Carl Berkeley Memorial Award 2023 [26/10/23]

26th October 2023

Press Release

IACP Honours Christine May with the Carl Berkeley Memorial Award
For Lifetime Achievement in the Counselling and Psychotherapy Field

The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy honoured Christine May of Harold’s Cross, Dublin with the prestigious Carl Berkeley Memorial Award for her outstanding 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/psychotherapy field by creating or influencing projects or development work at the local and national level.

Speaking today praising Ms May’s amazing legacy as a therapist, IACP Cathaoirleach of the Board of Directors Séamus Sheedy stated:
“Christine May has made a meaningful positive impact on the field of counselling/psychotherapy and the IACP during her distinguished career. Her dedication and commitment is commendable, especially her contribution to the practice area of relationship counselling. Christine has generously given countless hours of her time volunteering on IACP committees helping to develop and monitor ethical training courses and ensuring a safe and fair complaints process.”

Ms May, an IACP accredited member since 1999, has been dedicated to the advancement of the counselling and psychotherapy field during her time as a therapist and supervisor in the Marriage and Relationship Counselling Service, helping with several innovative programmes including the development of pioneering, and proactive marriage preparation courses for couples to facilitate reflection and preparation for a healthy, long term committed relationship.  

Another important mark on the profession was Ms May’s role in the Teen Between counselling service, a unique intervention for young people coming to terms with separating parents. At the time this programme provided support to many young people and their parents assisting them to navigate a healthy, co-parenting environment. The proactive nature of both the marriage preparation course and the Teen Between supports had meaningful results, focusing on helping families to reflect on healthy choices and developing long term positive impacts.” 

Commenting following the awards, IACP member Christine May said:
“Many thanks to those who nominated me, to the selection panel for their work, and to the Board for ratifying my nomination. I don’t see this very special award as just mine; it belongs in large part to those with whom I’ve shared the years of my career. For all of us in this profession there are many people who influence us - our trainers, our very important supervisors, our colleagues. They are all central to the work we do with our clients.”

Ms May’s contributions to the IACP's Complaints Committee have been many and will have a lasting positive impact on the organisation, serving on the committee from 2017 to 2023, only recently retiring from her role as Chair. Overseeing the delicate balance of a complaints policy for a counselling organization is a difficult task. Holding the balance of the rights of clients to make a complaint and the rights of professionals is the corner stone to any professional body. The ability to navigate these positions takes a grounded individual with the ability to hold the respect and dignity of all parties in mind.

Ms May also served for many years on the Supervision Committee, sharing her very strong sense of best practice and professional boundaries, both as a therapist and in representing the IACP.  

Ms May commented on the importance of her volunteer experience at the IACP:
“As an IACP member, an important part of my work has been volunteering on committees.
The voluntary committee structure of IACP promotes member involvement, professional standards and professional development. On these committees I have learnt so much, I’ve been challenged –and most importantly I’ve worked with exceptional fellow members. So, my thanks go to all who have been committee members with me.”

The Carl Berkeley Memorial Award was presented at the IACP’s 8th Annual Conference on the 21st October 2023 in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire.

IACP 2023 Award Recipients:
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 Earley Moran
Northern Ireland Regional Award: Dr Breda Friel
Southeast Regional Award: Pauline Macey
Southern Regional Award: Marie O’Hahony
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 or phone Nicole Mac Dermott - 087 720 6033 or Wayne Tobin - 089 214 2276.

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

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