Psychology

The Psychology Department has four staff members who are linked to different teams across the hospital – cardiac rehabilitation, heart and lung transplant, liaison psychiatry, liver centre and pain medicine. Patients are referred to us for a wide range of difficulties, including depression and anxiety related to their illness. We offer both individual and group therapy to our patients. 

We provide psychological assessments and interventions to patients with a range of issues, including adjustment difficulties, depression and anxiety. We also offer group-based therapy for inpatients and outpatients who are under psychological stress because of their physical health difficulties.

Our psychologists are part of the multidisciplinary teams within the services listed below.

Cardiac rehabilitation

Dr Sinead Mulhern, our principal clinical psychologist, offers individual psychological support sessions and group sessions on stress management and mindfulness.

Pain medicine

The psychology service offers individual treatment plans and plays a vital role in the chronic pain management group programme. We are also developing a chronic disease self-management programme.

Liver centre

Dr Damien Lowry is involved in neuropsychological research on individuals with hepatitis C, particularly those who were exposed to the virus iatrogenically (during healthcare assessment or treatment).

Stress control series

Together with our HSE psychology colleagues in North Dublin, we co-facilitate the stress control series of psycho-education for stress management. It is open to Mater Hospital patients, staff and the general public.

National heart and lung transplant programme

Dr Katie O’Brien offers psychological assessment, intervention and information to heart and lung transplant patients, as well as support to family members.

Liaison psychiatry

Dr Sinead Mulhern, Dr Katie O’Brien and Dr Austin Bayley work on a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, adjustment problems, coping skills, trauma, self-esteem, body image concerns, interpersonal issues and loss. They also treat patients who have issues that affect their medical treatment, such as claustrophobia and needle phobia.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders

Dr Neil Austin is the Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist based with the All-Island Deep Brain Stimulation service. Additionally, he also sees a smaller group of clients referred by the Neurology service at the Dublin Neurological Institute. He has particular expertise in working with people indicated to have Functional Neurological Disorders.

Education and research

The Psychology Department offers training and lectures for the clinical and counselling doctorate training programmes in University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.

The Mater Wellbeing Centre

Please visit The Mater Wellbeing Centre here for helpful resources provided by our Psychology Department.

Resources include mindfulness and meditation audios, recommended books, websites, apps and more which may help you manage your mental wellbeing.