The Northern Ireland Counselling Forum would like to invite you to join and register as a member.  It was formed to promote quality standards within the Counselling and Therapeutic Communities.  The purpose of the Forum is to effectively represent the practical needs of the Northern Ireland Counselling Profession; including lobbying; networking and representation to statutory bodies.

Background Information

The forum came into existance through the need for a representative body of Counsellors and Trainers in Northern Ireland.  This need developed from the DHSSPS Counselling Review and the forthcoming registration and regulation for the Counselling Profession.  The first meeting took place in February 2003.

The AIMS of the Northern Ireland Counselling Forum are:

• To be a common voice for the Counselling communities in N. Ireland
• To raise public awareness of counselling in N. Ireland and Europe.
• To promote and develop professional standards and research relating to counselling.
• To raise awareness of accreditation in N. Ireland
• To be an influence in policy making at all levels concerning counselling.

Objectives:

• To be a forum of support for individual counsellors in different disciplines.
• To liaise with appropriate academic and professional bodies and individuals to ensure good standards in training, development and supervision.
• To disseminate literature and to inform the N. Ireland community on counselling matters.
• To liaise with the Government and other public sector bodies to develop a policy document regarding counselling.

For more information about the Northern Ireland Counselling Forum, please send an email to: nicounsellingforum@hotmail.com.