“One of the tasks of true friendship is to listen compassionately and creatively to the hidden silences. Often secrets are not revealed in words, they lie concealed in the silence between the words or in the depth of what is unsayable between two people.”

- John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

What I offer individuals is in alignment with how I guide small groups: providing some sense of flow and rhythm, facilitation, metaphors, stories, evocative imagery, poetry and reflections on what life is revealing.

My role with another overlaps, and yet distinguishes itself from, the role of a therapist, coach or counsellor. These are all valuable ways of serving each other.  Yet, the difference results from the influence of my lineage of deep attentiveness and the art of open questions, provided by my mentor and friend Parker J. Palmer and the collaborative work of The Center for Courage and Renewal.

I’m also influenced by the ancient Irish understanding of an ‘anam cara’ (literally ‘soul friend’).

An anam cara is a companion: a friend that relies on the experiences of equity, silence, wit, fierce kindness, recognition and belonging, rather than reliance on professional expertise. A soulful friendship “awakens my life in order to free the wild possibilities within me.” Friendship is grounded in mutuality and reciprocal learning. The arts of accompaniment, presence and regard are at the core of this relationship.