Dr. Robert O'Driscoll

Dr. Robert O’Driscoll has worked with the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Child and Adolescent Addiction Treatment Services in Arbour House, St Finbarrs’ Hospital for twenty years. His current role is Senior Addiction Counsellor, and he manages a clinical team for the HSE Addiction Services in the Anchor Treatment Centre in Mallow Co. Cork. He also manages the clinical teams for HSE Addiction Services in the East Cork and West Cork addiction treatment hubs. His area of practice and research interest is in implementing and evaluating evidence-based substance misuse treatment and prevention programmes and understanding how health and social care professionals learn in a variety of educational settings.

Robert developed, coordinates and lectures on the UCC/HSE National Framework of Qualification (NFQ) Level 7 Diploma in Substance Misuse and Addiction Studies. Robert also developed, coordinates and lectures on the UCC/Tabor Group NFQ Level 8  Certificate in Continuing Professional Development: Responding to Problem Gambling. He lectures on the UCC Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, UCC Degree in Mental Health Nursing, Munster Technology University, BA Degree in Counselling with Addiction and the UCD Masters in Public Policy.

Robert has published peer reviewed journal articles on the cultural adaptation of evidence-based substance misuse programmes in Ireland and implementing Motivational Interviewing in Dental Teams. He has published a book chapter on what type of learning is required for social workers and addiction counsellors to work collaboratively on behalf of children in the care of the state. He has also presented research findings at international conferences in the US, the UK and Europe. He is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. Robert has trained counsellors, social workers GPs, clinical psychologists, probation officers, Gardaí, nurses and mental health nurses to deliver Screening and Brief Interventions for Problem Substance Misuse and Motivational Interviewing in Ireland and in Europe.