Applications are now invited for the following position:
Systemic Psychotherapist
(Part-time/0.5 WTE Specified Purpose Maternity Contract)
St Patrick's Mental Health Services is Ireland's largest independently governed, not-for-profit mental health care service. We are driven by a vision, energy and commitment to the provision of quality mental health care, the promotion of mental health and the protection of the rights and integrity of those with mental health difficulties in Ireland. St Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employer.
St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the post of Systemic Psychotherapist on a specified purpose part-time (0.5 WTE) basis with effect from the soonest possible date in February 2026.
The primary purpose of this post is to provide individual, couple and family therapy services- as elements within multidisciplinary care and treatment - to service users of St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) and their families, with due regard to best practice standards, to statutory legislation, to Mental Health Commission regulations and to SPMHS policies and procedures.
It is planned that upon appointment the successful candidate for this post will be deployed to a multidisciplinary team that specialises in treatment of young adults with mental illness.
Successful applicants for the post:
* Must be a full-registered member of the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (F.T.A.I.).
* Must have at least 3 recent and consecutive years of post-qualification systemic psychotherapy experience (it would be desirable that this would include work with young adult and/or adolescent service users of formal mental health services).
* Must possess a clear appreciation of the needs of adults and of adolescents with mental illness and how mental health service users and their families may be helped effectively in relation to the challenges they face.
* Must be able to demonstrate how the professional experience they have acquired through direct clinical practice as a systemic psychotherapist can be beneficially applied in the context of service provision for adults and for adolescents that is made by SPMHS.
For informal enquiries please contact:
Elaine Donnelly
Head of Social Work
Tel:
Email: (APPLICATIONS SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO THIS EMAIL ADDRESS)
Please note that if you are viewing this advert via Irishjobs, the contact details for informal enquires above are not visible as irishjobs do not allow telephone numbers or emails to be present in adverts. However, these details are visible in the advert on the St Patrick's website in the career vacancies section.
Applications must take the form of (i) a letter of application, addressed Ms Elaine Donnelly (Head of Social Work, SPMHS), that includes stated reasons for both the application and one's suitability to perform the role of Systemic Psychotherapist with SPMHS; (ii) a Curriculum Vitae; and (iii) a copy of a F.T.A.I. certificate that confirms the applicant is included in the current register of F.T.A.I. systemic psychotherapists. All of the items referred to here must be uploaded as one document by Wednesday, 28th January 2026.
Panels may be formed from which future positions may be filled
St Patrick's Mental Health Services is an equal opportunities employer
Please note that while we seldom work with recruitment agencies, on the rare occasions we specify that we will accept CVs from recruitment agencies, it is only from those who engage in ethical practice. We do not expect recruitment agencies to charge candidates for placements, and do not condone this behaviour as it is not accepted practice.
Job Description
About the organisation
St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) is Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality mental healthcare, to promoting mental health awareness, and to advocating for the rights of those experiencing mental health difficulties.
We employ over 700 staff across our services. We hold our staff in high esteem and regard them as our most important asset, enabling us to fulfil our mission. We strive to create and maintain a forward-looking environment where our staff can be innovative and experience satisfaction in their work. We are committed to ensuring the ongoing development of our staff.
SPMHS core values
* Human Rights – supporting dignity, choice and voice
* Quality Care – excellence in service delivery and collaboration
* Innovation – encouraging improvement and new ideas
The role
Systemic Psychotherapist
0.5WTE Part time, Specified Purpose contract
The primary purpose of this post is to provide individual, couple and family therapy services, and to facilitate group work as may be appropriate - as elements within multidisciplinary care and treatment - to service users of St Patrick's Mental Health Services (SPMHS) and their families, with due regard to best practice standards, to statutory legislation, to Mental Health Commission regulations and to SPMHS policies and procedures.
The Systemic Psychotherapist will report to the Head of Social Work.
The standard working week applying to the post is 17.5 hours per week.
The benefits
By joining us, you become part of Ireland's largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service provider, bringing lots of opportunities for your career. We offer you many employee benefits, including:
* A competitive salary range: €79,767 - €98,098, pro rata
* 27 days annual leave, pro rata
* Pension scheme
* Ongoing training
* Paid study leave and funding for further education
* Support for career advancement and professional development
* Subsidised canteen and onsite gym
* Bike to Work and TaxSaver Commuter Ticket schemes
Location
St Patrick's Hospital, James's Street, Dublin 8, incorporating St Patrick's Hospital Lucan and all SPMHS Dean Clinics.
