Trinity Student Counselling receives prestigious accreditation

Posted on: 27 June 2024

Trinity Student Counselling Services (SCS) has become the first European university service of its kind to be accredited by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS), which sets benchmarks for professional counselling on college and university campuses worldwide.

A rigorous accreditation process involved producing detailed documentation and a comprehensive site visit evaluation. There were also multiple peer reviews in five areas: relationships within the college/university community, counselling and clinical services, ethical standards, personnel, and resources/infrastructure.

Lynnea Connolly, Strategic Development Manager, Student Counselling Services, Alison Zobenko, one of the S2S Head Mentors and Trish Murphy, Director of Student Counselling Services

Trish Murphy, Director of Student Counselling Services at Trinity, said: “Student mental health has never been more important to defend, and counselling has never been in such demand, at a tumultuous time when so many stresses and pressures are affecting younger people. We are thrilled to have been able to secure this valuable accreditation. It confirms that we are doing the best job we can for those who need our services. We are committed to maintaining our high standards and to improving them in the years to come."

Provost Dr Linda Doyle said: “I want to warmly congratulate the whole team at Student Counselling Services for this incredible recognition. It is so important to support student mental health and we really want to offer the very best service we can. It’s brilliant to know that this service is exceeding the highest standards. Supporting mental health will remain a firm priority for us in the years ahead. Credit is also due to the wider network of student support services, including Tutors, the College Health Service, the disAbility Service and Trinity Sport, all of whom also contribute so much to student wellbeing and mental health.”

IACS found that Trinity SCS offers competent and reliable professional services to its clientele. Approval by IACS also depends on evidence of continuing professional development and demonstration of excellence of counselling performance.

Ann Patterson, Executive Director, International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS) said: “Trinity College Dublin should be commended for achieving IACS accreditation. They met over 100 industry standards specific to mental health counselling in higher education, and in many cases, not just meeting these high standards, but exceeding them. Their dedication to student mental health was evident throughout the stringent peer review process to accomplish this. We are immensely proud to add them to the roster of accredited colleges and universities.”

Students who have used Trinity’s counselling services have attested to their value in their lives. One student (these testimonies are anonymised) said: "My initial appointment was a key factor in keeping me in college and helping me to deal with my situation and preventing other self-destructive behaviour."

Another student reflected: "Going to counselling allowed me to see the light at the end of the tunnel during a very dark time in my life when there was a lot going on."

And a third reflected: “Student counselling has been a key part of my college experience, and its constant support has helped me to succeed and heal key parts of myself that are beyond my academic career. … I am eternally grateful for student counselling and the therapists I have worked with who are under-recognised heroes. They really do save students’ lives.”

In the academic year 2022/23, Trinity’s Counselling Services provided over 14,000 clinical sessions to 12.5% of the student body; 3,950 first years received Student 2 Student mentoring; and 5,393 attendances were recorded in Student Learning Development services.

For further information please see the latest annual report.

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