28th April 2026
Séamus Sheedy Honoured with the IACP Carl Berkeley Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Counselling and Psychotherapy Profession
The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has honoured Tullamore’s Séamus Sheedy, with the 2026 Carl Berkeley Memorial Award in recognition of his lifelong and transformative contributions to the organisation and the wider field of therapy in Ireland.
The national prestigious Carl Berkeley Memorial Award recognises an accredited member of the IACP who has made exceptional contributions to the development of the counselling and psychotherapy profession by creating or influencing projects or development work at the local and/or national level.
Speaking today, IACP Chief Executive Officer Lisa Molloy stated:
“It has been a great privilege to work alongside Séamus for many years during his service as Cathaoirleach and on the Board of Directors. His positivity and generous spirit of volunteerism has left an impressive and impactful imprint across our organisation. has been a highly active IACP member during his 26 years of membership.. All who meet Séamus are struck by his personable nature and warmth.”
A highly respected and influential ambassador for the IACP at regional, national, and international levels, Séamus Sheedy chaired the IACP Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024 and he also served as Cathaoirleach from 2012 to 2014. Séamus served as President of the European Association of Counselling. He was an Associate Lecturer in Addiction studies and Counselling at Athlone Institute of Technology for 5 years.
Lisa Molloy added: “Séamus has collaborated with many other professional bodies and agencies to further the standards of the profession and was part of establishing a Research Committee in IACP during 2012. As a member of the Board of Directors of IACP in 2009 Mr. Sheedy was involved in their first Strategic Plan. He has forged strong links internationally having represented IACP at every level in his role as Chairperson”.
A highly respected and influential ambassador for the IACP at regional, national, and international levels, Séamus Sheedy chaired the IACP Board of Directors from 2022 to 2024 and he also served as Cathaoirleach from 2012 to 2014. Séamus served as President of the European Association of Counselling. He is currently an Associate Lecturer in Addiction studies and Counselling at Athlone Institute of Technology.
Commenting following receiving the award, Mr Sheedy said:
“I am truly honoured and humbled to accept this award on behalf of all IACP members who have generously given their time over the years, and with whom I have had the privilege of working in many different roles. I sincerely thank the Midlands Regional Committee for nominating me. The first word that comes to mind is ‘unbelievable’ - that I would receive the Carl Berkeley Memorial Award, having been involved in organising it on more than ten occasions. I feel elated, ecstatic, overjoyed, thrilled, and truly honoured.”
Reflecting on the spirit of the award, he quoted from The Door by Miroslav Holub:
“Go and open the door.”
He spoke about the courage to step into the unknown, to broaden perspectives, and to look beyond familiar boundaries. Séamus credited many extraordinary individuals throughout his journey who encouraged him to “open the door,” including Carl Berkeley, his lecturer at Trinity College in 1999, who inspired him by saying, “You can make it happen” when Séamus questioned the lack of training opportunities outside Dublin. Another of Séamus’s most meaningful contributions has been his involvement in establishing Accessible Counselling Tullamore, a community-based counselling centre dedicated to providing affordable and accessible mental health services. This initiative was the vision of the late James O’Connor and Lisa, who also spearheaded the “Tullamore Goes Green” campaign each May to reduce stigma around mental health and encourage open conversation.
The annual awards ceremony was held at the IACP’s 11th Annual Conference on the 18th April at the Johnstown Estate, Co Meath.
IACP Award Recipients:
Carl Berkeley Memorial Award: Séamus Sheedy
Public Inspiration Award: Paula Doyle
Martin Ryan Postgraduate Bursary Award: Fiona Martin-Peelo
Research Excellence Award: David Kelly
Research Bursary Award: Evelyn Waters
Undergraduate Research Excellence Award: Barbara Fiori
Regional Award Recipients:
Dublin Regional Award: Fr Donal Toal
Midlands Regional Award: Maura Carey
North East Regional Award: Tom Tate
Northern Ireland Regional Award: Sr Briege Reynolds [posthumous]
Southeast Regional Award: Catherine Twomey
Southern Regional Award: Debbie Hegarty
Western Regional Award: Margaret Tierney
West/North West Regional Award: David Madden [posthumous]
ENDS.
Notes to the Editor:
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact the IACP Communications Department at communications@iacp.ie
Nicole Mac Dermott, Communications Supervisor - 087 720 6033 Wayne Tobin, Communications Officer - 089 214 2276
About IACP:
The IACP was established in 1981 to identify, develop and maintain professional standards of excellence in counselling and psychotherapy. Our work promotes best practice and the development of the profession. The IACP represents 7,000 members based in communities all over the country and is the largest counselling and psychotherapy association in Ireland. The IACP is dedicated to promoting the value of professional therapy and enhancing mental health throughout Ireland. For more information please visit www.iacp.ie.
Pictured below IACP CEO Lisa Molloy, Award Recipient Séamus Sheedy and IACP Cathaoirleach Jade Lawless
