Meet Joanne O'Connor
Qualified Play and Creative Arts Therapist | Registered with Play Therapy Ireland
A Journey of Dedication and Compassion
Joanne O'Connor has been a teacher for over 20 years. Having first qualified in 2001, she was bitten by the travel bug and jetted off to Dubai to work in an International School. From there she traveled to Australia where she lived for 5 years, working in various specialist educational settings, including Port Phillip Specialist School in Melbourne.
Following the birth of her daughter, Zoë, Joanne returned home to Ireland, and continued working in various specialist and mainstream settings.
Joanne's first love has always been working with students on the Autism Spectrum, so was delighted to be hired in 2012 to set up the Autism Class at Kinsale Community School. Kinsale has since grown to six Autism classes, looking after 36 students.
In 2019, Joanne began her play therapy journey, studying in NUIG with APAC and Play Therapy Ireland. She started working with clients in the Carrigaline Family Resource Centre shortly thereafter and remained until December 2024.
In January 2025, she opened the doors to Beachside Play Therapy, a beautiful therapeutic space where her training, clinical experience, and passion for child-led approaches come together. Joanne now provides individual play therapy, parent support, and professional training to help families and practitioners understand and respond to children with compassion and confidence.
Published Author
Joanne found herself writing social stories and how-to guides for her students and decided to compile them into books that could help other young people and educators.
Qualifications & Experience
Play and Creative Arts Therapist (2023)
Qualified with NUIG and registered with Play Therapy Ireland
Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Students on the Autism Spectrum (2013)
Specialized training in supporting autistic learners
International Teaching Experience
Over 20 years teaching in Ireland, Dubai, and Australia, including specialist educational settings
Teretta Foundation Volunteer (Since 2023)
Taking groups of students to Tanzania to help build schools and sheltered accommodation for at-risk children in the Kilimanjaro region
Life in Fountainstown
Joanne lives in the seaside village of Fountainstown in Cork with her daughter Zoë and her partner Carlos. When not working, writing or studying, she loves listening to true crime podcasts, traveling, and eating Carlos's fantastic cooking.
Her passion for lifelong learning and dedication to supporting children and families shines through in everything she does.