Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Ireland: 2025 Guide

In Ireland, the regulation of mental health professionals is in transition. Psychiatrists are fully regulated, while psychologists, counsellors, and psychotherapists are moving from a system of professional self-regulation to statutory oversight.

This guide explains the requirements for each profession, how to verify a provider's credentials within the current system, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

Table of Contents | Jump Ahead

Official Legal Framework

Regulatory Authorities

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

Verification Procedures for the Public

Complaint Procedures

Professional Development and Education

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Current Professional Statistics

Recommendations for the Public

Sources and Verification

Official Legal Framework

Primary Legislation:

• Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005: Framework for regulating health and social care professionals
• Medical Practitioners Act 2007: Regulates medical practitioners, including psychiatrists
• Health Act 2004: Sets minimum qualifications for HSE-employed counsellors

Regulatory Authorities

1. CORU (HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PROFESSIONALS COUNCIL)

Irish Name: An Chomhairle um Ghairmithe Sláinte agus Cúraim Shóisialaigh

Website: https://coru.ie/

Legal Authority: Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005

Established: 2007

Functions:

• Statutory regulation of health and social care professionals
• Protection of professional titles
• Maintenance of professional registers
• Setting education and training standards
• Professional conduct and ethics oversight
• Fitness to practice procedures

• Psychologists: Registration expected early 2026 (delayed from October 2025)
• Counsellors and Psychotherapists: Registration boards established, timeline under development

2. IRISH MEDICAL COUNCIL (IMC)

Irish Name: Comhairle na nDochtúirí Leighis

Website: https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/

Legal Authority: Medical Practitioners Act 2007

Established: Statutory body for medical practitioners

Functions:

• Licenses all medical practitioners, including psychiatrists
• Maintains medical register with specialist divisions
• Professional conduct and ethics enforcement
• Continuing professional development requirements
• Fitness to practice procedures

• Registration Enquiries: Available through website
• Online Services: Secure online facility for applications
• Email: online@mcirl.ie

3. PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND (PSI)

Irish Name: Cumann Síceolaithe Éireann

Website: https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/

Status: Professional association (not regulatory)

Established: 1970

Membership: Approximately 5,000 members

Functions:

• Professional development and advocacy
• Chartered psychologist recognition
• Educational standards promotion
• Professional networking and support
• Public psychology education

Symbol: Greek letter Ψ (Psi)

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. PSYCHOLOGIST (STATUTORY REGULATION PENDING)

Current Status: Title not yet protected, voluntary professional association membership

Planned Regulatory Structure (Early 2026):

Single Register with Four Divisions:

• Clinical Psychology Division
• Counselling Psychology Division
• Educational Psychology Division
• General Psychologists Division (all other specialisms)

• Clinical, Counselling, and Educational Psychology divisions
• Protection of "psychologist" title
• Statutory registration requirements

• General Psychologists Division for other specialisms
• Core competencies across all psychology fields

• Approved Qualifications: Degrees from CORU-approved programs
• Standards of Proficiency: Specific knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours
• Practical Training: Supervised clinical/professional experience
• Continuing Professional Development: Ongoing education requirements

• No Title Protection: Anyone can currently use "psychologist" title
• PSI Chartered Membership: Voluntary professional recognition
• Variable Standards: No unified education or training requirements

2. PSYCHIATRIST (FULLY REGULATED)

License Required: Medical registration with specialist psychiatry recognition

Education Requirements:

• Medical Degree: Primary medical qualification (MBBS or equivalent)
• Medical Registration: IMC General or Specialist Division registration
• Specialist Training: Higher Specialist Training in Psychiatry
• CSCST: Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Specialist Training

• Category A: Graduates of Irish Higher Specialist Training Programs
• Categories B, C, D: EU/EEA specialist recognition
• Category E: Non-EU specialists requiring assessment

