Over 20 professional bodies representing counselling and psychotherapy in Ireland came together following an invitation from IACP in 2005 to seek a way forward to enable a joint approach to be made in seeking statutory regulation for the profession.

Within this process three decisions were made:

1. Psychological Therapists was adopted as a title to cover both professions within one registration board

1. Titles of Counsellor and Psychotherapist would be protected within the registration board. This would mean that no-one could legally use these titles unless they met the criteria for recognition and registration as laid down by the regulator and registration board.

1. Proposed criteria was agreed for recognition and registration as Psychological Therapists under the separate headings of Counsellor and Psychotherapist

A submission on the recommendations of the Psychological Therapies Forum was made to the Department of Health and Children in 2008. Until

such time as the Department responds formally, individuals need to be aware that these recommendations have not had formal approval.