My life experiences and journey of training and preparation led me into the field of specialty: helping people empower and
heal themselves in the fullness of all their dimensions: emotional, intellectual, mental and spiritual. That journey has taken
many years, and many varied paths. These have produced the "contrasts and contradictions".
The website is part of my contribution to share what I've learned with others, and to help empower those who haven't
been able to do so on their own yet. In addition, I offer services to complement what's on the site.
I was born in Andijk, Noord Holland (NH), The Netherlands (Nederland), & after moving to Canada with my parents in
1952, grew up in rural eastern Ontario, Canada, in Holloway in the Belleville - Kingston area. My youth was spent on
farms in both countries, and only later migrated to the cities. Currently, I live in Short Beach, Yarmouth County, Nova
Scotia (NS), but my practice is province-wide (world-wide with the email dimension). My grandkids call me "Opa", and I
was named after my father, Klaas Tuinman, and his father's name was Klaas Tuinman too, and that was my "Opa".
heal themselves in the fullness of all their dimensions: emotional, intellectual, mental and spiritual. That journey has taken
many years, and many varied paths. These have produced the "contrasts and contradictions".
The website is part of my contribution to share what I've learned with others, and to help empower those who haven't
been able to do so on their own yet. In addition, I offer services to complement what's on the site.
I was born in Andijk, Noord Holland (NH), The Netherlands (Nederland), & after moving to Canada with my parents in
1952, grew up in rural eastern Ontario, Canada, in Holloway in the Belleville - Kingston area. My youth was spent on
farms in both countries, and only later migrated to the cities. Currently, I live in Short Beach, Yarmouth County, Nova
Scotia (NS), but my practice is province-wide (world-wide with the email dimension). My grandkids call me "Opa", and I
was named after my father, Klaas Tuinman, and his father's name was Klaas Tuinman too, and that was my "Opa".
I am first, and foremost, a Father, Step-Father, Grandfather (Opa) and Great-Grandfather (Opa is the Dutch word for "grandpa"), as well as a friend,
and try to fulfil these roles to the best of my ability.
I believe that the universe, the world, and life are unfolding as they should - except where dysfunction happened and major inner injury was done -
and hurt was caused: otherwise the unfolding happens steadily and slowly.
All of us are both simple and complex at the same time. We are all products of our experiences, the people we have met and the things we have
learned. I try hard to fulfill Plato's advice, Know Thyself (a counsellor or guide who doesn't thoroughly know him/herself can do harm: helping people
on their various journeys of recovery and healing is a huge responsibility).
The many interesting byways, formal education and specialist training were all focused on making it easier for me to understand people who came to
me for help - because understanding brings "acceptance" - and compassion. When you truly understand someone, you accept them - and you do not
judge. But I remember always: I started on a farm, worked in factories and went back to school later in life.
and try to fulfil these roles to the best of my ability.
I believe that the universe, the world, and life are unfolding as they should - except where dysfunction happened and major inner injury was done -
and hurt was caused: otherwise the unfolding happens steadily and slowly.
All of us are both simple and complex at the same time. We are all products of our experiences, the people we have met and the things we have
learned. I try hard to fulfill Plato's advice, Know Thyself (a counsellor or guide who doesn't thoroughly know him/herself can do harm: helping people
on their various journeys of recovery and healing is a huge responsibility).
The many interesting byways, formal education and specialist training were all focused on making it easier for me to understand people who came to
me for help - because understanding brings "acceptance" - and compassion. When you truly understand someone, you accept them - and you do not
judge. But I remember always: I started on a farm, worked in factories and went back to school later in life.
- My training & preparation took me on many interesting "journeys", and along the way I acquired additional "titles":
- Counsellor, Life Coach, Facilitator, Mentor, Teacher/Tutor - Life Skills Specialist, Therapist & Priest (yet I am not "religious")
- I have had a private practice for 25 years (counselling/coaching -mentoring).[Private practice since 1981]
- As a coach & priest, I am a "guide into the mysteries" - of the mind and of sacred, spiritual things (sacraments, the mass and other spiritual
things), as well as the depth's of the unconscious mind - the word for that is:"psychopomp" from the Greek). And that is all I am: a guide -
not God's "gate-keeper".
