About Anne Felicity Cockcroft
Anne Felicity Cockcroft, therapist & counsellor
My Background
After spending many years as an Early Years Teacher and Educator, with a love of outdoor and environmental education, I moved out of the classroom to explore and integrate a long-time spiritual practice and interest in meditation, embodied presence, and mindfulness.
I have been interested in body therapies since my early twenties. I became interested in aromatherapy after reading Valerie Ann Worwood’s book ‘The Fragrant Pharmacy’, which became my bible for a while. This passion and interest was a hobby for many years, as I followed a career in early education, becoming an advisor and practitioner in early education settings.
I have also been drawn to spirituality since my early twenties, exploring many teachings and practices. I have been fortunate to spend many years living and working in a community at Buddhist retreat centres. This led to becoming a coordinator at Gaia House and The Barn Retreat Centre in Devon, UK. This work experience gave me many opportunities to attend retreats and deepen and integrate my meditative and mindfulness practice, which supports my capacity to hold a deep, embodied space for clients.
My Training
Trained Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist
I am a graduate of the Karuna Institute on Dartmoor, having completed two years of training in Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy. I trained with Franklin Sills, a pioneer in this field. I qualified in Holistic Swedish Massage in 2010, and I am also a Holistic Massage Therapist trained in Shiatsu Acupressure at the Shiatsu College, Norwich.
My past also includes training in other body therapies, holistic massage, shiatsu, acupressure and anatomy, with a long interest in Qigong and meditation. These practices underpin, support and influence my work as a body therapist.
Accredited Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner
I have completed Compassionate Inquiry Professional training with Gabor Maté, followed by a year-long Internship and a six-month Mentorship, which included more than 200 hours of client sessions.
I have previously completed foundation training in Mindfulness-Based Core Process Psychotherapy and Introductory training in Somatic Experiencing and IFS (Internal Family Systems) training, which supports and is integrated into the Compassionate Inquiry approach.
Qualified Integrative Counsellor
I am an Integrative Counsellor, having trained at Heartwood in Devon. I use several different therapeutic approaches, integrating Person-Centred, Gestalt, Cognitive-Behavioural (CBT) and Transpersonal therapies.
Apart from integrative counselling, my work is also deeply influenced by my training and experience in Mindfulness, Compassion-Focused Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, IFS and Compassionate Inquiry, which are additional approaches and modalities that I work within.
I use tools from these different approaches in a seamless way, according to what feels like the best fit for what a client is working with or the material that they are exploring.
Trained Mindfulness Teacher
I am a Mindfulness and Compassion Teacher, having trained with Mindfulness UK, after much experience living and working, holding groups in retreat centres at The Barn Retreat Centre and The Coach House (part of Sharpham House Retreats in Devon), and also living and working at Gaia House, Buddhist retreat Centre in Devon. I have previously completed foundation training in Mindfulness-Based Core Process Psychotherapy.
I spent many years as a teacher and working as an early years educator and lecturer. But for the last ten years, I have worked in meditation retreat centres, practising meditation, mindfulness, and qigong in my spare time.
Anne Felicity Cockcroft,
teacher, therapist & counsellor
