of the people I work with, build positive relationships, and provide practical support. The CBT skills have been easy to bring into my clinical practice and have improved the way I provide care.