Launch of Psychological Professions Forum for NI
Date published:
A new Psychological Professions Forum for NI has been formally launched to help ensure psychological knowledge and expertise is embedded throughout the health and social care system.
There are a range of psychological professions, including practitioner psychologists, psychotherapists and therapists, and psychological practitioners such as psychological wellbeing practitioners.
The Forum’s purpose is to strengthen the identity of these various professions and give them a coordinated strategic voice, promote psychological expertise, enable collaborative working, and provide a platform for professionals to share knowledge, influence policy, and co-develop innovative solutions.
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt said:
“Psychological professions are a critical and highly valued element within our mental health services and we need to ensure that their breadth of knowledge and experience is being maximised to their full potential.
“I therefore welcome the establishment of this Forum. It will be led by my Department and involve participation from across Health & Social Care, professional bodies and the community & voluntary sector.”
Professor Nichola Rooney, interim Chief Psychological Professions Officer at the Department of Health, said:
“There are many different psychological professions, each bringing unique training, knowledge and skills to the mental health workforce.
“Until now, we have been organised and commissioned separately, with little opportunity to come together to share best practice, research, and influence policy and service developments. Yet we are all united by our commitment to improve access to psychological interventions and deliver the highest quality of psychological care to our population.
“This Forum aims to provide a unified platform for psychological professionals across Northern Ireland. I look forward to constructive engagement with all stakeholders as work on the Forum moves forward.”
The Forum will:
- Promote Psychological Expertise: Advocate for the integration of psychological approaches in prevention, treatment, and recovery across all care settings.
- Strengthen Professional Identity: Elevate the visibility and recognition of psychological professions within Northern Ireland.
- Support Leadership Development: Empower psychological professionals to take on leadership roles in service design, policy development, and system transformation.
- Enable Collaborative Working: Facilitate cross-disciplinary partnerships to deliver integrated, person-centred care.
- Provide a Strategic Platform: Create a space for psychological professionals to share knowledge, influence policy, and co-develop innovative solutions.
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Professor Nichola Rooney, DoH interim Chief Psychological Professions Officer
- The Forum will work with a range of stakeholders, including professional bodies and regulators, HSC Trusts and Boards, community and voluntary organisations, service users and advocacy groups, academic institutions and training providers, and other relevant allied health and social care forums.
- Professor Nichola Rooney took up the role of interim Chief Psychological Professions Officer for Northern Ireland in March 2025. Her role involves providing expert psychological leadership and advice to the Chief Medical Officer and Department of Health on the commissioning, organisation and governance, and delivery of high-quality psychological services within physical and mental health services in the community, primary and secondary care, across Northern Ireland.
- The Chief Psychological Professions Officer role represents a significant commitment by the Health Minister to improving the psychological wellbeing of our population and ensuring the delivery of high-quality psychological services across the region.
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