Our Team

Maria brings over a decade of leadership experience, having worked for human rights with membership organisations, national and international NGOs, and the UN.

Maria believes that now more than ever, Ireland’s mental health services need to truly meet people’s needs. With a newly formed Government, 2025 is a pivotal moment to champion mental health community services in Ireland.

Throughout her career, Maria has focused on mobilising diverse groups, including donors and programme participants. Maria has a deep commitment to fostering a culture of solidarity and advancing children and women’s rights in particular. Her experience in working in the Mental Health, International Development, Humanitarian, and Education sectors enables her to speak about human rights, diversity, and inclusion authentically and convincingly.

Previously, Maria was the Director of Funding and Programme Quality at Foundation Wings of Hope, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Maria also served as the Director of Funding and Partnerships at Early Childhood Ireland. Prior to that, Maria worked with Trócaire and the International Organisation for Migration in HQ and field roles. These experiences informed Maria’s understanding of rights-based, evidence-based programming and advocacy, as well as NGO governance, strategy, and financial oversight.

Maria brings formal training in NGO Governance, Negotiations, Change Management, Project Management, and Innovation for Impact. She holds two Masters degrees including a first class International Masters in Economy, State, and Society (Politics and Security Track) from University College London, and is currently completing another Masters of Science (Human Rights and Social Policy) at Maynooth University.

Contact Maria Cleary: maria.cleary@communitytherapy.ie or ceo@communitytherapy.ie

Sarah Jane is Co-CEO of Community Therapy Ireland, having led the organisation as CEO from 2021 before transitioning to a shared leadership model with Maria. During her time at Community Therapy Ireland, she has strengthened governance and regulatory compliance, reinforced financial sustainability, and delivered a strategic transformation that expanded Community Therapy Ireland’s national reach, reputation, and impact.

Sarah Jane has driven Community Therapy Ireland's digital transformation, promoting innovation to align with evolving policy and developments in digital mental health. She works to bring greater focus to members’ excellent clinical practice, overseeing the publication of Community Therapy Ireland’s Clinical Governance Research Report – the first study of its kind – establishing strong evidence base and a blueprint for excellence in Ireland and beyond.

Sarah Jane brings over a decade of senior leadership experience across the non-profit and higher education sectors, delivering large-scale publicly funded programmes and coordinating complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. A former Governor of the University of Limerick and former National Chairperson and Mental Health Spokesperson for the Social Democrats, Sarah Jane has shaped national policy on mental health and health reform, combining high-level governance expertise with practical leadership to translate policy into effective community implementation.

With qualifications in policy, law, and governance, she is committed to building an accessible, professional therapy system in Ireland underpinned by strong governance and sustainable delivery.

Contact Sarah Jane: sarah.jane@communitytherapy.ie or ceo@communitytherapy.ie.

Bríd began her career working in the Financial Services sector for 15 years, and in that time accumulated a wealth of experience including operational development, organisational and people management, change management, strategic planning, human resources, finance and corporate governance.

Following her passion in mental health and equality she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy with the Tivoli Institute in 2012. She has worked as a counsellor, psychotherapist and trainer with a number of companies, charities and schools over the last 13 years. She is accredited by and follows the code and ethics of The Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP).

She completed her masters in Adolescent Psychotherapy in 2022 which underpins her particular interest in supporting the development of young people and their families.

Bríd has previously held the role of Service Manager of the Kilkenny Rape Crisis Centre KASA from 2022 until January 2025. Bríd is also a trainer and a part-time lecturer in mental health.

Contact Bríd Meighan: clinical.lead@communitytherapy.ie

Swati Gupta joined Community Therapy Ireland's team as the Finance and Operations Lead in June 2025. Swati is an ACCA-qualified Accountant with over a decade of Finance and Operations experience in the nonprofit and private sectors in Ireland. She is also an IPASS certified payroll technician, and she holds a Diploma in Project Management from UCD.

Previously, Swati worked with Active Retirement Ireland as their Finance Manager. Swati also worked with Early Childhood Ireland's Finance Team. Swati specialises in management reporting, grant reporting, funder compliance, budget management, payroll processing, and audit management. Swati has a strong knowledge of Irish charity regulations and Revenue requirements. In terms of volunteering, Swati loves working as the Treasurer for her local Scouts Group. 

If you want to reach out to Swati directly please don’t hesitate to email her on finance.operations.lead@communitytherapy.ie

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 Dún Dealgan Family Resource Centre; 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 Community Therapy Ireland since 2014. Liz joined the Board of Community Therapy Ireland in April 2021.

Des Bailey has 20 years’ experience working in the in the Community Voluntary Sector. He graduated from All Hallows College DCU Dublin in 2005 with a BA in Theology and Philosophy and has subsequently achieved a post graduated qualification in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care also with DCU. He attained further qualifications including; Addiction Counselling Studies, Evidence Based Practice in Prevention Education, Human Rights Education and Managing People etc.

Des began his career working in the Homeless Services in Dublin before returning to Kerry where he took up the role of Community Based Drugs Workers for KDYS Killarney. Since then, Des has gone on to manage various projects that support marginalised and disadvantaged youths across the county of Kerry and has also managed European projects focused on Human Rights Education and Youth development. 

Des joined Kerry Adolescent Counselling Service in 2022 to lead the team as Service Manager. Since taking up the role, he has further expanded and grown the service focusing on the efficient utilisation of service provision and strong governance.  Des joined the board of Community Therapy Ireland in August 2024 and looks forward to contributing to the next chapter in Community Therapy Irelands growth and development. 

Una has over 20 years’ experience of working in the statutory, community and charity sectors. She worked initially as a social care worker in high support care before training as a systemic psychotherapist. Una worked for a number of years on the Barnardos Childrens Bereavement team and continues to be committed to the provision of bereavement supports.

In 2019, Una became Therapeutic Coordinator at the Curragh Family Resource Centre. The service provides therapeutic supports across County Kildare for children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Una both coordinates the therapy services and practices as a systemic psychotherapist and clinical supervisor at the Centre. 

She is an accredited Systemic Psychotherapist & Clinical Supervisor with the Family Therapy Association of Ireland (FTAI) and a member of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP). Una joined the Board of Community Therapy Ireland in October 2023.