My Approach
Listen to nature's wisdom, change your world
Respect
The Foundation to my approach is respect, what that means to me is, powerful combination of:
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seeing and accepting you just as you are - inviting and including the parts of you that you would rather not have;
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holding your unlimited potential to grow and heal;
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bringing my full presence to serve you;
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being open to ongoing learning from your experience;
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equipping you to resource yourself as you meet the challenges of life;
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feeling the bottom line of the equality in our humanity.
I will endeavour to be clear and straightforward with you as we work together to bring the changes you want to see and as I guide you into deep connection with plants.
I follow your lead - seeking to facilitate you in your priorities; at times I will ask questions that may be uncomfortable or invite explorations that feel difficult. It is always your choice how you respond to these.
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The space I hold has been described as "broad and deep" "very allowing, sensitive and warm". It is a confidential, non judgemental space where anything that needs to be said, seen, heard, felt, witnessed is invited and welcomed.
My Approach
My experience has shown me that when we slow down, pause and take time to connect to our bodies and listen deeply there is natural wisdom available to us. In listening to our own bodies and inner worlds through inner enquiries; and being open to connect with and learn from plants we can become more of our natural selves. And that from a place of self acceptance and love our communications and actions in the world can become authentic and full of integrity.
My hope and trust is that the effects of any healing and growth ripple out into our lives and the world. ​​​​Increasing our chances of making the changes that are so needed in our culture, systems and relationship to the earth so that we truly value and cultivate life in all its forms - human, plant, animal, earth.
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I am acutely aware of the injustices and inequalities of the society we live in. I aspire to making this work available to those who are most impacted by this and I know that in order to do that effectively I need to be continuously learning, seeking to grow and heal myself to be able to contribute to healing those old structural and historical wounds.
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About my life experience
My early life deeply affected my self perception, my way of being in the world, my physical and mental health and, therefore my experience of life. I was born with a heart that did not work well, leading to much medical intervention and open heart surgeries as a very young child. I now know this left me with deep stories - beliefs of ‘there’s something wrong with me’ of mistrust of life, of people, much embodied trauma and survivors guilt.
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I responded to this in different ways, I always worked very hard - an underlying drive to prove myself, prove my worth; I numbed out many true emotions for a long time, I remember experiencing and suddenly understanding what anger was in my mid twenties! A little later in life, driven by my rage and strong sense of justice coming out of an incomprehension of the world, I was very politically active, for human rights, for peace in times of war and against dehumanising legislation and practices.
There were also significant periods of physical health problems - an ongoing inflammatory disease, breakdown, anxiety and depression and at times it became necessary to focus on my own health. I have been very privileged in terms of the resources I have had access to, the teachers I have met. My healing, and ongoing journey, has been about learning to listen to my body and the wisdom it holds, growing my self acceptance, self respect and my trust and love of life. Whereas I had spent many years, unconsciously in hatred and resentment and life felt like a burden, now I am grateful for the gift of life and have many moments of enjoying the beauty and simplicity of nature, of connection, of creativity.
I wish this for everyone who struggles with a sense of ‘not being good enough’ or self hatred.
At the heart of my work is the discovery that it is our relationship with ourselves, made up of our personal history and influenced by culture, which sets the scene for life.
I long for a world that loves and respects life in all its forms. When I support someone to be true, to grow into a new possibility, to be authentic in their relationships, to feel wonder in the natural world, to accept and love themselves just as they are, it feels like a small step to creating a world that loves life.
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My Experience and Qualifications
​My training in healing and a deeper understanding and love of life began in 2012 with the Foundation in Insight Herbalism. Connecting with plants unlocked parts of me that I did not know existed and opened me up to a world I did not know was there. Where there was depression and anxiety the plants opened my heart to joy and appreciation of life. A world of mystery, of love, of healing. As part of my apprenticeship at the School of Intuitive Herbalism, (I graduated in 2023) I studied and explored different kinds of body work - offering touch full of listening presence. I was initiated in Reiki, learnt much from Rosen Bodywork intensives, Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage and I continue to learn Movement Shiatsu - a dynamic, empowering form of touch and movement - listening and following the body. I assisted Nathaniel Hughes at the School of Intuitive Herbalism on Summer Herb Immersions, for several years, a great joy and learning crucible.
Whilst on the journey of the Herbal Apprenticeship, in 2018, I was drawn to the work of Joy Hicklin-Bailey of Secret Garden, initially to heal difficulties in intimate relating. What I have received from Joy's teaching and healing is so much more. The Essence Approach draws on the ancient principles of the Huna and has given me an approach to life that is life affirming, supporting me to flourish and giving me simple self healing practices I can do every day so I can meet life's challenges with compassion and insight. So life changing was this that I undertook the Essence Coach training, becoming licensed in 2021. Joy's teaching informs all of the healing work I facilitate.
My more formal qualifications include a science degree - BSc (Hons, 2:1) in Macromolecular Biophysics from Leeds University, 1991 and a Diploma in Social Work from Sheffield University, 1994. During a rich working life, spanning over thirty years of working with people and groups, I have had many traineeships in different forms of group facilitation. Beginning with psycho-education and therapeutic group work in an NHS Substance Misuse Unit; in Social Action Youth and Community Work in inner city neighbourhood youth projects in Sheffield; in Theatre-in-Education in schools and communities engaging children and young people in creative, expressive learning opportunities and latterly in Community Animation where the emphasis is on supporting groups to learn and take action together. I used animation to enable and facilitate disabled people and people with mental health to develop and deliver workshops to professionals and members of the public to bring about more awareness and inclusive action.
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I am committed to ongoing learning and development of my skills, my understanding and personal growth. I attend regular courses and receive supervision ensuring that I can work with people with integrity.
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I trained and qualified as an Essence™ Coach with the approach's founder, Joy Hicklin-Bailey of Secret Garden. I participate in continuous professional development and receive regular supervision from Joy, ensuring I serve people well.
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