I am a transpersonal and integrative psychotherapist and ecological life coach in private practice. I am also an ecologist, anthropologist and ecological educator. Since 1995 I’ve tutored and written units for the MSc Education for Sustainability at London South Bank University. I am also a staff member at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education.
Since childhood, the appreciation and understanding of nature and eco-systemics – inner and outer, human and non-human, how they relate as a whole, and why they get out of synch – have been my vocation. They have always informed my direction and roles.
Prompted by scepticism about the effectiveness of ecological learning methods, in 1996 I began research and writing on emotions and meaningfulness as root causes of ecological disintegration and keys to ecological learning that lasts (eg, see On Links Between Meaning, Ecology and Sustainability. Discernment: an Ecumenical Journal of Inter-Religious Encounter Vol 2:3 / 3:1, 1996; Balance in the Ecosphere: a perspective. European Judaism, 1999, Psychodynamics of Meaning and Action for a Sustainable Future. Futures journal 32, 3/4, 2000.)
Recent publications continue this, explaining why psycho-spiritual work is conscious evolutionary work that is essential to healing the eco-systemic breakdown we have caused.
We are ecosystemic beings. All that we are – conscience, emotions, beliefs, mythologies, meanings, free-wilfulness, sociality, behaviour, etc – are dimensions of the ecosystem and its evolution. Psychotherapy can help in discerning what our distinct personal niches and roles are within the eco-system.
I am based in London and Reading. Do get in touch if you’d like to know more.
Recent writing includes:
- Yearning for our Niche: the Role of Meaningfulness in Eco-systemic Health. Journal of Holistic Healthcare. In press.
- Finding Meaning Without Consuming. In The Handbook of Sustainability Literacy. A. Stibbe, ed. Dartington: Green Books. 2009
- The Importance of Psychotherapy as an Eco-Systemic Activity. In The Psychotherapist (UKCP), Winter 2008/09
- Completing the Holistic Perspective: Psyche and Emotions in Education for Sustainability and the Development of an Eco-systemic Conscience. Article 6.61.4.2 in UNESCO Encyclopaedia of Life-Support Systems: Education for Sustainability Section. 2009 (www.eolss.net)
- Linking Everyday Life to Natural Systems and Resource Use. S. Sterling et al. Linking Thinking: new perspectives on thinking and learning for sustainability. Aberfeldy: Worldwide Fund for Nature Scotland. 2005.