An Overview of the History of Counselling and Psychotherapy and its Training in Ireland and the UK-Implications for Future Development

Abstract

Despite being in existence for the past century as a mental health treatment, counselling and psychotherapy continue to represent an ill-defined therapeutic field. Research identifying the core characteristics of effective therapy and the qualities of effective therapists have been well evidenced. There is, however, a dearth of literature examining the training and development of trainee therapists, leaving a space wherein it is difficult to determine whether current training practices of therapists are fit for purpose. Given the quality assurance role of counselling training in nurturing the establishment of best practice therapy and ensuring that therapists are appropriately skilled to deliver it, research into and conversations on what is optimal and effective in this domain are central to the profession as a whole.

Ireland is currently transitioning its governance of the discipline, away from voluntary governing bodies to the establishment of state regulation. This brings renewed emphasis on how the profession is understood and the expectations placed upon those practicing and training within it. This article identifies the context in which the discipline has developed. It offers an understanding of the current empirical base of counselling and psychotherapy training and makes recommendations into what is required to progress this base.

Ethics and dissemination : This study raises no ethical issues. The findings will be disseminated through presentations at professional conferences and publications in a peer- reviewed journal.