Our Team

Sarah Jane Hennelly - Chief Executive Officer

Sarah Jane is the former Communications and Campaigns coordinator with international aid charity ActionAid Ireland. She began her career as a mental health researcher with the Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick. She is the former manager of MyMind Limerick and Director of Limerick Mental Health Association. Sarah Jane worked for several years with PAUL Partnership, Limerick City's local development company, delivering several large-scale community-based programmes including Limerick's first UNHCR Refugee Resettlement programme. She is trained in Reflective Practice facilitation, ASIST, Understanding Self-harm and she holds certificates from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and the HSE for working with survivors of trauma and sexual violence in social care settings. Sarah Jane is the former National Chairperson of the Social Democrats political party and in 2016 she stood as a candidate in the General Election for Limerick City. Sarah Jane is a former Governor of the University of Limerick, from where she has a degree in Politics and Public Administration and a Masters in EU politics and Law.

Máire Ní Dhomhnaill - Chairperson

Máire Ní Dhomhnaill is a Gestalt Therapist, a member of IACP and has worked as a counsellor in the Family Centre, Castlebar, Co. Mayo since 2002. In that time she has gained a wealth of experience working with all issues presented by clients. She always had an interest in supporting the suicide bereaved through therapy individually, within families or in a group. Since 2011 Máire coordinated and was the Liaison person for The Mayo Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service. This is a post-vention service which supports those who are bereaved by suicide. Máire took the lead role in developing a protocol for Mayo agencies “Responding to a Suicide”. The Mayo Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service Model was evaluated by Dublin City University in 2015 and shown to be an effective model of working. She works closely with many agencies in the county and at National Level in suicide prevention, post-vention and positive mental health. Máire began her career in teaching and gained 20 years’ experience in disability services at every level including senior management. She was appointed Director of the Family Centre in July 2017 and appointed to AACPI board in September 2017.

Liz McGuckin - Company Secretary

Elizabeth has over 20 years experience of working within the community and has participated on many community development projects. She has worked as a psychotherapist in private practice and community counselling since 2005. In 2014, Elizabeth became Clinical Lead & Centre Manager of Dundalk Counselling Centre ‘Oakdene’; servicing mainly the Northeast region of Ireland, including counties; Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Louth, Armagh and Down. It has been actively providing community counselling for 40 years. She works as a clinical assessor and senior adolescent psychotherapist at the centre. She is an experienced group facilitator with young people. Elizabeth also offers psychotherapy to adult clients. She is an accredited Psychotherapist, Adolescent Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor with the Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP) & a member of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP). Elizabeth has been an active member of the AACPI since 2014, she joined the Board of AACPI in April 2021.

Joseph Enright - Treasurer

Joseph Enright is a graduate of the Cork Counselling Centre and Training Institute. He is a member of the team in the Cork Counselling Centre and Training Institute and works there as a Counsellor and Trainer. Joseph is also Head of the Foundation course in Counselling skills in the centre. He is also very actively involved in the Fundraising committee in the centre and has successfully headed many fundraising events.

Joseph joined the board of AACPI in May 2013 and he is enjoying being part of the board and the important work it is trying to achieve. He was elected as Treasurer of the AACPI board in July 2015. Joseph looks forward to the continued growth of AACPI and to supporting the agencies it represents in the crucial work they are providing to communities in Ireland. Joseph has a particular interest in attachment studies and relational development. He believes very strongly and is committed to continued personal development within the counselling profession. Joseph believes strongly in social justice and equality for all.

Liam Treanor - Board Member

Liam has worked with Teach Oscail Family Resource Centre in Cavan since 2012 after qualifying as an Integrative Counsellor through the University of Ulster. In this time, he has taken on the role of Counselling Team Leader as the service has grown exponentially over the last 5 years. Liam also works as an outreach Counsellor with Sligo Rape Counselling through Teach Oscail FRC. Liam works in Psychological Support with CMETB. This role involves working with young people in educational settings, predominately Youthreach in the Cavan/Monaghan area. Liam is a counselling supervisor and works with some Counsellors from Lenadoon counselling in Belfast as well as some private Supervisees. Liam is also a part time Lecturer in Counselling with Southern Regional College through the Ulster University. Liam has a passion for working in the community with a range of client needs and is also committed to supporting Counsellors in training. His other main passion is Traditional Irish music and has been actively involved in teaching and performing for over 30 years.