Phil studied for two years to gain a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Supervision from the Kinharvie Institute of Facilitation. He is particularly interested in Inner Child Therapy and leads the facilitation of group therapy for the Adult Children of Alcoholics group.
Phil leads the Therapeutic Drumming Circle at Smarmore Castle. He began training in 2003 at the Arthur Hull weeklong training course in London, and he has also attended a training course on drumming and group dynamics led by The Therapeutic Drum Foundation in Nottingham.
To Phil, drumming is not only a means of facilitating the self-efficacy of the individual and of helping to positively empower the community of Smarmore Castle, it is a hobby and a way of life. In 2010 Phil also completed a 10-day mentorship programme with Arthur Hull and Village Music Circles who were training in the UK.
Philip trained and worked at Castle Craig Hospital since 1998 before moving to Smarmore Castle in 2015. Phil has also completed 3 years training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and is an accredited Sensorimotor Psychotherapist working with Developmental Wounds, Trauma and PTSD. In 2023 Phil will have worked in Castle Craig and Smarmore Castle 25 years. He is 30 years in personal recovery.
