The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) hosts its Annual Conference from Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 November, bringing together over 500 psychologists, academics, policy makers, and advocates from across Ireland and beyond.
This year's keynote presentations:
This flagship event provides a platform for discussion, learning, and collaboration on key issues shaping psychology today. Across the three-day event, 231 psychology presentations will be delivered, ranging from individual and poster presentations to workshops and symposia.
Read the full press release here.
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The Psychological Society of Ireland urges the Government to use Budget 2026 to close service gaps, reduce inequalities, and strengthen recovery-focused outcomes through targeted, evidence-based investment in mental health.
The Society's pre-budget submission sets out four key priorities.
PSI President Dr Damien Lowry said: “With the right investment in Budget 2026, we can close long-standing service gaps, integrate service pathways to help deliver timely and equitable care, and build a mental health system that is fit for purpose, rights-based and recovery-oriented. The PSI stands ready to work closely with Government, the HSE, and other stakeholders to ensure progressive policies are fully translated into reality.”
Read the full press release here.
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The PSI is delighted to announce that Dr Orlaith McCaul has been appointed to the position of PSI Executive Director. Following a rigorous recruitment process over the summer months, Orlaith commenced her new role on Monday 15 September.
Speaking on her appointment, Orlaith stated: "I'm delighted to be joining the Psychological Society of Ireland as Executive Director and look forward to working with members, staff, and the Council to support the Society’s continued growth and impact."
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Big news for the PSI! After many years of planning, the Society finally has a place to call home.
Earlier this week, we received the keys to our newly purchased two-storey commercial premises in the Old Distillery Building on Beresford Street, Dublin 7.
This unique space marks the beginning of a new chapter for the PSI, one that will allow us to connect more closely with members, host events and meetings, and together build an even stronger community. We look forward to welcoming you to our new home soon!
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The PSI recently made a submission to the Mental Health Commission Public Consultation to inform the development of a Code of Practice on the Use of Surveillance in Mental Health Services.
"The PSI is committed to supporting ongoing consultation, research, and policy development efforts aimed at fostering evidence-informed, ethical approaches that protect the rights and wellbeing of all individuals in mental health care. Surveillance technology should be one carefully considered tool among many, implemented only where it demonstrably enhances safety and wellbeing, without compromising therapeutic relationships or human rights."
Read the full submission here.
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The PSI has called for an immediate end to the practice of accessing therapy notes in legal cases involving rape and sexual assault in Ireland. In the recently published PSI Position Statement on the Use of Therapy Notes in Legal Cases Involving Rape and Sexual Assault, the Society highlights the significant harm this practice causes to survivors and its detrimental impact on access to psychological care.
Read the full press release here.
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The PSI has submitted a detailed response to the Department of Health’s consultation on the development of Protection of Liberty Safeguards (PoLS) legislation. The Society advocates for a legislative framework that places the will, preference, and autonomy of the individual at its core, and embeds psychological expertise at every stage of the safeguarding process.
Read the full press release here.
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The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) Special Interest Group for Addressing the Climate and Environmental Emergency (SIG ACEE) is encouraging people across Ireland to take positive action in their gardens this World Biodiversity Day (22 May). With over 2 million domestic gardens in the country, even small changes can add up to a big impact for biodiversity.
“Small actions in our own gardens can make a meaningful impact on Ireland’s biodiversity and can also give us a sense of shared purpose and collective efficacy”, said Dr Christine MullanJensen, Environmental Psychologist and member of SIG ACEE.
Read the full press release here.
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The PSI submitted a comprehensive response to the Department of Health’s public consultation on Ireland’s next national suicide reduction policy. The Society calls for the inclusion of suicide-specific, evidence-informed interventions in the next iteration of the policy, highlighting that suicide is a distinct and complex phenomenon, requiring targeted approaches rather than general mental health support alone.
The submission outlines the need for a strategic, system-wide response that integrates evidence-informed models of care across all levels of service and society.
Read the full press release here.
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The PSI welcomes the publication of the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2025–2027 as a vital step toward a person-centred, rights-based, recovery-oriented, and integrated mental health system in Ireland.
The Society supports the Plan’s shift from a predominantly biomedical model to a more holistic, psychosocial model of care, in line with international best practice and PSI’s strategic priorities.
The PSI also emphasises the importance of timely and adequately resourced implementation to ensure meaningful, lasting impact for individuals, families, and communities, notwithstanding the challenges involved with a transformative, cultural shift in terms of mental healthcare service delivery.
Read the full press release here.
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On Wednesday 19 March, the PSI was represented at the rescheduled HSE Autism Protocol consultation at Dr Steevens’ Hospital, joining other professional bodies.
Dr Louise Higgins, Dr Sarah Cassidy, Dr Eithne NÍ Longphuirt, Lorraine O.B. Madden, Dr Mitchel Fleming, and Dr Elaine Walsh attended the meeting on behalf of the PSI. The meeting covered proposed pathways for a tiered autism assessment system and provided an opportunity to discuss key concerns outlined in the recent PSI submission.
While the PSI does not support the HSE Autism Protocol in its current iteration, the Society is happy to further consult and collaborate with the HSE to develop an autism assessment and therapeutic pathway that is efficient, effective, and aligned with professional guidelines.
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PSI Chartered Member Dr Damien Lowry becomes the 55th Society President in taking on the role from 01 January 2025. We look forward to Damien bringing his expertise and enthusiasm to the role. In November 2024, at the PSI Annual Conference, Damien delivered his President's Address.
To watch Damien's presidential address click here.
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