Expertise
Meet Dan
Dr Dan Mulligan
Founder
Why do I do this?
When my daughter was about three, she asked me
“Why do I go to work?”
My reply was, because
“I love what I do.”
To which she said
“What do you do?”
And I replied
“Make children feel happier”.
She then smiled and said
“I bet you’re really good at that, because you make me happy all of the time.”
Her response took me back. It seemed easier to reply in this way rather than as a psychologist as this would have required some lengthy explanation. But what I said was true.
I started this because I wanted to help people and help them feel loved, worthwhile and fundamentally happy.
My first steps into healing children was as a residential support worker. Seemingly as a child myself I felt as though I was in a position to make a positive impact on people’s lives by working with them directly.
I gained intimate knowledge of the care system, the ups and downs that still inform my practice today. But what I was not satisfied with was my own understanding of others.
This meant that whilst working in the residential home, I embarked on a psychology degree and shortly after completing that, a Doctorate in Psychology.
This meant that my role changed significantly and that I had the opportunity to work across a range of services and service providers for the next decade or so.
I was able to form my own business in 2015, where I started to work specifically with looked after children across those very settings, because I see them as the most in need.
I wanted to help people and help them feel loved, worthwhile and fundamentally happy.
Dan
“What truly sets Dan apart is his down-to-earth and relatable approach. He doesn’t present as your ‘typical’ psychologist — there’s no over-formal language or unnecessary jargon. Instead, he communicates in a way that is clear, accessible, and meaningful to everyone, whether you’re an experienced professional or new to the sector.
Young people respond extremely well to him because he meets them on their level, using their interests — football, music, or whatever matters to them — to engage and embed the work in a way that feels natural and authentic.
Dan is also incredibly approachable and accessible. Whether by phone, email, or any other form of communication, he always makes himself available, particularly when supporting complex or challenging cases. He will attend reviews, provide clinical supervision, support team meetings, and work alongside staff rather than operating at a distance.
Importantly, Dan has no ego. He embeds himself as part of the team, never positioning himself above others, which builds trust and confidence quickly with both staff and young people. You are not simply outsourcing clinical support when you work with Psychology Talks — you are genuinely expanding your own clinical team.”
Service Provider
