Personal Background

Having lived half my life in England and half in Australia, I know the grief and loss associated with immigration as well as the excitement and adventure of forging a life in a new land. I have travelled the length and breadth of Australia, as well as New Zealand, Europe, Canada, USA, the Middle East, S.E Asia, Tibet and Nepal and I find all cultures a source of great interest and fascination. Perhaps it is not surprising that social anthropology was my favourite subject at university.

Travelling and exploring other countries is one kind of adventure, exploring the inner world of the psyche is yet another. In 1992 I began psychotherapy with a Jungian analyst, which proved a rich and deeply rewarding experience for me, both personally and professionally. I continue to explore my inner world through dreams, dance and meditation and I still seek out therapy as and when I feel the need.

Another adventure and lifelong journey is that of motherhood. It continues to be amongst the most rewarding and the most challenging of my life experiences. I feel deep gratitude for the gift of three children, all of whom are young adults now.

I will leave you with a quote from Kahil Gibran whose wisdom on the subject of parenting has guided me along the way:

‘Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow that you cannot visit,
not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday….’

The Prophet