Noel Coughlan

My philosophy is rooted in the belief that psychological well-being flourishes when we move from “reacting automatically” to “responding with choice”. I view mindfulness not merely as a technique, but as a cultivated space of equanimity, acceptance, and curiosity. By deliberately training our attention, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and compassion.

I intend an integrative, evidence-based approach that bridges traditional psychotherapy with contemporary mindfulness-based interventions. My practice is informed by:

Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Utilising formal and informal practices to deepen awareness and foster a supportive internal resilience.

Trauma-Informed Care: Drawing on my Diploma in Traumatology and years of experience with trauma rehabilitation and crisis management to build a safe harbour restorative environment.

Somatic Integration: Incorporating restorative breathwork practices to address the physiological components of stress and trauma.

Collaborative Supervision: Providing clinical supervision that empowers other therapists through shared competency and reflective practice.

With over three decades of experience across diverse cultural and clinical settings, I specialise in:

Mindfulness & Stress Reduction: Facilitating 8-week MBSR courses and ongoing “Being Mindful” meditation groups for sustained practice.

Trauma & Recovery: Extensive expertise in treating survivors of torture, displacement, and significant life transitions.

Complex Case Management: Addressing a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, and relationship problems.

Alongside my dedication to mindfulness teaching, my professional journey has been defined by a deep-seated commitment to counselling psychology, trauma recovery, and public health services. My expertise is built upon a rigorous academic foundation and decades of high-level responsibility in both Irish and international contexts.
Counselling Psychology & Healthcare Leadership
My status as a Chartered Counselling Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland anchors my clinical career.
HSE Senior Counsellor Therapist: From 2013 to 2024, I served as a Senior Counsellor Therapist for the National Counselling Service. This role involved managing clinical teams, overseeing child protection, and handling suicide risk management, which adds a layer of profound clinical safety and responsibility to my current mindfulness teaching.
Long-term Community Service: For 15 years as a counsellor with a community-based counselling charity in Galway, I addressed a broad spectrum of psychological issues, including grief, anxiety, and depression, while also making core organisational policy decisions.
International Trauma & Action Research
My teaching depth is significantly enhanced by my experience working in high-stakes, cross-cultural environments.
Psychological Rehabilitation: In Sri Lanka with Quaker Peace & Service, I developed and implemented a three-year rehabilitation program for survivors of trauma, demonstrating my ability to apply psychological principles in the most challenging conditions.
Public Health & Migration: My work in the UK for the NHS focused on action research regarding migration and HIV/AIDS prevention. I worked to ensure healthcare services were culturally accessible—a skill that informs my inclusive approach to teaching mindfulness today.

As of 2026, my teaching is the culmination of decades of personal practice and professional clinical expertise. I offer a teaching style that is both evidence-based and deeply rooted in tradition.

Teaching Experience & Programs
Over the past three years, I have formalised my role as a mindfulness teacher, integrating this work into my clinical practice at the Anú Wellness Hub. I have designed and delivered a variety of programs tailored to different needs:

• 8-Week MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
• 4-Week Introductory Courses
• Taster Sessions: 
• “Being Mindful” Groups

Diverse Teaching Environments
My teaching is informed by my work in high-stakes environments, ensuring that the mindfulness I teach is practical and resilient:

• Mental Health Services
• Community-Based Settings
• International Contexts

Personal Practice & Lineage
My teaching is not just academic; it is lived. I have maintained a consistent personal practice for the last 5 years, which is supported by 35 years of intermittent practice and exploration. This long-term engagement allows me to guide others with the authenticity that comes from personal experience.

The forms of meditation I draw upon include:

• Plum Village Tradition: Focusing on engaged mindfulness and deep listening.
• Kabat-Zinn (MBSR): Utilising the clinical, secular framework of stress reduction.
• Zen Meditation: Drawing on the disciplined clarity of Zen traditions.

My Teaching Structure & Philosophy
I hold a teaching structure that balances modern clinical psychology with the 2,300-year history of meditation traditions. I believe mindfulness is the “space” that develops through:

Formal Practice: Dedicated meditation sessions that build the “muscle” of attention.

Informal Practice: Integrating awareness into daily life—eating, walking, and working.

Clinical Context: Using my MSc in Mindfulness-Based Interventions to ensure all practices are grounded in contemporary psychological science. By following these practices with equanimity, acceptance, and curiosity, I help students cultivate a responsible way of being in the world.

Introductory & Taster Sessions
These short-form sessions serve as an accessible entry point for those new to the practice.

Format: One-off sessions or “Taster” workshops.

Focus: Providing a basic understanding of mindfulness principles.

Goal: To demystify the practice and allow participants to experience the foundational concepts of mindfulness in a low-pressure environment.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

8 Week Courses
This is your core intensive program, designed to foster significant behavioural and cognitive shifts.

Focus: Increasing awareness to enable “responding with choice” rather than “reacting automatically”.

Methodology: Cultivating the ability to deliberately change the focus of attention through formal and informal practices.

Philosophy: Developing a “space” through equanimity, acceptance, and curiosity.

“Being Mindful” Ongoing Group
This level provides a long-term home for practitioners who have already established a foundational understanding.

Prerequisite: Open to those who have completed the 8-week MBSR course or an equivalent program.

Purpose: To provide a consistent, dedicated space for deepening individual meditation practice.

Community: Emphasises connection with a supportive community to sustain the practice beyond the initial training.