• Medical Diagnosis: Mental health and psychiatric disorders
• Medication Prescription: Psychotropic and psychiatric medications
• Medical Treatment: Comprehensive psychiatric medical care
• Hospitalisation Authority: Medical commitment and treatment decisions
• Psychotherapy: When appropriately trained

• Annual Registration: Medical Council registration renewal
• Professional Competence: Minimum 50 hours CPD annually
• Professional Indemnity: Mandatory insurance coverage
• Fitness to Practice: Ongoing professional conduct compliance

3. COUNSELLOR (STATUTORY REGULATION PENDING)

Current Status: Self-regulated by approximately 20 professional bodies

Planned Statutory Regulation:

• Separate Register: Distinct counsellor register under CORU
• Protected Title: "Counsellor" will be legally protected
• Minimum Level 8 NFQ: National Framework of Qualifications Level 8 requirement
• Grandparenting Provisions: Recognition for existing practitioners

• Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)
• Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP)
• Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy Ireland
• Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI)

• QQI Standards (2014): Quality and Qualifications Ireland minimum standards
• Level 8 NFQ Minimum: Bachelor's degree level qualification
• Practical Training: Supervised clinical placement requirements
• Personal Therapy: Minimum hours of personal therapy

4. PSYCHOTHERAPIST (STATUTORY REGULATION PENDING)

Current Status: Self-regulated by professional bodies

Planned Statutory Regulation:

• Separate Register: Distinct psychotherapist register under CORU
• Protected Title: "Psychotherapist" will be legally protected
• Level 9 NFQ: Master's degree level requirement (supported by most bodies)
• Dual Registration: Possible registration on both counsellor and psychotherapist registers

• Irish Council for Psychotherapy (umbrella organisation)
• Psychological Therapies Forum
• Various specialist psychotherapy associations

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy
• Family and Systemic Therapy
• Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Therapy
• Constructivist Psychotherapy

5. MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN HSE

Employment: Public health sector counsellors and therapists

Requirements:

• HSE Minimum Qualifications: Set by Health Service Executive
• Public Sector Employment: Working in publicly funded health services
• Professional Standards: HSE-determined competency requirements

Verification Procedures for the Public

Verifying Psychiatrist Credentials:

• IMC Register Search: Check Irish Medical Council online register
• website: https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/public-information/check-the-register/
• Specialist Division: Confirm psychiatry specialist registration
• Current Registration: Verify active registration status
• Professional Indemnity: Confirm insurance coverage

Verifying Psychologist Credentials (Current):

• PSI Membership: Check Psychological Society of Ireland chartered membership
• website: https://www.psychologicalsociety.ie/footer/PSI-Chartered-Psychologist-Online-Directory
• Educational Background: Verify psychology qualifications
• Professional Experience: Confirm relevant training and experience
• No Statutory Protection: Currently no legal title protection

Verifying Counsellor/Psychotherapist Credentials (Current):

• Professional Body Membership: Check membership with recognised bodies
• website: https://psychotherapycouncil.ie/find-a-psychotherapist/ and https://iacp.ie/find-a-therapist
• Educational Qualifications: Verify Level 8+ NFQ qualifications
• Supervised Practice: Confirm clinical training hours
• Personal Therapy: Verify completion of required personal therapy
• Continuing Professional Development: Check ongoing education compliance

Red Flags - Warning Signs:

• No Professional Body Membership: Cannot provide membership details
• Insufficient Qualifications: Below Level 8 NFQ standards
• No Supervised Training: Cannot document clinical placement hours
• Unlicensed Medical Practice: Non-medical professionals claiming to prescribe medication
• Unverifiable Credentials: Cannot provide verifiable education or training documentation

Complaint Procedures

For Psychiatrists:

Authority: Irish Medical Council (IMC)

Process:

