Family Constellations

Family Constellations / Systemic Constellations are experiential and difficult to explain. However ‘the technology’ of how it works is helpful.

In a workshop, a group of people gather in a circle.  An ‘issue holder’ – as they are referred to – will have an opening conversation with the facilitator. This can be about any number of things. Most likely it’s because of a painful issue they haven’t been able to resolve.

People from the group are selected to represent different aspects of the issue and placed in a position, in relation to one another, within the circle. This is known as ‘ the field’. It’s like a map of the issue.

From there the representatives can report data and the facilitator can then help to disentangle problems and blockages. Opportunity arises to create flow and relaxation. A new outer picture is presented that the client can internalise, to feel support from their system, rather than be burdened by it. The aim is to give insight and clarity and free the system, into more flow, movement, and healing.

Ancestral trauma can be revealed and with care and integrity, this too can shift. Because of this sensitivity, full confidentiality is agreed upon from the beginning.

We all belong to a family system so participating in a group can be rewarding without a specific approach to your own.

The Family Constellation model can be offered in 1:1 sessions as well. The counsellor can introduce the concept of constellations to the client and initiate an exploration of systems the client is involved with. Constellations can thus be a component of ongoing counselling. It can’t be a substitute for experiential group work, as the power of the work is felt much more in a group context. However 1:1 can help as preparation. Many clients find it extremely useful in understanding certain aspects of their individual or couple therapy.

Art Psychotherapy

What is Art Psychotherapy?

Art Psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that involves the use of various art media as a creative way of expression. It helps healing and mental well-being.

There is no need to be skilled at art to do art therapy. The final work is not going to be judged or interpreted by the art therapist. The focus is on the art process and the feelings that emerge.

A Safe Space

Art Psychotherapy gives a safe space for individuals to explore and to work through their difficulties. Verbal and creative work helps them to express their worries, make sense of difficult emotions and find coping skills to manage overwhelming feelings; or daily life in the classroom, at home or in society.

It develops self- awareness, helps coping with stress, boosts self-esteem and fosters social interactions.

Art Therapy may benefit (not limited to):

  • Children suffering from behavioural or social problems at school or at home
  • Children or adults experiencing severe stress, depression, anxiety or other mental health problems
  • Individuals suffering from abuse, trauma or neglect
  • Individuals experiencing loss or bereavement

Sophrology

SOPHROLOGY: AN ALERT MIND IN A RELAXED BODY

Sophrology was created in the 1960s and developed by neuro-psychiatrist Professor Alfonso Caycedo.

It was influenced by hypnosis, relaxation and phenomenology in the occidental world as well as yoga, Buddhist meditation and Japanese zen from the Eastern world.

By bringing awareness to our own body and mind and working on our values, Sophrology provides tools so each and every one of us is able to find their own inner resources therefore helping us to reach our full potential on a personal and/or professional level as well as being able to face life challenges in a positive manner in an autonomous manner.

During sessions, we will start discussing the reasons you have come to see me so you can express how you feel at that present moment. I will ask you about your environment, health and lifestyle in order to establish your needs and to create a tailor-made plan of action and programme for you. I will then, guide you through a series of exercises including breathing exercises, gentle physical movements and positive visualisations. We will finish with a feedback chat where you can express how you feel after the exercise. Finally, as regular practice will be essential and to allow you to develop autonomy, I will give you the exercises of the session in detail to be able to refer to during your own practice.

Sophrology has been used in continental Europe for more than 40 years in the corporate world, in the education system, in the medical world.

It is applicable to adults, adolescents, children and seniors, at everyone’s pace, during groups or individual sessions.

THE BENEFITS OF SOPHROLOGY:

  • Improve concentration,
  • Stress and anxiety management,
  • Better sleep,
  • Burnout management,
  • Birth preparation and post birth
  • Misophonia management,
  • Exams, sport competitions, events, stage preparations
  • Pain management
  • Be more confident
  • Improve self-esteem…

SOPHROLOGY: AN ALERT MIND IN A RELAXED BODY

Oligoscan (Heavy Metal Toxicity Test)

HEALING STARTS HERE!