- By "soul" I mean a person's "inner being" and it has many different names. It resembles depth psychology in normal counselling/therapy.
My motto is: "I am not your teacher, but a fellow traveller whom you stopped to ask the way"; helping people re-integrate and heal
themselves, and experience the divine directly: gnosis (a gnostic approach).
- Taught Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Anthropology and Advanced Communication & Counselling Techniques at Community
College & University levels & was itinerant outreach teacher for the Kingston, Ontario, school board.
- Have worked with all age and gender groups - confronting a wide range of life problems, including people with addictions.
- Experienced in working in special programs (for example, a program for rescued "street people" - teens & young adults)
- Was facilitator and instructor in the "Ontario Youth Start" and "Futures" program.
- 25 years direct experience counselling, coaching and helping adults from all walks - and many cultures - of life.
- As a Life Skills Specialist, my major specialty is working with survivors: the Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families & Relationships.
- I deeply believe in expanding our "innate" potential - and the humanistic-spirituality of all people.
All leadership positions involve great responsibility: priesthood (to adequately address the spiritual dimension of life) involves even more
responsibility, for a pastor deals with people who are often at their most vulnerable - it is a very humbling experience - because it entails a lot of
trust. I take this very seriously.
I am a priest I believe you can be safe with; who listens; and whom you can talk to. The "answers" I have found work for me - and many others -
but my answers aren't your answers - each finds their answer - in a different way - because we are all different, and our answers are based on who
we are.
As I see it, my job as "guide", is to help others on their journey to find answers for their lives. Again, a humbling experience, rather than one of
arrogance (note: I am a guide, not the guide; nor mediator/director - I am not a "guru"). At this stage of my journey I have accumulated experience, a
deep appreciation for other human beings and their struggles and accomplishments.In the process I acquired some titles, but I am not them: I am a
fully-rounded person (meaning, I am the sum-total of all my facets).
I was "radicalized" early in life, and later as an adult, mature student, became involved in a "political economy" group (at university) with socialists,
marxists and ultra-left liberals, and became influenced by Liberation Theology at the same time. Upon graduation, my decision was to work with the
"proletariat" we talked about so much (while they waited for the "revolution).
It soon became evident that the "proletariat" was a very diverse, inclusive group: all of them the victims of a society and culture that was not
conducive to people realizing their basic human potential, let alone anything beyond that. Working with them became my "niche" in life.
As well, I remained professionally involved in training future counsellors, and facilitating groups consisting of some of the worst victimized people
of our society.
But I am not all "professional": for hobbies and personal interests I enjoy photography (nature, wild-life, and studies), walks along woodland trails
as well as the beach, sport fishing, visiting new places, meeting new people, listening to music and many other activities, and love laughter and joy
in life.
I love photography: in the past I did a lot of landscape/nature photography, as well as studies of people and children (candid) - with three major
exhibitions behind me. These days I am doing more photography - as a way to balance my life between speaking engagements, conducting seminars
and facilitating workshops. It is a way to restore my inner psychic and spiritual resources.
I also teach a few interested people the basics of photography - I believe that the artistic/creative urge in people is one of the most powerful
healing agents available to humans.
Added to that, I do some candid portraiture of people and children on a "commercial" basis, but very selectively. And the nature trails in this area,
as well as the general surrounding, provide a myriad of photographic opportunities to take pictures of flora and fauna, especially
eco-photography: My venture is called DawnStar Multi-Media Studio: photography.
Whether you know me as Mr. Tuinman, Fr. Klaas, Opa, or just plain Klaas, I am the same basic person.
Over the years, my preference became working with Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families/Relationships. I became interested in the
entire "Inner Child" concept, and developed a specialty for working with those who suffer from the "Lost Child" syndrome.
as well as the beach, sport fishing, visiting new places, meeting new people, listening to music and many other activities, and love laughter and joy
in life.
I love photography: in the past I did a lot of landscape/nature photography, as well as studies of people and children (candid) - with three major
exhibitions behind me. These days I am doing more photography - as a way to balance my life between speaking engagements, conducting seminars
and facilitating workshops. It is a way to restore my inner psychic and spiritual resources.
