FOLLOWING in the footsteps of accountants and physiotherapists, The Association of Professional Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland (APCP) has announced that it is to launch chartered status for those working in the profession of counselling and psychotherapy in Ireland.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Mr Billy Fox, chairperson of APCP, said, “Chartered status now means that people will know that the counsellor they are seeing is properly qualified to both national and international standards and is regulated by standards”.

To qualify, a counsellor will have to have a minimum of an honours degree in a major counselling discipline under the national framework of qualifications and have a minimum of two year full-time practice as a counsellor.

Ms. Maria Carmody, president of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Institute of Ireland, commented that “when it comes to the dealing with the most sensitive areas of people’s lives, whether that is bereavement, addiction, relationships, people have a right to the highest professional standards”.

A national list of chartered counsellors and psychotherapists will be available to public shortly, linking in with courses in a range of third level institutes so that those looking to become chartered counsellors or psychotherapists will know that their course leads to that award at its conclusion. You can contact the APCP on 061-203020 or visit their website at www.apcp.ie