In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to Dr Cian Aherne, Chartered Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Manager for Jigsaw, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
Cian, who graduated with a PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Limerick in 2015, reflects on his time at UL where he worked on rewarding research projects with real-world impact, making time for rugby, athletics, coffee and Metallica along the way.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m a proud Limerick man, from Castleconnell. I’ve lived in Limerick most of my life. I’m a family man and a big sports fan. We have 4 young children and life is all go at the moment.
I did a research master's in University of Limerick in 2010 and the Clinical Psychology PhD programme from 2012 to 2015.
Why did you choose to study at UL?
I’m from Limerick, have family here and have always loved the campus since growing up here as a child.
I was awarded an EHS EU fee waiver for the research master’s which helped so much financially at the time. The waiver was granted based on the quality of my research proposal, what it was contributing to UL and local services and my financial situation at the time.
The Clinical Psychology programme is really difficult to get into so I was blessed that the programme I finally got into happened to be close to home.
What did you enjoy most about your courses?
My research master’s was done in collaboration with Brothers of Charity which is a professional charity service for people with intellectual disabilities. It was a wonderful opportunity to do some applied work with people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities whilst also evaluating the impacts of this.
Being given the freedom to create a programme of aquatics with the participants, and then the support to evaluate the programme through a master's was an amazing experience. It felt like a mutually beneficial collaboration between UL and an under-resourced service.
As a student of psychology, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent. What was your experience like?
My father, Declan Aherne, was the Director of Student Counselling in UL for 30 years. He has had the biggest impact on my life both personally and professionally and has always been a sage to lean on when trying to find myself. It was special to see him any time I was on campus, he always found the time.
Dr Barry Coughlan was the Director of the Clinical Psychology programme during my training and he supervised my master’s and PhD theses.
Barry has a great mind for qualitative research and was always keen to facilitate and support my interests – which was just what I needed in order to thrive in the field. He was a great connoisseur for coffee and Metallica too which served us both well.
Did you complete Co-op and/or Erasmus? If so, could you share what that experience was like?
As part of the Clinical Psychology PhD Programme, you can choose the location of your eight month specialist placement.
I had a great experience in St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin with Katarina Timulakova, where I had opportunities to work with young people and adults in a range of different settings. Katarina was caring and trusting during this placement at a time when I needed it most.
What advice would you offer to students considering studying at UL?
Embrace student life and make the most of it. Go outside, breathe in the natural surroundings of UL and try to appreciate this however you can. College is tough, life also happens outside of the work.
Just because the rest of the student population might seem like they have it together does not mean that they actually do (nor does it mean that you’re doing it wrong).
Separately, what advice would you offer to students considering studying your course?
Clinical Psychology training is a challenging journey but don’t let that throw you off. If you are passionate about helping people and finding the best paths for doing this then Clinical Psychology may be for you.
The profession needs people who are kind, empathic and creative now more than ever and it offers a multitude of options for how you can impart this.
There are growing pockets of critically minded Clinical Psychologists too so if you like to think outside the box a bit then it may also be a path worth travelling.
Were you a member of any clubs or societies?
I played rugby for UL Bohemians for several years and played for the UL team in Thomond Park. Rugby culture in Limerick is unique and it was great to have the connection between my club and college throughout my playing days. College rugby is all about being expansive and exciting and I certainly loved it when we played like that.
I also ran as a sprinter with the UL athletics group (coached by Drew and Hayley Harrison) for several years.
That was so much fun and I learned so much from them. It was a very cool experience representing UL at the UL-Yale-Harvard track meet around 15 years ago.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time at UL?
My graduation as a Clinical Psychologist was a lovely experience. I married my wife Noelle during training and we graduated together.
We had been together 10 years at that stage and fate had us on the same training programme together. Noelle was 5 months pregnant with our first child for the ceremony.
It was also special because my Dad was part of the conferring ceremony as he was working there at the time.
At UL, we’re known as the ‘Home of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced as a UL student?
I guess UL was the first place that I found myself having to be an adult. That can be a tough transition where the responsibility of independent adult living first falls upon you.
My master’s in particular took a few failed attempts at applications to different bodies to finally find the right fit so things rarely run as smoothly as they might look on the outside.
I had a great experience working in the UL Disability Support Office during this time with Brenda Shinners-Kennedy as I supported other students in attending for their undergraduate studies.
Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you?
My current favourite hobby is running, and it gives me great opportunities to connect with the UL campus every couple of days.
I love to run by Maguires Fields, on the track in the UL bowl, along the canal and over the living bridge. It a beautiful natural campus setting that is lovely to feel a part of.
How did your course/s and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating?
Qualifying as a Clinical Psychologist gives you opportunities for a wide range of workplace opportunities. I felt super fortunate to have this platform from which to start a career in which I could pursue my interests.
I also had both my theses from my studies in UL published which gave me confidence to continue pursuing research opportunities in the field.
These theses are available to read here: A Preliminary Investigation of the Suitability of Aquatics for People with Severe and Profound Intellectual Disabilities and Therapists’ perspectives on suicide: A conceptual model of connectedness.
Could you update us on where you are now in your career?
I’m currently the Clinical Manager for Jigsaw Limerick. Our service is a youth mental health service for young people aged 12 to 25 in Limerick and I’ve been in post here now for seven years.
I love my job as it gives me opportunities to work with young people, to support young people in therapy, to supervise team members and support them with their work and to continue to partake in exciting projects with young people.
I have particular interests in trauma-informed working, and critical models of thinking (such as the Power Threat Meaning Framework).
I continue to have links with UL as I have supervised several Clinical Psychology trainees from UL for their specialist placements in Jigsaw. I have been a field supervisor for PhD and master's theses for UL students via Jigsaw and I’ve lectured on the Clinical Psychology Programme and undergraduate psychology programmes regularly.
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
I continuously see the damage that capitalism, neo-liberalism and systemic oppression has on the young people of Ireland and further afield.
I’m an idealist in that I’d love to see the work that I’m involved in help society to turn the tide on these negative influences and for people to embrace all of the uniqueness that comes with being human.
I’m also a pragmatist, however, and I can see that change only comes one bite at a time. I’m currently involved in a project whereby we’re trying to create a bit of change.
I’m doing my best to be an agent of social change whilst also trying to be patient and trusting that we are all doing our best.