Society suspended member for year

The Psychological Society of Ireland suspended a member for a year for an improper personal relationship with a client, but the…

The Psychological Society of Ireland suspended a member for a year for an improper personal relationship with a client, but the year was nearly up before it published its decision.

Last June a panel of inquiry found that Mr John Donohoe, with an address at Kilmacud Avenue, Stillorgan, Co Dublin, had breached its code of conduct and suspended him from membership for a year.

But the notice of his suspension has only now been published in its bulletin, the Irish Psychologist.

In the meantime, Mr Donohoe has been listed in the PSI's directory which is used by psychologists to refer clients to other psychologists. He has also appeared on television.

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The suspension decision was taken following an inquiry in which Mr Donohoe and the PSI both had legal representation.

The panel found unanimously that Mr Donohoe had breached the trust and faith that had built up between himself and a client; that "he did not act responsibly or with integrity in his professional actions, in that he allowed a highly improper personal relationship to develop with his client"; and that he failed to address the impact of therapy on the family relationships of his client.

It recommended that he be given a formal, written reproof and suspended from membership for a year.

The suspension does not affect Mr Donohoe's legal right to practice. There are no legal restrictions in this country on who can practise as a psychologist.

The notice issued by the PSI says Mr Donohoe will be readmitted to membership if he gives "detailed and appropriate written undertakings in respect of his future professional conduct".