Helen Byrne M.A. Mindfulness-based Approaches, H.Dip.Ed., Post-Grad. Dip.Psych., member PSI, has a background in education, psychology, family therapy and the community and voluntary sector. She qualified as a Systemic and Family Therapist with The Clanwilliam Institute in 1996. In addition to achieving the Masters in Mindfulness Based Approaches (with distinction) from Bangor University, Helen completed all trainings and supervision with senior teachers the Center for Mindfulness (CFM) at The University of Massachusetts Medical Center, where Jon Kabat-Zinn founded the MBSR programme in 1979.
She trained in supervising mindfulness teachers with Bangor University and now offers this service. Helen also trained in delivering Mindfulness and Self Compassion with Christopher Germer and Kristen Neff in 2015. She has been practicing meditation and yoga since 1997 and teaching them since 2004.
She is co-founder and co-director, with Josephine Lynch, of The Mindfulness Centre in Dublin, which runs 8-week MBSR, MBCT and Self Compassion courses, introductory courses and workshops, retreats, and an 18 month professional teacher training in MBSR/MBCT.
Helen continues to develop her practice with regular attendance at retreats and trainings led by world-renowned teachers including Christina Feldman, John Peacock, Akincano Weber and Melissa Blacker and has attended retreats lead by John Teasdale, Sharon Salzberg and Thich Nhat Hanh, among others. She recently participated in an 18-month course in Buddhist Psychology with Gaia House and continues her studies with the Bodhi College.