Manchester born, Manchester bred, Manchester trained – Manchester is in my blood.
I have been working with people in difficult times and circumstances for over 50 years.
This has taken me:
- from the pastoral care and counselling of people facing illness, death & bereavement,
- to psychotherapy with individuals struggling with difficult histories and even more difficult present,
- to NHS work with people who self-harm or attract a diagnosis of personality disorder
- and working with therapeutic groups both F2F and online
I have 20+ years of work as an NHS Psychotherapist, and even longer in private practice
Whilst my focus is firmly on the time I spend with individuals or groups, my involvement in the psychotherapy profession is notable.
From July 2011-13 I was President of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP). From 2011-2013, Vice President from 2009-11 and 2013-15. The EAP represents the principle professional bodies from 28 nations and 18 psychotherapy modalities. Prior to that I was Hon. Sec., then Vice Chair of the UK Council for Psychotherapy – the principal UK regulatory body for psychotherapy. A Registered Group and Individual Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP), through the “Council for Psychoanalysis and Jungian Analysis College” (CPJA).
I supervise counsellors and psychotherapists, lead personal development groups for counsellors, and teach in the UK and abroad.
My work is covered by the UKCP Standards and Code of Ethics and Complaints Procedures
But my passion is in the therapeutic encounter, the space where the real work is done.
Prior to training and working as a psychotherapist, my primary profession is as a Church of England clergyman; I still practice and I am an honorary Canon or Manchester Diocese. For some considering therapy, this may be an obstacle; all I can say is that I am both able and careful to separate out the two roles. Having my own training analysis means I am largely aware of the biases that might interfere with others’ therapy.
Potted Biography
| 1972 – 1975 | – Ordained curate, St. John, Bury |
| 1974 – 1977 | – Counselling and Pastoral Care training |
| 1975 – 1977 | – Asst. Chaplain, North Manchester General Hospital |
| 1977 – 1983 | – Hospital Chaplain, Walsall |
| 1983 – 2000 | – Senior Chaplain, Manchester Royal Infirmary (and Trust) |
| 1985 – 1986 | – Group Psychotherapy training. |
| 1986 – Present | – Counselling training Personal Development Group facilitator |
| 1989 – 1993 | – Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy training |
| 1996 – 2015 | – NHS Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist |
| 2000 – Present | – Chaplain, Manchester Cathedral |
| 2009 | – Honorary Canon, Diocese of Manchester |
| 2002 – 209 | – Hon. Secretary, then Vice Chair, UK Council for Psychotherapy |
| 2009 – 2011 & 2013 – 2015 | – Vice President, European Association for Psychotherapy |
| 2011 – 2013 | – President, European Association for Psychotherapy |
| 2018 – 2023 | – President, European Confederation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies |
| 2020 – 2023 | – Chair of Association of Counselling and Therapy Online |