Membership

1. Mission Statement and Operational Objectives
2. Categories of Membership
3. Renewal of Accreditation
4. Benefits of IACP Membership
5. Service to Members

Mission Statement and Operational Objectives

Mission Statement

IACP exists to set, maintain, and regulate standards for the profession of counselling and therapy, and in so doing, to protect the public.

Operational Objectives

1. Monitor the adherence, of all it’s Members, to the IACP Code of Ethics and Practice.
2. Operate accreditation schemes in relation to:
   • Individual counsellors/therapists
   • Recognition of Counselling/ therapy training courses
   • Supervisors.
3. Maintain a national directory of IACP accredited counsellors/therapists.
4. Operate and monitor the IACP Complaints Procedure.
5. Service the professional needs of the Members.
6. Actively promote the profession of counselling/therapy.
7. Educate and foster public awareness of the nature and benefits of counselling.

Categories of Membership

A. Student Member

Student Membership is available if you are undertaking classroom tuition on a Counselling /Psychotherapy course that is a minimum of two years duration with not less than 450 hours of staff student contact and with supervised placements. Membership of this category does not guarantee IACP Accreditation or automatic entry to Pre Accredited Membership.

Student members may use the title Student Member IACP (exact phrase only) in documentation. They may not use MIACP or SMIACP.

Student members will:

• Recieve copies of Éisteach / Newsletter
• Reductions to fees for all IACP Workshops and SeminarsBe on a mailing list
• Have access to IACP Website

B. Associate Organisation Member

1. This category is open to organisations which are concerned with training or practice in counselling consistent with the aims of IACP. Associate Organisation Members are required to pay the annual subscription. They are entitled to attend and speak at General Meetings but are not entitled to vote. An Associate Organisation Member and it’s staff may NOT use or quote their Associate Membership in public as if it were a qualification and may not represent themselves as Accredited Members of IACP and may NOT use the initials MIACP.
2. To become an Associate Organisation Member, a designated representative of an organisation must complete and return the application form together with a cheque or postal order for the relevant subscription. ( See ‘IACP Membership Fee's

C. Pre Accredited Member

Pre Accredited Membership is available to those who have successfully completed an IACP Recognised Course or equivalent (see (e) back page) and who are actively working towards Accreditation. Membership of this category this category does not guarantee IACP Accreditation. A Pre Accredited Member may use the title Pre Accredited Member IACP (exact phrase only) on documentation. They may not represent themselves as an Accredited Member and may not use the initials MIACP.

Pre Accredited members will:

• Recieve copies of Éisteach / Newsletter
• Reductions to fees for all IACP Workshops and Seminars
• Be on a mailing listHave access to IACP Website

D. Accredited Member

This category is open to IACP Associate Members who fulfil certain criteria (see ‘Information Sheet 2: How Do I Become Accredited With IACP ?’) Accredited Members are entitled to vote at General Meetings and are required to pay the annual subscription. (See ‘IACP Subscription Ratecard’)
Accredited Members are required to abide by the IACP Code of Ethics and Practice and are subject to the IACP Complaints Procedure. They are entitled to apply for entry onto the IACP ‘Register of Accredited Members’ and the IACP database for telephone referrals.
An Accredited Member is also entitled to apply for IACP Supervisor Accreditation. If successful, it is possible on payment of the annual subscription for both categories, for an individual to be an Accredited Member and an Accredited Supervisor at the same time.
To become an Accredited Member, an applicant must forward an administration fee together with the completed relevant application form and arrange for their supervisor to complete and return the Supervisor’s Report Form. Accreditation assessment meetings are held four times a year, at which applications are assessed by the Accreditation Committee. They are screened by the Complaints Committee before the recommendations for accreditation are sent to the IACP Executive Committee for ratification. Following this ratification, a letter of notification and a certificate of accreditation are sent to successful applicants. An applicant who is not successful with their application for accreditation may continue membership with the IACP as an Associate Member, and may reapply for accreditation at a latter date. (See ‘Information Sheet 5: Guidelines for Resubmission, Reapplication and Appeal of Accreditation Application’).
IACP Accreditation is for a period of five years and is dependant on the annual subscription being paid on time. After five years the IACP Accredited Member is required to make a formal application to renew their Accredited Membership (see section II, Renewal of Accreditation, below). Accredited Members may make themselves known as Accredited Members of IACP (MIACP).

