Navigation

  • NAPCP was founded in 1994 as an organisation which certifies counsellors and psychotherapists, accredits counselling centres, and approves training programs. [button color="#ffcc00" button link="http://www.napcp.ie/about-the-napcp/"]Learn more[/button]

    Certification and Accreditation

    NAPCP was founded in 1994 as an organisation which certifies counsellors and psychotherapists, accredits counselling centres, and approves training programs.

    Learn more

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Home

In light of recent government advice, the NAPCP office is closed until further notice, however staff are working remotely.  Please email all queries and applications to info@napcp.ie.  Please do  not send anything in the post to the office.  If you’re looking to scan documents, there is an app called Genius Scan which we use here in the office.  It’s easy to use: download the app, just take a picture of what you want and then it changes it to a PDF which you can email to yourself or someone else.

Protect yourself and others

Can I return to work in Phase 1?

Counsellors or psychotherapists can be considered part of Social Care, which is an essential service (for essential cases).  As long as Government and NPHET protocols and guidance on social distancing are followed, it is up to the individual counsellor’s/psychotherapist’s own judgement as to whether to meet clients face-to-face or through remote means.

It is appreciated that significant planning may be required to move to a new model of operating with the challenges of COVID-19, however it is the responsibility of employers (and self-employed persons) to apply a risk-based approach to returning to work and to prepare to apply the precautions necessary to comply fully with the public health advice.

Please take a look at the Return to Work Safely Protocol which was published by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on Saturday 9 May last.  This guidance document was developed to assist employers and employees in the coming period. Link to the protocol is here:
https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Return-to-Work-Safely-Protocol.html

Anyone whose work does qualify as an essential service must adhere to public health safety guidelines as outlined by the HPSC, HSE, and the HSA.

 

Can I offer telephone or online counselling instead?

Telephone or online counselling is an acceptable alternative if you consider the following points:
  • that the reason for doing so is to prevent the spread of the virus.  If either party is experiencing symptoms of coronavirus the best option may be to take a break from therapy until fully recovered.
  • you are competent to deliver therapy via these two methods (see BACP competency framework for telephone and e-counselling).  Also here is an online course in online counselling www.kateanthony.net/shortcoursementalhealth/
  • delivering therapy via this method is suited to the needs of the client and the material being discussed. Telephone or online therapy may not be suitable for all clients or certain issues.
  • you can re-contract with the client to take into consideration any differences in delivering therapy via this method.
  • your supervisor is competent to supervise online practice.
  • You have professional indemnity insurance which covers telephone/online counselling.

For older clients who do not have access to, or experience of, video-calling, continuing sessions by telephone may be the best alternative to face to face sessions.

Can these online/telephone counselling hours be used towards my accreditation?

  • The board agreed that (only during this COVID 19 period), for Student, Pre-Accredited and Accredited members, online/telephone counselling hours can be used towards accreditation

What about Supervision – do I still have to do at least 12 sessions per year?

As per current NAPCP Supervision Requirements, supervision must take place at least once a month, when the Accredited Member is actively seeing or available to see clients (please note that the board has approved remote supervision via telephone or online).

If not seeing clients, a minimum of 10 supervision sessions per year will be accepted.

Useful Courses

Therapy in the Time of Covid-19

 

______________________________________________________________

Welcome to the NAPCP

Established in 1994, we provide accreditation to counsellors and psychotherapists, and work to set professional standards for Counsellors & Psychotherapists in Ireland.  We also provide accreditation of counselling centres and training programs.

Continuous Professional Development

NAPCP members actively engage in continuing educational opportunities offered by the provision of in-service training in specialised areas of practice, as well as advanced courses outside of the organisation …Read more

Designed By