Specialist Occupational Therapist
About Emma Connolly
Emma Connolly is an experienced Occupational Therapist and practice director with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals, families, and communities across public and private services. She has worked as part of multidisciplinary teams within the HSE and NHS, alongside leading her own private practice grounded in client-centred, affirmative, and evidence-informed care.
While Emma is widely recognised for her work within neurodivergent services, her clinical practice extends far beyond any single population or diagnosis. She works across the lifespan – from early developmental stages through to adulthood and later life – supporting people to navigate everyday challenges that impact their ability to function, participate, and thrive. This includes working with busy parents, working professionals, children, adolescents, and adults who may be experiencing sensory, emotional, cognitive, physical, or environmental barriers to daily living.
Emma is passionate about practical, real-world support that makes a meaningful difference to everyday life. Her approach focuses on empowering individuals and families through collaborative goal-setting, functional strategies, and tailored interventions that fit naturally into home, school, work, and community environments.
An Anne Beckett Award winner, Emma is recognised for her contribution to inclusive practice and service innovation. She is also the key founder of Flourish and Be Inclusive Hair Salon, an inclusive service designed to provide accessible, sensory-aware experiences for individuals with diverse needs and abilities.
Alongside clinical practice, Emma is deeply committed to professional development and upskilling. She regularly attends specialist training workshops and engages in external supervision to ensure her practice remains focused, current and aligned with best practice guidelines.
Emma also supports schools, families, therapists, and multidisciplinary teams through training, consultation, and service development, with a strong emphasis on high-quality, affirming, and ethically grounded practice.
Her work is guided by respect, collaboration, and advocacy, ensuring that every individual is supported to build independence, confidence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
Emma is fully Insured and Garda Vetted, is a member of the AOTI and WFOT, and is registered with CORU (OT029454) and the HCPC (OT082716).