29Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

IACP Noticeboard

Volume 15 l Issue 2 l Summer 2015

Dear Members,

It’s been a big year. Some people have departed, things have changed and others remain the same. How do we, the IACP, the Executive, the Members and the Management Team, respond and adapt to the departures, the changes, the constants and the new?

We take a deep breath, we look around, and we keep our feet firmly on the ground. This re-establishes our equilibrium and puts us in a stronger position to face challenges, make decisions and to do the best for the profession, our clients and ourselves the members.

As I move from the role of Vice-Chair to that of Chair, cognisant of all that has been experienced, we look to the future, the new IACP Executive,

IACP members and staff at Head Office, from a position of strength, knowledge and understanding.

We are not waiting for the regulation of the counselling and psychotherapy profession, we have been doing that for ourselves. We are seeking State regulation and would like to bring to the table a menu that has been tried and tested and met with professional and client approval. That being said, we have the experience to know that our menu will not meet everyone’s taste and so we welcome others to look at our menu, sample the fare and ask the right questions about how we compiled it and maintain the quality of ingredients.

Looking at our strengths and experience, IACP accredited Counsellors and Psychotherapists have been self-regulating for over thirty years. The IACP has developed robust policies and Codes of Practice and Ethics to uphold the core values of counselling and psychotherapy and develop the profession. We have been doing this in collaboration with other professional bodies, nationally and internationally and will continue to do this.

My recent dining experience at the Chef’s Table in a Dublin restaurant was a truly professional one. The set menu of the signature dishes were presented and explained in detail by the chefs who prepared the food. We tasted everything, each of us had our favourite dish, catering to individual preferences, but it was the totality of the professionalism and high standards that created a quality experience for all. I receive equally high standards in my local café in Donegal, the fare is different, but I go there in the knowledge that the food will be consistent and high quality. A common denominator in both of these establishments is that those at the helm are overseeing and implementing the standards. Their focus is the customer and professionalism and integrity filter throughout, this creates customer confidence and I would have no difficulty recommending these two eateries to others. Equally, I could recommend IACP as a professional body whose focus is and has been developing and maintaining high standards for members, clients and the public, for counselling and psychotherapy in Ireland.

We at IACP have the professionalism, the standards, the people and skills to continue to provide a quality service. We have a timeframe and plans to build further and to move forward in a strategic and focused way. From our solid foundation, we have recognised that there is a diversity among members, differences in modality and therapeutic practice, reflective of the needs of clients. A willingness to collaborate is important, to further develop our aims and processes, both on our own behalf as a profession, as well as for the benefit of our clients.

Moira SharkeyCathaoirleach

From the Cathaoirleach

Moira Sharkey

30 Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Volume 15 l Issue 2 l Summer 2015

IACP Noticeboard

From the National Director

Dear Members,

The The 2015 IACP AGM was held on Saturday the 11th April at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. The business of the meeting included:

2014 Minutes: The minutes of the 2014 AGM were approved.

Motions: There were no motions submitted.

Elections: The Executive Committee elected for 2015/2016 is:

• Moira Sharkey – Cathaoirleach• Eugene McHugh – Leas Cathaoirleach• Marina Sweeney – Company Secretary• Vincent Byrne – Treasurer• Patrick Harraghy• Sheila Haskins• Ann Mc Donald• Ejiro Ogbevoen

Financial Statements: The 2014 accounts were approved.

Open Forum: A lively discussion took place with questions and answers on topics including; statutory regulation, annual accreditation, governance, finances, operations and IACP’s International work.

Next AGM: The date for the 2016 AGM was announced: 9th April 2016.

