Before being a psychotherapist I have been a farmer of commercial organic vegetables, medicinal herbs, orchards and livestock. Whilst working with folk on my farm I noticed the therapeutic space that was often occurring between us, no doubt supported by work with our hands, the surrounding landscape and the natural elements. The human qualities involved felt like an extension of this. I was curious about when we drop into greater depth and openness what fosters and nurtures those spaces? What is conducive about the tasks of tending soil, plants and animals together that enhances an intimate emotional holding and exploration of ourselves? These feeling based experiences I found, weren’t easily articulated. How could I lean into these familiar yet mysterious qualities with more understanding and confidence and become more aware of the factors at play? From where could I learn to offer something more fulfilling and skilful and further this capacity?

Process work, for me, effectively articulates and structures these queries beautifully and efficiently in a way that feels poetic, creative and fluid while simultaneously grounded, scientific and structured. I feel endlessly met and supported by what the modality offers, not only as a therapist but also with my own inner and relationship work. I appreciate the way it recognises the individual not only in their own right but also as an interconnected part of our social systems and our place in the whole natural world.

Although initially I perceived this work as part of my farming skillset, I stepped back from farming to focus on psychotherapy and also have a break from the intensive work of a small farm business. I am now doing some of both and am intrigued by how my process work training and skills have influenced my approach with the land and animals.

I have had some interesting and deep connections with non-human life and know there are branches to follow in this direction of inter-species process work and communication as well as developing relational and intuitive based farming and land management.