My name is Ekaterina Shurkova. I received my PhD in Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. I have been developing the Symbolic Space approach over the years of psychological, creative and spiritual studies and practices. Scotland has also played an important role in this journey. Living here, I developed a freer relationship with space and landscape, which gradually became part of the Symbolic Space approach.
Constantly learning is my way of being in the world. I am who I am today because of my curiosity and thanks to the wisdom and support of my many amazing teachers. In addition to my formal education in mathematics, computer science, psychology, and cognitive science, I studied personal coaching, conflict mediation, and Nonviolent Communication (NVC). I was very lucky to receive NVC training from Marshall Rosenberg while he was still alive. I remember him as one of the great teachers who truly walked his talk and who had a great sense of humor.
The development of the Symbolic Space approach has been and still is a challenging and fascinating journey for me. The two coaching and therapeutic approaches that inspired me to look deeper into the use of symbols, metaphors, and spatial awareness in coaching were Clean Language and Emergent Knowledge developed by David Grove. I had the privilege to practice them under the supervision of his colleague, Angela Dunbar. Through personal sessions with Angela I learned how coaching needs to be approached to be truly client-driven and effective.
My exposure to animistic approaches started with the teachings in the Toltec tradition by Don Miguel Ruiz. He was the first teacher who emphasised the importance of awareness for me. I wish him and his heart many more joyful and creative years to come. My dear friend and teacher Susan Ashima Earhart was able to lure me away from purely analytical thinking into the world of senses and intuition. Her grounding and humorous presence always invites me to soften and expand my awareness. I undertook animistic and shamanic practices training with Jonathan Horwitz and Zara Waldebäck. Their teachings and loving presence opened up a new level of spiritual awareness for me. Annegrete Mølhave was and still is my key supporter in the development of my spiritual and creative path.
In the academic world, I am extremely grateful to my professors and supervisors: Ivan Ash for showing me what creativity and insight are made of; Alex Doumas for teaching me how the mind thinks in and about relations; Matt Judah for being my role model of a teacher, a scientist, and a leader; James Paulson for teaching me how to conduct research properly and with enthusiasm and for an image of a warm, playful, nerdy scientist.
The most fascinating topic for me has always been the human condition, especially human motivation, communication and change. What drives us; why our connections can be hurtful or beautiful; why people feel disconnected from themselves and isolated from the world; whether change is possible. These questions eventually led me to my interest in spirituality — how we as humans participate in a reality beyond our physical senses and our conscious minds.
The development of the Symbolic Space approach continues. I am now beginning a new stage of this work within Counselling Studies at the University of Edinburgh, where years of exploring from different directions can take root and grow. I hope to bring greater methodological and ethical depth to my exploration of the questions at the heart of Symbolic Space.
My heartfelt gratitude for the amazing artwork throughout this website goes to a truly animistic artist, Olga Vornava.