About Us
Health psychology is the study of psychological and behavioural processes in health, illness, and healthcare (Johnston, 1994).
Health Psychology in Ireland has grown in parallel with international developments in the UK, Europe and the USA. In the two decades since the foundation of the PSI DHP, Health Psychologists have taken a lead role in the development, promotion and policy implementation of health and well-being in Ireland, including but not limited to Healthy Ireland. The discipline of Health Psychology has relevance to diverse topics and issues within health and healthcare including prevention of common long-term conditions (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease), self-management of long-term conditions, improvement of health systems, and training of health service providers. As appreciation for the role of behaviour in our health and wellbeing grows, across settings from healthcare to popular culture, the influence of Health Psychology and recognition of its potential to enhance health and healthcare also grows.
To promote ...
- Best practice in, and lead in the development and application of, Health Psychology.
- Awareness of Health Psychology in Ireland as a distinct specialism of psychology in its own right.
- Develop Health Psychology in Ireland as a clear and well-defined career pathway for students to follow.
- Enhance employment prospects for graduating Health Psychologists in Ireland.
- Enhance the recognition of the psychological aspects of health and illness.
- Promote the delivery of a multidisciplinary approach to health services.
- Promote high standards of professionalism among members by establishing, maintaining and developing a register of Health Psychologists.
- Promote and encourage scientific research in Health Psychology.
- Contribute to the ethos of Continuing Professional Development in the Society.
- Collaborate with other national and international bodies for the development of the field.
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Studying Health Psychology in Ireland
These are the only PSI accredited Health Psychology courses in Ireland
MSc Health Psychology at NUIG: Here
Structured PhD in Psychology and Health at NUIG: Here
Structured PhD in Health Psychology Practice at NUIG: Here
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Contact Us: Health@psychologicalsociety.ie
Twitter: @PSI_DHP
Officers
Dr Karen Matvienko-Sikar
Chair
Dr Niamh McGrath
Honorary Secretary
Dr Alison Burrell
Membership Secretary
Dr Oonagh Meade
Public Relations Officer
Dr James Green
Honorary Treasurer
Dr Lisa Hynes
Past Chair/Ordinary Member
Dr Marcia Carvalho
Ordinary member
Dr Margaret Lawler
Ordinary member
Benefits of being a member
- Eligibility to apply for conference travel support
- Eligibility to apply for career awards
- Access to our network of members working in Health Psychology
- Support with organising training events at our annual scientific meetings
- Access to our continuous notification of relevant job opportunities, research funding schemes and training events
- Reduced fees for annual Psychology, Health and Medicine conference
- Regular updates of job opportunities, funding schemes and training events
- Access to our network of members
How to join the Division of Health Psychology
Membership of the Division is open only to graduate members of the Society. There are two categories of membership of the Division; these are as follows:
Full Membership
Full Membership of the Division is only open to PSI Graduate Members. Chartered PSI Members who are accepted as Full Members of the Division are eligible to be placed on the Specialist Directory of Health Psychologists. This is a public list that can be accessed via the PSI website.
An applicant for Full Membership must fulfil one of the following conditions:
Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Health Psychology recognised by PSI Council of the Society
Or
Hold a postgraduate qualification in Psychology and have such training and/or experience as may be regarded by the Division Committee as equivalent to a professional qualification in Health Psychology
Associate Membership
Associate Membership of the Division is open to PSI members. Associate Members can suggest resolutions and requests for matters to be put onto the Annual General Meeting agenda but are not entitled to hold office or to vote.
An applicant for Associate Membership must fulfil one of the following conditions:
Be studying a relevant postgraduate qualification in Health Psychology leading to eligibility for Full Membership;
Or
Be engaged in an area of work related to Health Psychology recognised for this purpose by the Division Committee.
Application Process
Applications are made through the PSI website and sent to the Division Committee for evaluation. All applications must include the below:
- Current CV
· Proof of relevant qualification(s)