What kind of skills do you have, and how do they fit together?
 

I am often asked, 'How is being a professional artist, inventor, author and animal trainer related to being a psychosensory specialist, coach and consultant?' Another common question is, 'Do I continue doing all these things?'. The quick answer is 'Yes, all the skills relate, and a day doesn't go by where I am not grateful for all my learnings'. And 'My main focus is on sharing how you can use Brain art and Brain Sculpture, and psychosensory processes like Havening. And yes, I also continue doing all of those things to a certain extent'. The longer answer looks at the unique skill sets I have developed and how they relate to the skills that can be helpful for you. The key skills of sharing how to shape your brain and providing support to 'brain artists and brain sculptors' are being able to



• share ways of changing/learning quickly, easily and comfortably

• create an open safe space where clients can explore any question or subject

• share about neuroplasticity and how learning takes place

• observe, listen and remember

• recognise that everyone's experiences and understandings are different

• think in many different ways and see as many choices as possible 

• share an enormous range of tools (and share knowledge about how to use them and what they are helpful for)

• explain complex ideas or sequences simply

• help work out which fears to respond to
   

Do you walk the talk?
When we hone the essence of these skills down, we see they relate to Brain Art, Brain Sculpture and QOCTU (Questioning, Observing, Calibrating, Tracking and Utilising ). All are important to me, and I believe they enabled me to engage well with animals and to become an author, inventor, artist, collaborative artist, coach, trainer and consultant. I first learnt about hypnosis and Eastern ideas about awareness as a teenager and NLP in 1980. I consider this life-changing and massively informed both my teaching and professional practice and how I choose to live. I think 'just doing for yourself' is important, for example, living as if exploring a beautiful meadow without leaving a mark rather than beating or following a track. However, it's also fun to take your own ideas seriously and aim for the best possible outcome. For example, others ridiculed my ideas in the 1980s and 1990s; however, I kept going, and my books were published by Thames & Hudson. They are now considered to be standard works, and these ideas are used worldwide. My eighteen inventions are made by the prestigious Swiss company Lascaux. They are sold worldwide, helping people make art safely and effectively. My own artworks have been awarded 'Sovereign Award for the best painters in Europe' (judge Sir Peter Blake). They have been collected by National Collections and HM The Queen, amongst others. Artworks (made by me in collaboration with high-profile artists such as WBG) have been collected by Tate, the Government Art Collection and The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. 
 
Have you had bad experiences in life?
Yup, and I have also used these self-development concepts, methods and tools to recover from the knocks and bumps of life and enjoy life fully and richly.


What do you like?
I love all the senses and our internal and external world. I like to be engaged, cook, create gardens, sleep, be with family and friends, travel and learn.

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What else do you do?
I have also worked as a riding coach and continue to help riders overcome PTSD. I have an interest in the benefits of communication and positive reinforcement. I have trained in classical, BHS, natural horsemanship and clicker training. I have developed ways of working and engaging with animals in more healthy ways for them.


What motivates you to be a trainer, coach and consultant? Why not just make art or work with animals?
I like the collaborative element, and I think everyone would benefit from having access to information about shaping their brains, changing their responses, and achieving what they seek. I want to see this knowledge available for everyone from nursery school onwards.


How long do people work with you?
People I work with tend to have long relationships with me. Making art together for decades in some cases. In coaching or consulting work, people often get in touch when a totally new challenge arises. In some instances, I have worked with many generations of the same family over the years. When people work in a project style, I usually give a free future session which they can 'keep in their pocket' should something new occur, like a new job or challenge.
 

Where did you study?
I studied at Gray's School of Art, Robert Gordon's University, The Slade School of Fine Art at University College London and received a doctorate from The University of Sunderland for my work about generating international change in printmaking.


Where can I find out more about your academic change work?

You can read my PhD here.

 

The books are available in the library, on Amazon, or on my Thames & Hudson author page at this link.


Thames and Hudson/authors/carol-robertson



You can find more information about me at 

www.havening.org
www.justbewell.com


Do feel free to get in touch and ask any questions I may not have answered here. See also short CV below.