Accrediting Bodies in Ireland (And Why They Matter When Choosing a Therapist)
If you’ve ever searched for a therapist in Ireland, you may have noticed a long list of letters beside practitioners’ names — IACP, IACAT, IAHIP, ICP, FTAI, and more. For someone new to therapy, this can feel confusing.
These organisations, known as accrediting bodies, play a crucial role in ensuring the therapist you choose is qualified, ethical, and working to professional standards.
This guide explains what accrediting bodies are, why they matter, and how you can use them to find the right therapist for you.
⭐ What Are Accrediting Bodies?
Accrediting bodies are professional organisations that set training and practice standards for counsellors, psychotherapists, and therapists in Ireland. Their role includes ensuring that practitioners:
Have completed recognised and substantial training
Work under supervision
Follow a strict code of ethics
Maintain professional insurance
Engage in continuous professional development (CPD)
Have completed required clinical hours
Accreditation gives clients peace of mind that a therapist has been vetted and is committed to safe and ethical practice.
⭐ Why Accreditation Matters for Clients
Accreditation provides reassurance and protection. It means:
✔ Your therapist is properly trained
No short courses or unverified certificates.
✔ They are supervised
They regularly review their work with a senior practitioner to ensure safety and ethical standards.
✔ They follow an ethical code
Covering boundaries, confidentiality, record-keeping, and professional conduct.
✔ There is a complaints process
If you ever feel something is not right, you have a formal route to raise concerns.
✔ It protects you in an unregulated industry
Ireland does not yet have state regulation of psychotherapy — so accreditation is one of the strongest safeguards available.
⭐ Main Accrediting Bodies in Ireland
Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP)
National umbrella organisation for psychotherapy in Ireland.
Website: psychotherapycouncil.ie
Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP)
One of the largest accrediting bodies for counsellors and psychotherapists.
Website: iacp.ie
Irish Association of Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP)
Accredits humanistic and integrative psychotherapists.
Website: iahip.org
Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT)
Accredits art, drama, music, and dance movement therapists.
Website: iacat.ie
Irish Institute of Cognitive & Humanistic Psychotherapy (IICHP)
Accredits cognitive and humanistic psychotherapists.
Website: iichp.ie
Irish Analytical Psychology Association (IAPA)
Accredits Jungian / analytical psychotherapists.
Website: iapa.ie
Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI)
Accredits systemic and family therapists.
Website: familytherapyireland.com
Association for Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy in Ireland (APPI)
Accredits psychoanalytic psychotherapists.
Website: appi.ie
Irish Forum for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (IFPP)
Accredits adult psychoanalytic psychotherapists.
Website: ifpp.ie
Irish Forum for Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (IFCAPP)
Accredits child & adolescent psychoanalytic psychotherapists.
Website: ifcapp.com
Irish Group Analytic Society (IGAS)
Accredits group analysts and group psychotherapy practitioners.
Website: igas.ie
Irish Association of Psychodynamic Psychotherapists (IAPP)
Accredits psychodynamic psychotherapists.
Website: iapp.ie
And there’s many more! Smaller organisational groups can be under a larger body’s umbrella.
⭐ How to Use These Bodies to Find a Therapist
Most accrediting bodies have online directories that allow you to filter by:
Location
Online vs. in-person
Specialisms (anxiety, trauma, autism, addiction, etc.)
Modality (CBT, integrative, humanistic, play therapy, arts therapy)
Fee range
This is often the safest and simplest way to find a qualified practitioner.
Accredited vs. Pre-Accredited Therapists
Accredited: fully qualified with completed clinical hours
Pre-accredited: newly qualified and working toward full accreditation
Both are safe — pre-accredited therapists are often more affordable and are supervised closely.
⭐ What Accreditation Looks Like (My Experience)
I am accredited with the IACP. To achieve accreditation I had to submit:
My degree and professional qualifications
Supervised clinical hours
A supervisor’s report
CPD evidence
I also attend supervision every 20 client hours now that I am accredited.
All accredited therapists must maintain similar standards, no matter their modality or accrediting body.
⭐ Final Thoughts: Accreditation Helps You Choose Safely and Confidently
Finding a therapist can feel overwhelming, but understanding accrediting bodies makes the process clearer and safer. These organisations exist to protect you — ensuring your therapist is trained, ethical, supervised, and committed to professional development.
When you know what these letters mean, you are in a stronger position to choose someone who feels safe, skilled, and supportive.
You deserve high-quality care — and accreditation is one of the best ways to make sure you receive it.
