SOUL SEMINARS : Psychotherapy in Nature

Dear friends,

We are delighted to host Psychotherapist Peter Devlin to speak on the topic of practicing 'Psychotherapy in Nature'. This will be a very insightful talk for professionals that would like to learn more about working this way as well as those interested in learning more about the healing power of nature.

ABOUT THE NIGHT - From Peter Devlin

I will begin by talking briefly about my early life and in particular my awareness growing of my connection with the land which eventually led me to practice psychotherapy in nature. Working with human nature in the midst of wild nature, availing of the outer life as a way to be in touch with the inner self developed so naturally. The talk will include previous roles in working life; I was a priest for 17 years. I will speak about formative events which led me to move outdoors as a natural way to effect healing.
Since 2009 I have been delivering Soul Days in the North West and I will speak about how these helped me to begin to offer an outdoor environment to clients. Retreats and training events in my history, recent and past are all important in how and why I offer this alternative.
Spirituality. As with most people, my spirituality has developed over the years and plays a significant part in how I am with clients whether in or outside. Soul listening is important for me and when I am with a client I am very aware of there being at least two souls present and how healing is available for both. I am greatly influenced by the work of Bill Plotkin, in particular his book “Wild Mind” and I would subscribe to his view that many insights appear when we return to Earth and remember that we are related to everything that has ever existed. . The talk will also include some reference to Nature as the Primary Therapist,
The talk will include real examples of how I have worked in sessions with a variety of issues. It will be very obvious from these details how such work differs from working indoors and how it can also compliment and enhance office healing.

Ritual
One of the great advantages is the range of therapeutic tools available outside. The role and power of ritual is something I believe in strongly and can be used to great effect in landscape

Preparation
Not all clients would benefit from such work and I will speak about areas needing special attention including boundaries, health, and insurance, training and suitability of both client and therapist to wild environments.

ABOUT PETER DEVLIN
Peter is a farmer at heart with great love of the land. He presently lives in North Sligo with his wife and three young children and is originally from Co.Down. He has learned over the years that being outdoors and paying attention to all forms of life is deeply restorative and an entry point to the Divine for him. Currently his passion is to facilitate his soul completing its task in this life. He is constantly thankful to creation for gifting him on a daily basis with a glimpse of his soul.

Peter completed an M.A. in Applied Theology in 1998 in Berkeley, California, qualified as a psychotherapist in 2000, and as a clinical supervisor in 2006. He has been in private practice for the last fifteen years, and works with individuals and groups, indoors and outdoors. He conducts workshops and delivers monthly soul days and other soul care events. Wisdom of the body and the power of nature to heal and empower are very significant for him in his work.

As always we will being with a drumming meditation and break for tea and biscuits. Registration is from 7pm -7.30pm.

Warm regards,

Martin Duffy