Dr Marcella Finnerty’s commitment to psychotherapy and counselling is evident in her roles in various professional organisations. She is the President Emerita at IICP College and a founding member of both IICP College (2003) and The Village Counselling Service (VCS) (2004). She sits on the Higher Education and Colleges Association (HECA) Board. Her appointment to the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board and the CORU Council, the multi-profession health regulator, further underscores her dedication to the field.

She has served in many roles within the college, including President and Director of Programmes. Marcella holds a Doctorate in Psychotherapy from the Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University. Marcella also has an M.Sc. in Educational Guidance and Counselling, a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision (Psychology), a Teaching and Learning Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Higher Ed), and a B.A. (Hons) in Psychology. She is an IACP-accredited therapist and supervisor and holds the European Certificate of Psychotherapy. She is an Advanced Instructor with the William Glasser Institute. She was Joint Deputy Director of the M.Ed. and M.Sc. Degree programmes in Educational Guidance and Counselling at Trinity College Dublin. She is an IACP, IAHIP, WGII, IGC, ICP, and EART member.

She was Chair of the Local Hosting Committee for the International Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration (SEPI) Conference, held at Trinity College Dublin from June 16 to 18, 2016. Marcella sat on the Local Hosting Committee for the 54th Annual Meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), Dublin 2023.
Dr Finnerty’s passion for psychotherapy and counselling is evident in her areas of interest and expertise. As a module lecturer and senior faculty member at the College, she has been deeply involved in programme research and academic development, pluralism, integration, choice theory/reality therapy/lead management, multicultural counselling and therapy, skills training, and personal growth. Her presentations at national and international conferences and her contributions to peer-reviewed journals testify to her dedication and passion for the field.