One in six NI counsellors have no qualifications

A survey conducted by the Health Department, in association with the Northern Ireland Statistical Agency, has found that almost one in six counsellors working in Northern Ireland do not have professional qualifications.

In a comprehensive survey, 'Counselling in Northern Ireland', – which took three years to compile – counselling organisations and associations, counsellors and patients were all canvassed for their views on the profession. And among the findings of the survey was the revelation that 13% of counsellors practising in the province did not have, nor were they working for, a professional qualification.

The survey noted that the proliferation of counsellors was a direct of the Troubles, in so much as demand had risen for organisations to provide counselling services.

The report said: "The Troubles have produced a unique and extensive range of problems and difficult issues for those affected, for their families and for service organisations responding to their needs. In the context of local sectarian divisions, many individuals have high levels of anxiety about who can be trusted, making the task of seeking and securing safe and appropriate help more difficult."

The survey is a benchmarking of the profession and is the first of its kind in the British Isles. The work of the Health Department in the area is of particular significance given that the profession is unregulated and accreditation is taken on a voluntary basis. However, over two thirds of counsellors do submit to the accreditation standards of the main associations such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Irish Association for Counselling and Therapy (IACT).

The survey, which lobbies for greater regulation of the sector, has been welcomed by the UK government and it is anticipated that there will be legislative moves towards regulation within the next three years.

Project leader for the survey, John Park of the Social Services Inspectorate, said: "You could be alarmed by some of the figures in the survey, but more and more people are responsible and work to clear standards and codes of ethics set down by the associations.

He added: "We picked up concerns from the organisations that there were counsellors springing up and some were dubious of their qualifications. It reinforces the need for the standard lists and a register. There is a lot of good work, time and effort going into the profession, but regrettably a lot of people do have fairly basic qualifications."

Respondents to the survey detailed a variety of qualifications, and whilst the majority had studied for a diploma, which can take between two and five years to complete, some said that they have obtained a qualification within only two days. Similarly, an advanced qualification could range from two days to two years of application to achieve.

(GMcG)