Some influences stay with you for a lifetime – psychosynthesis is one of mine

For me, psychosynthesis is one of those threads, a formative influence that has shaped my thinking and practice for decades.

Recently, I had the pleasure and honour of being invited by the Trustees of the Psychosynthesis & Education Trust to revisit that journey in conversation with Kim Shiller. The invitation offered a rare opportunity to reflect publicly on my long‑standing relationship with the Trust: my early involvement of training there, later as a Trustee, and the enduring impact both experiences continue to have on my work.

Returning to the Roots

My connection with psychosynthesis began in 1983 a period when I was at a career crossroads, searching for an approach that could meet me in my concerns about the world (this was still the days of the Cold War, and environmental issues) and honoured the whole human being. one that acknowledged depth, purpose, creativity, and ‘height’ what some might call the “more‑than‑personal or trans-personal.” Psychosynthesis offered exactly that, a psychology that does not reduce us to our defences or pathologies but instead recognises our capacity for meaning, agency, emergence and joy.

Those early experiences were formative. They offered not only a framework, and community but also a way of being, an attitude of curiosity, spaciousness, and presence that has quietly accompanied me through every chapter of my life ever since.

The Lasting Impact on My Work

Although my professional path has taken many twists and turns, psychosynthesis continues to inform my practice as a coach, educator, and leader. Its principles are woven through Wise Goose’s approach to purpose‑led leadership, systemic awareness, and values‑based development.

What I learned at the Trust continues to show up in how I listen, how I cultivate space for insight, and how I support individuals and organisations in navigating complexity with integrity.

In the interview, Kim and I explore these themes and more, from the early days of my involvement at the Trust to the evolving role of psychosynthesis today. For anyone interested in the roots of my work or the wider evolution of psychosynthesis‑informed coaching and leadership, I hope you’ll find something of value in the conversation.

If my experience resonates, feel free to share reflections or experiences of your own. Psychosynthesis has always been, at its heart, a conversation a meeting of inner and outer worlds. I’m always delighted to continue that conversation in new ways.