The Association of Child Art Psychotherapists (ACAP) is the professional organisation and accrediting body for Child Art Psychotherapists. We set and maintain the standards of training and practice for Child Art Psychotherapy in Ireland.
ACAP is a Member Organisation of the Psychoanalytic Section of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP.) The ICP is the National Awarding Organisation (NAO) for the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP). Accreditation standards set by ACAP are aligned with those of both the ICP and EAP. Accredited ACAP Members are also members of the ICP, Irish Council for Psychotherapy https://psychotherapycouncil.ie/. Upon successful accreditation with ACAP, accredited members are eligible to apply for the European Certificate of Psychotherapy via the EAP/ICP, though this process is independent of ACAP and done on an individual basis.
ACAP are also an Organisational Member of the European Federation of Art Therapy, https://www.arttherapyfederation.eu/ and are registered as a National Association in Ireland. ACAP maintains a directory of qualified Child Art Psychotherapists on our ‘Find a Therapist Page’, who have completed comprehensive training and supervision in Child Art Psychotherapy with the School of Medicine, University College Dublin. Many of our practitioners work within Child Welfare, Educational, Family Resource and Mental Health settings. Both our Accredited and Pre-Accredited Members are bound by ACAP’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practice and are subject to the ACAP complaints procedure.
History of the Association
The Irish Association of Visual and Child Art Psychotherapists (IAVCAP) was formed in April 2007 by graduates of the Higher Diploma in Child Art Psychotherapy (formerly Visual Psychotherapy) and the first AGM took place in 2009. In 2012, a group of graduates took over the organisation of the Association and a new name was chosen – ‘Association of Child Art Psychotherapists’ (ACAP). A re-launch of the Association was held in November 2012.
Role of ACAP
- To set and maintain the standards of training, accreditation and practice for Child Art Psychotherapy in Ireland.
- To keep an online register of practitioners and supervisors for public information.
- To support members and promote best practice through provision and dissemination of continuing professional development opportunities.
- To promote Child Art Psychotherapy and support its ongoing development through engagement with the general public, official bodies and the press.
ACAP Governance
ACAP is a non profit making organisation and a company limited by guarantee without a share capital. It is governed by an Executive Committee, which is made up of; two Company Directors, a Company Secretary, Administrator, Membership Officer, Accreditation Officers and a Treasurer. These core roles are up for reelection by the members on a biannual basis at the ACAP AGM.
Executive Committee
Director: Rebekah Carroll
Director: Emma Nolan
Secretary: Rachel Veerman
Administrator: Jayne Walsh
Treasurer: Simone Westerkamp
Membership Officer: Jayne Breslin
Accreditation Committee: Natascha Fischell & Maria Joyce
All Committee Members serve on an entirely voluntary basis.
For further information on procedures relating to General and Extraordinary Meetings, voting and company business, please see the ACAP Constitution and Memorandum of Articles.
Association of Child Art Psychotherapy
Association of Child Art Psychotherapy