Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

What Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy does

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) is a registered charity (RCN: 20012564) and Company Limited by Guarantee founded in 1981, operating as Ireland's largest professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists with 6,500+ members. Headquartered at Marina House, 11-13 Clarence Street, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, the organisation is governed by a 10-person board and operated by 19 professional staff including CEO Lisa Molloy. Its membership is structured in five tiers — Student (€84/year), Pre-Accredited (€194/year), Accredited (€309/year), Inactive (€105/year), and Retired (€50/year) — plus a parallel supervisor accreditation pathway, with all fees running on an annual calendar-year billing cycle.

IACP's core product surface comprises a free public online therapist directory covering all 32 counties of Ireland, a course accreditation programme covering 40+ training programmes at institutions including DBS, DCU, MTU, PCI College, IICP, and ICPPD, a structured CPD framework requiring 30 hours per year for accredited members, a supervisor accreditation framework with separate supervision-specific CPD requirements, an online membership application system with document upload, and an online CPD portal. Supporting services include a quarterly Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, regional workshops across 8 regional committees (Dublin, Midlands, Northeast, Northern, Southern, Southeast, West Northwest, Western), an annual conference featuring the Carl Berkeley Memorial Award, a telephone information service, and formal complaints procedures backed by a Code of Ethics and Practice (current edition operative since 1 January 2018).

Revenue is generated primarily from recurring annual membership subscriptions, supplemented by one-time accreditation and recognition fees (€155 first-time accreditation, €155 recognition of licensure from regulated countries, €100 reinstatement, €30 Garda Vetting per application), course accreditation fees from training institutions, events and workshops, and advertising in the Irish Journal. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer: members self-onboard through the website while the public accesses the therapist directory free of charge. The organisation holds bilateral mutual-recognition agreements with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), and the Irish Association of Holistic Psychotherapy (IAHIP), allowing credential portability across jurisdictions.

Name

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Legal name

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy CLG

Website

https://iacp.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) is Ireland's largest professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists, representing 6,500+ members through tiered accreditation pathways, public therapist directory, course accreditation, and CPD framework oversight.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy Association Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139), Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

National/Institutional Accreditors (Career, Faith-Based, Distance, etc.) (EDADACAB)

Keywords

• Professional counselling accreditation
• Psychotherapy membership services
• Therapist directory Ireland
• Continuing professional development
• Counselling training standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Dún Laoghaire

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers: Student (€84), Pre-Accredited (€194), Accredited (€309), Inactive (€105), Retired (€50). Core revenue stream for the registered charity.
2. Accreditation Application Fees: First-time accreditation processing fee of €155, along with Garda Vetting fees of €30 per application. Reinstatement fees of €100 for lapsed memberships.
3. Course Accreditation: Fees from accredited training course providers for course accreditation and re-accreditation processes
4. Events and Workshops: Revenue from regional workshops, annual conference, and CPD events. Members receive discounted rates.
5. Irish Journal: Quarterly journal Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy includes advertising revenue

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) is Ireland's largest professional membership body for counsellors and psychotherapists, representing more than 6,500 members. It provides tiered professional accreditation (Student, Pre-Accredited, Accredited, Supervisor), maintains a public Therapist Directory, accredits training courses at colleges and institutions, runs a Continuing Professional Development framework, and operates a formal Code of Ethics with complaints procedures.

