mentor profile

My Mentoring Philosophy…

• That the process is about developing an open and honest relationship.
• To name and continually reinforce the mentees strengths and to see that as the foundation to build upon.
• To facilitate them to explore aspects of their own process in life in relation to their work.
• To ask the mentee to reflect upon what is the point or purpose of what they are doing? And how does that relate to what they believe they are doing?
• To be open, honest and self-disclosing about my life challenges. To share my own vulnerabilities and challenges in regards to both life, and my work (they are not separate).
• To share my insights and learning’s as an offering rather than an instruction. They are merely a possibility for the person to see things from another angle.
• To acknowledge I am still a student, constantly learning and growing and that I see the relationship to be an opportunity for my own learning and development. I can and will learn from them as well!
• To approach the process with a sense of fun and enjoyment!

About my learning…

The key thing that was initially important for me in my learning was body movement as a crucial foundation to deeper connection; this is still integral to my style. I identify primarily as a ‘zen-style’ therapist although I believe I’m moving beyond that into a form with no name!

My real passion and focus has been on the exploration and reflection through clinical practice; what works in practice? I have a deep and passionate interest in trauma and childhood attachment psychology, its manifestation in the body, and how to work with that. These deep embedded patterns are for me is what holds humans back from finding and expressing their true self. That interest has evolved out of a deep knowing that how one touches, connects, moves and interacts with the client is essential in creating a safe environment that is absolutely crucial in creating the possibility for change.

Equally as important, and an area that I believe is an essential part of the practice, is the client/practitioner relationship – creating and sustaining ‘connection’ through dialogue, managing the complex emotional and psychological factors that arise and creating a positive supportive relationship. Fundamental to that is recognising the challenges that clients bring through their own trauma backgrounds and understanding that we needed to move through healthy co-regulation to get to a place of self-regulation. What makes them feel safe? This has been the focus of my own supervision process as I continue to learn and evolve my own clinical practice.

Lastly I have had the experience of being through cancer personally, first in 1992 and latterly in 2013. This has provided me a deep insight into what are the factors that influence our health and wellbeing.

What I’ve done…

Professional training

• 1994 – Shiatsu training on Macrobiotic Foundation Course, London UK with Rex Lasselle
• 1995-1998 – Diploma of Shiatsu, British School of Shiatsu-Do; Principle teachers: Ray Ridolfi & Suzanne Franzen. The schools philosophical influences were from Bill Palmer and Saul Goodman.
• 1997-2000 – Teaching Assistant, Diploma of Shiatsu, British School of Shiatsu-Do, London, UK.
• 1998-2000 – Post Graduate Training, Mi Zai Institute, Asti, ITALY with Luigi Garguilo; a former Ohashi Instructor & Aikido Master.
• 1998-2001 – Postgraduate training with Liz Cruikshanks. Weaving cranial sacral work with shiatsu.
• 1997-2004 – Regular Post Graduate workshops, London, UK. Day/weekend with the likes of Michael Rose, Nick Pole, Jane Lyon, Daverick Leggett, Neil Gulliver, Julie McBride plus more.
• 2016-present – Post Graduate training with Bill Palmer, UK. Workshops in Melbourne.
• 2020-2023 – Supervision with Liz Stewart, USA. A structural integrator and experienced mentor and supervisor of therapists worldwide.

Other training

• 1994-2004 – ‘Hua Gong’ with Zhixing Wang, London UK; monthly qigong weekend workshops and annual two week retreats.
• 2016 – Non-Violent Communication Foundation Course, Castlemaine VIC.
• 2014-2024 – Working as a Support worker with High needs Disability. This has given me an incredibly valuable insight into my understanding of trauma, of touch and connection.

Clinical practice

• 1997-present – London/Melbourne/Castlemaine – Ongoing private clinical practice.
• 1998-2004 – The Walk-in Backrub, London UK ­– Chair massage/shiatsu in a central London business.
• 2000-2004 – Corporate Massage, London – chair massage for corporate clients.

Teaching

• 2006-2016 – Teacher on The Diploma of Shiatsu & Oriental Therapies at East West College, Melbourne AUS. Classes included Introductory, Shiatsu Sequences, Zen & Advanced Zen Shiatsu, Oriental Therapies, and supervising the Student Clinic.
• 2018-2019 – Guest Lecturer on The Diploma of Shiatsu & Oriental Therapies at The Collective Wellness Institute, Melbourne VIC. Introductory sessions, student webinars, student clinic.
• 2005-present – Post Graduate Shiatsu Workshops in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, NZ
• 2010-present – Small group study groups and tutorials; an extended exploration of clinical practice with limited numbers over a six-month period.
• 2019-present – A mentor on the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia’s Mentoring Program.