Careers in Psychology Event

Careers in Psychology Event – Full Event Description

Date: April 16th, 2026

Time:

• Presentation Sessions: 1:00-2.30 PM

• Talk 1: 3:00–3:40 PM | Exploring Careers in Psychology

• Talk 2: 4:00–4:40 PM | Pathways After Your Degree

• Talk 3: 5:00–5:40 PM | International Opportunities in Psychology

• Panel & Networking: 6:00–9:00 PM

  Location: Online (link provided after registration)

Event Overview

Are you a student, graduate, or early-career psychologist exploring your next steps? Our Careers in Psychology Event provides practical guidance, professional insights, and networking opportunities with psychologists from a variety of backgrounds.

This year’s event combines a presentation session, three focused talks with an interactive panel and networking session, giving attendees the chance to learn, ask questions, and explore a range of career pathways in psychology.

Ticket Options:

• Panel & Networking Ticket: €12

• Full-Day Ticket (Talks + Panel/Networking + Recordings): €20

  If you are a Patreon member you can use your discount code to receive your ticket for free!

Presentation session

1:00–2:30 PM |

From Theory to Practice: Insights from Transitioning to an AP Role Supporting Children with Complex Needs

• This presentation will aim to provide a professional and reflective overview of working as an AP within a HSE Children's Disability Network Team, focusing on supporting children and young people with complex needs. I will highlight the professional context, responsibilities of an AP, and challenges encountered when working in community settings that theory may not prepare you for.

Applied Psychology in Social Care

• The presentation examines the application of psychology skills and work experience within the context of social care roles. The focus of this presentation is the role of project workers and key workers in addiction services. Drawing from frontline experience, it highlights how psychological principles are used daily to support individuals affected by substance misuse, trauma, and complex social challenges. The session outlines core responsibilities, including assessment, care planning, motivational support, crisis intervention, and multi-agency collaboration. It also emphasises the importance of relationship‑building, trauma‑informed practice, and strengths‑based approaches in promoting client autonomy and long‑term recovery.

What Are the Psychological Supports Available to Individuals Who Are Incarcerated, and What Supports Are Available When They Are Released?

• This research examines the current level of psychological support for prisoners who are dealing with mental health challenges, it also analyses the services available to those released from prison. The study focuses predominately on Ireland. Qualitative research was utilised to examine the first-hand accounts of those working directly with prisoners who are battling mental health concerns. The experts' suggestions and insights were then examined using thematic analysis. Recommendations made by the professionals were also included in the study.

Learning to think psychologically while working in an autism service.

• My presentation will discuss what working in an autism day service in a support role has taught me about applying psychological principles to practice and developing core skills of an assistant psychologist and future trainee. I will be reflecting on my direct experience to show how I began to think more psychologically in my role using indirect formulation and placing my actual day to day thinking into a clinical framework.

  Affecting Change Through Relationships

• Highlighting even in different industries and behavioural contexts, understanding relationships is still central to affecting change

  • A topline view from lived experience of career changes towards psychology

  • of the importance of understanding that behaviour is communicating

  and relationships shape behaviour

  • So even in different roles / industries, affecting behaviour change starts with relationships

    
    

Talks Schedule

3:00–3:40 PM | Exploring Careers in Psychology

• Overview of different psychology professions: Health, Clinical, Neuropsychology, Counselling, Forensic

• Typical roles, work settings, and day-to-day responsibilities

• Tips on exploring areas of interest through experience

4:00–4:40 PM | Pathways After Your Degree

• How to gain relevant experience post-degree

• Considering masters programs, further training, or placements

• Tips for applying to assistant psychologist roles, internships, and early-career positions

5:00–5:40 PM | International Opportunities in Psychology

• Career routes as an international student or graduate coming to Ireland

• Working or training in the UK, EU, or other countries

  
  

All talks will be recorded for full-day ticket holders so you can revisit them after the event.

Panel & Networking (6:00–9:00 PM)

Join our interactive panel and networking session:

• Meet practicing psychologists from a variety of professional backgrounds

• Ask questions about career journeys, daily work, and professional challenges

• Break out into small groups for more personal discussion with panelists

Note: The panel and networking session will not be recorded.

Panelists attending (Full panelist TBC)

Dr James Sheerin, Clinical Psychologist. 

I did my doctorate in UCC, where I did specialist placements training in Forensic mental health (working in the prison service and central mental hospital) as well as War-based trauma and PTSD (working with refugees and asylum seekers who had been victims of torture). I now work privately in child neurodevelopment, conducting assessments for the Assessment of Need (AON), looking at child development (including autism, developmental delays, and intellectual disabilities). I also do ongoing private therapy with adults and adolescents with mild-moderate mental health presentations. Dr Sarah Thompson is a Senior Clinical Psychologist  who works in private practice, specialising in schema therapy with adults online as well as training mental health professionals in addressing and testing suicidality. She previously worked in the HSE for over 10 years, working in adult mental health, older adult mental health and with refugees & asylum seekers. Her interests include schema therapy, trauma therapy, adult mental health and suicidality. Dr Austin Bayley - Principal Clinical Psychologist Mater Hospital

Austin works in the Mater Hospital as a Principal Clinical Psychologist within a new role in Infectious Diseases. Prior to this, Austin worked in liaison psychiatry roles in the Mater Hospital and St. James's Hospital. Following graduation from the D Clin Psych in University of Galway (2011), Austin worked in private psychotherapy services and also community adult mental health in Inchicore. Austin has trained a wide variety of psychotherapy models including DBT, CAT, ACT, Systemic Therapy, CBT, EMDR, Narrative Exposure Therapy, and Schema Therapy. 

Dr Niamh Davoren, Chartered Clinical Psychologist - bio to follow

Dr Rachel Gately - Rachel is a Chartered Educational Psychologist and the founder of Solas Psychology, an independent private practice established in 2020 in Galway to provide comprehensive, neuroaffirming autism assessments for children and young people. She is the Clinical Director of the service, working alongside a small team of experienced clinicians.

Rachel has over 16 years’ experience working with children, young people, and families across a range of settings, including local authority services, the charity sector, and multidisciplinary clinical teams. She has worked professionally in Ireland, Australia, and the UK, and this breadth of experience has informed her integrative and culturally responsive approach to practice. She is registered with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and also maintains registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK.

Rachel is a committee member of the PSI Special Interest Group for Autism, contributing to the development of best practice in assessment and intervention. She is also actively involved in supporting psychologists in private practice through her work with the PSI Special Interest Group for Psychologists in Private Practice, contributing to peer support, professional development, and high standards within the field.

Rachel completed her Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology at the University of Birmingham. Her doctoral research focused on literacy and children in the care system, an area that continues to inform her clinical perspective.

Since qualifying, Rachel has held various roles, including Educational Psychologist, Child and Family Therapist, and Clinical Lead for an autism diagnostic team. She has extensive experience in autism assessment, including working within NHS multidisciplinary teams assessing young children. Her clinical interests include autism, literacy, developmental trauma, and early development.

In addition, Rachel is trained in a range of therapeutic approaches, including Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) and Theraplay. She is committed to working collaboratively with families to support meaningful and lasting change.

Deirdre Ferriter - Trainee Clinical Psychologist

Deirdre is currently a first-year Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Trinity College Dublin. She holds an MSc in Health Psychology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and a Higher Diploma (conversion) in Psychology.

She has gained experience across a range of settings, including disability services, domestic violence services, private therapeutic practice, and the Prison Service. In addition to her clinical work, she created and hosted The Road to Psychology, a podcast focused on pathways into the profession in Ireland.