Mairead Barry

Mairead Barry is a Lecturer in the School of Health Science at South East Technological University (SETU), Waterford, since 2003. She co-leads the MA in Advanced Facilitation Skills for Health and Well-Being and teaches across undergraduate programs including the BSc Public Health and Health Promotion.

• Education: MSc by Research (2003) from SETU, focusing on exercise prescriptions for bone health; ongoing MSc in Gestalt Psychotherapy (2019-present).

Her research interests include practitioner-based Gestalt psychotherapy, group facilitation for health, and evaluation of community health initiatives. She leads the TEACH CoLab transnational collaboration and investigates grief dynamics in therapeutic practice.

Key Publications focus on bone turnover, health promotion pedagogy, and facilitation skills. She evaluates social prescribing programs and community interventions.

• Professional Roles: Chairperson of AHPI Accreditation Board (2023-present), IUHPE Registered Health Promotion Practitioner, and volunteer psychotherapist at Youghal Cancer Support and St Brigid’s Family Resource Centre.
• Partnerships: Collaborates with Waterford Area Partnership, HSE, National Youth Council of Ireland, and international institutions like University of Washington.