About Adrian

One thread runs though the considerable diversity of my life; a fascination with the human condition. How can life be nurtured to fuller flowering? As this thread led me through philosophy, art, activism and academia, I often wondered what larger pattern might emerge. Was there some practice which could weave the threads together?

A path into the woods

Finding the path

It gradually became obvious that I had been circling what we call counselling for decades. Although formal study and experience has focused my practice, the path continues and I learn more everyday. Having worked for several organisations in London (including Wandsworth Carers' Centre, Family Psychological Services, and Cassiobury Court rehab clinic), I'm now based in central Exeter.

There are many theoretical approaches to therapy, and while I find many of them valuable, I don't believe that any theory can do justice to the complexity of human being. My practice takes account of CBT, Ecopsychology, Person Centered, Existential and Psychodynamic therapies. It is underpinned by a commitment to work in an embodied relational way: healing emerges from the wisdom of the body and is catalyzed by the power of the therapeutic relationship.

I was awarded my MSc Counselling and Psychotherapy by Roehampton University in 2014 and then trained as a Focusing Oriented Therapist. I am a Member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (MBACP) and Psychotherapists and Counsellors for Social Responsibility.

I explore therapy, embodiment, ecology and wellbeing in my blog, Bodymind Place.

I’m passionate about promoting mental health and wellbeing. To that end, I've:

  • joined the Editorial Team on the The European Journal of Ecopsychology;
  • been interviewed by ‘JUNO’ magazine and ‘Health & Wellbeing’;
  • published many articles (including in The Hourglass, Pagan Dawn and Self & Society: An International Journal for Humanistic Psychology) and numerous book chapters;
  • given presentations at The Eden Project, international conferences and several Universities, including Exeter, Winchester, Essex, Cardiff and York St. John.

My PhD research on embodied knowing in spirituality explored the wisdom of the body. The insights I gained inform my practice and led me to both Focusing and Ecotherapy. My MSc dissertation was completed in 2014 and is entitled What impact - if any - does working outdoors have on the therapeutic relationship? My PhD thesis on The Wisdom of the Body: Embodied Knowing in Eco-Paganism was completed in July 2008. The Embodiment Resources website has more information on my academic work.