The Special Interest Group provides a forum for psychologists working with people who are deaf. We are not a formal part of the British Psychological Society, but many of our members are also members of the BPS. Most members are Chartered members of the British Psychological Society.

We are a national group with members throughout the UK. Although most of our members are psychologists, or in training to be psychologists, we are open to individuals from other disciplines and voluntary groups who share an interest in working with people who are deaf.

The group meets three times a year at different venues in England to discuss issues pertinent to the field of mental health and deafness. Contact and sharing of information is encouraged at other times via an email discussion group. All types of deafness and all ages of client are represented. Meetings include time for peer support, c.p.d., news of members, recruitment and training issues, updates of evidence-based information, conference details and feedback and discussion of new developments either clinical, academic or socio-political. At each meeting there are usually three presentations, either from members of the group or from invited outsiders: a clinical case presentation and discussion; a presentation of a piece of research; and a report about an aspect of a relevant service provision.

Next Meeting Our next meeting will possibly be part of the European Society of Mental Health and Deafness Congress in Cambridge in early November 2010. Further details will soon be emailed to members and put on the "Meetings" page - see the link above.

Our Aims The main Aim of the SIG is to encourage the exchange of information, ideas and expertise about using psychological approaches with people who are deaf. Click on the "Aims" link above.

This page is maintained by Kevin Baker - email: kevin.baker@nhs.net Last edited 31-07-10