Pre-Accredited Membership

As a Pre-Accredited Member of the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) you are working towards meeting the required criteria for full accreditation. It serves as a transitional phase, acknowledging your commitment within the field of addiction as you progress towards Accredited Membership.

Pre-Accredited Members have access to certain benefits, resources, CPD and networking opportunities provided by ACI. Please note, before applying for full Accreditation Membership, members must be Pre-Accredited for twelve months.

This category is best suited to individuals who have completed a QQI Level 8 qualification. For example, those who are newly qualified and starting their careers within the field of addiction.

Required Criteria

When applying for Pre-Accredited Membership, applicants must:

Have completed a core training course in Addiction Counselling at QQI Level 8, approved by or accepted by ACI

- The training course must be a minimum of 500 course hrs of staff-student contact including theory, skills training and self-development modules. The 500 hrs shall include 100 hrs of addiction counselling practice which 100 hrs shall be supervised
- Clinical Supervisors must be accredited by ACI. Clinical supervision shall be based on a minimum client ratio of 1 hr clinical supervision for every 4 hrs clinical work (25 hours)
- The course shall include a detailed study of at least one model of chemical and process dependency/addiction, combined with a core model of counselling and an introduction to other schools/models of addiction and counselling for comparison purposes
- Theoretical study of process/behavioural addictions i.e. sex, pornography, gambling, etc
- Theoretical study of harm reduction
- Theoretical study of relapse prevention
- A minimum of 50 hrs of personal therapy is required during the educational component of the Addiction Counselling course. These hours may include certified participation in a personal therapeutic group process to a maximum of 50% of the total requirement, i.e. 25 hrs of personal therapeutic group process may be combined with 25 hrs of 1:1 personal therapy
- Personal therapeutic engagements may occur in person or online. Trainee counsellors may be given credit for personal therapy undertaken within the previous 5 years (subject to approval by the ACI Accreditation Committee)

If in private practive submit evidence of Professional Personal Indemnity Insurance
Accept and work within ACI's Code of Ethics and Practice
Adhere to the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland Constitution

Benefits

Pre-Accredited Membership offers a number of benefits, including:

Certificate for public display
Membership ID Card
Access to CPD courses and networking events
Quarterly ACI Member eNewsletter
Regular updates and information relevant within the field of addiction
Support from an accrediting body representing your interests
Permission to promote membership on stationary and other communications, including digital i.e. websites, social media
Permission to promote membership in any publicity or advertisment

Cost

Membership runs annually from August to July:

Pre-Accredited Membership
€150
per year

Easy Payment Option

We can facilitate an instalment plan to help make payment more manageable. If you would like to explore this option, please contact our office to speak with a member of the team.

Membership Renewal

Members must renew their membership annually by July 31st, with payment of a non-refundable fee:

Pre-Accredited Renewal
€150
per year

When renewing, you must have completed a min of 30 CPD credits annually, as stated in the CPD Framework
Excluding exceptional circumstances, a member who fails to renew within six months of July 31st will lose their membership
Renewal applications must include a letter from your Clinical Supervisor verifying previous 12 month supervision

DOWNLOAD RENEWAL FORM

Easy Payment Option

We can facilitate an instalment plan to help make payment more manageable. If you would like to explore this option, please contact our office to speak with a member of the team.

How to Apply

Apply online, or download the application form and return to the Addiction Counsellors of Ireland's office via email or post.

Please refer to the the Membership Criteria to assist when applying. As part of your Pre-Accreditation application you must download the Supervisor Report, see below also, and forward to your Clinical Supervisor for completion.