About Claire

I’m a Sligo-based, CORU-registered Occupational Therapist (OT) with over 20 years of clinical experience across hospital, community and mental health settings.

I qualified as an Occupational Therapist with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy in 2002 and, in 2025, completed a Master’s in Leadership in Healthcare with the Irish Management Institute (IMI).

Throughout my career, I have worked across acute hospital services and community adult mental health, with a particular focus on supporting people to live meaningful and fulfilling lives despite changes in their health and circumstances. I spent 12 years working as a Senior OT in Psychiatry of Later Life, developing specialist experience in supporting older adults experiencing cognitive and mental health difficulties.

For the past five years, I have worked as a Senior OT within a Rehabilitation and Recovery Team, supporting people living with severe and enduring mental health challenges. This work has reinforced my belief that recovery is about more than managing symptoms — it is about helping people reconnect with what matters to them, build confidence and develop the skills and strategies needed to participate in everyday life.

My private practice, Claire Matthews Cognitive & Mental Health Occupational Therapy, was established to provide specialist Occupational Therapy services across Sligo and the wider northwest region of Ireland.

I offer support in the areas of cognitive health and rehabilitation, functional assessment and mental health Occupational Therapy, with an emphasis on practical, person-centred intervention. My approach is grounded in Occupational Therapy’s holistic understanding of the individual — considering not only a person's health, but also their environment, relationships, routines, strengths and the activities that give their life meaning.

I aim to create a supportive, collaborative space where people feel listened to, understood and empowered to make meaningful changes in their everyday lives.

My goal is simple: to help people navigate challenges, build on their strengths and create a life that feels meaningful and manageable