Dr Finnerty is President of IICP College and a member of the Board of Directors of The Village Counselling Service. She is a faculty member of IICP College, former Deputy Director of the Masters in Educational Guidance and Counselling programme in Trinity College Dublin, and an advanced faculty member of The William Glasser Institute. She has also served on the Research and Course Recognition Committees of IACP. Dr Finnerty has a Doctorate in Psychotherapy from the University of Middlesex. Her other qualifications include an M.Sc. in Educational Guidance and Counselling, a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies, a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision, and a BA in Psychology and Sociology.

Marcella has a keen interest in programme design and development and quality assurance in Higher Education and has acted as chair and subject expert on numerous QQI appointed panels related to revalidation and reengagement. She has recently been appointed to the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board of CORU, which will set the minimum education and professional standards for those seeking registration to the professions.