The PSI, Cumann Síceolaithe Éireann, is the learned and professional body for psychology and psychologists in the Republic of Ireland
The Psychological Society of Ireland
About The Psychological Society of Ireland
The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), Cumann Síceolaithe Éireann, is the learned and professional body representing circa 4,500 psychologists in the Republic of Ireland. Since its creation the members of the PSI have helped shape and develop psychology as a science in Ireland, and their work and commitment has given Irish psychology a voice and standing on not only the European but also the world stage.
The PSI is committed to maintaining the high standards of practice in psychology that have been set by its members since the founding of the Society and also to exploring new and innovative ways of furthering psychology as an applied science. The PSI is an independently governed, registered charity and our office is located in Dublin 8.
What Do We Do?
When the Psychological Society of Ireland was established its primary objective was the advancement of psychology as an applied science in Ireland and elsewhere. The PSI has helped cultivate a high standard of psychology in Ireland which is visible in both academic and professional settings. These high standards provide psychologists who study and work in Ireland with the qualifications and experience that is needed to gain membership with the PSI.
PSI aim to:
Advance and promote the discipline of psychology
Promote high standards of training and education for psychologists in Ireland
Promote high professional and ethical standards within the profession
Provide professional learning, development and networking opportunities
Sustain growth in PSI membership
Annual scientific and professional conferences
Public talks and media communications
Update members on psychology matters in Ireland
Join the PSI
Student Membership (€18/year) – If you are currently enrolled in a PSI Undergraduate/Conversion Course, you are eligible for student membership. Apply here.
Graduate Membership – See website for criteria, processing, and fees.
Chartered Membership – See website for criteria, processing, and fees.
Accredited Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses
Click on the links below to explore a full list of fully accredited courses available in Ireland:
Completion of a PSI accredited undergraduate degree with a Second Class Honours or above or completion of a PSI accredited Psychology Conversion Course with an overall pass mark of 50 per cent confers eligibility for graduate membership with the Psychological Society of Ireland.
To become a Chartered Psychologist, a PSI Member must meet the following criteria:
Be a graduate member of PSI
AND
Hold a PSI accredited postgraduate qualification at master’s level in Psychology or equivalent and four years' experience, inclusive of any time spent on undertaking postgraduate qualification, OR
Hold a Research Doctorate Degree in psychology in which the thesis was clearly on a psychological topic and both the research supervisor and examiner were identifiable as psychologists - by PhD thesis only, OR
Hold a PSI accredited postgraduate qualification at Doctoral level, or equivalent.
Chartered members must renew their membership annually and be in good standing. They also commit to adhering to the PSI Code of Ethics, and continue to engage in their own continuing professional development every year.
PSI Membership Benefits
A primary objective of the PSI is to seek to ensure that the public is protected by upholding the highest professional standards in psychologists' education, training and work. To this end, PSI encourages all its eligible members to become Chartered Members of the Society.
For a full listing of upcoming events and to book online click here.
Blog
Blog posts from the Psychology Society of Ireland (PSI), including comments from PSI staff and members on emerging matters in the psychology discipline. Read Blogs here.
Find a Psychologist
This online directory is to help you find a psychologist who is recognised by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) as being a Chartered Member of the Society. Click here to search.
Clinical Psychologists use psychological knowledge and techniques to address psychological problems and to help you cope with a wide range of problems such as depression, self-harm and interpersonal difficulties as well as psychosis.
Counselling Psychologists contribute to the personal well-being and interpersonal functioning of individuals across their life span. Working to promote well-being, alleviate distress and increase clients’ ability to live fully functioning, healthier lives.
Educational Psychologists investigate processes of learning and teaching, developing psychological principles and techniques applicable to educational problems.
Work and Organisational Psychologists apply the principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems in an organisation.
Health Psychologists apply psychological theory, methods and research to health, physical illness and health care. They are concerned with health promotion, health behaviour change, and psychological effects of physical ill-health.
Clinical Neuropsychologists aim to understand how the structure and function of the brain relate to specific psychological processes and behaviours and how we can use this information to help people with neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Sports and Performance Psychologists apply psychological knowledge in sport settings to help athletes, coaches or sports teams reach higher levels of performance.
Research Psychologists study the way people think and act and uses their understanding to help people with difficulties to change their lives for the better.
Dr Katarina Timulakova, Senior Clinical Psychologist
Dr Katarina Timulakova is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with the Health Service Executive.
Hi, Ask me a question...
What were the main 'career decision' milestones in your life so far?
During my secondary school I chose an optional subject Psychology as it seemed interesting. From then on I worked to fulfil criteria to be eligible to apply for an undergraduate psychology degree. I completed combined undergraduate/postgraduate psychology course (5 years) in Slovakia where I came from. Then I progressed building experience in a psychology full-time job and completed my clinical psychology training, placements and exam. I moved to Ireland and worked in a forensic mental health services. For the last number of years I am working in adult mental health settings, both outpatient and inpatient.
Who are the people who most influenced your career direction?
My psychology teacher in secondary school inspired me to look at option of becoming a psychologist. Later during my undergraduate degree I was attracted to applied psychology – counselling and clinical field. I pursue work experience in these fields to be able to progress with career choice of clinical psychologist.
How did you go about getting your current job?
For my current job, I applied to an ad in the Irish Psychologist, the Psychological Society of Ireland’s publication for members, and went for an interview. I was told in a few days about being successful.
Describe a typical day?
