The Team
Banu Balaji
Occupational Therapist and CEO & Founder of Therapix
Banu Balaji is an occupational therapist with over two decades of experience in the HSE in Ireland. She specialises in working with children and families within the realm of child and adolescent mental health.
Banu also produces and hosts the Therapod podcast where she makes therapeutic information easy to understand and accessible to parents and teachers. Banu offers consultations, training, and coaching for parents, teachers, and schools.
Banu Balaji is an occupational therapist with over two decades of experience in the HSE in Ireland. She specialises in working with children and families within the realm of child and adolescent mental health.
Banu also produces and hosts the Therapod podcast where she makes therapeutic information easy to understand and accessible to parents and teachers. Banu offers consultations, training, and coaching for parents, teachers, and schools.
Cleidi Hearn
CTO of Therapix
Cleidi Hearn is an accomplished technology leader with a background in Applied Psychology (University College Cork). In her role of fractional CTO, she leads and mentors the tech team to develop innovative solutions that empower children.
As a tech innovator and member of the American Psychological Association, Cleidi is passionate about merging technology and psychology to drive meaningful progress in children’s lives.
Cleidi Hearn is an accomplished technology leader with a background in Applied Psychology (University College Cork). In her role of fractional CTO, she leads and mentors the tech team to develop innovative solutions that empower children.
As a tech innovator and member of the American Psychological Association, Cleidi is passionate about merging technology and psychology to drive meaningful progress in children’s lives.
Julie O’Meara
Speech and Language Therapist
Julie is a speech and language therapist dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults, with over 10 years of practice across Vietnam, Australia, the UK, and Ireland.
She specializes in neurodevelopmental assessments and interventions for conditions such as ASD, DLD, and ADHD, providing tailored support throughout a young person’s life.
Julie is a speech and language therapist dedicated to supporting children, adolescents, and young adults, with over 10 years of practice across Vietnam, Australia, the UK, and Ireland.
She specializes in neurodevelopmental assessments and interventions for conditions such as ASD, DLD, and ADHD, providing tailored support throughout a young person’s life.
Dr. Elizabeth Joy Shaffer
Occupational Therapist
Dr. Elizabeth Joy Shaffer is the founder of Therapeutic Innovations International, LLC. Dr. Shaffer is a U.S. board-certified occupational therapist, a Distinguished Fellow of the International Forum for Inclusion Professionals, and serves as co-chair of the IFIP Specialist and Therapist Board.
She facilitates onsite and online training and coaching programs, merging Eastern health practices with Western evidence-based therapeutic approaches to enhance the growth and development of families and educational institutions worldwide.
Dr. Elizabeth Joy Shaffer is the founder of Therapeutic Innovations International, LLC. Dr. Shaffer is a U.S. board-certified occupational therapist, a Distinguished Fellow of the International Forum for Inclusion Professionals, and serves as co-chair of the IFIP Specialist and Therapist Board.
She facilitates onsite and online training and coaching programs, merging Eastern health practices with Western evidence-based therapeutic approaches to enhance the growth and development of families and educational institutions worldwide.
Dr. Micaela Connolly
Clinical and Educational Psychologist
Micaela is a senior educational and child psychologist with over 25 years’ experience of working in disability services, providing psychological support to children and adults. She currently works on an interdisciplinary team in a disability service for children and young people.
Micaela’s work includes assessment, therapy, training, and the development and implementation of materials and programmes to increase autism awareness. She is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Micaela is a senior educational and child psychologist with over 25 years’ experience of working in disability services, providing psychological support to children and adults. She currently works on an interdisciplinary team in a disability service for children and young people.
Micaela’s work includes assessment, therapy, training, and the development and implementation of materials and programmes to increase autism awareness. She is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Ireland.
Impa Hiriyanna
Speech Pathologist, Maple Leaf Speech and Language Services, Canada
With over 12 years of clinical and management experience, Impa’s mission is to empower healthcare professionals, enhance client care, and contribute to a more accessible online healthcare system for all children and their families with additional needs.
