Counselling and psychotherapy remain self-regulating professions in Ireland although moves towards statutory regulation are under way and are welcomed. Professional Psychotherapy Bodies set rigorous standards for training courses, tutor student contact hours, skills training, theoretical study, clinical supervision, and personal development groupwork. In addition students must attend individual therapy over the duration of their training and students should be assessed individually prior to undertaking client work. Core Trainers and Clinical Supervisors must meet specified criteria. Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) professional bodies, which operate to the highest national and international standards, have moved from the recognition of three year training programmes to the requirement for four year integrated training programmes in accordance with the EAP position.
CTC is committed to providing training of the highest professional and ethical standards. In addition to gaining a psychotherapy qualification, graduates of our MA will also be eligible for certification and accreditation as both a Play Therapist and a Psychotherapist with the IAPTP: Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy (www.iaptp.net) as this is a recognised course of this professional body. Our training is also recognised by the Irish Association for Psychotherapy in Primary Care (www.iappcare.com).
Play Therapy in Ireland
The Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy (IAPTP) set training and accreditation criteria for play therapy in Ireland and maintain a register of qualified and accredited practitioners. As yet, there have been no moves for the statutory registration of play therapists in Ireland and, with the exception of the psychoanalytic sector, and play therapy organisations, most accreditation bodies cater exclusively for therapists working with adult clients. However, graduates of our psychotherapy training are eligible for accreditation with the Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy (IAPT) as child and adolescent psychotherapists.
