Choosing an Accredited Counselling Course in Ireland: What to Check Before You Enrol
“Accredited” is used loosely in course advertising. Before you commit two or more years and several thousand euro, it is worth understanding what the word means, which standards the course actually meets, and whether it will take you to the professional accreditation you want.
What “accredited” can mean
Recognised by a professional body. The body has reviewed the programme against its own training standard and accepts graduates onto its accreditation route. ICPHAA publishes its accredited college partners.
Placed on the National Framework of Qualifications. A QQI level tells you the academic standard. ICPHAA's Accredited Counsellor category requires a counselling or psychotherapy qualification at QQI Level 7 or higher, or an equivalent.
Approved by CORU. Programme approval for statutory registration is in development. CORU has indicated that only qualifications awarded in the Republic of Ireland can apply, and the list of approved programmes will be published after the process runs. No course can claim CORU approval yet; see where regulation stands in 2026.
Seven things to check
Level and award title. Ask for the QQI level, or the equivalent framework for a non-Irish award, and the exact title that will appear on your certificate.
Duration and contact hours. ICPHAA expects at least two years part-time for the Accredited Counsellor route, including theory, skills practice and a supervised placement.
Supervised placement. Where will you see clients, who arranges it, and who supervises you? Hours completed during training do not count towards the 450 post-training hours, but the placement is where you learn to practise safely.
Personal therapy. ICPHAA requires at least 50 hours of personal therapy during or since training. Check whether the course requires it and how it is evidenced.
Delivery mode. Live online, lecturer-led training suits many working adults; recorded-only content does not develop skills in the same way. Ask how skills practice and assessment are done online.
Who teaches. Look for practising, accredited clinicians with teaching experience, and ask how assessment and feedback work.
The route afterwards. Ask which professional bodies accept graduates, what category you can apply for on graduation, and what you will still need (hours, supervision, insurance) to reach accreditation.
ICPHAA accredited college partners
ICPHAA currently lists three accredited college partners. ICPS College delivers live-online, lecturer-led professional and advanced professional diplomas in counselling, psychotherapy and allied fields from Dublin, with in-person delivery planned. NIP Training Institute and ACP Institut are international partners. Details and recognition status are on the accredited colleges page.
From graduation to accreditation
Most graduates join as Pre-Accredited members while they build supervised hours, with supervision of at least one hour per eight client hours and up to two years to progress. The Accredited Counsellor category then requires 450 supervised client hours within the last three years, supervision of one hour per ten client hours, professional indemnity insurance, references, Garda vetting where applicable and a signed ethics commitment. The full criteria are in ICPHAA accreditation requirements explained.
Frequently asked questions
Can I become accredited with a Level 6 certificate?
Not as a counsellor or psychotherapist. Level 6 qualifications in addiction studies or trauma-informed practice can lead to the Accredited Addiction Support Worker and Accredited Trauma Support Worker categories, which are distinct roles.
Is an online course accepted?
Yes, where it meets the level, duration, placement and personal therapy requirements and includes live skills practice and assessment. ICPS College's live-online diplomas are an example.
Do I need to be a member while studying?
Student membership (€85 a year) gives you a place in the Association, a certificate and access to member resources, and client work remains within your supervised placement.
Will my course be approved by CORU?
No programme can claim CORU approval until the Board runs its approval process. Choose a course that meets the professional body standard today and keep records that a future application may need.
Information correct at 8 November 2026. This article is general guidance from ICPHAA and is not legal advice. For the statutory position, check coru.ie.
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