The Division of Clinical Psychology in Northern Ireland celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a conference and dinner in the La Mon Hotel on Friday 22 January 2016. 

Clinical Psychologists from the School of Psychology were amongst those presented with awards by Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes, President of the British Psychological Society.  There were four awards in total with the School receiving three awards (Outstanding Achievement, Team of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award for honorary staff member Professor Nichola Rooney).  These awards were nominated on and decided by Clinical Psychology peers in the region.

Professor Chris McCusker received an outstanding achievement award

Chris has supported the development of the profession through his role as Director of the Doctoral Training Programme for Clinical Psychologists in Northern Ireland at Queen’s over the past 15 years.  He has developed the professional voice of the Clinical Psychology through his role as past chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology in Northern Ireland and chair of the Committee on Training in Clinical Psychology across the UK.  He is currently chair of the British Psychological Society in Northern Ireland.  He has led a world leading research programme on paediatric psychology and has been the lead on many regional health service initiatives including an outcomes framework for psychology services.

On winning this award, Chris said:

"I have been privileged and proud to play some part in advancing a profession and discipline that I believe so passionately in. I am grateful to colleagues in the clinical psychology community for this award and look forward to seeing where the next generation of clinical psychologists take us"

The Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Team at Queens University Belfast received the Team of the Year Award

This team has trained the vast majority of Clinical Psychologists in Northern Ireland to a very high quality over many years.  They have led the UK in the development of a training programme to quality assure a new prequalification workforce.  Publications from this team and trainees are world leading in several areas of study.  Their service user and carer involvement strategy is at the cutting edge of practice across the UK. Through their own personal reflective practice, research activity and the promotion of user involvement they all provide excellent role models to those entering the profession.

Learn more about the team and the Doctorate programme