Spirituality is an often used word that needs clarifying: what do I mean with spirituality on the pages of this website? For me, spirituality is only very loosely connected to religion. Religion is, in a way, the organised and dogmatic version of spirituality that comes from outside us to provide … (continue)
On Shoulders of Giants
We always stand on the shoulders of giants: those who have gone before us, and have given us access to their wisdom. Here below you will find a selection of some of the approaches, wisdoms and individuals who have inspired me, as a man, as a person, and as a counsellor.
Existential Counselling
Existential counselling explores “the big questions” of existence: life and death, loss and gain, identity and purpose. “It is an optimistic approach in that it embraces human potential, while remaining a realistic approach through its recognition of human limitation.” Existentialism and humanism are closely related. They are often seen as … (continue)
Narrative Approach
The narrative approach to psychology focuses on the stories that we tell about ourselves: who we are, where we come from, where we’re heading. How we make meaning of our lives and of the events unfolding in our lives defines how we experience the quality of that life. A narrative … (continue)
Archetypal Psychology
Archetypal psychology is, I feel, an extension and a deepening of the narrative approach to psychology. Both approaches are quite critical of mainstream thinking about the afflictions of the mind (which are all too often seen as symptoms of psychopathology: something’s ‘sick’), both approaches widen the field of vision to … (continue)