I also teach a few interested people the basics of photography - I believe that the artistic/creative urge in people is one of the most powerful
healing agents available to humans.
Added to that, I do some candid portraiture of people and children on a "commercial" basis, but very selectively. And the nature trails in this area,
as well as the general surrounding, provide a myriad of photographic opportunities to take pictures of flora and fauna, especially
eco-photography: My venture is called DawnStar Multi-Media Studio: photography.
Whether you know me as Mr. Tuinman, Fr. Klaas, Opa, or just plain Klaas, I am the same basic person.
Over the years, my preference became working with Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families/Relationships. I became interested in the
entire "Inner Child" concept, and developed a specialty for working with those who suffer from the "Lost Child" syndrome.
- Have taught Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Anthropology and Advanced Communication & Counselling Techniques at
Community College & University levels & was itinerant outreach teacher for the Kingston, Ontario, school board. - Have worked with all age and gender groups - confronting a wide range of life problems, especially people with major addictions and
dysfunctional behaviour and life patterns they had established.
- Experienced in working in special programs (for example, a program for rescued "street people" - teens & young adults)
- Was facilitator and instructor in the "Ontario Youth Start" and "Futures" program.
- 25 years direct experience counselling, coaching and helping adults from all walks - and many cultures - of life.
- 15 years involvement in 12-Step programs as speaker and sponsor.
- Have been counselling alcoholics and their families since 1982.
- Subscribe to the "Drink Wise" philosophy about alcohol addiction, rather than the disease model.
- Many of my students/clients came from the dis-enfranchised, un-empowered sector of our society (economically & socially marginalized
and under-privileged people (in various programs) - All my training has been focused on helping (coaching & guiding) people.
- Instructor in "Workplace Education", Pre-GED & Adult Literacy programs in Nova Scotia.
I continued my journey after my years at University, and engaged in specialized study & training (both directed and self-directed), and of active
involvement in the Anglican Church of Canada (2 dioceses). Eventually that part of the journey resulted in being ordained in the traditional 7 Holy
Orders of the "catholic"church in 1998 by Bishop Gilbert Arnold, in Guelph, Ontario. I am currently under the spiritual direction of Archbishop
Richard Gundrey of the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch.
As a validly ordained Independent Catholic priest, I am the pastor of Dawn Cove Abbey's Church. Independent Catholic priests are allowed to be
married: I am a man who doesn't have all the answers: just some answers (but know where to look for many of them): my role is helping others
find their answers.
Dawn Cove Abbey began in 1995 and derives income only from donations and gifts, and recently from the publications available here. I am a non-
stipendary priest ("non-stipendary" means not paid - deriving no income from a congregation or organization - these priests have to have regular
jobs/careers to earn their income. Currently, the speaking engagements, seminars, workshops and private counselling practice etc, are my means of
income, as is my photography studio.
I am not "your ordinary kind of priest" because of the particular and peculiar mix of my preparation for my various "roles". I work hard to leave
my "psychological/professional" side out of friendships, relationships and day-to-day interaction with people.
My "job" largely, is to be engaged in "consciousness-raising" and then providing the services and supports to help people translate that into
attitudes, lifestyles and behaviours that are constructive, positive and empowering.
Electronic Outreach Media & Experience (over a decade and a half of online experience)
- Began in 1990 with two computer BBSes (world-wide connections):
- Initially called Transition Point BBS, it became Dawn Cove Abbey BBS in 1995 - utilizing two modems and multi-lines until 2001.
- Internet presence since 1991:
- Co-moderated of AOL's Abuse Survivors forum (4 years)
- Online Social Science tutor for Univ of San Francisco (2 years)
- Currently host/moderate 2 eLists (listServs) on the "net"
- This Website has been online since Jan 2005 (I am also webmaster - and still learning).
| Dawn Cove Abbey has two eLists (ListServs): one called "Stella_Maris" - an open, non-sectarian spiritual discussion forum; the other, "Morning Star", a "newsletter" type for mailing-out inspirational items. To join/subscribe to either - email me and I'll add you promptly. |
| I wish you Peace. |
| Opa Klaas Tuinman MA: Life Coach, Facilitator, Counsellor |
The "Professional":
having worked most of my adult professional life with people affected by the negative aspects of a dysfunctional culture
(which is a diverse inclusive group that came from all walks of life; ranging from un-empowered people, alcoholics and
other addictions, to more economically fortunate people suffering from dysfunctional behaviour and life style patterns, I
bring my accumulated experience and knowledge to my speaking, facilitating and counselling activities (I learned much
from the people I have worked with, and continue to do so). More on my preparation & training below.
