In the Whole Intelligence Podcast listeners will learn about field theory in gestalt therapy, discover the five explorations (also called five abilities or human strengths), and realise how gestalt values and experiences can support Citizens’ Practice, radical innovation, and healing interventions at every level – with individuals, families, communities and organisations. Fundamental to all Malcolm Parlett's work is to research, as well help release and stimulate, humanity’s Whole Intelligence. Living amidst global turbulence and the urgent ecological crisis, the need for greater Whole Intelligence is paramount.
Born from Macedonian parents in Switzerland, I had the chance from an early age to have multiple cultural perspectives. I have moved around my whole life, but found my base in North Macedonia where I always seem to go back to, no matter where I go. Trained in business, and running the family business from the age of 17, I early on sensed that I wanted something more for myself. I encountered Gestalt and trained as a psychotherapist, then as an OD consultant and coach, more recently as a supervisor. Gestalt gave me something the business world failed to, genuine relationship with others, self and the wider context. In 2015 when I received Malcolm’s book Future Sense while at a training at Bath, UK, I literally devoured the book in one night. Ever since I have been using the five explorations in my coaching, consulting, supervision and training students.
I live with my husband and my cocker spaniel in Skopje and we spend more and more time in the Eastern part of the country where we build a small cottage, planted over 400 trees and I take care of my lasagna beds in summer and spring, which give me the most amazing ingredients for fresh salads. The cottage is guarded by two huge Sarplaninac dogs that are also part of our family. When I am in Skopje, together with 9 associates we run GO Center for People and Organisational development, supporting individuals, teams and organisations in developing whole intelligence.
I am a proud new parent, concerned with the world my daughter, partner and I will live in, affected by the realities of ecological decline, changing climate and the socio-economic impacts of a planet approaching the limits of its natural resources.
In the face of these global challenges, I work as a multi-disciplinary practitioner, with professional engagements as a gestalt psychotherapist-in-training, a founder and product architect for a carbon tracking software platform for organisations, and producer of therapeutic experiences in virtual reality.
In my work, I seek to integrate a future-facing, scientific perspective with a deep reflective humanistic process in the pursuit of creating perspective-shifting tools and experiences to further the holistic development and probabilistic survival of our species in relationship with the wider natural world.
I am a Chartered Engineer with the Institute of Engineering and Technology, hold a Masters degree in Systems Engineering and am partway through a post-graduate diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the Gestalt Centre Wales.
I have research interests in the intersection between science and spirituality, the study of phenomenology, advances in consciousness research, and the combination of immersive technologies with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
I am endlessly fascinated by human behaviour, particularly in groups - collaboration, creativity and connection are themes that connect my personal and professional life. In my spare time, I love bikepacking, listening to music, reading science fiction and sharing great food with loved ones.
Isness: Using Multi-Person VR to Design Peak Mystical-Type Experiences Comparable to Psychedelics. Dissolving yourself in connection to others: shared experiences of ego attenuation and connectedness during group VR experiences can be comparable to psychedelics
I am fortunate to live in the New Forest in England with my wife, son, daughter, and our working cocker spaniel. Living close to nature has become increasingly important for me and I am keen that my impact as a human development professional supports how we can positively respond to the dominant themes of our time. My professional interests include constantly exploring ways of realising our human potential, encouraging regenerative working in organisations, and understanding how we collaborate as humans with artificial intelligence.
My professional background has many transitions: originally in the Military, I then went on to a 25 year, and counting, career in business, that has included working for global technology corporations; setting up, growing, and eventually selling a technology business; turning around a struggling technology business; and latterly growing a human development practice working across sectors and geographies to help realise the potential of leaders and their teams. My aspiration for my business, Tapping the Source, is to support organisations to become better places to be at work, where human development is a daily practice and our huge potential as humans can be tapped to resolve the big issues of our time. I also work for the charity Help for Heroes, helping veterans regain confidence and direction after physical and psychological injury; I volunteer for the Mental Health Foundation, and I enjoy facilitating group development courses for the local community, to provide group coaching to those people who can’t normally access it.
I was drawn to the work of Malcolm Parlett and Whole Intelligence originally out of an interest in the power of Gestalt. Through working with Malcolm and appreciating the power that this way of thinking, feeling, and behaving has for individuals, groups, and the culture in organisations, I am embedding the philosophy and approach of Whole Intelligence into much of my work.
I enjoy connecting with nature so camping, walking, and latterly surfing, are keen interests of mine. I am originally from Wales, and I particularly love the Pembrokeshire coast which is where I was born. We own a 1973 VW campervan called Laurel, so keeping her in good order is important, so we can enjoy the slower pace this driving and camping experience brings in our hyper connected and fast paced world.
I’ve always been fascinated by how we interact with ourselves, each other and our environments and what impact these interactions have on our lives and that of the wider community and environment.
As a curious reader I sought to understand these interactions and this launched me onto a journey of discovery that is still ongoing. My path intersected with Gestalt therapy about 19 years ago initially as a trainee psychotherapist, however this soon evolved into a way of being that has been a catalyst for my personal growth and has fuelled my interest in the evolution of consciousness.
I believe that Gestalt therapy and practice, with its rich, diverse and eclectic heritage, that takes a phenomenological approach, acknowledges our interconnectedness, focuses on the whole, is committed to dialogue and trusts the process of life as it unfolds in the here and now, has much to offer beyond the therapy room. Malcolm Parlett’s work on Whole Intelligence creates the bridge that enables this to happen and much of my work now as a researcher-practitioner psychotherapist and executive coach is dedicated to this. I believe that change happens one person at a time, creating a ripple effect that has a much wider societal and environmental impact.
Over the years I’ve worked within the business, cultural, entertainment, tourism, educational and health sectors internationally as a freelancer, business owner, manager, consultant, facilitator, group & executive coach and psychotherapist. I’m currently reading for my professional doctorate in Gestalt Psychotherapy with a focus on Whole Intelligence, Resilience and Adult Development as my areas of research.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, including our recently adopted puppy, reading, connecting with friends, laughing, learning, eating good food and walking by the beautifully scented, ever-changing Mediterranean Sea.
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