Irish Enterprise Awards 2026 Best Counselling & Psychotherapy Training Provider 2026 Few careers are quite as rewarding as one in counselling and psychotherapy, and this ethos forms the basis behind the many life-changing courses available from PCI College in Dublin. A leading provider in both education and professional training across these fields in both Ireland and the UK, PCI College works with everyone from prospective students looking to enter the mental health profession to existing counsellors seeking additional qualifications. For more on this award-winning location, we chatted with its own David O’Mara. It was nearly 35 years ago now that the pioneering co-founders of PCI College, Josephine Murphy and the late Liam McCarthy, identified the need for supportive and inclusive training in the world of counselling and psychotherapy. Their answer was the Personal Counselling Institute (today known as PCI College), which was opened at a time when mental health was simply not on the radar in Ireland, or most other countries, for that matter. Nevertheless, the pair, who were both firm believers in personal development and high academic standards, combined these areas and began pioneering work that would ultimately lead to counselling and psychotherapy being seen as equal to other areas of health across the country. Another milestone in shifting this attitude took place in 2001, when PCI College partnered with Middlesex University to validate, quality assure, and award its BSc (Honours) Counselling & Psychotherapy course, as well as its postgraduate programmes. Today, 25 years on, all of the programmes and courses PCI College offers are defined by the integrative and person-centred approach they take to both counselling and psychotherapy training. More than its blend of extensive training with high-quality teaching, what sets this institute apart is its commitment to accessibility, leading hundreds of students from across Ireland and beyond to join PCI College’s growing family each and every year. Discussing this accessibility and what it means in more detail, David told us: “PCI College actively supports second-chance learners and those who may face financial or structural barriers to entering higher education, particularly within the mental health professions.” He continued: “Our pledge is reflected in a range of scholarship and bursary initiatives designed to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, alongside accessible learning pathways for non-traditional students and career changers.” Students are not the only ones to benefit from the community-first mindset adopted by PCI College, which also directly supports mental health services in and around Dublin through its counselling clinics, which see low-cost support provided to members of the public whilst supporting real-life, high-quality clinical training for its students. Initiatives like this capture the essence behind PCI College, which, from day one, has looked to nurture meaningful social change alongside providing a quality education for all of its students. Exploring this quality education in more detail, more than 35 courses are currently offered across eight different locations, with these ranging from undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes to accredited professional training pathways, CPD/specialist short courses, and supervised clinical placement opportunities. As for what a typical student pathway looks like, a person might begin by completing the introductory Certificate in Counselling & Psychotherapy, before moving on and completing the BSc course mentioned above, then finally pursuing a postgraduate study programme. PCI College also offers a range of personal development and continuous professional development opportunities. These include everything from emotional intelligence and improving personal relationships through to life writing, CBT, mindfulness, and much more. Again, this scope positions PCI College favourably, demonstrating an awareness of the importance of these elements in daily life, not just in a specialised education setting. Underpinning all of this is PCI College’s location in the heart of Ireland’s capital, which offers a strong educational ecosystem, a growing focus on mental health at both policy and community levels, and close connections across education providers, professional bodies, and clinical practice settings. Most of all, this location gives PCI College access to some of the best staff in the world, with the team here being united by a focus on lifelong learning, flexible delivery, and supporting students holistically. “Teaching staff are not only educators but active practitioners, which strengthens the connection between theory and practice.” With more than three decades of innovation, academic excellence, and a rigorous community focus behind it, PCI College stands a beacon of trust in the fields of counselling, psychotherapy, and mental health more broadly. It is our pleasure to celebrate its continued distinction by recognising it as the Best Counselling & Psychotherapy Training Provider 2026 in this edition of our annual Irish Enterprise Awards. Contact: David O’Mara Company: PCI College Web Address: www.pcicollege.ie AIS-Feb26039
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