The author has experienced a range of outdoor environments while working therapeutically with children and young people aged between 5 and 18, and works in a child-centred way using a range of approaches which allow a safe way for clients to express traumatic experiences. He is also using outdoor skills, works in both mountainous and estuary environments therapeutically, and has also used animals as part of animal-assisted therapy, particularly his dogs. He has worked in Post Abuse Therapy since 2003 and has been a Senior Special Needs Teacher, working in Special Needs since 1980. He is also a Qualified Mountain Leader, with over 30 years' experience of leading adults and children in the British Mountains, and as is a UKCC Level 2 Kayak and Canoe Coach, is experienced in introducing people to canoeing. He has also undertaken his own international expeditions with his wife, accredited by the Royal Geographical Society, to Norwegian Lapland (1981), Iceland (1984), and Ireland (1993), and a guided expedition with his son to climb Kilimanjaro in 2009. He has also completed a 3 peaks 24hr challenge with his son and friends (2010), and a Land's End to John o' Groats Team Charity Cycle Challenge (2016).
The author works as a therapist with a post-abuse service, and was previously a special educational needs teacher. He has an enthusiasm for sharing the benefits of the outdoor environment. He is also a qualified mountain leader and canoe and kayak instructor. He has a background in travel and adventure, and has undertaken his own expeditions with his wife to Norwegian Lapland, Iceland, and Ireland (reports included in RGS Expeditions Database), as well as with his son to Kilimanjaro and East Africa. He has also researched walking routes for Canvas Holidays in France (including Pyrenees and Cevennes), Germany and Luxemburg, and has been involved in expedition and navigation training for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in the UK.