Responsibilities
In carrying out any and all duties, the Systemic Psychotherapist must ensure at all times that due regard is given to relevant legislation, to the policies and procedures of St Patrick's Mental Health Services, and to F.T.A.I. and best practice standards. The main duties of the Systemic Psychotherapist are as follows:
* Attendance of and active participation in the weekly clinical review meeting of the multidisciplinary team to which the systemic psychotherapist is deployed. If attendance is not possible at times for some good reason that is notified in advance and is acceptable, liaison must be maintained with the consultant psychiatrist who clinically leads the team and/or with another clinician colleague/s who is a member of the team and relevant to the service user/s concerned.
* Assessment of each service user - and where relevant their family - referred for this and for psychotherapy from a systemic perspective, and contribution of relevant information and its analysis to overall multidisciplinary team assessment and care planning.
* Participation in the overall care of service users as a member of a multidisciplinary team, by acting as a resource to the team and by providing specialist knowledge and skills in the field of systemic psychotherapy.
* Provision of individual, couple, and family therapy services - as elements within multidisciplinary care and treatment - to service users of SPMHS and their families.
* Provision of group work to service users of SPMHS, or to their family members/informal carers, as may be appropriate, and completion of any relevant administration tasks associated with such provision.
* Performance of the role of key worker as required.
* Maintenance of up-to-date records on each service user in receipt of systemic psychotherapy assessment or intervention, by making timely typed entries to relevant clinical record charts within the electronic record system and by ensuring that systemic psychotherapy reports and letters are uploaded in a timely manner to relevant clinical record charts within the electronic record system.
* Regular engagement in scheduled line management meetings with the Head of Social Work (these meetings would normally take place once per month), to whom the systemic psychotherapist reports.
* Maintenance of records and statistical data about matters relevant to management of the Department of Social Work and to the organisation.
* Attendance of and participation in the once-monthly Department of Social Work Meeting, where possible.
* Regular receipt of clinical supervision provided by a person who is formally qualified to provide clinical supervision in systemic psychotherapy and who is contracted by SPMHS to deliver this service.
* Engagement in continuous professional development, by availing of relevant training opportunities and by contributing to learning initiatives such as peer supervision, journal review and discussion groups.
* Contribution to different types of lecture series that the Department of Social Work is committed to providing for the benefit of service users and their families or for the benefit of clinicians in other disciplines.
* Participation in working groups and membership of relevant committees within the organisation, where relevant.
* Maintenance - by relevant means - of registration with the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (F.T.A.I.).
* Performance of all other duties relevant to the role as may be required.
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties. The person appointed may be required to perform other duties as appropriate which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the position. The person appointed will be assigned specific targets in terms of tasks and revenue.
Person specification
Qualifications and/or experience
Candidates:
* Must be a full-registered member of the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (F.T.A.I.).
* Must have at least 3 recent and consecutive years of post-qualification systemic psychotherapy experience (it would be desirable that this would include work with young adult and/or adolescent service users of formal mental health services).
* Must possess a clear appreciation of the needs of adults and of adolescents with mental illness and how mental health service users and their families may be helped effectively in relation to the challenges they face.
* Must be able to demonstrate how the professional experience acquired through direct clinical practice as a systemic psychotherapist can be beneficially applied in the context of service provision for adults and for adolescents that is made by SPMHS.
Skills, competencies, and knowledge
* Possess relevant and developed professional knowledge and skills for effective practice as a systemic psychotherapist in the field of mental health for adults and for adolescents.
* Possess excellent communication skills - verbal and written.
* Have strong organisational ability.
* Be self-motivated and have willingness and ability to assume an appropriate level of responsibility.
* Be able to work effectively as a team member and to work without daily supervision and within defined parameters.
* Possess sound administrative skills.
* Have developed ethical awareness for best practice.
Please note: All above criteria are essential unless otherwise specified.
Terms and Conditions
Tenure: Specified Purpose, part-time (0.5 WTE) and pensionable as below.
Working Week: The hours applying to this position will be 17.5 hours per week.
Salary: Salary for the position will be dependent on the appointee's experience and based on the SPMHS 2026 Principal Social Worker salary scale, €79,767 - €98,098 per annum, pro rata.
Annual Leave The annual leave associated with the position is 27 days on a 1.0 WTE basis (pro rata, this position on a 0.5WTE basis has an annual leave allocation of 13.5 days).
Pension: All pensionable staff become members of the pension scheme upon commencement of employment. The scheme is a defined contribution scheme with a deduction from the salary of the employee of 4%. In respect of an internal appointment being made the individuals existing pension arrangements will continue.
Probation: The appointee will be appointed in a probationary capacity for the first six months during which time the job holder's performance will be subject to ongoing review.
Any extension to or suspension of the period of probation will be in line with the European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions
Health: The appointee must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the position and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character: The appointee must be of good character.
Retirement Age: Normal retirement age for employees is 66 years which is also normal pension age.
Please note: It is a condition of employment that the successful candidate must submit written confirmation of having successfully completed recognised training in the Mental Health Act by date of commencement.