Catherine Sutton

Originally trained as a nurse and midwife and having spent a number of years working in Papua New Guinea running a small bush hospital I become interested in preventive medicine. I spent several years offering Shiatsu sessions and dietary advice to individuals and in 1989 myself and colleagues started a Shiatsu school and trained many people over subsequent years.
In 1990 I was involved in starting a community based organization – Slainte Pobal. The focus was on training women within disadvantaged communities to manage life’s challenges in a more balanced way. We devised a program – “Taking Control of Your Life”.

In 1983 I attended a Zen Retreat and this was a turning point and started my interest in meditation. This was followed by a retreat with a Buddhist monk titled: Mindfulness in Ordinary Daily Life which encouraged me to study, investigate and develop interest in the teachings of the Buddha and the secular presentation of these wisdom teachings. Over the subsequent years I have studied with Buddhist and meditation teachers and attended many retreats and study programs.
In 2005 I enrolled in the four year Masters program in Bangor University and finished this with a Masters degree with distinction and have been teaching Mindfulness courses since 2005. In 2007 I commenced the study of Insight Dialogue (a very specific Interpersonal Dhamma practice) with Gregory Kramer doing an 18 month program – The Whole Life Program. Gregory has continued to be my primary mentor and teacher. In 2013 I Completed the Mindful Self Compassion training with Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer and have taught many 8 week Self Compassion courses and retreats since then. I have also completed the training to teach the Interpersonal Mindfulness Program (based on the work of Gregory Kramer – Insight Dialogue). I have taught over 90 Mindfulness Based Courses to date and facilitated numerous Vipassana Retreats and shared my own experience of the Dhamma and the value of meditation and investigation as a support in daily life. My teaching comes from my direct experience and is supported by my interest and study of Buddhist philosophy and psychology.

I am a qualified Forest Bathing teacher and guide people through the forest or any green space. The guidance allows participants to immerse themselves in nature and to allow nature be the therapist as I step out of the way.

I am no longer offering the 8- week MBSR, MBCT and Interpersonal Mindfulness programs. I am currently offering one to one sessions for those that are experiencing challenges in life, need support or wish to refresh basic mindfulness practices. All sessions are 1.5 hours and are a combination of listening, speaking and practice. Following each session I send on a summary and prescription with ideas and practices to follow.