Mic sca

I have maintained a dedicated meditation practice since 2000, spanning more than twenty-five years of study, personal practice, retreats, and engagement with a variety of Buddhist traditions. Meditation has been a significant influence on both my personal life and my professional development as a counsellor and psychotherapist, providing a foundation for self-awareness, emotional regulation, compassion, and resilience. Over the years, I have explored and practised within several Buddhist schools, including Tibetan Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and Theravada Buddhism. Each tradition has offered a unique perspective on understanding the mind and cultivating wellbeing. Through Tibetan Buddhism, I have engaged with compassion-based practices, visualisation methods, and teachings on mindfulness and the development of wisdom. My experience with Nichiren Buddhism introduced a disciplined daily practice centred on personal responsibility, perseverance, and the transformative power of focused intention. My study and practice of Zen Buddhism deepened my appreciation for simplicity, presence, and direct experience. Through seated meditation and mindfulness practice, I learned the value of observing thoughts and emotions without becoming attached to them. Theravada Buddhism, particularly through mindfulness and Vipassana meditation, provided a strong grounding in awareness of mental and physical processes, helping to cultivate greater insight into patterns of thought, behaviour, and emotional experience. Throughout this journey, I have participated in retreats, group practice, individual study, and sustained daily meditation. These experiences have strengthened my ability to remain calm and present during periods of challenge, uncertainty, and emotional intensity. They have also fostered qualities that are central to my counselling work, including patience, empathy, curiosity, non-judgement, and the capacity to sit with difficult experiences without immediately seeking to change or avoid them. While I maintain a clear distinction between psychotherapy and spiritual practice, my long-term engagement with meditation has enriched my understanding of human suffering, personal growth, and psychological wellbeing. The qualities developed through meditation support my ability to create a grounded, reflective, and compassionate therapeutic environment in which clients can explore their experiences safely and openly. Meditation continues to be an important part of my life today, not only as a personal practice but also as an ongoing source of learning, self-reflection, and wellbeing. It has given me a deep appreciation for the diversity of human experience and the capacity for growth, healing, and positive change.