Product overview

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) operates as Ireland's largest professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists, established in 1981. The organization offers a unified membership ecosystem with multiple tiers—Student Membership, Pre-Accredited Membership, Accredited Membership, Supervisor Accreditation, Inactive Membership, and Retired Membership—designed to support practitioners throughout their careers from training through retirement. Core services include a Therapist Directory enabling public access to find accredited practitioners, Course Accreditation for training providers, a CPD Framework requiring ongoing professional development, Supervision Services with accredited supervisors, the Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and Events including the annual conference. The organization also provides a Telephone Information Service and formal Complaints Procedures for ethical oversight. The membership structure follows a progression from Student to Pre-Accredited to full Accredited status, with dedicated pathways for supervisor specialization and provisions for inactive or retired practitioners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Find an Accredited Therapist (Therapist Directory) Free comprehensive online directory of all accredited IACP Counsellors and Psychotherapists in Ireland, searchable by presenting issue (40+ categories including anxiety, depression, bereavement, relationships, trauma, addiction), location across all 32 counties, and client type. Used by the general public to locate verified practitioners.
• Accredited Membership Full professional accreditation for practising Counsellors and Psychotherapists meeting rigorous training, 450+ client contact hours, ongoing supervision, and 30 hours/year CPD requirements. Annual subscription at €309 with 5% discount available for members over 65.
• Pre-Accredited Membership Membership category for practitioners who have completed an IACP-accredited course and are actively working towards full accreditation, requiring supervision, 10 hours/year CPD, and Garda vetting. €194 per annum plus €45 processing fee and €30 Garda Vetting.
• Student Membership Entry-level membership for individuals currently attending an IACP-accredited counselling and psychotherapy training course, providing professional guidance, supervision access, and reduced insurance rates (€160 discount via O'Brien Finlay partnership). €84 per annum.
• Accredited Supervisor Membership Accreditation for experienced practitioners who provide supervision to Counsellors and Psychotherapists, including supervision requirements, supervision-specific 10 hours CPD, supervisor forums, and re-accreditation processes.
• Course Accreditation Service Accreditation service for counselling and psychotherapy training courses at colleges and institutions across Ireland, including first-time accreditation, re-accreditation, supervisor course accreditation, and annual monitoring. IACP maintains a register of 40+ accredited training courses including those at DBS, DCU, MTU, PCI College, IICP, and ICPPD.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework Structured professional development framework and logging system for members, including CPD points recognition for external events and courses, online CPD portal access, and annual audit requirements. Members must complete 30 hours/year CPD (10 hours for supervisors).
• Supervision Services Framework Oversight and guidance framework for practitioners including supervision requirements for accredited members and accredited supervisors, supervisor accreditation process, and supervisor forums. Includes a public 'Find an Accredited Supervisor' tool.
• Events and Workshops (including Annual Conference) IACP-organised regional workshops, professional events, and an annual conference featuring keynote speakers, workshops, and the Gala Dinner with the Carl Berkeley Memorial Award. Members receive discounted rates across the 8 regional committees covering Dublin, Midlands, Northeast, Northern, Southern, Southeast, West Northwest, and Western regions.
• Complaints Procedures Formal procedures for investigating breaches of the IACP Code of Ethics and Practice, including complaints against members, appeals procedure, and complaints against course providers. Administered by the Complaints Committee with support from the HSE and Tusla regarding child protection matters.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,500+ members represented as Ireland's largest counselling and psychotherapy association
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBACP and IACP have a mutual recognition agreement for accreditation. Both organizations accept each other's accreditation decisions. IACP accredited members can apply for BACP accreditation through this pathway, and vice versa. Requires individual membership of both organizations and compliance with each organization's requirements including personal therapy hours and Garda vetting.
• Irish Association of Holistic Psychotherapy (IAHIP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAHIP Senior Accredited Members (5+ years) can apply for IACP accreditation through recognition process. Must be IAHIP members in good standing, under regular supervision, and complete minimum 30 CPD points annually. Both organizations share mutual supervision recognition (IACP, BACP, or IAHIP accredited supervisors).
• Australian Counselling Association (ACA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACA and IACP have mutual recognition of accreditation schemes. ACA Level 3 or Level 4 members can apply for IACP accreditation. Requires proof of licensure, supervision contract with acceptable supervisor, and Garda vetting. MoU held for 3-year review periods.
• O'Brien Finlay InsuranceminorOthersIACP negotiated professional indemnity insurance schemes with O'Brien Finlay offering €75 discount for Qualified Therapists and €160 discount for Students on insurance premiums.
• Tusla - Child and Family AgencyminorOthersIACP works with Tusla regarding child protection matters. IACP has duty to inform Tusla of any concerns about child safety arising during complaints processes. Members receive guidance on mandatory reporting requirements.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Irish Association of Holistic Psychotherapy (IAHIP): The other major professional body for psychotherapists in Ireland. IAHIP competes for the same practitioner pool, has overlapping CPD and supervision frameworks, and has a mutual recognition pathway with IACP, making it the most direct domestic competitor.
• Australian Counselling Association (ACA): Australia's largest counselling professional association, structured similarly with tiered memberships and accreditation standards. ACA has a mutual recognition agreement with IACP, making it a direct international peer for cross-jurisdictional credentials.
• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA): Canada's national professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists with comparable membership tiers, accreditation standards, and ethical codes. Provides a North American peer with similar scope and structure.
• British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): The UK's largest counselling and psychotherapy professional body with a similar membership-based accreditation model. BACP is IACP's closest international counterpart, and the two have a formal mutual recognition agreement for accreditation, making them direct functional equivalents in adjacent markets.

Others

• Tusla - Child and Family Agency: Ireland's state agency for child and family services that interacts with IACP through mandatory reporting requirements. A key regulatory and referral partner rather than a competitor, but central to IACP's complaint handling and child protection procedures.
• Health Service Executive (HSE): Ireland's national health service that funds free counselling services and engages IACP-accredited practitioners. A major ecosystem partner driving demand for IACP accreditation as practitioners seek to work within or alongside public mental health services.

Broad incumbents

• National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS): UK-based register of counsellors and psychotherapists that operates a broader, less restrictive accreditation model than BACP. Overlaps with IACP's role as a public-facing therapist directory but with different membership criteria.
• British Psychological Society (BPS): The UK's leading professional body for psychologists, broader in scope than IACP (covering clinical, counselling, educational, and occupational psychology). Overlaps with IACP's counselling accreditation role but with more rigorous academic entry requirements.
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA): Australia's national peak body for the psychotherapy and counselling profession, with a broader remit including advocacy and standards-setting across multiple member associations. Similar to IACP's umbrella role but at a national federation level.

Regional players

• Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA): Scotland's national counselling and psychotherapy professional body with a similar membership/accreditation model serving a smaller regional market. Operates in an adjacent UK jurisdiction with comparable practitioner demographics and regulatory environment.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iacp_ie
• Facebookfacebook.com/IACPdot.ie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/irish-association-for-counselling-and-psychotherapy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy