Apr 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 1 mo

Apr 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 1 mo

Apr 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 1 mo

Apr 2019 – Present · 7 yrs 1 mo

• Sky Canopy Consulting:
• Narrative strategist, analyst, writer, researcher, synthesiser:
• geopolitical satire, strategic and weaponised narratives; papers and commentary on geopolitics, international relations, international law, terrorism, far-right extremism, LAWS, media, propaganda, conflict resolution, - blog, papers, articles, commentary; skype, zoom presenting
• Subject matter expert: strategic narratives, proactive counternarratives, disinformation, far-right extremism, terrorism, conflict resolution, creative writing (geopolitical satire)
• Background:
• Formerly: Therapeutic Coaching tm for Personal Transformation
• Collaborative dispute resolution
• I have been inspired by leading philosophers, poets, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and psychologists throughout my life (see under Psychotherapist in Private Practice - training & experience).
• As a practitioner, I was on the cutting edge of psychotherapy in NZ from 1974 until 1988 when I retired from the field.
• In the intervening years, I have evolved into a life-long learner, initially channeling elements of my therapeutic expertise into business coaching (the dynamics of achievement), then returning to Auckland Law School after an absence of 22 years to complete my law studies. Feeling like a 'bonsai plant' in the legal profession after a full career, I spent a year incubating my next step. I underwent personal and family crises and adjustments that entailed much reflection and I had to draw deeply on all my knowledge, experience and inner resources to serve myself and my family. Luckily my inner resources have always been more important to me than material acquisitions.
• I emerged reinvigorated in order to carve out a new direction. Its been an adventure into the unknown.
• "As a life-long learner, I'm aware of the joys of re-inventing myself. I like to fool my brain that I'm 29 again! 'Retirement' is a concept that is really not helpful and I still follow my energy, passion and heart like I've always done."

Oct 2003 – Apr 2015 · 11 yrs 6 mos · Auckland

• Member of NZ Law Society Family Law Section (12 years). Divorce lawyer and trained mediator specialising primarily in child matters (including relocation of children), relationship property settlements and litigation (including trusts and company issues), spousal maintenance, child support, guardianship & dissolution of marriage. Background in civil, commercial, criminal & employment law. Lawyer for Child training.

Oct 1997 – Feb 2003 · 5 yrs 4 mos

• Civil, commercial, employment, family, criminal and traffic law. Attended multiple mediations. District, High Court & Family Court litigation. Junior counsel to senior criminal barristers and QC’s (1997-2000).

Feb 1991 – Jan 1993 · 1 yr 11 mos

• Business trainer for corporate CEO's, MD's of medium sized companies, professionals & SME's and their teams. Leading US /international business goal-setting and time management corporation. Obtained Masters Pin-highest company award; NZ Client of the Year award 1993 (Rio Beverages)

Jan 1974 – Jan 1988 · 14 yrs · Auckland

• Former member of NZ Association of Psychotherapists & Counsellors.
• Training:
• Gestalt (holistic) Therapy
• Psychodrama (with Dr. Leon Fine Ph.D, Oregon; Dale Herron Ph.D, NZ)
• Strategic Family Therapy
• Brief Psychotherapy
• Transactional Analysis
• Cognitive Therapy (REBT)
• Somatic therapies
• and
• Ericksonian Hypnosis
• with Stephen and Carol Lankton, pupils of Milton Erickson MD, (psychiatrist, Phoenix, Arizona, founder of modern medical hypnosis and Metaphor induction).
• Workshopped somatic therapy with Dr. Eva Reich MD.
• Studied works of Dr. Milton Erickson MD, Dr. Jeffrey Zeig Ph.D, Stephen Lankton, Dr. Moreno, Fritz Perls MD, Albert Ellis, Virginia Satir, Victor Frankl, Erich Fromm, Erving Goffman, Bruno Bettleheim, Stanislav Grof M.D., Eric Berne, Carl Rogers, C.J. Jung et al.
• Experience:
• Social worker/therapist Tauhei Residential Therapy Centre (1974-75) under supervision of Dept of Community Health, Auckland Medical School (Dr. Rex Hunton)
• Developed & led 10-session workshops for single women 'Breathing Space' (1980's)
• Weekend experiential workshops (NZ) 1980's for individual & couples work.
• Co-led Weekend Workshops (Ericksonian Hypnosis)
• Led training workshop for Psychiatry staff at Royal Park Hospital, Melbourne (1975)
• Psychotherapist at Parnell Medical Centre (1984-1987)
• Couples Counselling
• Counsellor at Epsom Day Hospital and AMAC. Used hypnosis pre-op.
• Presented seminar on Trance Induction at National Conference, NZ Assn Psychotherapists & Counsellors (1985); organised conference 1988.