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Helen McDonnell

Region(s) Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Roscommon

Qualifications and Affiliations


BSc Psychology (Hons): University of Ulster
PG Diploma Guidance & Counselling: University of Ulster
Diploma Business & Life Coaching
Certificate NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) Business Practitioner
Professional Qualification in the Therapeutic use of Mindfulness
Member of Mindfulness Association, qualified in Teaching Clients Mindfulness and Running mindfulness groups
Founding member and fully accredited Coach with Association for Coaching
Founding member and current board director of Aware NI

Experience in one to one coaching


With an established background in Psychology and mental health, I came to coaching 15 years ago as I saw the powerful impact the coaching process had on realising peoples’ potential. Based in Derry I work with clients throughout the north-west and across the island.

I continue to be in awe of the openness and engagement of the clients I work with as they develop themselves and the impact that this has on others around them. There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to the coaching process. Through my work with directors and senior leaders in Education, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Third Sector and high performance Sport I have tailored my knowledge and experience to create a coaching space where clients feel valued, listened to, and are able to develop a deep understanding of their true self.

In each of these coaching alliances I encourage clients to become more self aware in building confidence to be a compassionate and authentic leader.

With over 25 years of experience in mental health and personal development, I am a founding member and current board director of Aware NI, Northern Ireland’s leading depression charity.
For the last three years, I have been delivering an ‘Authentic Leadership through Practical Mindfulness’ programme. This programme has been adapted to be delivered online and addresses the opportunity, following the recent pandemic, to create a workplace culture that encourages compassion, connection and greater effectiveness and productivity.

The nature of my Authentic Coaching style allows clients to lead and manage with authenticity, compassion and vision. As clients adapt a new way of managing themselves with increased self awareness and emotional control, they naturally adopt a coaching style when managing and leading others.


CSL is funded by the Teacher Education Section (TES) of the Department of Education (DE)
This service is managed by Clare Education Centre.