Joe Heffernan from Mallow has been honoured with the presentation of the Southern Regional Award by the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy at its 10th Annual Conference. The IACP Regional Awards recognise an IACP accredited member who has made a significant contribution to the profession of counselling and psychotherapy in their local community and region.
Mr Heffernan is a long-standing IACP member, serving on the Southern Regional Committee and the Board of Directors. In 2018, Joe was the recipient of the prestigous Carl Berkeley Memorial Award. This national award honours a member of IACP who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of the counselling profession.  Joe is a consistent positive presence at almost every IACP event in the Southern Region.
Chief Executive Officer Lisa Molloy commented: “Joe Heffernan is a most deserving recipient of the Southern Regional Award and has played an important role as an IACP member and supporter for a number of years. He continues to reach out to our committees to offer support and to promote positive mental health in his writing and his long-standing spot on C103 Radio. Joe embodies the best qualities of a counsellor/psychotherapist and is a very worthy recipient of this award.”
Regarding his work with the Southern Regional Committee Joe Heffernan said: “I served for many years as a member and chairperson of the Southern Region Committee. For the past 20+ years I have had a weekly talk/interview slot on various topics relevant to counselling/psychotherapy on C103 (Cork Today with Patricia Messinger).”
Speaking about those who have supported him Joe Heffernan remarked: “I devoted a lot of time and travel to IACP down through the years and I sincerely thank my good wife of 50 years, Mary, for facilitating me in that. I would like to thank the Board and CEO and members of IACP for their support following the death of our eldest son, Ken in June 2024.
“I dedicate this honour to Ken, and our other three sons, Colin an accredited and practising member of IACP, Joseph an artist, and Dave an historian.
“Thank you so much to the staff of IACP – past and present. Thank you to Cliodhna Ryan, Chair, and the members of the SRC for nominating me for this award and I wish Jade Lawless every success in bringing IACP forward along the road. I would like to especially thank our CEO, Lisa Molloy, for her help and assistance at all times to me, Mary and our family.”
The annual awards ceremony was held at the IACP’s 10th annual conference in the Maryborough Hotel, Cork.
The IACP was established in 1981 to identify, develop and maintain professional standards of excellence in counselling and psychotherapy. Its work promotes best practice and the development of the profession. The IACP represents more than 6,400 members based in communities all over the country, and is the largest counselling and psychotherapy association in Ireland. The IACP is dedicated to promoting the value of professional therapy and enhancing mental health throughout Ireland.