I have practised and taught mindfulness for over four decades, drawing on different mindful approaches. In my coaching & therapy, I increasingly specialise in sleep, helping people to overcome a variety of sleep-related problems; and also support those facing physical and emotional challenges, where unresolved issues inhibit or disrupt creativity, artistry and performance. On my courses and workshops, I teach mindfulness and meditation for life’s challenges, and am author of a growing range of mindfulness books and other materials.
Qualifications
- First Class History degree (Bristol University, 1985 )
- Master (M.Phil.) and Doctorate (D.Phil.) at Oxford University (1994 and 1999)
- Doctoral research into Buddhist meditation texts (published 2002)
- Certified Practitioner and Teacher of Focusing (with BFA and TIFI, 2010)
- Certified Mindfulness Teacher (with CMRP, Bangor, 2012)
- Certified Trainer in Nonviolent Communication (with CNVC, 2004)
- Certified Trauma Therapist (Somatic Experiencing, with SOSI, 2022)
Clients & Courses
For more about my professional delivery, see below. Or check out my clients in Testimonials.
My Approaches
My consultancy is a synthesis of several powerful mindful approaches:
Secular Mindfulness and Meditation – A secular, well-researched method to overcome stress, and increase wellbeing, health and happiness.
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Focusing – An exquisitely subtle approach to emotional intelligence and inner/outer flow.
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Nonviolent Communication (NVC) – A mindful approach to transforming conflict and judgement into connection and kindness, aka Compassionate Communication, or Needs-based Communication.
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Somatic Experiencing (trauma therapy) – An understanding of trauma as ‘held in the body’ in present time, and so accessible to survival, recovery, healing and health.
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and a bit more…
Professional life
Following a first class degree in History from Bristol University in 1985, I first worked in the Arts sector. In the 1990s, I completed Masters and Doctorate degrees at Oxford University in Buddhist Studies, and entered an academia as a lecturer in Religious Studies. In 2004-2014, I set up my own consultancy (Life at Work), specialising in delivering mindful communication, and managing conflict in the public and private sectors. From 2014, I held a ground-breaking post at Cambridge University as the Cambridge Mindfulness Practioner, responsible for devising and delivering the researched mindfulness courses which underpinned the largest randomised control trial to date in HE, with significant positive results (as published in The Lancet, 2017). I continue to teach at Cambridge University, alongside growing numbers of individual clients, and my increasing support for healthy sleep, and for creative performance practice.
Personal life
At home, I enjoy writing, meditating and singing. Apart from my doctoral tome (‘Vajrayogini’, Wisdom Publications 2002), I have written a three volume guide to meditation, subtitled, ‘The Gentle Guides to Meditation’ (published by Mud Pie Books.). With an approachable, page-a-day format, the volumes support the meditator’s journey, in prose and poetry (see Books). I have also written and directed stage plays, scribbled a novel, and etched poems, many of which appear in recent publications. I am currently researching my first historical novel. Music is always an inspiration, and I continue to train and perform as a singer. My black working cocker spaniel, Cherub, is an inexpressible source love and joy.
Professional life
Following a first class degree in History from Bristol University in 1985, I first worked in the Arts sector. In the 1990s, I completed Masters and Doctorate degrees at Oxford University in Buddhist Studies, and entered an academia as a lecturer in Religious Studies. In 2004-2014, I set up my own consultancy (Life at Work), specialising in delivering mindful communication, and managing conflict in the public and private sectors. From 2014, I held a ground-breaking post at Cambridge University as the Cambridge Mindfulness Practioner, responsible for devising and delivering the researched mindfulness courses which underpinned the largest randomised control trial to date in HE, with significant positive results (as published in The Lancet, 2017). I continue to teach at Cambridge University, alongside growing numbers of individual clients, and my increasing support for healthy sleep, and for creative performance practice.
Personal life
At home, I enjoy writing, meditating and singing. Apart from my doctoral tome (‘Vajrayogini’, Wisdom Publications 2002), I have written a three volume guide to meditation, subtitled, ‘The Gentle Guides to Meditation’ (published by Mud Pie Books.). With an approachable, page-a-day format, the volumes support the meditator’s journey, in prose and poetry (see Books). I have also written and directed stage plays, scribbled a novel, and etched poems, many of which appear in recent publications. I am currently researching my first historical novel. Music is always an inspiration, and I continue to train and perform as a singer. My black working cocker spaniel, Cherub, is an inexpressible source love and joy.