Director
Hi, I'm Jai Cheswick (Guy Cheswick Benfield), and I'm passionate about helping people cultivate lives that are both meaningful and fulfilling.
As the director of Cheswick Consultants, a heart-centered EAP company, I've dedicated myself to providing personalized counselling, meditation coaching, and drug and alcohol collection services.
Since 1996, I've worked as a coach and counsellor, officially registering with the ACA in 2020. I'm also a senior member of Meditation Australia and Yoga Australia, and I've been leading workshops since 1993.
A pivotal moment in my journey was meeting my mentor, psychologist and western meditation master, Dean Das, in 2008. I was his student until 2018, when he encouraged me to share the meditation coaching skills I had developed.
He said of me ‘Jai is an authentic Yogi. He is a senior student of mine, training with me over the past 11 years. I would recommend Jai to anyone wishing to learn the process of Meditation Yoga, the yoga that leads to a deep and lasting state of mental peace.”
Originally from the UK, where I studied landscape architecture and horticulture, I now call Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia home. Influenced by incredible mentors, I've immersed myself in counselling, psychology, and various therapeutic approaches, driven by a deep desire to understand the mind and alleviate the mental pain I see in the world – a sentiment echoed by my mentor, who once said, "I felt the sadness of the world."
As a registered counsellor, meditation mentor, and coach, I blend my award-winning design expertise with a profound understanding of human nature, rooted in traditional meditation and yoga practices. This unique combination allows me to guide individuals and organizations towards achieving their goals and fostering a greater sense of purpose and well-being.
Here’s how my background translates into my coaching and counselling approach:
Active Listening & Empathy: I create a safe, non-judgmental space for you to explore your thoughts and feelings.
Goal Setting & Action Planning: My project management experience helps you define your goals, break them into actionable steps, and create a clear roadmap.
Creative Problem-Solving: My design background fuels a creative approach to identifying innovative solutions and overcoming challenges.
Promoting Self-Awareness & Mindfulness: I encourage self-reflection and contemplation, including practices from traditional meditation and yoga, to deepen your self-awareness and connection to your inner wisdom. This includes developing an "Aware Ego Process," which allows you to observe your thoughts and emotions with greater objectivity, leading to increased self-understanding and conscious choice.
Building Strong Relationships: My experience in cultivating strong client relationships ensures a collaborative and trusting coaching experience.
