I am a systemic psychotherapist, academic, and writer with a deep commitment to exploring the complexities of human relationships, interconnectedness, and the ways we make meaning in an ever-changing world. My work stems from my belief that individuals exist within relational and ecological systems, and that understanding these connections is fundamental to both personal and collective transformation.
My Professional Journey
My career began in nursing, where I developed a keen interest in the ways health, relationships, and social contexts interact. This led me into academia, where I have worked as a lecturer, first at the University of Leeds (1994–2000) and later at the University of Hull (2003–2012). I most recently served as the Systemic Lead for the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Programme at the University of Hull (2023-2026), where I supported future clinical psychologists in developing systemic thinking and practice.
I became Co editor for Murmurations: Journal of Transformative Systemic Practice in May 2026.
Alongside my academic role, I work as a systemic psychotherapist, supporting families in navigating life’s challenges. My therapeutic approach integrates systemic, narrative, and ecological perspectives, emphasizing relational patterns, power dynamics, and the interconnected nature of human experience.
My Approach
I believe that change happens in relationship – whether with ourselves, others, or the broader world. My approach emerges from “second-order” systemic thinking, acknowledging that problems are not simply located within individuals but emerge within relational and social contexts. I also draw on the concept of Fourfold Vision, inspired by William Blake and Gregory Bateson, to invite deeper ways of seeing and engaging with life.
In therapy, this means working collaboratively to uncover patterns, question taken-for-granted assumptions, and explore possibilities for transformation. It also involves attending to the broader ecological, social, and historical forces that shape our lives, fostering a sense of connection, agency, and responsibility.
Writing and Research
Beyond clinical work, I am an active writer and researcher, exploring themes of systemic practice, ecological responsibility, and the intersections of philosophy, therapy, and AI. My current projects include:
- Ongoing contributions to various publications, where I engage with critical discussions on the future of systemic therapy.
- The Entangled Human – a forthcoming book exploring ways of perceiving and relating that foster greater connection and wisdom.
- This is taken from the introduction of The Entangled Human: Gregory Bateson (1972) described a blind man walking with a stick and asked, where does the man end and the stick begin? The answer, he suggested, depends entirely on how we understand mind. If mind is something located inside the skull, the stick is external; a tool, separate from the person who uses it. However, if mind is understood as a living circuit of difference and response, then hand, stick, ground, and nervous system belong together. The boundary dissolves, and what seemed like an edge turns out to be a meeting place. Hopefully, by the end of this book, this will make sense. Bateson’s question about edges is not simply rhetorical, it changes where responsibility, care, and understanding are located. Does the ‘self’ end at the skin? Does it include the air that is breathed, the ground that is walked on, the relationships that have shaped a life? Does it extend to the families, communities, and ecologies we are woven into, whether we notice it or not? These are both philosophical and practical questions about how we live, how we practise, and how we understand suffering and connection.
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
I am a registered systemic psychotherapist with the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) and an active member of professional and academic communities dedicated to systemic practice and social change.
Beyond Therapy
Outside of my professional life, I am an avid photographer, particularly drawn to capturing the beauty of the natural world. Photography, like therapy, is about noticing; seeing patterns, relationships, and the interplay of light and shadow. It is a practice that continually reminds me of the richness of life and the necessity of presence.
I also have a deep interest in the philosophy of Spinoza, the poetry of Blake, and the systemic wisdom found in nature. These influences shape my work and my way of being in the world, guiding me in seeking meaning, connection, and ethical engagement in an increasingly fragmented society.
If you are interested in working together, or if you would like to explore these ideas further, I welcome conversation and collaboration.
Hugh Palmer 