Interviewer: What led you to choose psychotherapy as a profession?

Gregg: I was a teacher and completing a second degree. During that period, I encountered the theories and therapies of the founders of some of the schools of psychotherapy – Carl Rogers; Fritz Perls; Albert Ellis; and, William Glasser. I realised then that a psychotherapist was what I wanted to be. I completed my second degree and was then selected to complete a full-time, full year training course – and thus began my journey.

Interviewer: Which philosophical approaches have influenced your professional/personal development?

Gregg: In terms of philosophy, Zen has been a big influence. Tibetan Buddhist thought – definitely. Also, humanist thinking. Functional Contextualism has been a significant influence of late. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has had a significant impact. Also, Emotionally Focused Therapy. Lately,  Hoffman and Hayes process based approach.

Interviewer: What particular aspects of the human journey are you interested in?

Gregg: I’m interested in all aspects of the human journey. I’m interested in helping people discover how they might be more the person they wish to be, living more fully the life they wish to lead. I’m interested in helping my clients better experience their emotional experiences.

Interviewer: What method/s do you employ?

Gregg: I’m an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) therapist, essentially. I also employ Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Gottman Couples Counselling Therapy. Motivational Interviewing is also a therapy I use if required. I use some Dialectical Behaviour Therapy too. Not to treat borderline personality though.

Interviewer: When do you think the client will start to know that progress is being made?

Gregg: A question I ask my clients early in therapy is: “How will you know therapy is working?” When the client can tell me (and show me) that they are taking committed action to live in accordance with their values, when they are no longer stuck and/or dysfunctionally avoiding life events, when they are not locked in the past or rushing through the present in the unending pursuit of the future and when they don’t equate themselves to a thought or feeling, don’t label themselves – then they are experiencing therapy working.

Interviewer: How has therapy made you into a better person?

Gregg: Using my therapies in my own life has certainly made me a better person. Delivering therapy to my clients is right livelihood for me. Easing the sufferings of others makes me a better person.

Interviewer: What do you like most about being a therapist?

Gregg: Seeing my clients better able to recognise the reality of life, to change what can be, and needs to be, changed, to be able to make room for what can’t be changed, living a rich, full, meaningful life (as defined by them) in pursuit of the people and values that matter to them. Helping alleviate suffering.

Interviewer: Do you ever have “bad hair” days?

Gregg: I do, now and then. And I remind myself that such days are inevitable. Then I look to see what I can take away from such days that might be worthwhile – and what I can dump. In life, pain is inevitable for all living creatures but, for we humans, suffering is optional.

Interviewer: What do you think is the most significant problem we face in the world today?

Gregg: The climate crisis – by far. It threatens all life on the planet. Within human interactions – lack of empathy, lack of respect.

Interviewer: Can you share the name of a book, film, song, event or work of art that inspires you?

Gregg: Too many books, too many films, too many songs, too many events to choose one. Work of art – lots there, too, that inspire me. I’ll nominate Hokusai’s “In the Hollow of the Deep Sea Wave” and Rodin’s “The Thinker”.