Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Working Life

Counselling Psychology Integrates theory, practice and research to contribute to the personal well-being and interpersonal functioning of individuals across the life span. An applied specialism and professional practice within the field of psychology. Influenced by the major schools of psychotherapy, particularly by the humanistic tradition. Emphasises the role of phenomenological and intersubjective experience and values the meanings, emotional processes, and interpersonal processes, that effect psychological health and well-being. 

Work to promote well-being, alleviate distress, and increase their clients ability to live more fully functioning and healthier lives.

Attend to both normative developmental issues as well as psychological disorders.

Where Will I Work

The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information from the HSE on the HSE Psychology Trainee postgraduate professional training programme can be found here.

Counselling Psychologists work in a variety of applied settings. 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
• Counsel individuals, groups, or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
• Document patient information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
• Interact with clients to assist them in gaining insight, defining goals, and planning action to achieve effective personal, social, educational, or vocational development and adjustment.
• Develop therapeutic and treatment plans based on clients' interests, abilities, or needs.
• Identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues and diagnose disorders, using information obtained from interviews, tests, records, or reference materials.
• Use a variety of treatment methods, such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, or play therapy.
• Write reports on clients and maintain required paperwork.
• Consult with or provide consultation to other doctors, therapists, or clinicians regarding patient care.
• Obtain and study medical, psychological, social, and family histories by interviewing individuals, couples, or families and by reviewing records.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

In order to become an Counselling Psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree where psychology is the major subject is required. Completion of a recognised accredited postgraduate training programme in Counselling psychology is then necessary. Recognition with the The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), is the learned and professional body for psychology and psychologists in the Republic of Ireland.

Route 1

A 2:1 undergraduate degree in Psychology

Accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology

Full Membership to Division of Counselling Psychology

Route 2

Undergraduate Degree Conversion Course

Accredited Doctorate in Counselling Psychology

Full membership to the Division of Counselling Psychology

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: Social and Community Care, Youth Work. 

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: Social Care, Psychology, Applied Science, Forensic Science & Criminology Forensics & CyberSecurity, Law, Applied Social Studies. 

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Social Work, Youth Work. 

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: Psychology, Criminology with Psychology, Psychology - Arts. 

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: Forensic Psychological Studies, Psychology

Search for Postgraduate Courses

The HSE Psychology Trainee is a 3 year accredited postgraduate professional training programme in the area of Counselling, Educational or Clinical Psychology, in a partnership between the HSE and selected Irish Universities. 

Successful completion of the programme leads to a qualification of Doctorate in Psychology in the area you studied. You will contribute to the provision of psychological services in a broad range of clinical settings. 

Further information including requirements to apply available here.

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €57k - €107k

Salaries vary by employer, grade, experience, role, duties, and location. 

Data Source(s):
HSE.ie

Last Updated: April, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Psychologists, Pharmacists, Opticians (including dispensing opticians), Dental practitioners, Medical radiographers, Podiatrists, Health professionals n.e.c., Health services and public health managers and directors, Social services managers and directors, Health care practice managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Employment growth for this occupation was above the national average, although employment levels have declined annually since 2021. Employment was spread across a large number of roles, with low numbers in employment in each making it difficult to determine any changes in individual occupations. Overall, 69% were female, a quarter were in part-time roles and there was a slightly higher than average share who were aged 55 years and over.

Online job adverts (Eurostat/CEDEFOP) were primarily for health services and public health managers/directors, and to a lesser extent, pharmacists. Employment permits issued were mainly for radiographers, but also included cardiac physiologists, dentists, psychologists and pharmacists.

Evidence of shortages is difficult to determine for these roles due to the small numbers employed.

• Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

  • Digital Office Centre Camden, 12 Camden Row, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 8, D08 R9CN, Ireland
  • (0)87 387 7179
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

  • 21 Dublin Rd, Bray, Co. Wicklow
  • (01) 230 3536
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here