Eric Clarkson

Eric Clarkson became involved with Keep Talking in February 2000 when he joined the organisation to help develop services to rural communities in the western part of North Yorkshire. In 2001 he trained as a family mediator for the organisation, where he has worked ever since.

He spent most of his working life up to then in a rural location, firstly as a dairy farmer then as a cattle specialist.

Eric's background in counselling began when he started to train as a counsellor in 1991, alongside his day job. Subsequently he worked for Cruse bereavement care, working as a children's bereavement counsellor and helping to train others in counselling skills. In 1995 Eric became a relationship counsellor for Relate and in 2000 he studied counselling at degree level, achieving a BSc. in therapeutic counselling.

At Keep Talking Eric's ongoing professional development has helped him broaden his skills base. He also works as a private counsellor specialising in grief-work, relationship and personal development covering adjustment to trauma including domestic violence, sexual abuse etc.

Eric gets a lot of satisfaction from the work he undertakes. As he has been through a divorce himself he recognises there is a lot of personal emotional work to do at this time and feels it is a privilege to be in a position to offer help both parents and children, and he is particularly interested in child development.