A core part of my practice and approach is deep listening whilst holding you in and with positive regard, in an ever deepening acceptance of who you are.
This process can be a place of exploring and forming healthy relationships where we become interested in what is present in both profound and everyday ways. This inquiry becomes the practice of reviewing our past, experiencing the present and looking towards the projected future, so that we can become more conscious in the authoring of our lives.
Both mentoring and coaching can help to develop a clear and authentic orientation to how you have arrived at this specific place in your life, helping you to explore what is emergent and how best to move forward with ease and flow, love and joy, aspirations and groundedness.
Coaching and mentoring is a unique kind of relationship that can help to grow more trust, hope and faith in yourself and in others. I do this by believing in your ability to create the life you want, and also by challenging you where appropriate in a constructive way. Every client and mentee is different and so I won't be holding a fixed idea of how things 'should be' going. Each session is tailored to you, you will not be gettting an off the shelf package.
I welcome a wide range and depth of emotions which often accompany significant life challenges. I am experienced in working with people who are going through very challenging times or crisis.
Ultimately, you have to live by your choices, so while I can offer suggestions, exercises, further study and encourage self responsibility, it is not within my power to fix your life for you or to be some kind of saviour. I also acknowledge that the way I work may not be the only thing you need at this time and so I may suggest other people and organisations that can be helpful to you. I have an extensive network and knowledge of a wide variety of remarkable people, organisations and initiatives.
Important principles to me.
Trust, Hope and Faith inform the core of my approach. Trust-fullness - is based on past experiences = Truth-fullness Hope-fullness - is based on our present life = Love-fullness Faith-fullness - is based on the future projections = Beauty-fullness. These are not qualities we can magically have or own!. They are more akin to guiding stars to help to navigate life with. The aim is to grow a life of ease and flow, love and joy, creativity and fullfillment, self acualisation. To develop modes of being so that all areas of life improve as well as specific issues.
Through understanding your sense making and the meanings you have perhaps made of your life experiences more deeply, you can begin to re work these into more life serving stories and behaviours. Over time and with practice, you can help to free yourself from internalised oppressive forces and past harms. Whilst fully embracing the paradox that the ground from which our old patterns grew is often in the very areas we find challenging and yet it is the integration and transformation if these that we need. We will not be dwelling on the past, more using whatever experiences we have had had as a source of transformation.
I am passionate about equality, social and environmental justice. Tempered with self responsibility, taking charge of that which we can positively influence. Where we transform and integrate our contribution to both the micro level of what is immediately around us and the macro level bigger picture. Being realistic about the forces and people who have influence over us can help cultivate idealism that is grounded in pragmatism.
Some of the key influences and practices in my work with people include: Archetypal maps, mindfulness, appreciative inquiry, critical thinking, embodiment practices, playfulness and humour, spiral dynamics, art and creativity, CBT, mindfulness, Positive Intelligence and nature connection.
I am interested in living in regenerative ways - inner and outer. Developing practices to help us to deepen our understanding of being within nature as a part of nature- not separate but intimately interwoven. Then committing and striving to act in beneficial ways for our future generations.
I am a father of two wonderful young people who are now in their late 20's and early 30's I have informally fostered several other young people along the way and value intergenerational connections, friendships and collaborations.