• Written Complaint: Submit detailed complaint to IMC
• Preliminary Assessment: Initial review of complaint
• Investigation: Formal investigation if warranted
• Fitness to Practice Inquiry: Hearing process for serious matters
• Sanctions: Possible outcomes including:
• Advice, admonishment, or censure
• Conditions on registration
• Suspension of registration
• Cancellation of registration
• Appeal Process: Right to appeal decisions

For Psychologists (Current):

• PSI Complaints: Professional association procedures (limited enforcement)
• Employer Complaints: Institutional complaint procedures
• Consumer Protection: General consumer protection authorities
• Legal Action: Civil proceedings for professional negligence

For Counsellors/Psychotherapists (Current):

• Member Organisation: Complaint to relevant professional body
• Ethical Committees: Professional body disciplinary procedures
• Limited Enforcement: No statutory powers for sanctions
• Alternative Remedies: Consumer protection or legal action

Future Statutory Complaints (CORU):

• CORU Complaints: Statutory complaint procedures
• Fitness to Practice: Formal investigation process
• Professional Conduct Committee: Disciplinary hearings
• Statutory Sanctions: Legal enforcement powers including:
• Conditions on registration
• Suspension from register
• Removal from register
• Appeals Process: Right to appeal decisions

Professional Development and Education

Psychology Education:

• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Dublin
• University College Cork
• National University of Ireland Galway
• Dublin City University
• Maynooth University

• Undergraduate: Bachelor's degrees in psychology
• Postgraduate: Master's and doctoral programs
• Professional Training: Clinical and applied psychology programs

Counselling and Psychotherapy Education:

Level 8 NFQ: Bachelor's degree level minimum

Level 9 NFQ: Master's degree level (preferred for psychotherapy)

Training Components:

• Academic Study: Theoretical knowledge and research
• Practical Training: Supervised clinical placements
• Personal Therapy: Required hours of personal therapy
• Supervision: Ongoing professional supervision

Continuing Professional Development:

• Professional Body Requirements: Ongoing education through member organisations
• Future CORU Requirements: Statutory CPD requirements planned
• International Training: Access to European and international programs

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Currently Protected Titles:

• "Medical Practitioner": Protected under Medical Practitioners Act 2007
• "Psychiatrist": Protected as medical specialist

Titles Becoming Protected (Early 2026):

• "Psychologist": Will be protected under the CORU regulation
• "Clinical Psychologist": Protected speciality title
• "Counselling Psychologist": Protected speciality title
• "Educational Psychologist": Protected speciality title

Titles Planned for Protection:

• "Counsellor": Under development for CORU protection
• "Psychotherapist": Under development for CORU protection

Legal Penalties:

• Unauthorised Title Use: Criminal offence to use protected titles without registration
• Professional Misconduct: Statutory sanctions for registered practitioners
• Consumer Protection: General legal remedies for service fraud

Current Professional Statistics

• Psychiatrists: Specialist medical practitioners (exact numbers not specified)
• Psychologists: Approximately 5,000 PSI members (includes all psychology fields)
• Counsellors/Psychotherapists: Thousands of practitioners across 20+ professional bodies
• HSE Mental Health Staff: Public sector counsellors and therapists

• Urban Concentration: Most services in Dublin and major cities
• Rural Services: Limited mental health services in rural areas
• HSE Services: Public mental health services nationwide

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

• Check Professional Membership: Verify membership with recognised professional bodies
• Verify Qualifications: Ensure practitioner has appropriate education (Level 8+ NFQ)
• Confirm Training: Ask about supervised clinical training and personal therapy
• For Medical Issues: Consult IMC-registered psychiatrists for medication needs
• Wait for Regulation: Consider waiting for CORU registration for additional protection

For Serious Mental Health Issues:

• Medical Assessment: Consult registered psychiatrists for medical evaluation
• HSE Services: Access public mental health services
• Emergency Care: Use emergency services for psychiatric crises

Sources and Verification

Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP)

Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 HSE - Your Mental Health

Irish Medical Council

Psychological Society of Ireland