Arlene Naughten is the Founder and Clinical Director of
Sugru – Child Development & Contextual Therapy Services - where she offers professional services to suit the developmental and therapeutic needs of children and families.
Arlene graduated from National University of Ireland, Galway with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychological Studies and Philosophy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play as accredited by the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy. She achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology from Royal Holloway, University of London; a Master of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Forensic Psychology and Criminology from The Open University. Presently, Arlene is continuing her professional development on the Doctoral Programme of Psychology with Middlesex University London.
In her years of practice, Arlene has completed Continual Professional Development training in a broad range of areas including child protection, domestic violence, mindfulness, family therapy, missing people, suicide prevention, sexual right, intellectual disabilities, and TEFL.
She holds memberships with the Teaching Council of Ireland, the Psychological Society of Ireland, the British Psychological Society, and Play Therapy Ireland; of which Arlene is led by the codes of ethical practice of these professional bodies. Arlene is a member of the Accredited Voluntary Register, Register of Play Therapy and Creative Arts Therapists which is regulated by the UK’s Professional Standards Authority.
Arlene presently lectures part time with Athlone Institute of Technology and has a range of experience lecturing in the topic of Child Protection, Law, Education, Psychology, Child Development, and Parenting.
Her work with people over the years has provided her with a range of therapeutic and support services people with intellectual disabilities, mental health difficulties, and neuro-developmental disorders, and to children, parents, and families dealing with a variety of issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, child neglect, self harm, suicidal ideation, trafficking, issues in foster care, and attachment issues, to include but a few.
Arlene has acted as contributing author on publications in the field and has written a range of mindfulness, child development, and parenting programmes. Arlene has recently co-authored #100happydays4kids, an award winning book for parents to increase their families overall well-being.
