About Us
The Division of Behavioural Psychology (DBP) promotes the development of Behavioural Psychology as a recognised and respected body of psychological knowledge, as well as a professional field of psychological practice.
We are a group of Behavioural Psychologists working across Ireland in a range of applied and research settings. Our members include professionals based in universities and colleges, disability services, educational settings, and private practice.
We aim to:
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Promote the development of Behavioural Psychology as a scientific discipline and a professional field.
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Encourage and support scientific research in Behavioural Psychology.
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Disseminate existing knowledge and evidence-based practices.
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Maintain and promote high ethical and professional standards among Behavioural Psychologists.
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Increase public awareness of the aims, values, and practical applications of Behavioural Psychology.
Behavioural Psychology focuses on understanding how individual behaviours are influenced by the environment—i.e., the world around us. We apply principles of behaviour to promote positive behaviour change, often by examining what motivates a behaviour to occur. This understanding helps us identify effective behaviour change techniques to support independence, wellbeing, safety, productivity, and the development of socially appropriate behaviours.
Behavioural Psychology provides a framework for improving socially significant behaviours such as communication, independent living skills, social skills, and for reducing behaviours that may be challenging.
The Division represents a wide range of specialisations within Behavioural Psychology, including work in applied settings with individuals with developmental delays (such as autism spectrum disorder), acquired brain injuries, and collaboration with parents, teachers, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams. Other applications include areas such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Organisational Behaviour Management (OBM).
Contact Us: Behavioural Psychology behaviouralpsychology@psychologicalsociety.ie
Twitter: @PSI_DBA
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING GROUP MEMBERSHIP CHARGES:
You will be charged the full membership fee upon application. Should your membership be approved, this will cover your group membership for the rest of the calendar year. Your group membership will renew automatically during the renewal period (between 01 January and 31 March), along with your general PSI membership. Please note, should your application be declined, there are no refunds for your groupapplication fee, as per PSI T&C's: https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/footer/Terms-and-Conditions. Thus, please ensure to read the membership criteria very carefully before making an application to join a PSI group (div or SIG).
Prices to join DBP as a member
Full Membership - €20
Associate Membership €10
Officers
Virge Connery
Communications Secretary
Amy O'Keefe
Meetings Secretary
Amy O'Keefe | Teresa Mulhern | Jose Fernandez
Neurodiversity Submcommittee - Advocacy
Naomi Powell
Membership Secretary
Conference subcommittee
Rachel Fitzpatrick | Shauna Diffley
Julian Leslie , Kelly Larkin, Laura Moran, Ciara Gunning, Michelle Kelly, Conor Nolan, Kevin Lynch, Joanne Collier
Ordinary Members
By becoming a member with DPA:
You are represented when the committee liaise with the BACB
You are represented when the committee liaise with the PSI
You can avail of discounts at the annual conference
You have an ethical and professional body in Ireland and professional standards to conform to.
You are part of a group of similar minded people which can help you to create a good professional network
You have professional recognition in your field in Ireland
Full Membership
Full membership of the Division is open to Graduate Members of the PSI who fulfil one of the following conditions:
- Hold a postgraduate professional qualification in Behaviour Analysis recognised by the Division Committee;
Or
- Have such training and/or experience as may be regarded by the Division Committee as equivalent to the above.
Associate Membership
Affiliate membership of the Division is open to Graduate Members or other subscribers of the Society who fulfil one of the following conditions:
- Be a student on a BACB approved postgraduate professional training course in Behaviour Analysis;
Or
- Be a student on a postgraduate professional training course in Behaviour Analysis as may be regarded by the Division Committee as equivalent to the above;
Or
- Be working in an area of Behaviour Analysis recognised for this purpose by the Division Committee;
Or
- Be engaged in an area of work related to Behaviour Analysis recognised for this purpose by the Division Committee.
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING GROUP MEMBERSHIP CHARGES:
You will be charged the full membership fee upon application. Should your membership be approved, this will cover your group membership for the rest of the calendar year. Your group membership will renew automatically during the renewal period (between 01 January and 31 March), along with your general PSI membership. Please note, should your application be declined, there are no refunds for your groupapplication fee, as per PSI T&C's: https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/footer/Terms-and-Conditions. Thus, please ensure to read the membership criteria very carefully before making an application to join a PSI group (div or SIG).
Prices to join DBP as a member
Full Membership - €20
Associate Membership €10
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Grandparenting Rule is to enable Full and Associate members of the Special
Interest Group in Coaching Psychology, who are experienced coaching psychologists and
professional coaches, to gain membership of the Division of Coaching Psychology during a
transition period.
The Grandparenting Rule acknowledges that due to the emerging and evolving nature of coaching
psychology qualifications and professional pathways, some current members may not meet all the
requirements of the new Full or Associate membership criteria of the Division of Coaching
Psychology.
This Rule seeks to recognise the prior learning, qualifications, and experience of coaching
psychologists and professional coaches who are current members of the Special Interest Group in
Coaching Psychology, ensuring inclusion of those established practitioners in the Division of
Coaching Psychology, while maintaining standards for new entrants into the profession.
WHO CAN APPLY:
This Membership Route is only open to those who are Full or Associate Members of the
Special Interest Group in Coaching Psychology as of 18th October 2025.
Thereafter all applications (lapsed or new) for Full or Associate Membership of the Division of
Coaching Psychology must meet the new Membership criteria as set out in the Rules of the
Division of Coaching Psychology.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
The below criteria are outlined in greater detail in the Grandparenting Rules.
Please read the Grandparenting Rules before completing the Application Form.
Thereafter, applicants should complete the attached Grandparenting Application Form in full and upload below.
Applicants for Full membership must hold PSI Graduate or Chartered membership.
Applicants for Full and Associate Membership must hold membership of the Division of Coaching
Psychology and meet each of the following four criteria demonstrating professional experience
and contribution to coaching psychology.
- Coaching Experience
- Qualifications and Training
- Contribution to the Field of Coaching Psychology
- Commitment to Professional Ethical Standards, Reflective Practice and Supervision
TIMEFRAME AND DEADLINE:
The Grandparenting Route will be open for a limited transition period from 20 October 2025 to 1st
March 2026.
After this period, all applicants (lapsed or new) must meet the Division of Coaching Psychology
New Membership criteria as defined in the Rules of the Division of Coaching Psychology and
adopted by membership at the AGM on 18th October 2025.
PLEASE NOTE:
There is no additional fee required to transfer via the Grandparenting Route to the Division of
Coaching Psychology.