About the International Association for Counselling (IAC)

The International Association for Counselling (IAC) is the world body for the counselling profession. Established in 1966, IAC is an International Non-Governmental Organisation with United Nations consultative status. We lead and connect the global counselling community to advance the mental health and well-being of all people, in all nations.

Counselling is a vital profession that transforms lives, strengthens communities, and promotes human dignity. Yet in many parts of the world, counselling is newly emerging or not yet formally recognised. IAC exists to bridge this gap by providing global leadership, promoting best practice, and supporting the development of the profession across diverse cultural and national contexts.

Our Vision

“A world where counselling is available to all.”

Our Mission

To develop the counselling profession globally through policy leadership, education, research, professional standards, advocacy, and international collaboration. Our aim is for counselling to be accessible, valued, and professionally recognised in every country.

Our Global Role

IAC works collaboratively with national associations, governments, training institutions, universities, and international agencies to:

• Advance the recognition and professionalisation of counselling worldwide
• Establish international standards, ethical principles, and frameworks of excellence
• Influence global mental health policy through advocacy at the United Nations and other intergovernmental bodies
• Support countries in developing national systems, accreditation models, and pathways to regulation
• Promote research, education, and culturally responsive counselling practice
• Unite a worldwide community of counsellors and counselling organisations

International Leadership on Global Practice Issues

As the world body for the counselling profession, IAC works with international partners to develop shared frameworks and best practices in response to issues that shape counselling worldwide.counselling around the world. These include, areas such as ethics, artificial intelligence, migration and displacement, digital and remote practice, humanitarian response, climate chnage, and culturally informed practice.

• IAC establishes globally recognised standards and principles that define professional excellence, client protection, and ethical responsibility.
• National associations, governments, and training bodies, adapt these standards within their own regulatory, cultural, and legal systems.
• IAC maintains global leadership and coherence for the profession, while fully respecting national sovereignty and professional autonomy.

Through this collaborative role, IAC helps shape the future of counselling globally, setting the international benchmark for quality, ethics, and professional integrity.

A Global Community of Practice and Influence

IAC brings together counsellors, educators, associations, and institutions from around the world who are committed to strengthening the profession and improving global mental health. Through our regional structures—Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and Central Asia, and North America—we ensure that local voices shape global direction.

Who Can Join IAC

Membership is open to:

• Counselling Associations and Federations
• Individual Counsellors and Practitioners
• Students and Early-Career Professionals
• Training Institutes and Universities
• Counselling Services and Organisations

By becoming part of IAC, you join the global movement shaping the future of the counselling profession—strengthening your own work while contributing to a unified international voice.

Members benefit from:

• International recognition and professional credibility
• Access to global research, publications, and frameworks
• Advocacy that represents their interests at the United Nations and with national governments
• Opportunities to collaborate, network, and contribute to global initiatives
• Practical support for education, practice, policy, and regulation in their own country

To join as an Individual Member, please click HERE.
To join as a Group Member (Association, Education Body, Counselling Practice), please click HERE.

Counselling changes lives. Together, we are ensuring it changes the world.

World Mapping of the Counselling Profession

IAC leads the first comprehensive global study charting the status of counselling in all 196 countries. The World Mapping Project provides vital data on legislation, standards, qualifications, and professional practice. This knowledge informs governments, supports regulation, guides training institutions, and strengthens advocacy efforts around the world. World Mapping website

A Global Community with Regional Leadership

To ensure global unity with regional relevance, IAC is in the process of creating regional branches:

IAC Africa • IAC Asia-Pacific • IAC Europe • IAC North America • IAC Latin America & the Caribbean • IAC Oceania • IAC Middle East & Central Asia

These branches advance the counselling profession through:

• Advocacy for national recognition and regulation
• Regional standards development aligned with global best practice
• Support for counselling associations and emerging professional bodies
• Regional education, research, and outreach programmes

This structure ensures that the global direction of counselling is shaped by local insight and cultural understanding.

Global Advocacy and Policy Leadership

As the international voice for counselling, IAC:

• Represents the profession within the United Nations system and regional intergovernmental organisations
• Partners with global agencies to shape mental health, education, social welfare, and humanitarian policy
• Supports countries in establishing regulatory frameworks, national standards, and professional pathways
• Raises global recognition of counselling as an essential component of public health and human development

Our advocacy ensures counselling is included in high-level policy decisions that affect communities worldwide.

Knowledge, Research & Professional Excellence

IAC connects members to the global exchange of ideas and expertise through:

• International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling (published since 1978)
• IAC International Conferences, which bring together global leaders and create national impact
• Partnerships and collaborations with universities, associations, global health agencies, and international NGOs
• Round Table Forums on ethics, practice, research, indigenous knowledge, peace, and social justice

These initiatives strengthen the profession through shared learning, innovation, and evidence-based practice.

IAC Partnership and Collaboration: For over 50 years, IAC has partnered and worked with national, regional, and intergovernmental organisations and institutes. IAC greatly values these relationships.

For enquiries relating to partnership, hosting an IAC conference, sponsorship, organisational membership, or project collaboration, please contact the IAC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Naoise Kelly, at info@iac-irtac.org.