Karen Collins, Chief Executive

Karen joined New Life Counselling in August 2008 as the CEO having worked for 5 years in the public sector and 6 in the voluntary youth sector.  She has an MBA, Post Graduate Certificate in Social Policy, Post Graduate Diploma in Professional Studies in Education and BA (Hons) in Modern History & Politics.  She has significant experience in strategic planning, programme development and resource & budget management.

Kathryn Purcell, Head of Operations

Kathryn joined New Life Counselling in January 2012. Prior to that Kathryn spent four years working with a Private Fostering agency as their Placement Manager, and previous to that worked in Finance as a Business Development Manager. Kathryn has been counselling for seven years and completed her Diploma in Counselling (Person Centred and Psychodynamic) in 2009. She undertook training in Counselling Children and Young People in 2011 to support increased work with a younger age group. Kathryn also holds an MA Joint Honours in English Literature and Social Anthropology.

Kathryn in currently on maternity leave.

Cordula Bellin, Volunteer Co-ordinator / Acting Head of Operations

Cordula has a degree in Psychology, and trained as a counsellor, completing the Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, a Post Qualifying Certificate in Working with Children and Young People, a level 3 qualification in Advanced Group Facilitation and Conflict Management, and introductory Gestalt Training.  Her previous experience includes working for Contact Youth, ChildLine, Belfast Trust and developing Peer Education Projects.  She took up the role of Volunteer Co-ordinator in September 2009.

Joanne Larkin, Support Services Manager

Joanne is a graduate of the Institute of Accounting Technicians for Ireland and holds a Diploma in Management.  She is ECDL and RSA qualified and has 6 GCSE’s.  She also has Sage Line 50 & Payroll experience and an advanced GNVQ in Health and Social Care (Dist).  She has 10 years of clerical experience and 7 years experience within finance and fundraising.  She is an accredited ISO Auditor Joanne joined New Life Counselling in December 1999.

 Adult Project Officer

This post is currently vacant.

Terry Gorman, Youth Project Officer

Terry joined New Life Counselling in 2010 as Assistant Team Leader for schools before undertaking the role of Youth Project Officer. Prior to working for New Life Counselling Terry had worked for 23 years as a paramedic officer with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. It was while working as a paramedic office that Terry studied to be a counsellor. After completing his training Terry worked for Contact Youth on the Lifeline project for 2 years before taking up the post with New Life Counselling.

Through his professional experiences Terry has developed a strong interest in counselling support in relation to crisis response and trauma and is continuing studies within this area.

Gail Calwell, Child Project Officer (Job Share)

Gail is the Child and Family Project Officer.  She has a BA Hons in Fine and Applied Arts and an MSC in Art Therapy. Previous experience includes working as an Early Intervention Therapist for Barnardos with children with Autism, family support work and running community arts programmes.  Gail is the Vice Chair of NIGAT. She joined New Life Counselling in November 2006 as a child counsellor and moved into the Project Officer role in October 2008.

Alison Templeton, Child Project Officer (Job Share)

Wendy Stewart, Family Project Officer

Wendy joined New Life Counselling in 2009 as a trauma counsellor, working with adults and families.  Previously Wendy worked for 17  years as a group facilitator and counsellor in a substance misuse treatment unit.   Since completing her degree in Psychology in 1993, Wendy gained for her Diploma in Counselling (1997) and Diploma in Social Work (2001) and Post Qualifying Award in 2005.  In 2008, Wendy gained her Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Social Studies, Intermediate Systemic Practice (with Distinction).   Before working in counselling Wendy worked in Sales and held position of Personal Assistant to the Sales Manager.

Grainne Donaghy, Team Leader ICSS North

Grainne has nine years (post qualification) supervised practice in counselling. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and a Certificate in Counselling. Grainne joined New Life Counselling in September 2009.

Stephanie Wethers, Team Leader ICSS East

Stephanie joined New Life Counselling in September 2009 having previously worked for Contact Youth delivering schools counselling for 2 years. Prior to that she worked independently delivering counselling in schools for the Southern Education and Library Board. Stephanie has also enjoyed working in Community Counselling, Youth Work and the Health Service.  She holds a diploma in Person Centred Counselling and qualified as a Sexual Health Educator in 2004 through the Open College Network.

Julie Liggett, Team Leader ICSS South

Julie joined New Life Counselling in September 2009 having previously worked for Contact Youth managing programmes and delivering schools counselling for 5 years. Julie has been working as a counsellor with young people for over 10 years and gained her BACP accreditation in 2007.  She holds a Postgraduate diploma in Counselling and Foundation in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice.

Julie is currently on maternity leave.

Maeve Gormley, Team Leader ICSS West