Dr Anton James PSI Fellow honor makes him the first Sri Lankan psychologist to receive the Psychological Society of Ireland’s highest recognition.
Dr Anton James PSI Fellow recognition has marked a historic milestone for Sri Lankan psychology, making him the first Sri Lankan psychologist to receive the Psychological Society of Ireland’s highest professional honour.
The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) awarded Dr. Anton James its prestigious Fellow membership in recognition of his expertise in psychology and his sustained professional contributions.
The distinction follows another major international honour. Two years ago, Dr. James was appointed a Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Dr Anton James PSI Fellow Honour Draws International Praise
Irish Ambassador to Sri Lanka Kevin Kelly personally congratulated Dr. James following the announcement.
Psychological Society of Ireland President Dr. Sarah Cassidy also highlighted the work that led to the recognition.
She pointed to Dr. James’s commitment to Behavioural Psychology and his transformative contribution to special needs education in Sri Lanka.
According to Cassidy, his clinical leadership and global contribution have also strengthened the international psychology community.
Dr. James said the recognition carries particular importance at a time when Sri Lanka is in the preliminary stages of establishing a national professional institute for psychologists.
“It is a great honour for me to receive such recognition from the Psychological Society of Ireland as well, after being appointed as a Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS) two years ago,” he said.
“This honour truly belongs to the educators, therapists, and parents who work daily to uplift neurodevelopmental care in Sri Lanka. This will further support strengthening the goal of providing evidence-based interventions for every child with special needs,” Dr. James added.
More Than 20 Years in Behavioural Psychology
Dr. James has more than 20 years of international clinical experience.
He is also the first Sri Lankan-born Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA).
He obtained his PhD and postgraduate degree from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.
Dr. James also completed postgraduate qualifications at Penn State University in the United States.
He currently serves as Sri Lanka’s only Chartered Behavioural Psychologist and Chartered Educational Assessor.
In another professional milestone, Dr. James became the first Sri Lankan social scientist to achieve Chartered Scientist (CSci) status from the Science Council of the United Kingdom.
These qualifications form part of a career focused heavily on evidence-based behavioural psychology, assessment and special needs education.
Special Needs Education and Behaviour Therapy
Dr. James is the Founder and Director of The Tree House International, an institution dedicated to children with special needs in Sri Lanka.
He also serves as Chairman of the Behaviour Analysis Registration Board of Sri Lanka.
In that role, he leads efforts to certify and regulate behaviour therapists operating in the country.
His work has therefore extended beyond clinical practice into professional standards, regulation and the wider development of behaviour therapy in Sri Lanka.
The Dr Anton James PSI Fellow recognition also follows another recent achievement connected to autism awareness.
Under the “Merak 2026” national autism awareness project led by Dr. James, Sri Lanka secured a Guinness World Record by creating the world’s longest sensory board.
The achievement added another international milestone to his work in special needs education and therapy.
His latest recognition from the Psychological Society of Ireland now places further international attention on Sri Lanka’s developing field of behavioural psychology and special needs education.
For Dr. James, however, the honour is also a recognition of the educators, therapists and families working daily to improve neurodevelopmental care and expand access to evidence-based support for children with special needs.
