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
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 SIGHR as a member
Full Membership - €25
Associate Membership €15
Officers
Suzanne O'Connor
Secretary
Eanna Kenny
Awards and Bursaries Officer
Kevin Roche
Membership Secretary
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)
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 SIGHR as a member
Full Membership - €25
Associate Membership €15
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.