About Me

I am a Gestalt psychotherapist (non-clinical), working as a supervisor, consultant, international trainer and author. I was in private practice from 1995 to 2022, specialising in trauma. I worked for an independent trauma service for over six years, and previously as clinical lead of a young peoples' service.

Drawing on my Gestalt roots, relationships are the heart of my work. I'm passionate about the importance of connections and the ways trauma gets in between us, creating disturbances on many levels. Many people have concerns about who they are in the world, where they fit and how they are received. These questions become more urgent when we face difficult circumstances.

Positioning my thinking at the cutting edge of trauma practice and theory, current challenges in the world around us require a far broader understanding of relationship and context than is usual. I call this an ecological perspective, in which the question of 'What happened to you?' takes the place of 'What's wrong with you?'. Understanding trauma is about context and networks of relationships and systems. Nothing is more pressing now than the escalating situation of climate, which has been described as a trauma we can anticipate. Associated social justice issues sit alongside this. A new approach is demanded by these interlocking concerns - a paradigm shift in thinking and being in the world. My ongoing work shifts the focus on these collective traumas, anxieties and discomforts and how we can support our capacity to be present to them.

I resource myself through my strong connection to nature, which took me to a Wilderness Experience in the US in 2014, and supports my capacity to listen deeply. I have a regular personal meditation practice, I do Tai-chi, walk, read widely, draw, and play the cello.

Relational Change

I am a member of the Leadership Team for Relational Change. We seek to promote growth by working to improve relationships with individuals, groups and communities.