Local Large Group Teachers

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JESSICA MOORE BRITT

Jessica has been a student of A.H. Almaas since 1978 and a Diamond Approach teacher since 1985. She was an original member of the Synod, the school's leadership council. Presently Jessica is a training director, supervising and leading ongoing groups in Europe, Canada & the US. From 1981 to 1989, she was on the Gestalt staff of Esalen Institute as a certified Reichian practitioner creating an integration of Reichian and Gestalt work. While living in Big Sur in the 80s, Jessica was initiated into the Native American Pipe and Medicine Wheel Traditions, leading Wilderness Journeys within the larger view of the Diamond Approach.

CANDACE HARRIS

Candace has been a Diamond Approach student since 1989 and is a teacher supporting groups in Seattle, Victoria, and the UK. Since 1997 she is a member of the Diamond Approach International Teacher Training group. In 1991 Candace became a faculty member of Antioch University Seattle where she taught in the spiritual studies track of the BA program. Her experience includes living in rural British Columbia for 18 years where she developed programs and worked with underserved women in remote locations.

RENIE HOPE

Renie has been a Diamond Approach student since 1988 and is a teacher supporting groups in Seattle and Vancouver. She is a Licensed Mental Health Therapist in private practice since 1982, who leads continuing education for therapists who use the Enneagram in their practice. See EnneagramSeattle.com. She began leading long-term spiritual growth groups in 1982 at The Chinook Learning Community and has expertise in dream work, expressive arts, and ritual. Renie is a presenting teacher, along with Candace Harris and Jane Hill-Daigle, for the Seattle-based CASC-4 group which began in the fall of 2014.  

LAUREN ARMSTRONG

Lauren was in the original training program in 1976 for the Diamond Approach and Returning Process. Her Diamond Approach work has included teaching, administration, training, supervising and mentoring. She has taught in teacher training programs and is a trained teacher for the Diamond Body practice. Lauren was part of the founding staff of the Boulder School of Massage Therapy and a bodyworker at Esalen Institute. She works with embodiment in her personal athletic practice. She is currently teaching in Europe and California and has also taught for the RISNG Teacher Training. She taught the Diamond Approach Seattle 1 group for many years. Lauren lives in Carmel, CA.

MYTH DENZEL

Myth Denzel has been a Diamond Approach student since 1992 and was ordained as a Diamond Approach teacher in 2011.  Myth has a masters degree in sociology, and also trained as a carpenter and spent 5 years in the trades. She spent 34 years working for the City of Seattle, starting as a building inspector and then shifting into policy analysis and management. She retired from the City in 2015. She sees a few private Diamond Approach students.

JANE JOHNSTON

Jane has been a student of the Diamond Approach since 1991. In 1997 she joined the DA International Teacher Training  group. Since her teenage years, she's pursued knowing the deeper truths and her love of the Mystery. Professionally she's worked in the fields of holistic education, mental health, and facilitating self-growth groups.  She practices as a psychotherapist with particular interest in individuation, dreamwork, and moving beyond the influences of past conditioning and the inner critic.  She most loves supporting inquiry for students in private sessions and small groups, and articulating the wisdom of the Diamond Path.  

BILL WELCH

Bill has been a Diamond Approach student since 1994 and became a teacher in early 2015. A seeker since adolescence, he spent many years studying and practicing with other spiritual paths before finding his home in the Diamond Approach. He has a master's degree in counseling psychology and practiced as a counselor and psychotherapist from 1993 until early 2019. Prior to that he held executive positions in state government, worked for Intel as a project manager, and was the owner of a home-building company. He is a father of two and grandfather of three.

JOYCE LYKE 

Joyce was a Diamond Approach teacher for over 30 years leading groups in Canada, U.S., U.K., and Europe. Prior to this, she lived and worked at Esalen Institute where she had extensive training in Gestalt, bodywork, somatic psychology, early childhood development, and cutting-edge movement practices. She integrated aspects of the Diamond Approach into the challenge of parenting and taught how it is possible to spiritually awaken through caring for your children. She worked with parents and parent educators helping them to recognize essential developmental stages in children; see  www.parentingtoawakening.org.