Dr. Marcella Finnerty
President Emerita
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.
Book Chapter:
Norcross, J., & Finnerty, M. (2019). Training and Supervision in Psychotherapy Integration, In: Handbook of Psychotherapy Integration. Norcross J. & Goldfried M (eds). [In Press].
Articles:
Finnerty, M., Kearns, C., & O’Regan, D. (2018). Pluralism: An Ethical Commitment to Dialogue and Collaboration. Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. 18(3), 18(3), 13-20.
Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2018). A qualitative study of the principles that self-defined integrative therapists in Ireland perceive as underpinning their practice. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration. doi: 10.1037/int0000128.
Finnerty, M. (2008). Choice Theory Training. International Journal of Choice Theory, 2:1, pp 30-36.
Boyle, E., & Finnerty, M. (2006). Supervision. Guideline, 30(1), 9-10.
Finnerty, M. (2006). Effects of Locus of Control and Self-Esteem in Adult Community Employment Workers. International Journal of Choice Theory, 2(1), 30-34.
Finnerty, M. (2005). Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Perspective on Past History, Current Trends, and Possible Future Directions. Éisteach: A Quarterly Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, spring, 3(4), 7-11.
Finnerty, M. (2005). Choice Theory Training: Effects of Locus of Control. WGII Journal RT/CT Irish Perspectives, 7-34.
Finnerty, M. (1994). Team-building: An Exercise in Lead Management. Reality Therapy – An Irish Perspective 50-57.
Finnerty, M., & Kearns, C. (2023, June 21-24). Reflections on Teaching Pluralistic Psychotherapy through Sharon Cheston’s Ways Paradigm [Conference Paper Presentation]. 54th Annual International Meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR), TCD, Dublin, Ireland.
Finnerty, M., & Kearns, C. (2022, May 19-20). How do Pluralistic Therapists Engage with Client Preferences? [Conference Presentation]. BACP 2022 Research Conference, Dundee, Scotland.
Finnerty, M., McLeod, J., & Reeves, A. (2019). Panel Dialogue: The Pluralistic Framework: Where are we now? Reflections on the journey so far? Panel Dialogue at the 2nd International Conference for Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. Roehampton, London: UK
McLeod, J., & Finnerty, M. (2018). Time to start using the term, “disintegrative psychotherapy?”, Panel Presentation at the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration Annual Conference, New York: USA, June 2018.
Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2018). Meta-analysis of Strategies for Psychotherapy Integration in Recent Published Case Study Reports. Panel Presentation at the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration Annual Conference, New York: USA, June 2018.
Finnerty, M. (2018). How do Integrative Psychotherapists Integrate? Panel presentation at the International Conference for Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dundee: Scotland, March 2018.
Kearns, C., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2018). Pluralistic Group Therapy for Anxious Children: A Waiting List Management Strategy. Panel presentation at the International Conference for Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dundee: Scotland, March 2018.
Finnerty, M., Kearns, C., & McLeod, J. (2018). Developing an Organising Framework for Training in Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy. Panel presentation at the International Conference for Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dundee: Scotland, March 2018.
Ward, G., McLeod, J., & Finnerty, M. (2018). Beyond Words: Exploring the Integration of Art-Therapy as an Adjunct to Talk Therapy in Pluralistic Counselling with Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) Clients. Panel Presentation at the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration Annual Conference, New York: USA, June 2018.
Finnerty, M., Kearns, C., O’Regan, D., & Devoy, S. (2017). Tales from the Trenches: Psychotherapy Integration. Poster Presented at the Annual Conference of the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, Kilkenny: Ireland, October 2017.
Kearns, C., Devoy, S., Finnerty, M., & O’Regan, D. (2017). Parental Perceptions of Pluralistic Group Therapy for Children with Anxiety. Poster Presented at the Annual Conference of the IACP, Kilkenny: Ireland, October 2017.
Kearns, C., Finnerty, M., Devoy S., & O’Regan, D. (2017). Pluralistic Group Therapy for Children with Anxiety: A Strategy for Managing Waiting Lists in a Community Service – A Pilot Study. Poster Presented at the Annual Conference of the IACP, Kilkenny: Ireland. October 2017.
Bourke, A.M., Finnerty, M. & McLeod, J. (2016). Experiences of Young People and Therapists Using the YP-CORE form in Therapy Sessions in a Substance Misuse Treatment Service. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Burke, C., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2016). Exploring the Counselling Journey of Women Emerging from Psychologically and Emotionally Abusive Relationships. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Conceiçãn, N., Finnerty, M., & Norcross, N. (2016). Dialogues on the Future of Psychotherapy Integration. Closing Plenary Panel at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Finnegan, M., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2016). Finding a Language: Therapist Experiences of Communication Difficulties in Counselling with Adolescent Clients. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Finnerty, M., McLeod, J., Kearns, C., O’Neill, D. & O’Regan, D. (2016) Teaching Integration through the Ways Paradigm. Paper Presented at Dublin, 2016 SEPI Annual Conference.
Gilhooley, A. Finnerty, M. & McLeod, J. (2016). Being a Man in Rural Ireland: Resources for Maintaining Mental Health and Well-Being. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Gough, J., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2016). A Pluralistic Approach to OCD: One Size Might Not Fit All. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Hogan, S., Finnerty M., McLeod, J. (2016). Learning to Use Feedback Tools: Experiences of Trainee Counsellors in a Community Counselling Service. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Ingram, D., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2016). How Teachers Can Support Bereaved Adolescents: Integrating Responsiveness into the School Environment. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Lumsden, E., Finnerty, M., McLeod, J. (2016). Mystical Experience as a Highly Significant Everyday Event: How Does It Become a Resource for Change. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
O’Regan, D., Finnerty, M., McLeod, J., & Kearns, C. (2016). Why Do Clients Not Show up for their First Session. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Quinn, S., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2016). The Impact of Client Suicide on the Experienced Psychotherapist. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Woods, M., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2016). Taking Care of Unfinished Business: The Lived Experiences of Women Addiction Counsellors with a History of Drug Use. Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Woods, M., Finnerty, M., & McLeod, J. (2016). Towards a trauma-informed, sensitive, empathic and harm reduction practice response to women, drug use and motherhood: the space and time for a pluralistic approach? Poster Presentation at the Annual Conference of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration: Trinity College Dublin. June 2016.
Finnerty, M. (2014). How do Integrative Psychotherapists Integrate? A Qualitative Exploration of Tales from the Trenches. Montreal, 2014 SEPI Annual Conference.
Finnerty, M. (2011). An Outcome Evaluation of Focus Groups in Choice Theory/Reality Therapy. Paper presented at Annual Conference of the William Glasser Institute of Ireland. 15 October 2011, IMI, Sandyford, Dublin: Ireland.
Finnerty, M. (2005). Quality School Principles Applied to Adult Learners. Paper presented at the 3rd European Conference of the William Glasser Institute. 06-09 July 2005, UCD, Dublin: Ireland.
Finnerty, M. (1994). Lead Management Using Deming’s Red Beads Experiment. Paper presented at the International Reality Therapy Convention. 13-16 July 1994, UCD, Dublin: Ireland.
