Why did you come to train as a Reflexologist?

It developed from my training and work with people in crisis. I worked with Cruse Bereavement Care and a local authority trauma support agency. I would see clients who were suffering following a close, major and traumatic bereavement, by working at this level I was able to develop my listening, attending and people skills, supporting clients and eventually enabling them to find a safe place within. Grief can be a very physical condition, ingrained not only in mind and spirit but very much so within the body itself. I very quickly identified how these emotional problems may affect the physical and spiritual body, this is the very principle of complementary medicine and this understanding has become the very basis of my complementary therapy practice itself.


Have there been any other influences?

Reiki and a therapy called Triune Processing . Some years ago I was lucky enough to attend a short course in this simple therapy, I found this very interesting indeed in that it could possibly explain what was happening within my own practice. I have found that when people relax deeply then sometimes it can have a positive healing effect. This is the basis of Triune Processing and I subsequently remain very interested in the effects and results of relaxation. For some clients reflexology proves to be profoundly relaxing and I will often encourage clients to relax to their own comfortable level.


What are the ailments that people consult you with?

People do come with properly diagnosed problems and its important to explore these when taking client histories because this will give insight into the client’s lifestyle. However for me it is very important not to lose sight of the fundamental principles of reflexology; which is to treat the person and not the presenting symptoms. I believe that by adhering strictly to this principle and by making my practice as simple as possible then the purer and more effective it becomes.


Accepting that, have you noticed a general trend in consultations?

Stress seems to be the major condition, resulting from a range of imbalance or events. The Association of Reflexologists has listed conditions and applications, which I have noticed, do respond well in general to reflexology.

Namely;

• Acute and chronic conditions
• Stress related conditions
• Sleep disorders
• As a preventative therapy


Who are your clients?

Over the years a variety of people have been my clients, from those in crisis to those who just like someone to talk to for the hour; some have come for a social hour, they may just enjoy the reflexology itself. Others recognise the importance of what I call maintenance, an hour of rest and relaxation every now and again to balance and recharge the batteries. This can prove very useful. Its often evident at the onset what the client wants and needs, sometimes a short course may be appropriate, sometimes more commitment may be required. This may be established at the onset.


How do you hope to see yourself in one years time?

Integration is very important to me, good team-working communication between all disciplines is important, different therapies have so many different positive qualities, people are so intricate and diverse that, what works well for one client may not work well for another. Ideally, it is very important to be able to offer a truly holistic approach to client care. In two years time I would hope to see myself as part of a professional multidisciplinary team offering true client centred therapy, working alongside allopathic medicine in the treatment of life trauma and stress related conditions. As complementary health becomes better understood and more widely accepted then integrated healthcare, if funding permits, will be common in the future and at least in a private capacity, its really not that far away now.