15th November 2023
Press Release
Dr Breda Friel Awarded Prestigious Northern Ireland Regional Award
Honours Commitment to the Counselling and Psychotherapy Profession
Dr Breda Friel of Buncrana, County Donegal was honoured with the Northern Ireland Regional Award by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
The IACP Regional Awards recognise an IACP accredited member who makes a notable contribution to the profession of counselling and psychotherapy in their local community and region.
Speaking today regarding this year’s awards IACP Chief Executive Officer Lisa Molloy stated:
“I would like congratulate Dr Breda Friel our Northern Ireland Regional Award honouree for her contribution to the Northen Ireland region and beyond. Breda has also served as a valued committee member of the Northern Ireland Regional Committee and has hosted workshops for IACP members online. Breda is an inspiration in how she identifies and responds to the emerging needs in the community and within the field of counselling and psychotherapy”.
Dr Breda Friel is a senior lecturer and course director at Ulster University Magee and is the director of The Centre for Youth Research and Dialogue. Dr Friel’s research is focused on suicide prevention, autism, and the importance of relationships in practice. Breda is a founding member of several mental health initiatives, including Insight Inishowen, Jigsaw Donegal, the Social Prescribing Programme, and the award-winning Feel-Good Fortnight in Inishowen.
Commenting following the award IACP member Dr Friel pointed out:
“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award and want to thank the Northern Ireland Regional Committee for the nomination and the IACP and my colleagues for the recognition”.
The annual awards ceremony was held at the IACP’s 8th Annual Conference on the 21st October 2023 at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.
Carl Berkeley Memorial Award: Christine May
Public Inspiration Award: Dr Tony Bates
IACP Research Excellence Award: Ashley Morgan
Research Bursary Award: Karen Doyle
Regional Award Recipients:
Dublin Regional Award: Aoife Smith
Midlands Regional Award: Christine Early Moran
Northern Ireland Regional Award: Dr Breda Friel
Southeast Regional Award: Pauline Macey
Southern Regional Award: Marie O’Mahony
West North West Regional Award: Brian Conlon
Western Regional Award: Riona Browne
Ends.
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact the IACP Communications Department at communications@iacp.ie Nicole Mac Dermott - 087 720 6033 or Wayne Tobin.
Pictured: Dr Breda Friel receives the Northern Ireland Award from Imelda O'Donnell
Notes to the Editor:
About the 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 more than 5,600 members based in communities all over the country and is the largest counselling and psychotherapy association in Ireland. For more information, please visit www.iacp.ie
IACP Regional Award Policy https://www.iacp.ie/regional-awards
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