Dr Elaine Ryan, PsychD

Doctor of Psychology specialising in OCD and anxiety disorders

Chartered Member of The British Psychological Society

Doctor of Psychology with over 20 years’ experience specialising in OCD, anxiety, panic attacks, and health anxiety. Formerly worked in the NHS at Highly Specialist level, using evidence-based CBT and ERP.
Dr. Elaine Ryan Chartered Psychologist

Areas I specialise in

My clinical work focuses primarily on OCD and anxiety disorders. I use evidence-based CBT and, for OCD, Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), with treatment tailored to the patterns maintaining each problem. I have doctoral level & post doctoral training in OCD and anxiety disorders.

OCD

CBT with ERP to reduce obsessions and compulsions

OCD Therapy

Anxiety

Reduce avoidance, worry loops and safety behaviours with CBT.

Anxiety Therapy

Panic Attacks

Stop the panic cycle with CBT and exposure-based practice.

Panic Attack Therapy

Health Anxiety

Break reassurance and checking cycles and regain confidence.

Health Anxiety Therapy

Agoraphobia

Gradual exposure to rebuild confidence.

Agoraphobia Therapy

Anger

Practical skills to reduce reactivity and respond calmly.

Anger Management

Online Screening Test

I have a selection of online tests that can tell you more about your condition
Go to online tests

Therapy & Self-Help

Choosing therapy in Dublin can feel confusing because there are so many titles and approaches. If you’re struggling with OCD, health anxiety, panic attacks or anxiety, evidence-based treatments include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and — for OCD — Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

I am a Chartered Psychologist with more than 20 years’ experience specialising in OCD and anxiety disorders, including many years providing CBT and ERP in private practice in Dublin and online across Ireland.

My current work focuses on structured psychological self-help courses and evidence-based resources that use these same approaches to help you understand and change the cycles that maintain anxiety and OCD.

View My Online Courses

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)

A structured, practical therapy that helps you break anxiety and panic cycles, reduce avoidance and safety behaviours.
Learn about CBT

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention)

A form of CBT designed for OCD. ERP helps you face triggers without doing compulsions or subtle safety behaviours (including mental rituals).
Learn about ERP

ACT (Acceptance and commitment Therapy)

Acceptance-based skills that build tolerance for uncertainty and help you move toward valued actions instead of anxiety-driven habits.
Learn about ACT

Resources

Small Talk With Social Anxiety: Stop Trying to Say Something Impressive

Small talk is a bridge, not a test of how interesting you are. Use shared context, real listening and small disclosures to practise without scripting every line.

Why Your Mind Goes Blank With Social Anxiety—and What to Do in the Moment

A blank mind during conversation is often an attention and threat problem, not proof that you have nothing to say. Learn what happens and how to respond.

How Social Anxiety Is Assessed in Ireland—and Whether You Need a Diagnosis

Understand what a social-anxiety assessment explores, who may diagnose it in Ireland, what questionnaires can and cannot do, and how to prepare for a GP appointment.

Why You Feel Everyone Is Watching You: Self-Focused Attention in Social Anxiety

Social anxiety can make you feel painfully conspicuous. Learn how self-focused attention turns sensations into apparent evidence—and how to shift focus.

Exposure for Social Anxiety: How to Build a Useful Practice Ladder

Learn how to build social-anxiety exposure around specific predictions, reduced safety behaviours and new learning—not simply enduring fear.

Blushing, Sweating and Shaking With Social Anxiety: What Keeps the Fear Going

Visible anxiety symptoms can become a fear in their own right. Understand the second fear, symptom monitoring and concealment cycle, then practise a more useful response.