My typical day would consist of catching up on work emails, communicating with my colleagues in multidisciplinary team (psychiatrists, psychiatry nursing staff, occupational therapist, social worker, other psychologists) about any updates and planning my day. I would see some clients for individual, family or group work. This could be an assessment or psychological intervention such as psychotherapy. I host training placement, so I would meet with a psychologist in training for a supervision. I would attend an MDT meeting where we develop and review integrated care plans for our clients. I write healthcare notes and check emails again. I may make some phone calls if needed.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities?
Important part of my job is clinical work, helping clients to understand their difficulties and strengths, and improve their psychological wellbeing.
As a senior psychologist I am involved in professional development of psychologists through supervision, reflective practice and teaching.
I am also leading on a service based research study evaluating psychological intervention.
To keep my skills and competencies, I am participating in continuous professional development, attending. My own supervision, training courses and conferences.
I participate in wider service quality initiatives such as participating in committees.
What are the main challenges?
The challenges in my work can relate to clinical work such as difficulties in client’s presentation or failure to benefit from treatment, sustainability of group intervention due to facilitators leaving while recognising the need for professional to move in their career, staying on top of study related tasks and duties. Administrative tasks can also stretch when there is need for statistics, notes and reports to be done on top of everyday work.
What do you like most?
I really like that we make difference in peoples’ lives and helping communities to stay well. We can prevent deterioration in quality of life an mental health by intervening proactively. We can also learn from each other about effective ways to deliver the services.
Is there anything that isn't great?
As I already said administrative side of work can be tedious, however still very important and necessary. When combined with more stimulating activities and organised effectively, it can be managed well.
What particular skills do you bring to your workplace?
To do my work, I am bringing clinical skills such as evaluation of information and judging situations, assessment, formulation and intervention skills for various mental health issues, neurodiversity and disability in lifespan. I am also using reflective skills, and analytical skills to evaluate our service. Team work skills and effective communication skills are needed both in working with clients as well as colleagues.
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
In my secondary school I did psychology subject as an option. Biology, maths and English language were helpful in applying for undergraduate. In Ireland you do not have to apply, you need your points and usually no specific subject from the secondary school.
In undergraduate and postgraduate course I chose subject related to counselling psychology and clinical psychology – psychoanalysis, couple therapy, gestalt therapy, group interventions, psychodiagnostics, working with children, adults, older adults, people with disabilities. Research form the are relevant to clinical psychology is an advantage.
In training for clinical psychology qualification I have followed prescribed learning goals and objectives in academic area and on training placements.
I have done a number of psychotherapy trainings to support psychological intervention competencies, as I was interested to develop more this area.
What is your education to date?
Grammar secondary school (focus on higher levels)
Combined Master’s degree (5 years – 3 undergraduate + 2 postgraduate) in Psychology, with research relevant to clinical psychology
Psychotherapeutic intensive training (over 4 years part-time) – person centred therapy
4 year specialisation degree in clinical psychology, with placements
Doctorate by research, clinical psychology topic, supervised by Clinical psychologist
Emotion focused certification training
Schema therapy certification training
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job?
All mentioned learning activities contributed to my current post. As I value variety in my job, I am trying to apply all competencies developed through the studies and working experience.
What have been the most rewarding events in your career so far?
Moving to another country and working in English as a second language would be always a big achievement for me, as I would never imagine this back in Slovakia while studying.
Developing psychological role and service in areas where there were no psychologists prior to me arriving was also very meaningful.
Organising of a number of conferences bringing together experts by experience, researchers and professionals on a chosen topic was rewarding.
I am very proud of many assistant psychologists and trainee psychologists I have supervised over the years, some of which are now my colleagues.
Volunteering with the Psychological Society of Ireland’s groups (being elected as a member of Council, a member of the Expert Validation Committee, and a member of the Division of Clinical Psychology) enable me to contribute to progress of psychology in Ireland.
What personal qualities do you have that helps you in your career?
I am grateful for my level of energy and enthusiasm, that helps me to learn and apply what I learn in my career. Connecting with people is most valued part of my work and enjoying being around people helps with this. I feel a lot of compassion for people and believe they are innately good. This helps me to work in various situations. I am naturally calm and kind person, and can be more outgoing and loud around people I feel comfortable with.
What is your dream job?
I am enjoying my work and would like to continue keeping all aspects of this work alive.
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with?
My job makes me very happy as it is a great mix of clinical work, practice development, research, teaching and learning. My children are grown up so I can give time back to psychological community through work in PSI. My lifestyle enables me to pursue love for leisure (sea swimming, cycling, meeting people, travelling).
What advice would you give to someone considering this job?
First of all, I would start with a comment from my friend who did not get on the psychology course, saying “you should not be a psychologist”. I would say, if you would like to be a psychologist and have reasons for this, try to find a mentor to help you to guide you on the way. There are many ways how different personalities can contribute in psychology discipline.
To become a clinical psychologist working in clinical practice, you may want to be interested to talk to people, care about other person’s distress and want to alleviate this, have ability to critically evaluate evidence so you can choose the best approach to address the difficulty or to highlight and enhance strengths.
To be interested and open to cooperation with others in helping people and communicate effectively.
Follow policies and procedures to keep work safe and be accountable.
What are the three most important personal characteristics required for the job?
Compassion, care, courage.
What is your pet hate at work?
Administrative work and mandatory trainings. They both are important and can be sometimes enjoyable, but for me these would be the least exciting.
Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job?
Continual professional development ensures that I stay connected to constantly evolving field, sharpen my tools and stay grounded. Currently, my focus is on developing competencies needed for supporting others.
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
Working in mental health or disability settings as a support worker, healthcare worker or a peer support, research assistant, behavioural support worker, and eventually secure job as an assistant psychologist in similar settings.