About
BACKGROUND AND WORK EXPERIENCE
I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and moved to the UK in 2003 after completing a first degree in Psychology and Human Resources at the University of Cape Town. In 2005 I completed a certificate year in psychosynthesis counselling through the Psychosynthesis Trust and in 2009 qualified as a psychosynthesis counsellor.
In 2010 I moved back to South Africa where I worked as an addiction and trauma therapist at the residential clinic, Harmony Addictions and Psychiatric Care. Harmony is a dual diagnosis treatment centre running inpatient and outpatient programmes for patients recovering from substance abuse, behavioural addiction and eating disorders. Much of the work at Harmony focuses on the link between trauma and addiction by integrating different therapeutic approaches with the 12-step model.
In 2013 I returned to the UK and began working in private practice part-time alongside work in the charity sector. In 2016 I enrolled in a MA degree in Psychotherapy (MA) through Middlesex University, graduating in 2019. For my MA research I investigated the use of the psychedelic brew ayahuasca through the lens of psychosynthesis therapy. I have written a summary of the research outcomes on my articles page. As part of the MA course, I also volunteered on an acute adult psychiatric care ward with the South London and Maudsley Trust. In 2019 I joined the Wavepaths team as an in-house therapist working with its digital therapeutics’ music software and from 2020 – 2022 I continued at Wavepaths as their Clinical Lead.
As of 2022 I have been involved in clinical trials research as a psychedelic therapy guide, alongside offering psychotherapy and supervision services in private practice. Research trials I have worked on as a lead therapist include the investigation of Ibogaine for Opioid Use Disorder (Phase 1), 5-MeO-DMT for Treatment Resistant Depression (Phase 2a/2b) and Methylone, an MDMA-analog, for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Phase 2a/2b).
My personal interests include: 5 rhythms conscious dance, breathwork, landscape photography, music, psychedelics and altered states of consciousness. I have had a daily seated meditation practice since 2001.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Diploma in Transpersonal Supervision (2023, in progress) – Re-Vision
- MA Psychotherapy, 2019 – University of Middlesex, UKCP accredited
- Post Graduate Diploma in Psychosynthesis Counselling, 2009 – University of East London, BACP accredited
- Certificate in Psychosynthesis Counselling 2006 – Psychosynthesis and Education Trust
- Bachelors of Social Science (Psychology and Human Resources) 2003 – University of Cape Town
In addition to my core trainings above, I have completed courses in Emotional Freedom Technique (Levels 1 & 2), Art Therapy, working safely with Trauma and in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy.
I regularly undertake further training.
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATIONS
I am an Accredited member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and abide by their code of ethical practice. My practice is supervised in accordance with UKCP guidelines.
Professional registrations
Contact
+44 (0)7466 393567
mail@tomshuttetherapy.co.uk