Therapist: Maria Rossi
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice developed and used for over 2,000 years in China and East Asian countries. It involves the use of thin needles to stimulate certain energy points of the body so as to produce a change in the body's energy balance and to promote overall health. In addition to acupuncture, practitioners may also use techniques such as moxibustion (the use of burning herbs), cupping, and gua sha to stimulate energy and improve blood flow to specific areas of the body.
Acupuncture takes a holistic approach and treats the individual as a whole. Western medicine and Chinese medicine have different approaches to understanding and treating illness. Western medicine tends to focus on identifying and eliminating an external cause or agent of a specific disease through the use of drugs or surgery. Chinese medicine, on the other hand, takes a holistic approach to health. In addition to the specific symptoms of a disease, acupuncture practitioners take into account an individual's age, lifestyle and all physical and emotional characteristics to evaluate patterns of disharmony and to provide treatment to restore balance and well-being.
In Chinese medicine, symptoms of illness are not viewed as important in and of themselves. Instead, they are seen as part of a larger pattern of disharmony in the body. Factors that can disrupt the balance of the body and affect the flow of energy, or Qi, include emotional states, diet, the side effects of medication, weather conditions, exercise and rest patterns, trauma, toxins, genetics, and epidemics. Acupuncture practitioners may examine a person's tongue and take their pulse in order to diagnose any imbalances and determine the appropriate treatment.
Acupuncture and conditions
Acupuncture can be effective in treating a wide range of health conditions. Some common issues that people may seek acupuncture for include fertility, menstrual disturbances, musculoskeletal and joint pain, stress, depression, anxiety, digestive issues and chronic fatigue. Acupuncture is also safe in pregnancy and used to tackle some less enjoyable aspects to being pregnant, although pregnant women should inform their practitioner as the practitioner may need to use special precautions when selecting treatment points.
Therapist: Anne Lammar
The Alexander Technique was developed a century ago and is now scientifically recognised throughout the world as a powerful method of dealing with physical and mental stress, encouraging personal growth and transformation. It is a way of becoming more aware of balance, posture and movement in everyday activities. Most of us have learned habits which interfere with our natural poise, coordination and functioning.
The role of the Alexander Teacher is to re-educate the whole body using gentle guidance with the hands and subtle thought processes. This helps unravel our inappropriate responses and encourages the natural reflexes to work again.
Therapist: Dorine Fernandes
Ayurveda is a natural healing system originating in India dating back to 3000 B.C. Ayurveda is composed of two words ‘Ayu’ meaning ‘Life’ and ‘Veda’ meaning ‘Knowledge of Science’. It is a system based on the principle that your body is an individual combination of 5 elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth) that weave together to create your unique constitution. It teaches us to live life in a true and natural balance. The basic principle of the Ayurvedic health doctrine are the three life energies and the balance between them. However, this harmonious stability can get unbalanced by the strain of everyday life or by an unfavourable lifestyle leading to discomfort and illness. Ayurveda helps to restore and maintain the balance of the life energies in the body. Ayurvedic massages are carried out using oil. It is a holistic massage which helps relieve emotional as well as physical stress and insomnia. Tiredness and tension are dispelled leaving you blissfully light and refreshed. It is designed to benefit the nervous system, muscular aches and pains, and high blood pressure.
Therapist: Caroline Smith
Dr Edward Bach discovered the healing properties of certain plants in the 1930's while living in an Oxfordshire village. He developed these into thirty eight 'mood remedies' which he used singly or in combinations to alleviate short or long term periods of stress or emotional discomfort.
A treatment bottle is made up after a 1:1 consultation; and consists of one or more stock remedies diluted in mineral water. The remedy is then taken orally several times a day.
Treatment can be included within a therapy session or as a separate consultation.
Therapist: Alexandra Dominique Datwyler
BodyTalk acknowledges the profound influence the psychology of the body has on our health. We think of psychology as only relating to the mind, however, every part of the body has specific emotions and beliefs that are associated with it. These underlying emotions and beliefs as well as any contributing environmental, biochemical and ancestral factors must also be addressed for dis-ease to be resolved. BodyTalk seeks to address the “whole person” meaning no aspect of the human experience should be overlooked.
The beauty of BodyTalk is that it provides insights into the areas of your bodymind that need attention and in what priority and sequence they need to be addressed. BodyTalk helps you to appreciate how disease develops and why it is maintained. Then, with the use of structured intuition, biofeedback and a variety of non-invasive techniques, the BodyTalk practitioner helps to reestablish better communication within the body and refocus your body’s natural healing response.
What might seem like an obvious problem to you is not necessarily the one your body needs to have addressed first. Each session is completely individualised for each person.
If you’d like to know more about BodyTalk or discuss your requirements, e-mail youhappyfirst@yahoo.co.uk or call Alexandra on 07504 750869.