Naoise Kelly

31Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

IACP Noticeboard

Volume 15 l Issue 2 l Summer 2015

STRENGTHENING THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October 2015Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Information & Bookingwww.iacp.ie/conference

HighlightsHigh Calibre Speakers - Multiple Workshops - Gala Dinner

& Entertainment - Awards Ceremony

Friday 16th OctoberProf Howard Kirschenbaum

Keynote Speaker 2 (TBC)Dr John Sharry,

Christine Louis De Cannonville,Heather Moore, Prof Mary Creaner,

Christine May, Karen Ward,Eoin Stephens, John Foster

Saturday 17th OctoberDr Cirecie West-Olatunji

Prof Tim BondDr Eoin Galavan, Jamesina Rooney, Harriet Parsons, Padraig O’Morain,

Maeve Lewis, Anne Brennan,Bernadette Ryan,

Prof Garrett J. McAuliffe

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

EDUCATION, INSPIRATION, NETWORKING & FUN! * Programme may be subject to change

IACP Annual Conference 2015 Irish Association for Counselling

and Psychotherapy

32 Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

IACP Noticeboard

Volume 15 l Issue 2 l Summer 2015

IACP Membership CardWe are delighted to announce the launch of the NEW IACP Membership Card in association with Countdown Ireland. The Membership card will offer validation and identification to members in their dealings with clients, the public and IACP. The Membership card will be sent out to all Student, Pre-Accredited, Accredited, Supervisor and Retired Members over the coming month. (Some cards have already been sent, if you haven’t got yours yet, it is on the way).The IACP Membership card offers IACP members not only official recognition of their IACP membership but also the ability to benefit from a wide range of deals nationwide including, Apple, Advance Pitstop, Carraig Donn, Ecco Shoes, Three, Stena Line, Sunway Travel, Eurocamp, Holiday World Show, Open Fairways, Little Museum Dublin, Dream Ireland, Canvas Holidays, Hi-Life Diners Club, BONOVOX hearing specialist, Gift Card discounts with SVM Cards, Hotel Breaks in Ireland and Hotel Offers Worldwide with Hotelopia. Please see the enclosed flyer, ‘IACP Member Offer’ for more information about reduced tariffs on the Three Ireland network and discounted or Free handsets. Make sure you register your card on www.countdown.ie/iacp for more information about the offers available to you and always check the “Terms and Conditions”.

IACP Annual Fees 2015 ReminderDear Members,Please be aware that 2015 Annual Fees are now past due. Only fully paid-up members can continue to be members of the IACP. If you still have not paid your fee you can contact the IACP directly on 01 230 3536 or at iacp@iacp.ie to make a payment.

New Appointment at IACP Head OfficeGrace Duffy has extensive experience in working for various Not-For-Profit organisations.She has previously worked in a Research Position with the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) - Distance Learning Service.While in this role she analysed statistical and documentary information on learners’ needs and patterns of usage of the service.

In addition to this, Grace worked in a research capacity for the HSE, within the Older Persons Services, and assisted in evaluating services for the organisation.Her responsibilities in the HSE included analysis and interpretation of collected data, along with Report Writing and delivery.Grace is responsible for the coordination, administration and verification of Garda Vetting for IACP members/non-members and staff.In the role of Vetting Compliance Officer, Grace works to ensure that the IACP’s strategic goals in the area of Professional Accreditation, Garda Vetting and Data Protection are achieved.

Grace Duffy Vetting Compliance Officer

Editorial Committee Seeking VolunteersThe Editorial Committee of the IACP Journal Éisteach welcomes new members.If you have an interest in research and writing in the area of Counselling & Psychotherapy please download and complete the “Volunteering with IACP” form on IACP Website at www.iacp-counselling.ie/voluntary-work-psychotherapy-counselling and return to Liz Gannon at liz@iacp.ie

Clarification for Therapists Working with Clients under 18 Years of AgePlease Be Advised: For therapists working towards accreditation, Client Work refers to specific one-to-one Counselling / Psychotherapy sessions with clients over 18 years of age – i.e. not minors.The clarification of this requirement came into place from 1st January 2015, therefore anyone who started seeing clients after this date must adhere to this requirement.Pursuant to the Requirements for First Time Accreditation – Section (D):• Client Work for the purpose of First Time Accreditation may consist of Couple, Family or Group Counselling/Psychotherapy hours as 25% of the required 450 post-training hours.

• The other 75% of hours must be individual Adult (over 18) Counselling/Psychotherapy.

For further details please see the Accreditation section of the IACP website – www.iacp.ie