Simon Westcott

Background

About Simon Westcott

I wear three hats: practising psychoanalyst, publisher and writer. The first hat is the main game, and is worn at the well-established psychotherapy practice, Maple Tree Counselling, I co-founded in 2021, and through membership of the Australian Centre for Psychoanalysis. I practice alongside wonderful partners and colleagues in all places, and present research and clinical work as part of my ongoing formation. Maple Tree is now a thriving practice of 13 therapists in Hong Kong, Melbourne and Central Victoria. The second hat is more travel-worn. I'm still the owner and CEO of LUXE City Guides, based in Hong Kong, and was previously co-founder and Managing Director at Mr & Mrs Smith (Asia Pacific) and the Global Publisher at Lonely Planet. I'm actively looking to take this hat off once and for all. Vintage collector's item available now! The third hat is newer, and a little stiffer. Over the course of my long career, I have been sporadically published in the Age, The Guardian, The South China Morning Post, The Indiana Review, Travel & Leisure, and other travel publications. But the appetite for thoughtful intervention in the increasingly polarised contest of ideas apparent in our world today is only growing. Watch this space. I've also taken off a few hats I used to wear pro bono. I was most recently co-Chair of the Board of the Hong Kong International Literary Festival and Treasurer for the Executive Committee of PEN Hong Kong. Previously, I was Chair of Australian contemporary theatre company, Malthouse Theatre, and served on the boards of the Tasmanian Arts Advisory Board, political advocacy group Get Up, dance company Chunky Move and the Castlemaine State Festival. Specialties: Psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, strategy, marketing & pr, branding and identity, editorial, writing, organisational development, leadership, public speaking @travellerati on Instagram