Therapists: Taf Kunorubwe, Jana Sheena
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that targets unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour, which often impact on how we are feeling. Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy works on the principle that the way we think about ourselves, the world or other people, impacts on how you feel and how we feel impacts on what we do. By changing the way we think, and/or the way we behave, we can improve how we feel!
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy is the most widely researched and evidence-based form of therapy and has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of psychiatric disorders and psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, OCD, low self-esteem, phobia, perfectionism, PTSD. In contrast to other forms of psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy is focused on the here and now, is practical and solution oriented as it empowers you to create goals, solve problems, learn skills and develop more adaptive ways of handling difficult situations. While CBT is structured and active, it is also a collaborative process . As you are the expert of your own life , the treatment will be cater to your specific needs!
Therapists: Donna Bartlett, Emma Murray
Counselling is a contractual arrangement by which a practitioner regularly meets a client, in privacy and confidence, to explore distress the client may be experiencing. This may be a difficulty; their dissatisfaction with life; or loss of a sense of direction or purpose. Counselling and psychotherapy will help you make decisions but a practitioner will not tell you what to do.
Through exploration you will gradually become clearer about the choices you are currently making. These insights will help you to make more informed decisions about the way you choose to go forward.
Different therapists work from different perspectives - you can find out more at www.bacp.co.uk (seeking a therapist, theoretical approaches).
A person-centred approach highlights the self-healing capacity within us all, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship. An existential approach is concerned with searching for ways to live a more meaningful life within the constraints of being human.
Therapist: Anne Lammar
Caniosacral Therapy is an extremely gentle hands on therapy using no manipulation. At the core of the body the cerebrospinal fluid which bathes and cushions the brain and spinal cord, expresses a motion in a tide-like ebb and flow. This moves the bones of the skull and is reflected in the organs and all the structures of the body. However, congestions and restrictions in the body's functioning show up in the way that this craniosacral motion is expressed.
Treatment is comprised of this gentle listening touch, which is both diagnostic and therapeutic. It assists the release of compression and stress in tissues, bones, organs, fluids and the nervous system, towards a higher level of functioning and a revitalisation of the mechanism as a whole.
Craniosacral therapy is safe and suitable for people of all ages, even in fragile or acutely painful conditions. Injuries, birth trauma, colic, learning difficulties, exhaustion, migraines, backpain, dental trauma, ME symptoms, etc., all react favourably to this treatment.
Therapists: Alexandra Dominique Datwyler, Dorine Fernandes
Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve pain and muscle tension throughout the body. This type of massage is extremely beneficial because it reaches the deepest layer of muscles, fascia (connective tissue surrounding the joints) and tendons. The goal in Deep Tissue massage is to breakdown adhesions (tense areas within the muscle). Adhesions in the muscle are very important to address because they cause pain, inflammation and limit motion of the muscles and joints.
Deep Tissue massage may be done with 3 and 6 fingers, reinforced fingers, a flat elbow, opposing thumbs, the heel of the hand or foot and the forearm.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
- Alleviate pain Recover from injuries (sports, traumatic, whiplash, falls, etc.)
- Increase mobility
- Decrease muscle tension
- Recover from repetitive stresses (sports, computer use, lifting, etc.)
- Improve Posture Relief from Osteoarthritis Relief from Fibromyalgia
Therapists: Silvia Constantinescu, Dee Novakovic, Jana Sheena
Hypnotherapy is a form of complementary therapy where by the therapist will guide the client into an altered state of consciousness usually through various relaxation techniques. This state is called hypnosis.
Whilst the client is in this state they will find that the conscious mind is relaxed and the subconscious mind is actually in a heightened state of awareness.
The skilled therapist will now essentially talk to the subconscious mind to help the client achieve their desired outcome.
Most people find it very relaxing and are surprised that they are still fully aware of their surroundings during the session.
Hypnotherapy is regularly used to help clients alleviate fears and phobias, weight loss, stopping smoking , improving confidence or maybe just to sleep better.
Therapists: Alexandra Dominique Datwyler, Dorine Fernandes, Caroline Smith
Concentrating on the upper part of the body, including the back, shoulders and arms, as well as the head and neck IHM is given with the client clothed and seated. It is a holistic treatment similar in effects to other forms of massage providing many physiological and psychological benefits. It is a valuable treatment for stress and after treatment the client will feel an improvement in their whole system.
Therapist: Taf Kunorubwe
Mindfulness is an approach that can help us to relate differently to our experiences. It involves paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, body, and the world around us in a way that increases our ability to manage in difficult situations and affords us more opportunities to make wise choices. A good working definition from the Mindfulness Association is: Knowing what is happening while it is happening, without preference.