At this present time in history, we are being bombarded, like never before, with heavy metals – from the air, water supply, oceans/seafood, processed foods & drinks, soil (insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides), beauty products, household products, cookware, pharmaceuticals, dental amalgams/fillings, and more.   It’ll take decades before science recognizes (& publicizes) just how dangerous they all are to our health.  Sadly, much of our food supply today is also critically devoid of nutrients, leaving many to fall prey to multiple nutrient deficiencies.

It’s impossible to steer clear of everything harmful, but IT IS possible to minimize your exposure to heavy metals.  It’s also critical to know whether your body is lacking specific nutrients required to detoxify & remove these harmful substances from your body.  Understanding which foods or supplements can rectify trace mineral deficiencies means you can enhance your nutrient status to bring about cellular repair, growth and function.

 If you have deficiencies in vital minerals, high levels of damaging oxygen molecules in your body, or you are overloaded with harmful heavy metals, it can significantly hinder your ability to recover from illness or obtain optimal health.  That is why the most invaluable starting point for any nutritional consultation is the Oligoscan test.

 HOW CAN THE OLIGOSCAN HELP?

The revolutionary Oligoscan test instantly reveals trace mineral deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and the degree of oxidation occurring within your body at a cellular level.

The Oligoscan test is significantly faster and more accurate than assessing urine or blood samples.  Urine analysis only shows what the body is excreting (via the kidneys), and blood testing only shows exposure to elements within the last 24 hours and what is travelling in the blood temporarily.  Deficiencies are first seen in cells rather than the blood itself, and heavy metals are stored in tissues (not the blood).

 That’s why Oligoscan can highlight issues that a normal blood test cannot.

The test is quick and absolutely painless.  The Oligoscan device is gently pressed on four points on the palm of the hand.  Using spectrophotometry, light beams determine the intensity of the electromagnetic signals of 36 different elements stored in your tissues (20 trace minerals and 15 heavy metals).

No trips to the lab for a blood draw or urine sample, and no waiting required.  Results are immediate (a report is sent to your personal email within minutes of being scanned).

The Oligoscan Test allows you to know the most efficient supplementation programme to maximize your nutritional status and health. In the case of heavy metal toxicity, chelating techniques, supplements and/or lifestyle changes can be recommended.

DID YOU KNOW?….

Aluminium & mercury toxicity, along with a deficiency in the mineral silica, have been shown to increase the risk of dementia, as well as; anxiety, personality changes, poor memory & cognitive decline.

Weight loss can be a constant struggle if your levels of iodine, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc are low.  Yet individuals following restrictive, low-calorie diets often become deficient in these vital micronutrients.

Digestive issues such as reflux usually elicit prescriptions for Zantac or Proton Pump Inhibitors/PPI’s, but does the doctor ever test your levels of zinc, so vital for the production of digestive fluids and the health of your gut lining?  To make matters worse, these pharmaceuticals, which inhibit stomach acid output, contain heavy metals and prevent the absorption of minerals, such as zinc!

Worried about Osteoporosis?  Well no amount of calcium & vitamin D supplements can increase bone density if there are insufficient levels of the essential co-factors magnesium, silica, phosphorus, manganese & boron required to build bone tissue.  Add lead & cadmium toxicity to the mix, and calcium ions are further displaced from your bones, dramatically increasing your risk of fracture.

Acne sufferers don’t just require more vitamin A.  Adequate levels of zinc, iron, selenium, silica and sulphur are essential for beautiful clear skin.

There’s more to depression & fatigue than low serotonin or melatonin levels. Nutrient deficiencies in lithium, zinc, magnesium and calcium, plus poisoning from heavy metals such as mercury (i.e. from amalgam fillings, tuna & vaccinations) all impact upon the brain function and mood & sleep enhancing neurotransmitters.

If you’re an avid athlete, there is evidence that even marginal magnesium, zinc or iron deficiency may impair exercise performance, resulting in a decline in energy and endurance. Heavy metals can promote damaging oxidation in the body, reduced energy levels, and muscular degeneration, negatively impacting physical performance1.

Wouldn’t you like to know in seconds what your body needs (or doesn’t need) to start healing?

