The Breakthrough Process:
A brief history
In 2018, psychotherapist and leadership coach Dr Tom Cotton founded Mind Environment to help individuals and leaders develop greater clarity on their purpose and path in life.
Joined by leadership coach, Andy Iwaniec, and artist, Eric Rehl, in 2019, together they launched the first Breakthrough Programme in Bardou, France. The programme was grounded in the following principles:
1.
Moving Beyond:
Rational thinking alone is not enough to provide deep insight.
2.
Group Power:
Collective sessions uncover powerful emotions and narratives.
3.
Unlocking Creativity:
Processes like drawing bypass conventional thought.
4.
Nature’s Touch:
Outdoor settings revitalise and inspire.
5.
Fast-Paced Growth:
These combined approaches intensify the speed of growth.
6.
Path to Change:
Deep learning needs to be crystalised into tangible plans.
7.
Building Connections:
Deep experience strengthens human bonds.
Bardou, a privately-owned mountain village in Southern Haut Languedoc, hosted our first programme.
Feedback was uplifting: descriptions like “life-changing” and “akin to falling in love” signalled the lasting impact on participants.
2023 saw Annabel Dunstan join as a Programme Host, bringing her experience in business and leadership.
As 2024 approaches, our core belief stands: in this fast-changing world, seeing the forces that influence us more clearly is the key to finding breakthrough on life and work challenges.
Who we are
Dr Tom Cotton
Programme Director and Group Process Facilitator
Tom is a UKCP Reg. Existential-Analytic Psychotherapist and an EMCC Accred. executive coach (Snr Practitioner Level). Based in London, he works in depth with a wide range of individuals and challenges, specialising in working with people in leadership roles. He is a Director of Woodstock Street Practice in Mayfair, and an Associate of Therapy Harley Street. Previously, Tom was Clinical Lead of a residential treatment programme in London, and has presented his research internationally. He gained his psychotherapy MSc and PsychD degrees from Roehampton University (2008 and 2016), and his certificate in executive coaching from Tavistock Consulting (2016). Before his training in psychology, Tom worked in the film industry for fifteen years as a screenwriter and director, and gained his BA Hons degree in Fine Art Film from Central St Martins (1999). Both disciplines come together in his passion for helping people see the world around them more clearly.
Andy Iwaniec
Group Process Facilitator
Andy is an organisation development consultant with 30 years’ cross-industry experience. He has designed and rolled-out large-scale organisation change and leadership development programmes, ranging from firm-wide culture change to bespoke leadership development. He is a highly experienced facilitator, delivering effectiveness workshops for leaders and their teams across a broad range of organisations. Previously, Andy was the Global Organisation Effectiveness Director at Unilever, and held various in-house consultant roles with PwC, BT and the T5 construction programme at Heathrow airport. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Social Science and a PG Dip. in Personnel Management. He attended the 2010 Ashridge Business School coaching programme, completed the Institute of Group Analysis Foundation Course (2018), and is an accredited Hogan psychometrics practitioner.
Erik Rehl
Programme Host
Erik has created production designs for award winning film, fashion, television and theatre, and specialises in building unique environments in challenging locations, from the mountains of Chile to the deserts of Jordan. He brings this expertise to bear when leading the programme’s outdoor activities, sourcing local food, taking care of participants, and setting the scene with a roaring fire. Erik studied theatre and Russian language at the Moscow Arts Theatre, Russia (1992), completed his BA in Theatre Studies at Swarthmore College, USA (1994), and his MA in Scenography at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design (1996). Erik is co-founder and director of the immersive theatre group Cinemorphé in Paris.
Annabel Dunstan
Programme Host
Annabel is a Mind Environment Associate. She left the PR jungle in 2011 to found her own consultancy, Question & Retain (Q&R) to measure and manage employee experience, client and membership satisfaction. Clients include Imperial College, London North East Railways (LNER) and the Federation of Master Builders. She started her PR career at Le Fevre Communications, before joining start-up 3 Monkeys Communications, and as MD oversaw its growth to become an award-winning top 50 PR consultancy. Before her career in PR, she graduated with a degree in anthropology, and worked as a lumberjack’s assistant, a ski guide, and a sailing instructor, and has led groups for over 20 years. Her passion for the outdoors and communications come together in her role as Programme Host and Outdoor Activity Lead.
Upcoming programmes 2024:
18th-22nd April
16th-20th October
Maximum 8 people