The threads that have consistently woven through my working life are education, experiential group work, Gestalt therapy ( a mind/body/spirit/ process oriented therapy), writing and a profound fascination with the creative process.
The contexts of my work and range of clients have included the Open University (UK), the Scottish Health Education Group; the Scottish Prison Service; the Community Projects Foundation (UK), Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology; secondary schools; a child and family psychiatric unit; employment initiatives and community groups.
I trained in Gestalt therapy for ten years in Scotland and Italy and have also studied physio-emotional release bodywork; Process Oriented Psychology; Deep Ecology and Social Justice; Peace Education, Success Education, Esoteric psychology and various forms of meditation and spiritual practice.
My roles have included individual and group therapist, personal and professional development trainer, research and development consultant, life and creativity coach, workshop leader and educational writer. I have worked freelance and developed a six person business, as well as working within institutions.
I am an innovator and love initiating, designing and developing projects. I have written and published training materials in listening skills, informal women’s education, basic and advanced group leadership skills. I am currently creating new courses and learning materials about the Soul Journey.
My own soul journey began in the early 80’s with some powerful dreams. One of these became the inspiration for a 60 page poem, Dreaming Wild Honey, which took me deep into the unknown territory of my inner world. At the same time I began Gestalt Therapy training which led me into the process of personal transformation and life-long learning. This was a time of intense creativity, chaos and confusion, with the creation of new and challenging projects happening alongside the deconstruction of the old, limited identity. The socially aware educator and entrepreneur within me was often in conflict with the introverted poet/visionary during this period of the Quest. In an attempt to resolve the conflict I made a conscious decision to follow my creative process wherever it led me and took off to the remote North West Highlands of Scotland for prolonged periods of retreat and writing.
In the early 90’s I was introduced to meditation and began spiritual practice in earnest. In 1994, I left Scotland for a work trip to Australia and New Zealand;
however it soon became apparent that New Zealand was to be my new home. After a peace walk around the South Island and a retreat in intentional community in Golden Bay, I settled in Nelson, in the North of the South Island and wrote a book about my adventures Migration to the Heartland; a Soul Journey in Aotearoa. (See the Books pages).
After the Quest came seven years of integration and consolidation. I practised as a teacher of counselling and Gestalt Therapy, a workshop leader and writer, whilst doing the inner work of mastering the mind and emotions through spiritual practice.
Soon after I arrived in New Zealand I was inspired to begin work on a vision for a Transformational Learning Centre in the South Island. This vision finally led me back to Golden Bay in 2004 where I have joined with others holding a similar vision and committed to creating Soul Sanctuary.
Testimonials
Rose’s courses have been crucial in my personal growth journey. Her facilitation is natural and allowing, with strong yet gentle energetic support. I have found her flowing style of total presence refreshing in a field that is often so busy with information and techniques. Being supported to accept my journey without a mental struggle and be in the now has allowed me to grow enormously. I have experienced shifting blocked energy within minutes with Rose’s skilful awareness. My own role as a trainer and therapist has expanded beautifully since experiencing Rose’s courses. I highly recommend her workshops, courses and private sessions.
-Dawn Grace Kelly, spiritual teacher and healer, past life regressionist,
energy intuitive, Tarot consultant
Thank you, Rose, for your gently loving strength, which enabled me to release deep unforgiving pain within my self. - Adam Mills, NZ
I have known and worked with Rose in her differing capacities for over six years-tutor, therapist, group facilitator and supervisor. Rose demonstrates the value of living in the 'Now" in her way of being. She is adept at guiding clients to experience their feelings, identify their strengths and acknowledge their past. Rose has a gentle style and works with compassion and clarity. - Madeleine Pryce, counsellor
Through the clarity and stillness of Rose’s presence, I was able to connect with the language of my spirit, my quiet inner knowing and wise self healer. I became aware of and integrated issues in a gentle yet deeply profound way.” - Lea Neumann, rebirther
I have been privileged to attend Rose Diamond’s module “Gestalt Therapy.” This has been an intensive seven-week course requiring a four days a week attendance. I have really enjoyed Rose’s teaching. She manages to combine the process, theory and practical application of Gestalt therapy seamlessly. She has made the learning easy. I experience her style of teaching as relaxed and authoritative. I have always known where I stand with Rose; she has challenged me to explore my fears and been there as a supportive companion when I have struggled. I have observed that she has the ability to reach out and make contact with all of her students in a way that encourages them to look more deeply into themselves. From a personal perspective she has travelled with me to the darkest reaches of my being and helped me rediscover my inner child. I will miss her quiet confidence and encouraging nature. - Elaine Partridge, counsellor
Learning Gestalt with Rose was fun, exciting and growthful. She made the learning experiential and holistic by combining personal process (during which she modelled the method), theoretical teaching (in which all students participated via presentations) and peer counselling practise. She was a very supportive and insightful supervisor. Rose modelled Gestalt constantly through her interactions both with individual students and with the group. I felt invited and safe to bring all of myself to the training, to voice my fears and questions, and to take personal and educational risks. Rose facilitated the development of a very cohesive student group by encouraging us to support ourselves, demonstrating commitment to group process (rather than imposing solutions) and by providing a container that was transparent, consistent and also flexible. I love how enlivening and creative working with Rose has been, and I look forward to being with her again in the future. - Stacey Bowker, massage therapist, counsellor
Rose’s enthusiasm made the experiential learning exciting. A demonstration of her skills was worth a thousand words of the text. The past seven weeks have been a time of great personal growth for me, as well as learning new skills....Thank you, Rose, for such a special “Gestalt Experience.” - Ailsa Clague, counsellor
Rose Diamond is a very special person in my life. Over the last weeks she has consistently modelled Gestalt therapy, taught the theory and assisted me in my peer counselling process. This experience has been thought provoking, challenging, cathartic and life confirming. The outcomes have been therapeutic, liberating, beneficial, healing, energising and invigorating. I have always experienced Rose as provocative and insightful. To anyone considering Rose as a Gestalt therapist I say, “Seize the moment.” You won’t regret it! - Suzan Wilson, counselling student
I found Rose to be what she taught. This provided me the opportunity to directly experience some of the theoretical concepts of Gestalt therapy. Through this teaching my awareness of how I create my experience and on what basis I make those choices came to the foreground. My sense of self and capacity for spontaneity has increased dramatically. Working with Rose I truly gained an understanding of the phrase "lose your mind and come to your senses". Today I walk in this world a richer person empowered to complete my business in the present and create new experiences. - Simeon Berger, counselling student
....how much I appreciated your workshop last week at Guildford. I liked your process very much and you have a very calming and inclusive way of being. Clearly you have devoted a great deal of thinking and personal experience in creating the approach you use. - Roy Banks, UK
I found your/our workshop together one of the high points of the ICOS conference!
I have found my energy definitely carrying on afterwards....A renewed commitment to nature and to aligning myself with the 'peak experiences self' are some of the several things I continue to take with me.... - Valerie, UK
