Psychotherapist - Irish Prison Service

Psychotherapist – Irish Prison Service

Psychotherapists required for locum positions with the Irish Prison Service based at the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise. There may be an option to attend one day per week in Arbour Hill prison, if desirable.

These assignments will be offered on a full and part-time basis, a minimum of 2 days per week commitment will be required.

The Midlands prison, Portlaoise, is a closed, medium security prison for males aged 18 years and over with an operational capacity of 875 people. It is the committal prison for counties Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath.

As a locum Psychotherapist, you will support the Psychology Service and the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in addressing the mental health and offence specific needs of people who have been referred to the Psychology Service. The assignment will be initially for a period of 6 months, with a view to extension.

As a Psychotherapist, you will assist in the delivery of some types of psychological treatment (offence related and mental health) for all people convicted of sexual violence, including short term intervention and motivational work on a 1-1 basis and co-facilitation of the Building Better Lives programme with a psychologist.

The Psychotherapist will manage a caseload which might include co-facilitating anoffence related group with a psychologist, and/or individual work, working with local prison psychology services to deliver the highest quality intervention, and implementing the services developed for people in custody who sexually offend.

Essential qualifications and competencies

Candidates must:

1. A recognised Level 7 qualification (QQI) preferably in a relevant human science discipline or equivalent in a health and social care profession or health related profession

Plus 2a and 2b as follows:

· 2. (a) Hold a degree or post-graduate qualification in counselling, or psychotherapy recognised by one of the following, as appropriate:, the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP), a relevant body within the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) or the Irish Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (IABCP).

· 2. (b) Have full accredited membership with one of the following: IACP, IABCP or a relevant body within ICP

In addition to the above, the following are desirable but not essential requirements:

- Experience in addressing emotional, mental health and / or offence-related difficulties with a forensic or inpatient population

- Experience of providing consultation, education, guidance and support to multidisciplinary colleagues.

- Further therapeutic or research qualifications

For further information, please contact Brian Murray on / or email