COACHING PSYCHOLOGY
Coaching Psychology is an applied positive psychology drawing on established psychological approaches. It could be understood as the systematic application of behavioural, cognitive, and social science for the enhancement of life experience, guided personal and team development, revitalised or restored work performance, and genuine wellbeing for individuals, groups, and organisations.
Coaching psychology is an expanding professional discipline, and coaching psychologists work with a range of people in a variety of settings including health, wellness, executive, business, career, leadership, sports, educational and personal coaching.
OUR PURPOSE
The Division of Coaching Psychology’s purpose is to professionalise and advance Coaching Psychology in Ireland by fostering theory-informed and empirically based ethical practice and developing professional standards for Coaching Psychologists in Ireland. It is concerned with the promotion of professional practice, ethical and evidence-based research for coaching psychologists and coaches working with individuals, groups and organisations who do not have clinically significant mental health issues or abnormal levels of distress
OUR AIMS
- To advance and promote the discipline of coaching psychology.
- To establish and promote a coaching psychology community in Ireland for coaching psychologists, coaches and psychologists who are theorists, researchers, and practitioners.
- To promote high standards of coaching psychology training and education for coaching psychologists, coaches and psychologists in Ireland.
- To encourage learning and professional development for coaching psychologists, coaches and psychologists by facilitating CPD events including workshops, symposia, conferences and publications.
- To promote high professional, ethical standards and guidelines for the practice of coaching and coaching psychology.
- To provide a peer networking forum for professionals interested in advancing their coaching knowledge and skills through the application of evidence-based approaches and sharing best practice.
- To foster and promote publications, research and evidence-based practice in coaching psychology.
- To provide informed advice to the PSI and other bodies on matters related to psychological practice with coaching psychology.
- To foster collaborative links and share evidence-based practice with the International Coaching Psychology Community
CONTACT US
The Committee email address is: coaching@psychologicalsociety.ie. We are a volunteer Committee and appreciate your patience as we endeavour to read and respond to emails each week.
Officers
Aideen Shannon
Membership Secretary
Sue Mc Loughlin
Social Media Officer
Anna Navin-Young
Events Officer
Mary Collins
Events Assistant Research
Carmel O'Neill and Ruth Mullally
Events Assistants Theory
Jayson Moran
Events Assistant Practice
Margaret O'Donnell
Honorary Member
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
Individuals may apply for either Full Membership, Associate Membership or Student Membership of the Division of Coaching Psychology.
- Full Membership is open to applicants who are graduate or chartered members of the PSI and have completed a level 9 postgraduate course of study in coaching psychology or coaching recognised by the Division, inclusive of supervised practice.
- Associate Membership is open to applicants who are studying, or have completed, a postgraduate course in coaching psychology or coaching recognised by the Division, inclusive of supervised practice; or have training and experience regarded by the Division as equivalent to a postgraduate course, inclusive of supervised practice; or are a graduate PSI member.
- Student Membership is available to applicants who are studying a recognised coaching psychology, coaching or psychology programme. Student members are classified under Associate Membership until they are eligible to apply for Full Membership.
BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
- Complimentary access to Division of Coaching Psychology CPD Events.
- Valuable networking, access to supervision training and mentoring.
- Professional support and development of your psychological competencies, knowledge, and skills.
- Opportunities to present your research to peers and fellow researchers.
- Complimentary access to the Irish Psychologist magazine.
- Enhancement of your professional status with employers.
- Opportunities for coaches and professionals to engage with the psychological community.
- Reduced rates for our members at professional seminars, workshops and conferences including DWOP, NI BPS DOP, and some Association for Coaching Ireland events.
- Updates on Division of Coaching Psychology developments.
MEMBERSHIP FEES
Full Membership - €30
Associate Membership - €30
Student Membership - €10
JOINING INSTRUCTIONS
To join the Division of Coaching Psychology, you need to be a member of the PSI. To join the PSI apply here. To join the Division of Coaching Psychology Login.
PLEASE NOTE:
Please ensure to read the PSI membership criteria very carefully before making an application to join a PSI Division - PSI Terms and Condition's: https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/footer/Terms-and-Conditions.
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 group application 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).
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.