The "Man":
since childhood I have been curious and inquisitive, and love to study people and different cultures. I am fascinated by
the wide variety in human "nature" and behaviour. As a person, like all other people, my life is a mixture of contrasts
and seeming contradictions and contrasts, of course. And I fill a number of "roles": grandfather, father, friend, counsellor,
guide, coach and priest.
having worked most of my adult professional life with people affected by the negative aspects of a dysfunctional culture
(which is a diverse inclusive group that came from all walks of life; ranging from un-empowered people, alcoholics and
other addictions, to more economically fortunate people suffering from dysfunctional behaviour and life style patterns, I
bring my accumulated experience and knowledge to my speaking, facilitating and counselling activities (I learned much
from the people I have worked with, and continue to do so). More on my preparation & training below.
The "Man":
since childhood I have been curious and inquisitive, and love to study people and different cultures. I am fascinated by
the wide variety in human "nature" and behaviour. As a person, like all other people, my life is a mixture of contrasts
and seeming contradictions and contrasts, of course. And I fill a number of "roles": grandfather, father, friend, counsellor,
guide, coach and priest.
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness (love) never decreases by being shared."
~Buddha
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness (love) never decreases by being shared."
~Buddha
My formal post-secondary education was at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, where I obtained a BA (Hon) and an MA), majoring in
Psychology, Anthropology & Sociology (with a special focus on religion and spirituality)
Later, I expanded my training further:
Psychology, Anthropology & Sociology (with a special focus on religion and spirituality)
- To understand cultures (and people) better, I also pursued studies in Oriental & Islamic Philosophy - which in those cultures means
a tight inter-knitting with psychology and spirituality (religion); this combination has provided a deep multi-cultural understanding
of the cultural relativity of human emotional and behavioural problems. It also gave a much wider and richer perspective on that
broad range of spirituality (for more information on Cultural Relativity see Glossary).
- I believe that if you are going to be involved in people's lives as a coach or guide, you'd best be as fully prepared as you can be, and
learn as much as you can, in order to do as little "damage" due to ignorance as possible.
- In my graduate studies I was exposed to the radical approach to treatment of psychotic disorders in england by Dr. R.D. Laing (that
certain of these disorders were simply highly individualistic and personal ways a person in extreme emotional pain took to work it
out; and the work of Gregory Bateson on "Double-Bind Theory" - an attempt to explain behaviour as a result of "mixed messages"
from the primary care giver (for more on these see the Glossary).
- Because people aren't just mental and emotional beings, but also have a "spiritual" dimension, I did additional post-graduate studies
with Thornloe College (Theological College at Laurentian University, Sudbury ON) - in order to incorporate the spiritual dimension
of human life and nature more effectively in his profession.
Later, I expanded my training further:
- Trained as Life Skills Coach in the Saskatchewan New-Start program
- Additional facilitation training with the Logos Institute (Diocese of Toronto-Trinity) and facilitated many Logos workshops in the
Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia-Prince Edward Island. - Hypnosis training with the Eastern Ontario Clinical Hypnotist Association, Kingston, Ontario, and the Greater NE Academy of
Hypnosis, Peabody, Massachusetts.
- Workshops & Professional Development courses (on-going - including the following).
- Crisis Intervention Training
- Suicide Prevention Training
- Tutor certificate, Nova Scotia Dept of Education
- 25 years Hands-on experience working with individuals and groups!
"Not your teacher; but a fellow traveller of whom you asked the way"
26 years private practice - 12 years online/distance counselling
Healing, Recovery and Reconciliation
| Dawn Cove Abbey Empowerment Outreach - New Beginning Online LIFE COUNSELING / COACHING / COUNSELLING and CONSULTING FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES & FAMILIES |
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