Testimonials

Communitas can help you develop the psychological tools and models, the skills and self-knowledge, as well as your everyday practice, to lead groups and organisations authoritatively, so as to involve and influence stakeholders powerfully and effectively; and to build vibrant, productive and sustainable social organisms.

Here are a few examples of what others think of our work:

This series of cutting-edge 'social laboratory' Open Space Learning events is quite unlike anything ever offered in the UK before and at ridiculously low introductory prices for training courses of this calibre.

Clare Jones, Marketing Consultant


Michael is a hugely experienced psychotherapist and a powerful facilitator who is absolutely dedicated to his clients. Both in 1:1 and group sessions he brings radical insight and practice to bear. A man at the top of his profession and deservedly so.

Anthony Landale, Independent Consultant, Anthony Landale and Associates

I have worked with Michael over several years both privately and professionally. I enjoy working with him so much I now count him among my friends. He is very professional, experienced and caring. He is also a fun and enjoyable person to work with, with high integrity, a solid work ethic and a need to create meaningful outcomes for those he is working with. I value his views and skills to such an extent that I partnered with Michael on an important part of my book "So you want to be an entrepreneur" where he helped create a valuable mental test for readers. I would recommend him without reservation.

Jon Gillespie-Brown, entrepreneur, founder Nalpeiron, past CEO of three IT Companies in Software, Training and New Media, Stanford & UC Berkeley Mentor/London Business School EIR 



In my work as an organizational development consultant and executive coach with top Fortune 100 companies, I have found Michael's support invaluable. He applies a vast body of knowledge and experience in group dynamics, individual and interpersonal development with an easily understandable yet profound style.

Sincerely, T C Kelly

I have undertaken many training programmes and amongst these the self-directed learning course has been the most powerful experience for me. As students we had the exciting and challenging responsibility to direct, create and develop our own learning curriculum. There was an intensity and realness in my relationships with other students as we were dependent on each other for our entire learning process. We had to face up to how we saw and trusted each other as we were also given the responsibility of assessing one another. This tested and developed - in a live way - our capacity as a group to engage and negotiate with honesty and integrity. The self-directed course has deeply affected the ways I experience relating both in my personal and professional relationships. These relational skills have proven to be invaluable in my various professional roles as a trainer, lecturer, group leader and supervisor.

Francie van Hout


"The opportunity to develop the South West London College Counselling Centre introduced me to group working and learning. Discovering the meaning of co-operative work was personally and professionally transformational. For leading that exploration, I remain indebted to Gaie Houston and Thom Osborn." This was my opening acknowledgment to the book I wrote, some twenty years later, on Creative Group Supervision. When I first met them, these two had prior experience of joining in creating peer-managed learning 'labs'. Their energy, creativity and growing 'know-how' were inspiring. Several hundreds of participants on our courses (whether in role of 'staff' or 'student' ) were gratified by experiencing the co-creation of a unique learning environment - practical through being largely experiential, enlightening through wide and deep association, illuminating in its dynamic as an organisation. Michael joined the Course as 'staff' as I was leaving and from meeting him subsequently, I knew that he, too, had acquired a passion and understanding to continue on his own co-operative path. That path really is 'different'. It was then and it is even more now. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with these three will be very lucky.

Brigid Proctor (Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Director South West London College Counselling Centre in the 1980's

Many thanks for the wonderful insights and learnings shared during the Open Evening. The role play [of the anticipated board meeting] I found extremely effective and provided me with the opportunity to step into other peoples shoes and see the situation from their sides. The one golden nugget I discovered that evening was in stepping away from my own seat, I could observe how I was leading the group and apply a holistic style of leadership in a controlled and focused manner. I applied these principles during my executive board meeting the following week with very positive outcomes and an enthused empowered board.
Well worth the effort and time and I even made some friends !
Kind regards

Abhi Naha, Vice President ODM, ONYX, London