After an initial assessment, if family chooses follow-up, Dr. Nina Marie Devlin places great emphasis on an holistic approach and will where possible combine an individual care plan with therapy and if needed medication to ensure the best outcomes for young people. Known for both combining her previous experience as a general practitioner, she uses an integrative approach to mental health. Dr. Nina Marie will work together with parents and the young person to combine best mental health treatments with lifestyle changes, diet and exercise.
Referral Process
– Email only : anam@anam-cap.ie (we are no longer able to accept new referrals for 2022 as currently running at full capacity). CLOSED TO NEW REFERRALS FOR 2022.
– Ask your GP or paediatric consultant to see your child ( this must be recent within 2 – 4 weeks of seeing Dr. Devlin) and make a referral to Dr. Nina Marie Devlin and please contact (via email only) our email office for appointment, specifying video / telephone / in person consultation preference.
–Please note we cannot provide an emergency service and we ask you attend GP or AE if urgent concerns arise.
LIST OF SERVICES INCLUDE:
Full Psychiatric Assessment for Young Person (under 18 years)
The service initially provides full individual assessment for mental disorders for those young people aged under 18 years using combination of video and / in person appointments (for those antigen negative and vaccinated only. Working to the principles of care, dignity and respect, Dr. Nina Marie will meet in collaboration with the young person and their carers to assess the mental health problem and to create an individual care plan to best meet the needs and situation. Dr. Devlin finds that spreading this into three or more sessions is optimal. The aim is to support the young person in whatever way she can. The legal guardians, usually the parent/s are involved and the family can be involved if they so wish. Each young person will always be offered individual time. The focus is on integration of health involving both mind and body. A third session is necessary for feedback and / discussion in order to achieve a collaborative treatment plan.
If you are undertaking an evaluation of a young person, it is best practice for both legal gaurdians to attend initial and feedback sessions in order for a more valid/authentic result and treatment plan. When parents are acrimoniously separated we may recommend other services.
Full Feedback Post Assessment
Follow up feedback session is an option for parents and recommended after initial assessment and a written information can be provided both to GP and school/university (please note this is not appropriate for court unless specified at time of initial assessment and cannot be used for custody cases). Parents please ask for this is felt helpful. Following the initial assessment the clinic may either offer therapy with Dr. Devlin or other professionals e.g. Occupational Therapist or Psychologist or make certain recommendations in collaboration with parents/young person focusing on recovery from their difficulties so that they can best manage their stress and mental health and reach their full potential.
Integrative approach and therapy
With a strong biological and psychiatric background both qualified in family medicine as a General Practitioner and consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Nina Marie advocates an integrative recovery approach focusing both on mind and body health. Dr. Devlin has experience in a number of psychotherapeutic modalities including elements of C.B.T., (including E.R.T.) mindfulness based stress reduction, MBSR, (completing Youth Mindfulness certificate recently), D.B.T., supportive therapy, meditation, bereavement counselling and Stress management alongside Systemic Family Therapy and I.T.P. Where appropriate she links with therapists who specialise in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, clinical psychology, psychotherapy including art therapy, drama therapy, D.B.T., Couple and Family Therapy, and Bereavement Counselling.
Supportive Therapy
Many young people may find it helpful to discuss their problems with a professional in a private therapeutic space.
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
Probably the most well known of the psychotherapies currently, this is especially useful in those young people suffering from stress, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Parenting Support
It can be a challenge to managing young people who struggle with their mental health. Obtaining support may be reassuring and very helpful in certain situations and perhaps even lead to develop better approaches.
Mindfulness
Having met with Jon Kabat Zin the pioneer behind MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction), Dr. Devlin obtained her certificate and completed The Youth Mindfulness teacher training course in Bristol 2017 and advocates mindfulness meditation as a useful tool adjunct to therapeutic sessions.
Behavioural Interventions
In order to assist in modifying behaviour for those young people with mental health difficulties and challenging behaviour parents often appreciate a “road map” with advice regarding life-style changes for example screen detoxification.
Educational Supports
Supportive letters for school/ university may be provided in standard format.
Medication
Medication can be very effective in many disorders including mood, anxiety, psychotic, autistic spectrum and hyperkinetic disorders and may be especially helpful prior to, or in tandem with, other psychotherapeutic interventions. In fact some psychotherapeutic interventions may not be as effective otherwise.