It is a skill that we can learn and further develop, that allows us to be present for what’s going on in our daily lives, to notice and to face our difficulties with kindness rather than avoiding them. It can help us to be more attentive, settle the mind, recognise and calm the criticism our minds often place us, and live in a more compassionate way which can benefit not only ourselves but those we encounter in our day to day lives.
Mindfulness isn't the answer to everything, and it's important that our enthusiasm doesn't run ahead of the evidence. However, research indicates that over time, mindfulness can bring about long-term changes in mood and levels of happiness and well-being. Practice also positively affects the brain's patterns which underlie day-to-day anxiety, stress, depression and irritability so that when they arise, they reduce more easily. There's encouraging evidence for its use in health, education, prisons and even workplaces.
Therapist: Anne Lammar
This is a therapeutic process developed by Dr Ray Castellino collaborating with William Emerson & Franklin Sills. The work is based on Ray’s 30 years' experience as a natural health care practitioner, consultant and teacher; helping babies, children and adults heal their pre-natal and birth trauma. In addition to this, the process has the principal impact of encouraging loving bonding within primary relationships.
It is a process that anyone of any age can experience. By using subtle energy awareness, empathy and incorporating craniosacral techniques, the therapist helps find the unexpressed or unrecognised movement patterns and emotions.
Mirroring and reflecting these back, this inspires the inherent wisdom in each of us to heal itself and resolve the trapped energy from these traumas. This proactive treatment can help heal the pain before it manifests itself in present day functioning and so prevent full expression of our potential.
Therapist: Caroline Smith
This is a complex process with different levels of communication involved; from interpretation of the Aura or energy field, to communication with Spirit helpers and Guides. Past lives may also be visited. Although Information received may be unexpected as the focus will be on the needs of the sitter there is opportunity for specific questions to be asked during the reading.
Therapist: Jana Sheena
Challenge negative beliefs Understand stress triggers
Develop coping strategies
Take back control of your mental health
Challenging the way you think, one emotion at a time Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) is your mental health advocate.
A type of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, REBT challenges negative beliefs and helps you to regulate emotions, develop coping strategies, and realign approaches to current problems. Focused on nurturing your mental health and emotional wellbeing, REBT provides you with a platform to identify unhealthy beliefs, acknowledge cognitive, emotional, and behavioural triggers, and challenge the way you think. Using the principle of ‘ABCDE model’, REBT helps you to shift your focus from blaming external events for your unhappiness and helps you to adjust your interpretation of these events and alleviating your overall psychological distress.
A: Activating event – acknowledging the event/situation that (triggered) distress
B: Belief – delving into your current thoughts (connected to) the event/situation
C: Consequence – identifying your emotional response to your beliefs (physical symptoms and behaviours).
D: Debating and challenging your thoughts (connected to) the event/situation
E: Effective new approach/attitude to your problem
REBT gives you back control!
Therapist: Caroline Smith
The feet represent an image of the whole body. By applying pressure to certain reflex points on the feet the corresponding part of the body can be treated. Patients will feel a sense of well-being, physical and emotional balance through a reduction of stress, elimination of toxins, improved circulation, relaxation of mind, body and spirit through natural healing.
Therapists: Alexandra Dominique Datwyler, Dorine Fernandes
Reiki is a Japanese form of hands-on stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is based on the principle that we all have energy flowing through our bodies, which sometimes becomes stuck or damaged. These blockages can be caused by physical illness, negative thinking or difficult experiences. Reiki aims to remove these blockages and to restore a healthy flow of energy. Most people feel physically and mentally very relaxed after a session, although sessions can bring up suppressed emotions, helping to release pent-up feelings. For a few hours after a session, and sometimes a few days, you may feel more emotional. Eventually your feelings will stabilise. This process should feel very cleansing and cathartic. Some people report heightened perception following sessions – perhaps feeling able to see more clearly or better able to notice sounds and smells. Reiki can also help with pain reduction.
Clothed, you will either lie down or sit upright on a chair with your eyes closed. Reiki healers place their hands on or above various locations on your body to perform the Reiki healing. The session will be conducted in silence. It is recommended that immediately following a session you drink plenty of water and try to take some time out.
Therapist: Alexandra Dominique Datwyler
The classic Swedish massage is deep and very soothing for tired muscles. This massage is used for specific problems as well as to prevent injuries occurring. Therapeutic stretching is included for a better result of
the treatment. Are you feeling stressed or have a lack of energy in daily
life? Then choose a soothing and relaxing massage for your well-being. The
massage treatment will be adjusted to what you most need at the time.
Swedish Massage is not only a powerful antidote to stress; it is also
an excellent means of enhancing overall feelings of well being. It
helps to boost the immune system, preventing illness, and when used
regularly it contributes significantly to the quality of life. The
beneficial effects of massage include;
• easing of stiff and aching muscles
• stimulating circulation
• alleviating stress and tension
• reducing fatigue and insomnia
• stimulating the body's natural healing processes