Her expertise is screening, assessing, and treating children with communication challenges, particularly those with: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Apraxia of Speech, and Augmentative Communication. She has worked in preschools, daycares, and schools to help children develop the communication skills they need to thrive.
With over 12 years of clinical and management experience, Impa’s mission is to empower healthcare professionals, enhance client care, and contribute to a more accessible online healthcare system for all children and their families with additional needs.
Her expertise is screening, assessing, and treating children with communication challenges, particularly those with: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Apraxia of Speech, and Augmentative Communication. She has worked in preschools, daycares, and schools to help children develop the communication skills they need to thrive.
Stefania Finelli
Senior Clinical Psychologist
Stefania has over 15 years of experience both in Italy and in HSE, Ireland. She assesses and works therapeutically with both children and adults, specialising in diagnostic assessments for autism and ADHD.
She completed a Master’s degree in Pedagogical Coordination at University of Florence magna cum laude, and is passionate about providing creches, preschools, and schools psychological and pedagogical supervision and support. She is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Italy.
Stefania has over 15 years of experience both in Italy and in HSE, Ireland. She assesses and works therapeutically with both children and adults, specialising in diagnostic assessments for autism and ADHD.
She completed a Master’s degree in Pedagogical Coordination at University of Florence magna cum laude, and is passionate about providing creches, preschools, and schools psychological and pedagogical supervision and support. She is a chartered member of the Psychological Society of Italy.
Georgie Cooney
Teacher and Neurodiversity Educational Specialist
Georgie Cooney is an author, teacher, and dyslexia specialist. She has taught in a variety of schools both at home and abroad, and has also spent many years training teachers to understand neurodiverse learners.
Georgie coordinated the Cork Workshop for Dyslexia Ireland, co-hosted The Long Way Back podcast, tutored for the Institute of Child Education and Psychology (ICEP), and worked as a trainer for CyberSafeKids Ireland. She works with a range of learners with learning differences both in Co Cork, Ireland and in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, U.K.
Georgie Cooney is an author, teacher, and dyslexia specialist. She has taught in a variety of schools both at home and abroad, and has also spent many years training teachers to understand neurodiverse learners.
Georgie coordinated the Cork Workshop for Dyslexia Ireland, co-hosted The Long Way Back podcast, tutored for the Institute of Child Education and Psychology (ICEP), and worked as a trainer for CyberSafeKids Ireland. She works with a range of learners with learning differences both in Co Cork, Ireland and in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, U.K.
Fred Iles
Creative Director
Fred Iles is a writer and director, working in Bristol, UK. With over a decade of experience in the filmmaking industry, he specialises in social impact storytelling.
He has worked with the NHS, countless charities, local authorities, community organisations, and even an inclusive theatre company to craft visually engaging films and animations that help to make people's lives that little bit better.
Fred Iles is a writer and director, working in Bristol, UK. With over a decade of experience in the filmmaking industry, he specialises in social impact storytelling.
He has worked with the NHS, countless charities, local authorities, community organisations, and even an inclusive theatre company to craft visually engaging films and animations that help to make people's lives that little bit better.
Subhadip Sural
Director, Product Design
Subhadip Sural is a multidisciplinary creative with over 15 years of experience in UI/UX design, marketing, and product management.
With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of user behavior, he bridges the gap between design and functionality, bringing ideas to life through thoughtful visuals and intuitive digital experiences. At Therapix, Subhadip leads the design and product execution, ensuring every solution is user-focused and future-ready.
Subhadip Sural is a multidisciplinary creative with over 15 years of experience in UI/UX design, marketing, and product management.
With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of user behavior, he bridges the gap between design and functionality, bringing ideas to life through thoughtful visuals and intuitive digital experiences. At Therapix, Subhadip leads the design and product execution, ensuring every solution is user-focused and future-ready.