Alumni in profile
 |
Dr Christine James
Doctor of Communication 2008
Master of International and Community Development 2004
Graduate Diploma of Development Studies 2003
Master of Arts (Psychoanalytic Studies) 2002 and
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 2001
With five Deakin degrees under her belt, Dr Christine James is now enjoying a fulfilling career as a transpersonal psychotherapist and eco-community development consultant based in rural Victoria.
'My work in private practice involves counselling and psychotherapy, client advocacy, and promoting ecologically sustainable community development based on therapeutic solutions,' says Christine.
'One of the great things about my work is that I am constantly touched when people are willing to share their very personal stories with me and include me in their life-world. This makes me feel more like a companion on a journey rather than a therapist and this is how it should be. Psychotherapy is really psycho-awareness and something people can share.'
Originally from the UK, Christine is glad she chose Deakin to take the leap into tertiary studies in the 1990's.
'I believe it is important to strive for the very best that one can achieve and so I decided to study an arts degree off campus at Deakin in 1996 and have since gone on to complete my doctorate there,' says Christine.
'I really enjoyed the kindness, generosity and enthusiasm of the people I worked with at Deakin and my courses have really helped foster my career by teaching me that anything is possible.'
'One of the great things about Deakin is that it has a good sense of community and people care about the small details that are often big events in the lives of individuals. Deakin is big on social justice which I think this is very important. I believe in this world that education is a great privilege and we should use it responsibly,' she says.
Christine has also travelled the world as an artist, writer, environmental activist and personal development facilitator and is very passionate about humanitarian causes - she is an active member of various human rights, civil liberties and environment groups. She is also a member of Deakin's Centre for Citizenship and Human Rights.
As for the future, Christine says she plans to return to Deakin soon to research eco-development and Transition Towns.
