As per our Code-of-Professional-Conduct-and-Ethics we have a duty of care both for our clients wellbeing and our own in terms of the administering of therapy when we are fit and well to do so (1.1.15).
To Note: Hand Hygiene, 2 mtr distance, cleaning of surfaces and materials used to remain in place. Ventilate/open windows
Government Guidelines on COVID does not remove personal choice. If you as a practitioner wish to wear a mask when vaccinated please do so.
Useful Links For Further Information
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/covid19/public_health_measures_for_covid19.html#l19f6b
Below Information taken from https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/
Therapy services provided by a member of a designated profession within the meaning of section 3 of the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27 of 2005)
Important Documentation to remember as a CAT
Keep Contact Tracing documentation, name, phone number and duration of time spent together.
Fill out covid questionnaire before each session and keep on file.
Individual Sessions can continue take place face to face - CAT's
Social distance guidelines must be adhered to - 2mtrs Distance/Wash hands/Wear a Mask
If Therapist and Client are both vaccinated masks are not required to be worn. Two mtrs to be adhered to.
Currently pracitioners are required to wear a face mask if they are not vaccinated.
Children under 13 are not required to wear face masks. Pracitioners must wear a face mask if they are not vaccinated.
Children over 13 must wear a mask unless vaccinated and social distancing cannot be maintained.
Group Sessions - CATS
Group Sessions can take place face to face within the following guidelines
Groups No Larger than 12 people can take place face to face indoor and outdoor. Plus 2/3 Practitioners
If social distancing cannot be adhered to masks to be worn by practitioners and clients.
Clients 13 years and over must wear masks if social distancing cannot be adhered to.
Children under 13 are not required to wear face masks. Practitioner must wear a face mask if they are not vaccinated.
No crossover of groups permitted when there is more than 1 group.
From 6th September 2021
Organised events can take place for people at 60% capacity indoors and Accompanied children under 18 do not need proof of vaccination or recovery.
75% capacity outdoors, where people are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.
If not all attendees are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months.
There will be no change to current capacity limits for indoor events and capacity for outdoor events will be 50%
From 20th September 2021
Up to 100 people can attend indoor group activities (dance and sports classes for e.g.) when all are vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 in the past 6 months.
Otherwise, pods of up to 6 people are allowed. Accompanied children under 18 do not need proof of immunity.
Restrictions on outdoor groups are removed.
Further Easing fom October 22nd 2021
From 22 October, subject to public health advice the remaining restrictions will be lifted. Final restrictions to be lifted include:
Social distancing
Limits on numbers attending events, and gatherings in private homes
Restrictions on religious or civil ceremonies
Requirement of proof of immunity to access events and activities (not including international travel)
Restrictions on high-risk activities (for example, nightclubs)
You will not have to wear a face covering, except on public transport, in shops and in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
You should continue to self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19
We are aware that many members are unable to continue to practice and we would like to empathise with them as an abrupt ending with clients is a distressing event both for therapist and client. If you require any advice or support please contact Rosemary at admin@iacat.ie and stay in touch. Please also refer to our two documents : our latest IACAT COVID-19 Back to Work Document_1 and our previous Workplace Guidelines during COVID . Both documents have been distributed to members.
We are also aware that some members are considering moving their practice online. For members who may wish to consider seeing clients via telephone or online, we ask that you follow our code of ethics and read our NEW policy document on guidance and criteria for online creative arts therapy/Supervision. This document can be accessed here Online Therapy Policy IACAT ( This document may be updated as crisis continues). Please also see the dropdown section : Quick guide to going online. We would like to thank Roweena Keaveny for making a short information video for this section which can be viewed here - Offline To Online .
IACAT Members who choose to work remotely must be trained. Please see the training section below for suggested courses. These courses offer temporary measures for CAT's to continue to work with clients online. It is recommeded that if members wish to continue to offer online therapy after the crisis has passed 80 hours is the miniuim standard of training required.
Please note that you should look for a portal/platform that is GDPR compliant and HIPAA compliant. The pros and cons of some platforms are outlined in our new Online Policy. IACAT does not endorse any specific providers of these online platforms.
A secure online payment system such as bank transfer, Stripe, Paypal or Revolut should be used to take online payments from clients. Stripe and Paypal are online payment sytems and are PCI compliant for the processing, transmission, or storage of card data. Both take a fee for each transaction. Stripe deposits the payment into your chosen bank account directly and Paypal holds payment in your Paypal account. Revolut is free online banking where you can make instant payments once both users have a Revolut card. Many Irish banks have means and methods to provide safe payment online, please check with your bank to see how they can help you accept payment online. IACAT does not endorse any specific providers of these online payment gateways.
IACAT Members who choose to work remotely must be trained. These courses offer temporary measures for CAT's to continue to work with clients online. It is recommeded that if members wish to continue to offer online therapy after the crisis 80 hours is the miniuim standard of training required. (The certifying body for Online therapy in UK acto-org.uk)
IACAT does not endorse any specific providers of these online courses.
These are NOT IACAT courses and we can not provide CPD certs, however please check with the providers that CPD points if offered will be given to iacat members.
We would hope this information will assist anyone who needs training in online therapy to offer it to their clients in these difficult times and for future consideration.
Michael O'Carroll Therapy Academy Ireland : Introduction to working as a therapist on online click here
Kate Anthony/Online Therapy Institute UK : Moving Your Practice Online. To find out more and book please (Donation) click here.
DeeAnna/Online Therapy Institute USA : Introduction to Online Therapy and Supervision. To find out more and book please click here.
OCST UK : Online therapy training . To find out more and book please click here
The certifying body for Online therapy in UK acto-org.uk
The IACAT Journal Co-Editors have created the following article as a first response to the COVID 19 call for submissions. This response will be helpful to many people and a useful resource to members.
