The Institute for Counselling & Psychotherapy Studies, established in 2019 by Dr. Michael McArdle, proudly announces its successful re-accreditation as a Dual Accredited Provider by the CPD Standards Office and the Professional Development Consortium, holding formal recognition as both a Provider of CPD Courses and a Provider of Training Excellence. This prestigious dual recognition reaffirms the Institute’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional standards of professional education, training, and academic governance across the disciplines of Counselling, Psychotherapy, Psychoanalysis, Psychology, Mindfulness, and Nursing.

Achieving and maintaining CPD accreditation and the designation of Provider of Training Excellence requires a comprehensive and independent evaluation process. This process rigorously examines the quality, academic integrity, and consistency of all training programmes, alongside the Institute’s governance structures, ethical frameworks, learner support systems, assessment methodologies, and internal quality assurance procedures. The successful re-accreditation reflects the Institute’s adherence to best practice in professional education, ensuring that all programmes are evidence-informed, ethically grounded, and aligned with the evolving needs of clinical practice. Learners can be assured that their education is designed to enhance clinical competence, professional confidence, and ethical decision-making.

The Institute for Counselling & Psychotherapy Studies offers a diverse and extensive portfolio of CPD-accredited programmes and professional diploma qualifications tailored to practitioners working across the therapeutic and mental health professions. Our curriculum spans foundational, intermediate, and advanced levels of professional development, enabling learners to progress through structured educational pathways. Professional diploma qualifications encompass key areas such as counselling and psychotherapy practice, trauma-informed care, bereavement and loss, addiction studies, mindfulness-based approaches, psychodynamic and integrative modalities, and applied psychological theory. All programmes are underpinned by contemporary research, clinical relevance, and reflective practice, supporting both personal growth and professional advancement.

Our programmes are delivered by a highly regarded faculty of clinicians and educators, including

• Dr. Michael McArdle
• Dr. Hugh Cummins
• Ms. Caroline Crotty
• Ms. Clare Carolan
• Mr. Nathy O’Connell
• Mr. John Mangan

Each member of the teaching team brings extensive academic expertise and substantial clinical experience, ensuring that learning is grounded in real-world therapeutic practice. Dr. McArdle, Founder and Academic Director of the Institute, is a Registered and Accredited Psychotherapy Practitioner and holds multiple professional memberships that incudes the IACP, BACP, NAPCP, APCP, NCPS, ACC, APAPM, ACCPH, ABCAP, MICPA, NAADAC.

Michael is also a Chartered Fellow of the ACCPH & a member of the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland, all of which reflects a longstanding commitment to excellence, ethical standards, and leadership within the mental health sector.

The Institute’s ethos extends beyond academic instruction to the cultivation of clinical excellence, reflective practice, and ethical professionalism. The renewal of CPD and Training Excellence accreditation represents a continued investment in quality assurance, innovation, and leadership in counselling and psychotherapy education.

We look forward to further strengthening our collaboration with the CPD Standards Office and the Professional Development Consortium as we continue to expand and enhance our accredited professional diploma and CPD offerings in support of mental health professionals.
For further information regarding our CPD-accredited programmes and professional diploma qualifications, or to register for upcoming courses, prospective learners are invited to contact the Institute directly for personalised assistance and guidance. We can be contacted via emaileducation@icps.ie in or visit our website www.icps.ie as we can  offer personalised guidance and support.

Our phone lines are very busy. If you wish to have a 10-minute talk by phone, you will need to book into the call calendar at www.icps.ie/call-calendar