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PSI FAQ - About Section

General

What is PSI?

The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) is the learned and professional body for the profession in Ireland , with the primary object of advancing psychology as a pure and applied science in Ireland and elsewhere.    It has been in existence since 1970.   The Society has grown significantly since then and now has over 2000 members. The profession of psychology is not regulated by statute in Ireland, and the Psychological Society of Ireland initiated its own non-statutory register in 1988 to promote high standards.  

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What do we do?

PSI represents academic and professional psychology in Ireland. The Society meets regularly with government agencies to represent areas of concern for psychology and psychologists. PSI is a full member of the European Federation of Psychology Associations and of the International Union of Psychological Societies. Through these bodies, it represents psychology on the European and world stages. Membership of these bodies also helps us to keep psychology in Ireland informed of current thinking in Europe and worldwide.

PSI aims to bring psychology to society and our objectives are:

  • To advance psychology as a pure and applied science in Ireland and elsewhere.

  • To advance psychology as a profession.

  • To organise, promote and hold conferences on psychological topics.

  • To organise and conduct or join in organising and conducting courses, meetings, lectures, exhibitions and consultations at which members of the Society may consider matters of mutual interest and benefit.

  • To establish and monitor standards of ethical behaviour, competence and practice within the profession.

The Society is regularly involved in the organisation of scientific and professional conferences, such as the Annual Conference. It also supports the Annual Congress of Psychology Students in Ireland, with the cooperation of the Northern Ireland Branch of the British Psychological Society.

PSI publishes a monthly newsletter, The Irish Psychologist, and a refereed academic journal, The Irish Journal of Psychology, which is published on a quarterly basis.   In order to publicise these and other activities, PSI provides an information service for news media and the public through the External Relations Panel.

The Society has a number of Divisions and many other areas of psychology are represented by interest groups.   It also has a number of committees and panels that undertake work on its behalf.   PSI also publishes the main Irish journal of professional psychology, The Irish Journal of Psychology on a quarterly basis, as well as its own 'house journal', the Irish Psychologist (The IP), each month.

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How do I make a complaint against a member of PSI?

PSI takes very seriously any complaints about the professional conduct of its members and has procedures for investigating complaints. The procedures are designed to be fair to both the person making the complaint and the psychologist against whom the complaint is made. (PSI cannot investigate complaints about psychologists who are not members).   PSI’s Board of Professional Conduct is responsible for investigating these complaints.  

In order to make a complaint about a psychologist, please contact the PSI office or download the files below.   You will be sent a Formal Complaint Form which must be completed and signed (PSI only investigates complaints that are made in writing and signed), a copy of the procedures for investigating complaints and the rules of good practice which psychologists must follow.   Once completed, you return the forms to the PSI office for the attention of the Chairperson of the Board of Professional Conduct.  

Forms can be downloaded using the links below:

  1. Making a Formal Complaint Instructions
  2. Formal Complaint Form.
  3. Panel Hearing
  4. Coping with Complaints - Advice to Psychologists
  5. PSI Code of Ethics
  6. Board of Professional Conduct Articles of Association

 

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Working in Ireland

If I have obtained my qualifications abroad, what do I need to do in order to work in Ireland ?

Applicants holding qualifications gained outside of the Republic of Ireland (including those gained in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom) must apply directly to the Department of Health and Children for validation of their qualification.
The contact details for the Department are:
validation_unit@health.irlgov.ie
Tel: +353 (01) 635 4580.
or Tel +353 (01) 635 4726

PSI has been requested by the Department of Health and Children to scrutinise applications for statements of equivalence from individuals who trained outside of Ireland. This includes applicants who hold qualifications recognised or accredited by other psychological societies including the British Psychological Society. The Minister for Health and Children is the designated authority with the responsibility for validating non-national qualifications under EU Directive 89/48. The Society, following scrutiny of a non-national application, will advise the Department of Health and Children in relation to the application. The final decision regarding an application for validation rests with the Department of Health and Children. All enquiries and applications must be made to the Department of Health and Children.

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Cumann Síceolaithe Éireann,
CX House, 2A Corn Exchange Place,
Poolbeg Street, Dublin 2.
 Illlustration that fades from white to blue. Tel:     (01) 4749160
Fax:    (01) 4749161
Email:  info@psihq.ie