Tony Bates

Tony Bates is an Irish clinical psychologist and writer. He authored several non-fiction books, including Depression: The Commonsense Approach (1999), Coming through Depression (2011), and Breaking the Heart Open(2023). He is also a contributor to The Irish Times.

Tony Bates was born in Dublin, Ireland. He has had a long career spanning over three decades in mental health. Bates served as the Principal Clinical Psychologist at St James's Hospital, Dublin, for 30 years. He also lectured at Trinity College, Dublin, and University College Dublin.

Bates founded Jigsaw (The National Centre for Youth Mental Health) in 2006 to serve young people and their mental health needs. He was CEO until his retirement in 2018.

In Breaking the Heart Open: The Shaping of a Psychologist (2023), Tony Bates writes in moving detail about his own childhood traumas and issues with depression. He discusses how these events influenced his career and philosophy as a psychologist. The book intertwines his personal story with reflections on mental health.

Dr. Tony Bates lives on a cliff outside North Sligo, Ireland. He is married to Ursula, father of three and grandfather of five.