{
  "id": 16496928,
  "title": "Dispute over new regulations for psychotherapists",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/dispute-over-new-regulations-for-psychotherapists",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T16:34:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "RTE News",
    "slug": "rte-news",
    "url": "https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1025/1596802-coru-psychotherapy-regulation/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Claire O Cleary, CEO of CORU, the regulator for health and social care professions, defended the new regulations for psychotherapists and counsellors despite criticism from representative groups. CORU is implementing regulations to establish baseline standards for both professions in Ireland, as they have been calling for regulation for years. However, psychotherapists are concerned that the public may be at risk if the regulations are implemented, as there are no legal standards currently in place to protect them. Ms O Cleary acknowledged these fears but stated that the current lack of legal standards means there is no recourse for poor practice. The Irish Council for Psychotherapists (ICP) claims that CORU's regulations require fewer training hours, reduced clinical supervision, and no requirement for personal therapy, leading to a \"dumbing down\" of training standards. ICP chair Anna Comerford and board member John O Connor expressed concerns about the potential for insufficient preparation for psychotherapists, putting vulnerable individuals at risk. Ms O Cleary argued that mandatory baseline standards would make the public safer, even if they are not the final standard. She acknowledged concerns about placement hours and personal therapy but emphasized that everyone can benefit from personal therapy, which should not be a requirement for the profession. CORU's implementation of these regulations was prompted by investigative journalism exposing the poor advice provided to vulnerable women during the abortion legislation repeal. The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) has formally lodged a complaint with the European Commission regarding the new standards, citing concerns about their proportionality and public safety.",
  "summary": "The CEO of the regulator for health and social care professions has defended new regulations for psychotherapists and counsellors despite criticism.",
  "key_points": [
    "CORU implements new regulations for psychotherapists and counsellors in Ireland.",
    "Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy files complaint with European Commission."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}