Getting started with counselling and therapy

Often counselling and therapy is sought at a crisis point in life or when times present themselves as confused uncertain or just difficult

I would be very happy to have an initial conversation or meet with you to explore whether we could work together and if I can offer the support and help you’re looking for. I look forward to hearing from you and taking the next steps together…

This might be on a short term basis, if solution based sessions are the objective; or on a longer term basis if you are also seeking to go beyond the ease of symptoms, working toward further self- development, awareness and growth and looking to unlock emerging potential.


I will support and encourage you on your journey, whatever you decide, building a trusted and secure relationship as we step together in this process of exploring and healing the present, past and understanding more fully the ties that bind while accessing and resourcing you to unlock, reach forward and take back that potential which has been lost or forgotten.


Adopting psychosynthesis as the foundation for the work I will also integrate this with other techniques, methodologies and healing practices from other schools of thought from the East and West including meditation, mindfulness and body work such as hatha yoga. All will depend upon your individual circumstance, the nature of the presenting issues and trauma experienced, but most importantly taking account of you as the client and your needs following the initial assessment.

What is psychosynthesis?

Difficult to describe in a few words, psychosynthesis is an open comprehensive and inclusive system, not directly linked with…

“Solving this or that problem, but with creating the conditions in which it can be solved or transcended” — Whitmore, D. 2004: P19

A psychology with a soul to unlock potential, a philosophy and way of being or orientation to facilitate and reveal more of one’s true self

Psychosynthesis views every individual as unique, with a purpose in life on a continual journey of self-discovery and unfoldment. Acknowledging that pain, crisis and suffering may well be experienced as part of that process as well as "peak experiences", psychosynthesis also considers and works with what might be emerging and so lead to a more holistic, integrated and purposeful life with access to “what we may be”.

These axioms form the grounding structure and therapeutic model for the work to be undertaken for human growth and development, putting “self” or “I” at the centre

With roots in psycho analytic work with influences from Freud and Jung, for example, psychosynthesis has developed and evolved and weaved its way through the ages remaining distinct but not separate from, other methodologies and schools of thought from the “East” and “West” and continues to develop today.

From the “West” during the 20th Century there have been “4 main forces of psychological development” and generally accepted as being:

Psycho-analytic, cognitive/behavioural, humanistic and transpersonal; and these have all touched psychosynthesis philosophy. While from the “East” historically came thoughts, practices and philosophies for lifestyle and wellbeing. The regular practice of meditation and yoga for example, has been encouraged to enhance wellbeing for mind body and spirit as part of the unfolding journey.

Historical Background

Psychosynthesis as a psychology and modality of counselling therapy, was founded by Roberto Assagioli (1888-1974). Born in Venice and receiving a medical education at the University of Florence, he specialised in neurology and psychiatry, but also pursued psychological and philosophical studies.

His conception of psychosynthesis was initially contained in his doctoral thesis on psychoanalysis in 1910. Practicing psychiatry in Italy, he gradually developed his own form of psychotherapy forming the Institute of Psychosynthesis in 1926 based in Rome.

Following the struggle for the control of Europe the work was frustrated but in 1948 the Institute emerged again in Florence. As a writer and lecturer he published extensively with a major work being published in 1965: Psychosynthesis: A manual of principles and Techniques (N.Y.: Hobbs, Dorman).

For more information on Psychosynthesis, practices and techniques I would recommend the following books:


  • Guggisberg Nocelli, P. (2017): The ways of Psychosynthesis. (Lugano)
  • Whitmore, D. (2004): Psychosynthesis Counselling in Action 4th Edition. (Sage)
  • Brown, M.Y. (2004): Unfolding Self – The practice of Psychosynthesis. Canada (Allworth)
  • Firman, J. & Gila, A. (1997): The Primal Wound. N.Y. (SUNY Press)

The next step forward & services offered

Visiting my website may already mean you have made the decision to take the next step forward... so I would be very pleased to hear from you by phone or email and would be very happy to have an initial conversation or meet with you to explore whether we can work together and if I can offer the support and help you’re looking for.


My counselling service is on an individual basis for adults (18+) and can be: on a personal face to face basis at either Chilton or Wantage (including walk and talk therapy sessions from my home location); or by, video link, mobile or landline phone by mutual agreement.


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