Elizabeth Hills

***I am taking on new clients end of May '24.  Please email me if you would like me to add you to the waiting list.***

I am a person centred spiritual counsellor and over the years I have specialised in bereavement, cancer counselling, perinatal counselling and Jungian dream work.  In times of crisis, loss or change one might experience a 'spiritual emergence' (or spiritual emergency) erupting into consciousness and I help clients to integrate this profound awakening and personal transformation.

As a practising psychological astrologer, I can include astrology and a client's natal chart if a client explicitly chooses to do so.  Astrology is an option and I offer counselling without astrology.

I spent 16 years working in the defence industry including military service. Although successful in my career, inwardly I felt lost.  In 2010 I started a course in ‘spiritual counselling’ and in 2011 I started to learn astrology and how to interpret natal charts.

During my personal therapy, I experienced and realised the benefits of counselling and astrology merged together.  I soon realised that I lacked and yearned for a spiritual life, and astrology affords me a daily spiritual practice.  Astrology is not just a tool to help navigate life consciously but also a means of connecting to other human beings, nature and the cosmos.

Astrology's inherent philosophy tends not to be widely known.  Astrology bridges spirit and matter and is based upon the anima mundi (world soul) principal.  Astrology 'works' via synchronicities and planetary correspondences between the natural world and the invisible cosmos.   

Astrology is the study of significant motion and patterns thus at prescribed ages we experience crisis, challenges and turbulent times which correspond with planetary cycles (transits). This is one benefit of using astrology and working with one’s own natal chart – to be consciously aware of difficult times ahead and to consciously navigate these times; forewarned is forearmed!

Reviewing historical transits (patterns) helps to understand repeatable themes which might be going on in the here and now.  Astrology affords an accurate way to review and reflect on significant past events.

Psychological Astrology is the practice of traditional astrology merged with depth psychology.  Depth psychology believes in the existence of the unconscious.  The natal chart is a symbolic image of the whole psychic situation and is cross referenced during consultations.

The benefit of the natal chart is immediate!  It reveals how one communicates, thinks, relates, acts, what your emotional needs are, desires, beliefs and, says something about one’s id, ego and superego plus where in life these traits are mostly experienced.  We are only fated by inner-dynamics when they remain unconscious and consequently rule the show!

Astrology is about potentialities.  Astrology aids self-awareness, decision making and is a tool to facilitate self-realisation and individuation.  'Individuation' in Jungian terms means striving for wholeness and balance (balance between our four inherent psychic functions and, between the conscious and unconscious realms of our psyche).

When we feel stuck in life we are often lopsided in our outlook and imbalanced in one or more of the psychic functions.  The unconscious has a counter-pole and compensatory perspective (opposed to the conscious realm) and when integrated into waking life, provides balance, movement and frees one up.

I use Jungian theories developed by Dr Carl Jung (1875-1961) the founder of analytical psychology.  Dr Jung sometimes consulted his patients' natal charts for insight.  This method was developed by Howard Sasportas and Dr Liz Greene in the 80's and taught at the Centre for Psychological Astrology (CPA) in London however, courses are now mostly taught online.  Link to CPA @ https://cpalondon.com/liz/  Please see my LinkedIn account for details of my astrology training.

I made a short video clip to demonstrate what to expect in a session when astrology is included.  The video can be viewed @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jne7lLxq28o

Case Study

An example of a client who came for help with relationship issues. During counselling I referenced her natal chart to explain and clarify how she relates (Venus) and her emotional needs within in relationship (moon) - as these planets correspond to the archetypal forces at play.  Archetypes are forces or drives common to all humanity and life on earth.

With time she began to accept her make-up and to work with herself rather than against herself.  It was as if the chart gave her permission to accept difficult traits and situations which she had previously denied.  The astrology helped her to relate in a way aligned to her nature.

The natal chart enables me to understand my client. I use astrology to ‘amplify’ / elucidate how a client experiences the archetypes and to clarify which archetypes are at the core of their complexes.

Astrology helps understand the unconscious communication and dynamics which occur between counsellor and client, i.e. projection and transference, helping to identify the hidden archetype.

Astrology benefits the therapeutic relationship as I am able to adapt myself to meet the needs of the client, e.g. in terms of typology & psychic functions.  If my client is predominately an intuitive type (fire in astrology) I am able to respond intuitively thus aligning myself to the client's superior function. 

Sessions

I offer 'one off' sessions lasting either 60 or 90 minutes, and short to longer term therapy (sessions are typically 60 minutes).

You do not have to commit to a certain number of sessions and are free to book an appointment on an ad hoc basis when you need to.

Incorporating astrology into a session is optional and I support clients who prefer and choose not to use astrology.

This video clip demonstrates what to expect in a session with astrology and gives you a feel for how the session will flow @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jne7lLxq28o

What to do next? Taking the first step…

• Feel free to email or phone with any questions you have.
• Contact me to arrange a free 15 minute video conferencing session, which is simply a good opportunity to meet at this stage.
• If you would like to go ahead with a session we'll make a diary booking.
• If you would like to include astrology in your session, I will prepare your natal chart in advance of our first session together. 

For further details visit https://linktr.ee/awayintwoworlds

I look forward to meeting with you.

£55 for 60 mins with astrology.

£45 for 50 mins counselling only.

What is Spiritual Emergence?

I am interested in spiritual development and my counselling has evolved to support clients experiencing a ‘spiritual awakening / emergency’ – work pioneered by Stanislav Grof, Czech psychiatrist.

The impact of trauma, cancer and major events can be life changing; consequently it isn’t uncommon for transpersonal awareness and ‘spiritual emergence’ to unfold.  Spiritual Emergence is, as described by Stanislav Grof’s in his book, ‘Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes A Crisis‘:

“The process of growth and change becomes chaotic and overwhelming.  Individuals may feel that their sense of identity is breaking down, that their old values no longer hold true, and that the very ground beneath their personal realities is radically shifting.  New realms of mystical and spiritual experience enter their lives suddenly and dramatically, resulting in fear and confusion.  They feel tremendous anxiety, have difficulty coping with their daily lives, jobs and relationships, and my even fear for their own sanity.  When understood and treated in a supportive manner, spiritual emergencies can become gateways to higher levels of functioning and new ways of being.”

Link to Grof’s book on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spiritual-Emergency-Personal-Transformation-Consciousness/dp/0874775388