Kathryn Davies MA UKCP
Here’s a little about me; with more awareness, the story shifts, morphs, and spirals. Through one lens, a particular view and aspect of my life story so far could be this. I spent periods of my early life, unconsciously, escaping; running from feelings, trying to fit in, dissociated from my body, my truth and expression.
In my early twenties I studied existential psychotherapy and immersed myself in yoga, meditation and Eastern approaches to inner transformation. Roots of inner conflict and limiting beliefs became exposed and a hunger for freedom awoke in me. My initial healing intentions of ‘feeling better’ opened into seeking truth and meaning. I trained in Hatha and Kundalini yoga and the uncomfortable comfort zone of my ‘normal life’ dismantled. Immersing into ashram life for a few years cracked me open, experiencing what have been described as ‘awakenings’ . I transitioned to ‘real life’ by spending a year alone, meditating, journaling insights and creating art, during which I felt called to share the healing I experienced. Initially setting up a yoga school offering classes, yoga therapy, and energy healing. Exploring, unveiling and unravelling continued through Vipassana, healing modalities, energy psychology and psychotherapeutic trainings. Meeting my inner world with awareness, rather than seeking to avoid or suppress would often lead to transformation of feelings and perceptions. In 2016 I completed a Masters in Buddhist based, Core Process Psychotherapy. I resonate deeply with the teachings of non duality including both advaita vedanta and tantra.
My experience has altered from addressing personal distress, perceiving myself as broken or wrong to a reconnection to the source and mystery of life. Immersion in both Eastern and Western wisdom as well as my own perceived healing path inform my work. This combination provides a deep ground to join you on your path and facilitate your process.
Alongside this work, I also spend time exploring my expression through art. My work is driven by a curiosity of the nature of experience and love of ‘truth’. The creative process opens my mind to new ways of seeing and being. I enjoy exploring the relationship between perceived ‘inner’ experiences and outer realities. My contemplative art practice often entails a dismantling of preconceived ideas, moving beyond boundaries to glimpse experientially pre conceptual awareness before and between form; absence of separation between mind and phenomena, subject and object, inside and outside.
The images used on this site are an example of my work and a reflection of the themes we encounter.
Please do click below if you would like to experience my portfolio of current work on a separate website Kathryn Davies Art.
Why True Expression?
The story of ‘True Expression’ is an important one and my intention in sharing is to deepen a connection and understanding of the essence of my work. In 2012 I returned from a yoga therapy training in India and continued to teach yoga in the UK. I knew my work was shifting and unfolding and yet the new form had not yet emerged. A few months later I received details of a retreat, described as; ‘True Expression, a zen immersion in yoga, meditation and creative writing’ on Salt Spring Island Vancouver with Zen Buddhist teacher and poet Peter Levitt.
I had no intentions to travel for a while and yet I couldn’t not go. A retreat that was a microcosm of all that I felt deeply drawn to. It was a transitional time in my life without a clear next step. The retreat was a truly significant dot in my life that joined creativity, yoga, meditation, Buddhism, my past to that point and a sense of an emerging future. It also pointed me to my next dot, the immersion in Core Process Psychotherapy, a Buddhist based psychotherapy. I had been drawn to this work twenty five years previously, but decided I had not enough life experience to warrant the role of psychotherapist. The time on the retreat was a deeply profound, heart opening and pivotal experience from which stillness, clarity and deeper creativity emerged. When sitting with the name for my work, All I could hear was ‘True Expression’. I have deep gratitude to Peter Levitt for his inspiration. I have included more information about Peter Levitt and his work in the resources section of this site.
Official bit..
Masters Degree Core Process Psychotherapy- Karuna Institute ( 2014- 2017)
Naturopathy training - The School of Naturopathy (2014-2015)
Kundalini Yoga-3 year transformational process -Amrit Nam Savaour (2011-2014)
Kundalini Yoga teacher training - Amrit Nam Savaour (2010-2011)
Reiki 1,2, 3 and Masters - Integrated Health (2008 - 2010)
Ayurveda nutrition diploma - International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta (2005)
Sivananda Yoga teacher Training - International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta (2003)
British Wheel of Yoga - BWY (2001)
Existential Psychotherapy Diploma - New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (2001-2002)
BA Honours Cultural Studies - University of Wales, Newport 1994- 1997