Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Working Life

Clinical psychologists provide a variety of services including assessment, therapy, and consultancy services.

They work primarily, but not exclusively, in child and/or adult and learning disability services where emotional, behavioural, psychiatric or developmental difficulties are addressed.

Clinical psychologists may also work in private practice. Clients are usually referred to a clinical psychologist from their general practitioner (GP), although there are some mental health teams and psychology services that people can go to directly for help.

Before any treatment can begin, clinical psychologists use psychological knowledge and theory to assess the patient's needs, abilities and behaviour. Assessment usually includes therapy, counselling or advice.  

Clinical psychologists often work in teams, discussing assessment with other professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists, as well as other psychologists.  
 
Areas of Work

• Primary Care Psychology
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS • Adult Mental Health Services
• Disability Services
• TUSLA
• Irish Prison Services
• Student Counselling Services
• Acute General Hospitals & Rehabilitation units
• Neuro Psychology Services
• Private Practice
• Corporate
• Policy development

Some clinical psychologists take part in the management and planning of health services. This could include training other medical professionals in areas such as psychological diagnosis or stress management, or supervising trainee psychologists. There are psychologists in academic and research settings such as universities and medical research units.

Skills in Practice

Assessment Formulation

Intervention

Use of supervision

Communication

Advocacy

Leadership

Teaching Research & evaluation

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
• Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
• Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
• Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
• Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
• Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
• Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
• Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
• Consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care.
• Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

In order to become a clinical psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree where psychology is the major subject is required. Completion of a recognised postgraduate training programme in clinical psychology is then necessary. Recognition with the PSI Psychological Society of Ireland. 

Entrants can enhance their chances of achieving a place on such a programme by achieving a high grade at undergraduate level (minimum 2.1 grade) and obtaining further research or academic experience relevant to the field of clinical psychology. This can be by way of voluntary or paid work.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: psychology, soccer coaching, sports psychology, sports performance, fitness advanced, applied psychology, education and training, social studies, pre-university, sport science, personal training with sports science.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: psychology, soccer coaching, sports psychology, sports performance, fitness advanced, applied psychology, education and training, social studies, pre-university, sport science, personal training with sports science.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied psychology, arts psychology, education and psychology, primary teaching, English and psychology, psychology through science, psychology and computing, psychology and disruptive technology, psychology and mathematics, psychology and sociology.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: clinical psychology, psychology, qualified clinicians, research.

• National University of Ireland, Galway
• University College Dublin
• University of Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin
• University of Limerick
• Queen’s University Belfast

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Studying in Northern Ireland psychology, clinical health psychology, clinical psychology, research at UK Level 8.

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €57k - €107k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, duties, role, shift pattern, and experience.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: August, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Psychologists; Pharmacists; Opticians (including dispensing opticians); Dental practitioners; Veterinarians; Medical radiographers; Podiatrists; Health professionals n.e.c.; Health services and public health managers; and directors Social services; managers and directors Health care practice managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.

While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.

Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.

• Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

  • Digital Office Centre Camden, 12 Camden Row, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 8, D08 R9CN, Ireland
  • (0)87 387 7179
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here

• Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

  • 21 Dublin Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow
  • (01) 230 3536
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• British Psychological Society

  • St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester LE1 7DR
  • +44 (0)116 254 9568
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here