About Florence

I was born and educated in Glasgow and for many years worked in London book publishing. I have always written stories, poems and non-fiction and have a lifelong interest in the power of creativity to self-heal, enabling meaningful expression and interconnection with others through small movements of mind, body, heart and soul. For me, therapy may be said to be successful when it helps to release creativity in the most simple yet radical ways. What emerges may be a deeper connection with the life force, the benefits of ordinary human relationship and a greater sense of meaning and purpose in our journey through life.

In 1994 I was directed to the College of Psychic Studies and the works of Alice Bailey, which continue to influence my life and work. Inspired by the practical nature of Buddhist teachings I found my way to Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre and the professional Core Process Psychotherapy training founded by Maura Sills at the Karuna Institute in Devon. I have an MA in Core Process Psychotherapy and am accredited to the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

In clinical practice I have worked successfully with people in a variety of settings including mental health and family addiction services, as well as in private practice. To clinical work I bring a deep respect for the human condition, and a capacity to work with people in a way that welcomes the ordinary, the unknown and the sacred - whatever that may mean to each one of us. Working in present time with awareness and the creative imagination, art, writing, movement, myth, body symptoms and visualisation can come into play depending on how people would like to work. Influences here include Eugene Gendlin's Focusing and the bodywork of Marion Woodman. I work in a holistic way, recognising the interconnectedness of all aspects of our lives including our spiritual health.

My special interest is in offering depth work for women going through life changes, either voluntary or forced, at midlife and into the ageing process. To this I bring experiential knowledge of how profound change can emerge, including ‘dark night of the soul’ states of being - which as the late Petruska Clarkson noted, seem to be a requirement for any creative breakthrough.

I used to look for answers
In the lessons of history.
In other people's bedrooms,
In the words of ancient wisdom.
Thinking
I could change my life,
Become better, wiser, whole.
Now I look at you
And know
That the answer to the question:
Where am I going?
Is simply
Where I am going
Here and now.

© Florence Hamilton 1998, published in The Chrysalis Selection,
Kindred Spirit, Winter 98/99.