E. Accredited Supervisor

This category is open to IACP Accredited Members who fulfil certain criteria (see ‘Information Sheet 4: How Do I Become An IACP Accredited Supervisor ?’) Accredited Supervisors are entitled to vote at General Meetings and are required to pay the annual subscription. ( see ‘IACP Membership Fee's ’)
Accredited Supervisors are required to abide by the IACP Code of Ethics and Practice and are subject to the IACP Complaints Procedure. They are entitled to apply for entry onto the IACP ‘Register of Accredited Supervisors’ and the IACP database for telephone referrals.
It is possible, on payment of the annual subscription for both categories, for an individual to be an Accredited Member and an Accredited Supervisor at the same time.
To become an Accredited Supervisor, an applicant must forward the relevant administration fee (details available from the IACP office) with a written application and a presentation of a piece of their own supervision of a counsellor and take part in an Assessment Day. Applications are assessed by the Supervision Committee and an Extern Advisor, and are screened by the Complaints Committee before the recommendations for accreditation are sent to the IACP Executive Committee for ratification. Following this ratification, a letter of notification and a certificate of accreditation are sent to successful applicants. An applicant who is not successful with their application for Supervisor Accreditation may continue membership with the IACP as an Accredited Member, and may reapply for supervisor accreditation at a later date. For details of reapplication, contact IACP office.
IACP Supervisor Accreditation is for a period of ten years (currently under review) after which time the IACP Accredited Supervisor is required to make a formal application to renew their Supervisor Accreditation. Individuals accredited as supervisors by IACP may make themselves known as ‘IACP Accredited Supervisor’.

F. Recognised Course Member

This category is open to IACP Associate Organisation Members who fulfil certain criteria (see ‘Information Sheet 11: Introduction to the IACP Course Recognition Scheme’). Recognised Course Members are entitled to one vote at General Meetings and are required to pay the annual subscription. (see ‘IACP Membership Fee's )
Recognised Course Members are required to abide by the IACP Code of Ethics and Practice and are subject to the IACP Complaints Procedure.
To become a Recognised Course Member, a designated representative of the organisation engaged in training must forward the relevant administration fee (see ‘Information Sheet 11’) together with the completed application form. Applications are assessed by the Course Recognition Committee and an Extern Advisor, and the recommendations for recognition are sent to the IACP Executive Committee for ratification. Following this ratification, a letter of notification and a certificate of recognition are sent to successful applicants. An applicant who is not successful with their application for course recognition may continue membership with the IACP as an Associate Organisation Member, and may reapply for course recognition at a later date.
IACP Course Recognition is for a period of six years after which time a formal application to renew recognition of the course is necessary. Courses which have completed the recognition process and have received written confirmation of their recognised status from IACP may include the words “IACP Recognised Course” on their publicity material.

G. Approved Organisation Membership

This category is open to those organisations which provide a specific counselling service to the public and which train and supervise their own counsellors in this specific area. (see information Sheet 14)

Renewal of Accreditation

IACP Accreditation is awarded for a period of five years and is dependant on the annual subscription being paid on time. A reminder notice to apply for renewal of accreditation is sent by IACP to Accredited Members prior to the end of their accreditation period.
The criteria for application for renewal of accreditation are that the Accredited Member must have been in ongoing supervision in Ireland for one year prior to application. Show serious commitment to ongoing professional and personal development (this could be indicated by participation in further courses, study, personal therapy and/or by attending workshops on counselling theory and practice) Must have had five years continuous accredited membership from the date of accreditation or from the date of renewal of accreditation, whichever is the most recent date; and must make a formal application using IACP application forms.
To apply for renewal of accreditation, the Accredited Member must complete and return the relevant application form together with an administration fee and arrange for their supervisor to complete and return the IACP Supervisor’s Report Form. Applications are assessed by the Accreditation Committee, and screened by the Complaints Committee before the recommendations for accreditation are sent to the IACP Executive Committee for ratification. Following this ratification, a letter of notification and a certificate of accreditation are sent to successful applicants which is valid for a period of five years.
It is recognised that, in the interest of good practice, therapists choose to take time out from counselling. If a therapist wishes to do so, for any reason, a leave of absence must be applied for, in writing, in advance. A period not exceeding 12 months will be granted on written request. Requests for leave exceeding 12 months must be negotiated.

Benefits of IACP Membership

In addition to the principal benefits, that of offering an ethical framework within which to work via the IACP Code of Ethics and Practice, and that of monitoring standards of counselling training and practice via the IACP accreditation schemes, IACP offers the following benefits to it’s Members:
receipt of the IACP quarterly journal ‘Eisteach’ and of the Member’s newsletter ‘Notice Board’
an IACP negotiated professional indemnity insurance scheme
a VHI Group Scheme
information on developments in IACP membership criteria and standards
notification of workshops, IACP events and other information relating to counselling
reductions on the entry price of IACP workshops
representation by IACP at both national and european levels
election to IACP’s Executive Committee
influence IACP policy by participation on IACP’s sub-committees and panels.

Service to Members

On behalf of it’s Members IACP:
operates accreditation schemes for individual counsellors and for supervisors
operates a course recognition scheme for counselling training courses
operates a Complaints Procedure
publishes the ‘Directory of Accredited Members’
provides a client referral service
produces a quarterly journal ‘Eisteach’ and Member’s newsletter ‘Notice Board’
provides assistance with preparation for accreditation
runs regular workshops and events
makes submissions to government on issues pertinent to counselling and therapy
operates regional branches.