For as long as I can remember I have been curious about what makes human beings ‘tick’. Soon after graduating as an engineer, I moved careers to work in the field of human services and education.

My active involvement in mental health began in 1986 when I was appointed as Director Te Raroroa O Taitokerau – an ‘adventure therapy’ national research pilot program in the north of New Zealand. This was a bi-cultural experiential community-based intervention with major input from local Maori elders. Despite its success, the program was closed in 1989 and I moved to live in Perth.

Since being in Western Australia I have taught group work in the Schools of Social Work at UWA and at Curtin University, taught in the Edith Cowan Masters in Psychoanalytic Counselling and Psychotherapy, consulted to the Royal College of GP’s, ran dozens of adventure therapy and group facilitation workshops in many countries around the World, and provided ‘reflective space’ sessions for two CAMHS multi-disciplinary teams as well as for the CAMHS metro group of psychiatrists.

I have published extensively in the fields of adventure therapy, experiential learning, organizational culture, group dynamics and community dynamics. See www.groupinstitute.com for an archive of publications and previous clients.

With my involvement in Mindful Margaret River, I hope to be a catalyst for those whose passion is empowering community members to engage with each other in ways that increase community resilience, connectedness and psychological and emotional well-being.