Why the addendum?

The IAHIP Accreditation Criteria is outlined in our Bye-law 11.

During the Covid-19 it was recognised that this emergency was having an adverse effect on students aiming to achieve IAHIP Accreditation. An accommodation was agreed to adjust the standard criteria, this is outlined in this Covid-19 Remote Criteria Addendum. See the full bulletin from the Governing Body below.

Does it apply to me?

If you completed your phase 1 training in, or before the academic year 2018-2019, the Covid-19 addendum does not apply. The standard Bye-Law 11 criteria will be in effect.

For those who completed their phase 1 training in the academic year 2019-2020 and until further notice, the Covid-19 addendum will apply, modifying the Bye-Law 11 criteria

What DOES the addendum cover?

Remote Personal Therapy (Psychotherapy Experienced as a Client)

There are no limits to this, however in-person is the preferred option.

Remote Individual Supervision
There are no limits to this, however in-person is the preferred option.

Clinical practice hours
This must only commence in year 3 and there is a requirement to have completed at least 150 in-person hours over phase 1 and phase 2.

The addendum also highlights what didn’t change:

Ratios are the same for supervision:

Phase 1: One supervision hour per four client hours
Phase 2: One supervision hour per eight client hours

A clinical hour is between 50-60mins. You can’t add shorter sessions together to make up this time.
Group supervision, maximum of 4 supervisees.

How long will the addendum be in place?

This is until further notice.

Bulletin from Governing Body

In recognition of the continued challenges faced by psychotherapy students and trainings during this period, it has been agreed to adjust criteria for IAHIP accreditation in relation to students training during this timeframe.

For any 2nd year, 3rd year and 4th year students during the academic year of 2019-2020 there will a continuance of no limit imposed on remote personal therapy or remote individual supervision for accreditation purposes. In terms of clinical practice commencing in 3rd year a minimum of 150 in-person hours over phase 1 and phase 2 will be required for accreditation purposes.

The following adjustments related to 3rd year students will be incorporated into accreditation criteria with immediate effect.

For 3rd year students during the academic year of 2021-2022 and 3rd year students attending the 2022-2023 academic year, there will be no limit imposed on remote personal therapy or remote individual supervision for accreditation purposes however in-person sessions are the preferred option. In terms of clinical practice commencing in 3rd year a minimum of 150 in-person hours over phase 1 and phase 2 will be required for accreditation purposes.

For 3rd year students during the academic year of 2021-2022 and 3rd year students attending the 2022-2023 academic year, all remote group supervision hours will be admissible for accreditation purposes however in-person group supervision remains the preferred option where at all possible.

Supervision minimum ratios still apply:

1 supervision hour per 4 client hours for Phase 1 or up to minimum of 200 hours, at least monthly.

1 supervision hour per 8 client hours for Phase 2 in excess of 200 hours, with a minimum of once monthly attendance.

Group supervision: groups shall not exceed 4 supervisees, and each supervisee shall receive one hour of credit per hour of group supervision.

A reminder that a clinical hour of psychotherapy is 50-60 minutes long (for the purposes of accreditation). Shorter sessions may not be added together to make up clinical hours. Consultations with family members, GPs, Social Workers, etc, or any other forms of ‘psychological support’ do not count as clinical hours. Telephone clinical practice is not recommended for 3rd year students and will not be admissible for accreditation purposes.

The Governing Body would like to extend their support to all Student, Certified and Pre-accred Associates during this difficult time and acknowledge the dedication and willingness of students and trainings, and Certified/Pre-Accred Associates, in addressing and adapting to the changing landscape of psychotherapy in recent years. Our collective commitment to the highest standards is in the best interests of the public and our profession.

Updated - July 2022

The Irish Association of Humanistic
& Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) CLG.

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