For Immediate Release:
24th April 2024
IACP Honours Audrey Flanagan with the Carl Berkeley Memorial Award
For Outstanding Achievement in the Counselling and Psychotherapy Field
The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy honoured Audrey Flanagan of Tyrrellstown, Fingal, Dublin with the prestigious Carl Berkeley Memorial Award for her positive contributions to the counselling and psychotherapy profession.
The national Carl Berkeley Memorial Award recognises a member of the IACP who has made exceptional contributions to the development of the counselling and psychotherapy field by creating or influencing projects or development work at the local and/or national level.
Speaking today and praising Ms Flanagan’s commitment to providing access to mental health services in the community, IACP Cathaoirleach of the Board of Directors Séamus Sheedy said:
“Audrey Flannagan is a fantastic practitioner and her work expanding the client base and scope of services available at The Finglas Counselling Service in such a short time is remarkable. I congratulate Audrey on her remarkable achievements and impactful contributions to the counselling and psychotherapy profession especially her commitment to nurturing and guiding the next generation of therapists.”
In 2018 Audrey began her student hours at The Finglas Counselling Service, at the time the organisation was offering therapy from one room in a family resource centre. From the start, she had an affinity with the service as she was from the local area and had seen the challenges facing the population and the positive impact of community-based therapy.
Since assuming the director’s role Audrey has expanded the service and last year they moved into a welcoming, modern building providing three additional counselling rooms. The Finglas Counselling service has been a vital mental health resource for many years and has allowed people to access support who would not have had the financial resources to do so otherwise. Through Audrey’s dedication and leadership many student counsellors have had the opportunity to learn and grow under her guidance.
Commenting following the accepting the award, IACP member Audrey Flanagan said:
“Thank you to the IACP especially the Carl Berkeley Memorial Award committee for choosing me for this prestigious award. I am extremely grateful, honoured, and humbled. To see my name listed among the great names of past recipients is indeed overwhelming. I can only receive this award with one hand, it also belongs to the founding members and the many trainee therapists and volunteers without whom the service could not have lasted over 30 years. I stand firmly on the shoulders of giants.”
Ms Flanagan, an IACP member since 2017 received her BA (Hons) Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy from IICP College.
The Carl Berkeley Memorial Award was presented at the IACP’s 9th Annual Conference on Saturday 20th April 2024 in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Sligo.
IACP 2024 Award Recipients:
Carl Berkeley Memorial Award: Audrey Flanagan
Public Inspiration Award: Blezzing Dada
Research Excellence Award: Jayne Leonard
Research Bursary Award: Gerard Meehan
Regional Award Recipients:
Dublin Regional Award: Breda Farrell
Midlands Regional Award: Anita Lynch
Northeast Regional Award: Kathleen Byrne
Southeast Regional Award: Patricia Wilson
Southern Regional Award: Celine O'Callaghan
West North West Regional Award: Liam Neville
Western Regional Award: Michelle Caulfield
Ends.
For further information or to arrange an interview please contact: Nicole Mac Dermott, MPII - Communications Supervisor: 087 720 6033
Wayne Tobin, Communications Officer communications@iacp.ie
About:
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 6,000 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
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