Dispute over new regulations for psychotherapists
The Irish regulator CORU is implementing new baseline standards for psychotherapists and counsellors to improve public safety. Professional bodies like the ICP argue these standards are insufficient and could lead to a decline in the quality of care.
Why it matters
This highlights the tension between government-led professional regulation and the standards maintained by established industry associations in mental health.
The CEO of the regulator for health and social care professions, Claire O'Cleary, has defended new regulations for psychotherapists and counsellors despite criticism from representative groups.
CORU is in the process of bringing regulations into effect for counsellors and psychotherapists that will create baseline standards for both professions to operate in Ireland.
The sector has been calling for regulation for years as it will make it illegal to trade as a psychotherapist or counsellor without meeting specific criteria.
However, after CORU published its standards, psychotherapists began warning that the public will be at risk if the regulations on psychotherapy come into effect as they are.
Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, Ms O'Cleary said she understood their fears, but as it stands there are no legal standards in place for psychotherapists working in Ireland and therefore the public do not have protections currently.
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