The State's largest professional body of counsellors and psychotherapists has issued reassurances to the public following the controversy surrounding Roebuck Counselling Centre in Rathgar. Róisín Inglereports.
The Irish Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy is not associated with the centre but said it was concerned vulnerable people seeking counselling elsewhere may be adversely affected by the news that significant amounts of money were paid over to the centre by clients of Roebuck.
A spokesman for the association said some members had expressed concerns that a number of people being referred for counselling were reluctant to attend in the wake of the allegations concerning Roebuck.
"We are very aware when working with vulnerable people of how essential it is to provide a safe and professional service, governed by a code of ethics," the association said in a statement.
Earlier this week, John Farrelly of the National Association of Pastoral Counselling and Psychotherapy, which accredits the psychotherapy course in Roebuck, said he would not encourage anyone to attend the centre. He asked people who had negative experiences at Roebuck to write in to the National Association so a full investigation could be carried out. The National Consumer Agency has also urged those affected to get in touch.
Meanwhile, a support group for former clients of Roebuck has been established.
Sore (Survivors of Roebuck Experiences) was set up this week by Dubliner Des Martin, who paid almost €250,000 to Roebuck after a counsellor there promised his business would flourish. The money was eventually refunded.
"What this week has shown is that we need to support each other after the dreadful experiences so many of us have been through," he said.