Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
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Press Release [23/10/23]

New Guidelines for Counsellors & Psychotherapists Working with Adult Autistic Clients Launched 

Vital Resource Developed Collaboratively by the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, AsIAm, and Thriving Autistic

The Guidelines for Counsellors & Psychotherapists Working with Adult Autistic Clients was formally launched today and are now available here and at iacp.ie and asiam.ie.

The document is an important resource for counsellors and psychotherapists and other mental health professionals, providing the most up-to-date information around best practice when working therapeutically with Autistic clients. It is a useful tool for any therapist who strives to operate their practice in a Neuroaffirmative manner.

The training resources were developed in partnership with the IACP and AsIAm, Ireland’s national autism charity, and supported by Thriving Autistic. The working group included autism specialists, therapists, and researchers who have a tremendous amount of experience and expertise in working with Neurodivergent clients.

Lisa Molloy, Chief Executive Officer of the IACP said at the launch event, “The IACP is proud to collaborate with AsIAm and the talented working group to develop this important training programme. The publication of this resource is an important step in supporting Neurodivergent clients to have the best possible outcome from their therapeutic experience. The guidelines are designed to help therapists better understand Autistic people and provide guidance around best practice when working therapeutically with Autistic clients.”

Autistic people often face barriers that others do not see and are frequently unable to access the right support at the right time. In response to this unmet need, the Guidelines were developed to provide training and best practices so therapists may expand their knowledge around Autistic neurology and practice in a more Neuroaffirmative manner with the aim of providing the most appropriate support when working therapeutically with an Autistic client.

Our research found that Autistic people often felt that therapists, albeit willing and well-intended, are not sufficiently informed around the fundamentals of Neuroaffirmative practices in therapy, and because of that the process regularly fails to meet the needs of Autistic clients, who frequently end up receiving inappropriate support for their mental health needs.

Adam Harris, CEO and Founder of AsIAm, commented at the launch, "We warmly welcome the publication of these important guidelines. Autistic people face significant barriers in accessing appropriate and timely mental health care, on par with non-autistic children and adults. Autistic people are more likely to require mental health supports across the life cycle and yet frequently experience soft and hard barriers to accessing therapeutic support, a lack of appropriately trained practitioners and inappropriate or inaccessible therapeutic approaches. Our recent Same Chance Report 2024 found that 48% of the community members represented in the report had encountered challenges in accessing relevant mental health services, whilst in excess of 1,000 community members have contacted our Autism Information Line in relation to accessing mental health supports. We recognise the excellent work of many practitioners across the country and there is an urgent need to ensure examples of best practise become a universal reality on the ground

The guidelines will support psychotherapists and counsellors to confidently and effectively support Autistic people - leading to improved access and better outcomes for Autistic clients. The guidelines, which will be accompanied by appropriate training opportunities through the IACP, will play an important role in raising standards in mental health services more generally and in reducing the stigma Autistic people frequently face when interacting with public and private mental health services.

We were delighted to be able to co-fund this work with our colleagues in the IACP, demonstrating the benefits of partnership and co-production. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the expertise and ethos of the working group who have contributed extensive time and insight to the production of this new resource.”

The working group dedicated two and half years to research and devise the resource and every effort has been taken to ensure that it is an accessible document that provides the most up-to-date information and best practice when working therapeutically with Autistic clients.

The training resource is divided into four modules:

  1. An introduction to neurodiversity and the Autistic community
  2. Common characteristics and common strengths and challenges for Autistic clients
  3. Understanding your Autistic client and the lived experience of Autistic people
  4. The therapeutic process with an Autistic client

Adaptations may need to be made at every point of an Autistic person’s journey through mental health services, and this resource outlines the models of best person-centred practice that will offer Autistic clients the greatest hope for a positive outcome from their therapy experience.

The Guidelines are accompanied by a free online video training programme (6 CPD) available for IACP members that can be accessed via the member online training portal at iacp.ie.

The IACP and AsIAm would like to wholeheartedly thank the following working group members for their outstanding contributions, expertise, and dedication to this important project:

Chairperson: Michael Ryan, MIACP – Neurodivergent: Neuroaffirmative Counsellor/Psychotherapist, Author, Lecturer 
Jessica Doyle, M.Ps.S.I - Autistic & Adhd: Autistic Perception, Sensory Analysis & Neuroaffirmative Consultant. Director at Thriving Autistic; Adventurer, Speaker, Filmmaker & Author 
Bethan Davies, Patient Involvement and EDI specialist, Samaritans volunteer and Trustee for Central London Samaritans 
Gillian Fagan, MIACP – Neurodivergent/Autistic: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Psychotherapist 
Lorraine Mooney, MIACP – Neurodivergent: Neuroaffirmative and Trauma Informed Counsellor/ Psychotherapist 
Tara O’Donnell-Killen (she/her) MBPsS & MPsSI Neuroaffirmative Autistic Psychologist Therapist & Author. Founder & CEO of Thriving Autistic 
Kevin Flynn, Neurotypical: MSc Psychology (TCD), MSc Systemic Psychotherapy (UCD). Systemic Psychotherapist (FTAI)

About the IACP:

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the largest association for counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland representing more than 6,000 members based in communities all over the country. 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 is dedicated to promoting the value of professional therapy and enhancing mental health throughout Ireland.

To locate an accredited Neuroaffirmative professional use the IACP Find a Therapist Tool at iacp.ie

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact: Nicole Mac Dermott, MPII -  Communications Supervisor: 087 720 6033 or Wayne Tobin, Communications Officer -communications@iacp.ie

About AsIAm:

Since 2014, AsIAm has been a powerful movement for change for the Autism community in Ireland. What started as an online platform designed to share information and experiences, has evolved into Ireland’s Autism Charity.

AsIAm is Autistic-led and we are dedicated to transforming society, working for Autistic people and families. Our work focuses on representing, connecting, coordinating and unifying the Autism community in Ireland. We empower and support Autistic people to reach their full potential, while simultaneously challenging society to be fully accepting and accessible to every Autistic person.

 We advocate for our community by raising awareness of Autism and providing training and accreditation to schools, HEIs, employers and organisations on how to become more Autism-friendly. Through our policy work we regularly engage directly with the Autistic community and produce reports and policy submissions to government. We run Child and Family support programmes as well as Adult Support and Wellbeing programmes which provide safe and relaxed support spaces for Autistic children and adults. We issue Autism ID Cards which act as a powerful tool for people of all ages to navigate their daily routines. Our dedicated Autism Information Line is available Monday-Thursday from 10am-3pm for Autism specific information and signposting.

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact: Rosemary Haughey, Brand, Marketing & Communications Manager: 086 192 0951 and rosemary@asiam.ie

Ends.

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