No, I’m not a psychologist. I’ve taken a different training path, and it’s been extensive. I experienced depression and anxiety in my 20s and 30s (they usually go together). It was debilitating and life felt difficult. Making my way in the world took a great deal of courage. I had to do a lot of talking to myself to get out the door some days. Spirituality was always important to me and it’s the reason I followed a non mainstream path. An individualistic approach just didn’t seem enough to me. I needed the transpersonal. Transpersonal psychology is interested in an approach to healing that is wholistic, transformational, and that looks beyond the individual to consider a broader context including; multidimensional trauma, social context, and spirituality (perhaps best understood as the interconnection of all of life).

My training path began when I found yoga and discovered that the ‘bottom up’ approach of moving my body really helped me to get out of my head and get some relief from all those unhelpful thought patterns that were plaguing me. In my first teacher training I learned a bit about yoga nidra, but it wasn’t explained in detail and I wanted to know more. This led me to iRest® yoga nidra and what I didn’t bargain on was discovering a detailed map of spiritual Awakening that has really become the cornerstone of my life. This somatic (body based) meditation approach also confirmed the importance of the body in healing. iRest was my first introduction to a trauma sensitive approach and recognising the critical importance of safety in any growth, development and transformation process. This, in turn led to an interest in learning how to teach physical yoga in a trauma sensitive way. I began to learn about how working with the nervous system is a crucial component of healing.

As a lifelong learner, I spring boarded into studies in yoga therapy which covered psychology and mental health, physiology and vital systems in addition to the more usual anatomy and musculoskeletal systems. I studied positive neuroplasticity with Rick Hanson in the US (author of many books including Hardwiring Happiness) and still assist on his online courses. On the foundation of my certified iRest teacher accreditation I have taught mindfulness in the community since 2018. My journey as a mindfulness teacher led me to recognise the importance of self compassion in the healing process. Discovering the Masters in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology, in which I’m entering my final year, has helped me to join all the dots of my previous studies. My early formal studies were in social analysis and I now recognise the important contribution that this perspective (social context) brings to my approach.

Having taken a non-mainstream approach to my own healing, that is now what I offer you. I know first hand that trauma, anxiety and depression can be transformed. If you’re someone, like me, who’s looking for a more wholistic approach to heal and grow, I’d love to work with you. There is so much that you can do to support yourself and pick up the reins of your life. You have all that you need to transform within you. I will support you to discover that. I’ve been working one to one online and with a small number of people in person for the last few years. But, from 8 July, 2025 I have a consulting room in Richmond each Tuesday to work with you face to face. You can find out more and book in here.