I love my job! When a person shares something of their inner life with me (to whatever extent may be comfortable for them), I am aware what a great privilege that is.
In addition to working in private practice, in years past I worked regularly with two other client groups: staff at the Scottish Government and Survivors of Rape and Sexual Abuse at Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre. I have also worked with patients in a rehabilitation ward at the Royal Edinburgh Psychiatric Hospital (offering massage), clients at Muirhouse Community Renewal, people with HIV, seniors’ groups, cancer survivors, carers, and other groups in Edinburgh.
Before becoming a complementary therapist, should you be interested, I completed an English Literature degree and worked in various environments, from managing and teaching in an English Conversation school in Japan, to administrating the client services department of a stockbroker, to working in health promotion with the NHS Throughout this time, I pursued an interest in complementary therapies. It became clear to me after some time that I had a much greater affinity for my ‘hobby’ than I did for the various types of work I had done. I began my professional training with a diploma in massage in 2002, and went on to train in EFT, Bach Flower Remedies, and continued massage training. In 2014 I completed a 3-year training in Somatic Experiencing, a trauma therapy which helps people to renegotiate their nervous systems and return to the flow of life after traumatic experiences. I then went on to train for a further two years with Diane Poole Heller in somatic work for supporting people who have had chronic stress and/or trauma early in life. I am engaged with ongoing professional development from a wide variety of sources, my particular interest being in recovery from trauma.
I was an accredited master trainer with EFT International (previously AAMET) for ten years from 2011, and in 2021 decided to step back from training so that I could offer more work to individual clients.
Qualifications:
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
EFT International-approved mentor
AAMET/EFT International-accredited Master EFT trainer 2011-2021
Certificate in Myofascial Release
Certificate in Advanced Holistic Medical Massage for Neck and Shoulder Pain
Bach Foundation Teacher of Level 1 & 2 courses 2009-2013
AAMET (now EFT International) Certified Advanced EFT Practitioner
Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner 2006-2013
Certificate in Hot Stone Massage
Certificate in Thai Foot Massage
AAMET (now EFT International) Certified EFT practitioner
Advanced Diploma in Hopi Ear Candling
Certificate in Indian Head Massage
COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills
SVQ Certificate in Training Practice
Diploma in Anatomy, Physiology & Massage
Reiki Levels I & II
MA (Hons) English Literature, Edinburgh University