Bio – Donald Marmara

Bio – Donald Marmara

Emotional and Somatic Learning Facilitator, Founder of Core Development

I am an emotional and somatic learning facilitator with over 40 years of international experience. My work focuses on helping individuals, couples, and organisations navigate life’s challenges through practical communication tools, critical and creative thinking, personal integrity and body awareness.

What is Core Development?

Core Development is an educational and experiential learning process designed to help you build emotional resilience, self-esteem, and personal growth.

It is not intended to persuade you or give you answers but to invite you to reflect and come to your own understanding.

Important Notice: Core Development was originally founded as a form of Somatic Psychotherapy, but the methodology has fully evolved away from a clinical model.

Today Core Development is strictly an experiential and educational learning process. It is not psychotherapy, counselling, or clinical treatment, and does not replace medical care. I am no longer registered as a psychotherapist and do not offer clinical services or psychological assessments.

Journey, History, and Evolution

My path began in Malta, where I became aware of how deeply emotional and psychological challenges affect daily wellbeing. During my teenage years and late twenties I experienced severe stress, anxiety, and depression. Frustrated by the limitations of conventional clinical methods at the time, I moved to London in search of alternative approaches to human growth.

During the late 1970s and 1980s, I immersed myself in the Human Potential Movement across Europe and America. I underwent extensive personal development and professional training under leading pioneers of the day. 

Drawing on this extensive background, I founded Core Development. For its first several years, the practice operated as a methodology for Somatic Psychotherapy. Over decades of real-world application, however, the framework evolved.

I intentionally transitioned Core Development away from a clinical therapeutic model and into a non-clinical emotional and somatic learning process of personal development. This shift allows me to facilitate individuals, couples and organisations to self-regulate and grow using educational learning tools.

International Facilitation & Speaking Experience

Over four decades of practice, I have facilitated growth for hundreds of individuals, families, and diverse organisations: 

  • Corporate & Organisational Facilitation: Facilitated stress management workshops for entities including American Express(U.K), Clintons Solicitors(U.K.), United Airlines(Sydney), and Minter Ellison (via MBF Health Management Sydney) .
  • Seminar Presentations: Presented professional development seminars at the Australian Counselling Association’s National Conferences, the British Holistic Medical Association, the Australasian Facilitators Conference, and the International Ecopolitics Conference.
  • Educational Guest Lecturing: Served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Western Sydney and the Australian School of Therapeutic Massage.
  • Worked as a part-time Carer/Educator for 15 years with primary school children in after-school care and 5 years mentoring High School students in Sydney.

Focus Areas for Learning & Growth

I provide educational guidance and support with:

  • Mind-body connection and self awareness
  • Stress management and self-esteem
  • Navigating relationships and conflict resolution
  • Enhancing personal and professional performance
  • Aligning personal feelings with life purpose

Services Offered

  • In-Person Sessions: Artarmon, Sydney (NSW 2064)
  • Remote Sessions: Zoom and phone sessions worldwide
  • Formats: Individual sessions, couples sessions, parent/teenager sessions (together and separately), and organizational workshops.

Historical Qualifications & Background

The following list outlines my foundational training and historical study from my past career in somatic therapies. This background reflects my historical study; my current practice is strictly non-clinical:

  • Diploma in Biodynamic (Somatic) Psychotherapy & Psychology – Gerda Boyesen Institute, UK (Historical Course of Study: 1976–1980).“
    • Course Rigour Verification: As detailed by Clinical Psychologist Dr Ari Badaines in the Course Overview Document, this foundational training comprised approximately 2,000 hours of core theory and practice. It included a rigorous theoretical foundation in somatic psychotherapy (focusing on the work of Wilhelm Reich and Gerda Boyesen), physiological bases for body-mind application, psychiatric diagnostic categories, exposure to psychotropic drugs, Rogerian counselling methods, and intensive individual/group clinical supervision over a four-year period.
  • Certificate in Fundamentals of Biosynthesis – London (Historical Course of Study: 1981–1985)
  • Instructor’s Certificate / Fundamentals of Structural Consulting – DMA, Fritz Consulting, USA & UK (1985–1987)
  • Member (Historical) – Faculty of Physiatrics, London
  • Certificate in Developmental Psychology – University of Padova, Italy (1972–1973)
  • Certificate in Anatomy, Physiology and Massage – International Therapy Examination Centre, London (1978)
  • TAFE Certificate in Youth Mentoring – Sydney (2007)
  • Certificate in Child Protection – (2012)

Contact & Connect

If you want guidance and support to make positive changes to your professional and personal life, please reach out. 

  • Phone:  0412 178 234
  • International: +61 412 178 234
  • Location: Artarmon NSW 2064, Sydney
  • Connect:  Email : donald@coredevelopment.com.au

Core Development offers emotional and somatic learning facilitation. It is a process of personal development and growth and is not a substitute for psychology, clinical psychotherapy or medical care.