OligoScan facts:

The revolutionary OligoScan test utilizes the latest non-invasive, innovative technology known as ‘spectrophotometry’.    Spectrophotometry uses infrared radiation, and is based upon the principle that every compound (mineral or metal) absorbs, reflects or transmits light over a certain range of wavelength.

Spectrophotometry is widely employed in the field of science and industry to determine levels of a chemical substance in solution (i.e. heavy metals in tissue).  It is significantly faster and more accurate than assessing urine or blood samples.  Deficiencies are first seen in cells rather than in blood itself. That’s why OligoScan can highlight issues that a normal blood test cannot.

 It analyses 20 trace elements – calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), silicon (Si), sodium (Na), potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) , manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), boron (B), cobalt (Co), molybdenum (Mo), iodine (I), lithium (Li), germanium (Ge), selenium (Se) and sulfur (S)

It also carries out an analysis of global metal intoxication of 14 heavy metals – mercury, aluminium, cadmium, lead, arsenic, antimony, silver, barium, beryllium, bismuth, nickel, platinum, lead, thallium and Thorium.  It also check the extent to which the sulfoconjugation pathway of the liver is blocked. This pathway is essential for neutralizing toxins, and if impaired, can prevent an individual from eliminating destructive toxins (i.e. heavy metals, old utilized hormones, pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, etc) from the body.

What does the test involve?

The test can be carried out in the comfort of your home or in a relaxed setting at my clinic.  No trips to the lab and no waiting required.

The test is quick and absolutely painless.  After entering your data (name, address, blood type, etc), the Oligoscan is gently pressed on four points on the palm of the hand. The light beam will determine the intensity of the electromagnetic signals of 34 elements, and the software calculates the results and delivers a comprehensive report within minutes.

How much is the test?

A 1hr Oligoscan consultation includes the Oligoscan test, emailed pdf report, and dietary and/or supplemental recommendations.

The cost of the Oligoscan test with a 1hr consultation to interpret the test results is £230.00.    The cost of the Oligoscan test without the 1hr consultation is £105.00 (this includes the immediate Oligoscan pdf report)

For the Oligoscan Test, specific personal data is required – one of which is your blood type. If you’re unable to retrieve this information from your doctor, our practitioner Hannah can carry out a finger prick blood test to determine your blood type.  This is an additional cost of £10.00 (and will provide you with a blood type card to keep in your wallet or medical files).

For further information regarding Oligoscan, please view: https://www.oligoscan.net

If you’d like to book an appointment or learn whether this test may help you recover your vitality and physical health, please call the clinic and ask to speak to Hannah.

 

Cupping and Gua Sha

Cupping is a technique commonly used in Chinese medicine. It has also been used in various cultures around the world over the centuries. Simple but effective, cupping involves the placement of cups (usually glass but sometimes bamboo or plastic) on the skin after a vacuum has been created inside the cup. The vacuum draws the skin slightly into the cup, creating a – usually pleasant rather than painful – sensation of pulling or stretching. This helps to release muscular tension and, in Chinese medicine terms, moves stagnant Qi and blood in the area. The practitioner may decide to leave the cup or cups in one place for a while. She might also use a method known as sliding cupping whereby the cup is moved around with the help of a little massage oil or lotion. For example a common procedure is sliding up and down the paraspinal muscles on the back. After the cups have been removed, Chinese massage (tui na) is applied to further encourage the release of muscle tension and the dispersing of stagnant Qi.

Following treatment with cupping therapy, there may be some red or reddish-purple marks left on the skin. These do not indicate skin irritation or damage, but are signs of blood and Qi moving into the area.  They usually fade gradually over the next few days and are certainly not permanent. Generally speaking, the greater the degree of stagnation the stronger the marks appear.

Gua sha, like cupping, is a centuries-old folk medicine technique that is still used throughout Asia today. Gua is a Chinese term that translates as ‘scrape’ or ‘rub’. Sha refers to the little red dots (petechiae in Western medical terms) that are brought to the surface by the blunt-edged scraping tool that the practitioner uses over oiled skin. As with cupping, this technique is not painful to receive. In many cases the relief from muscular pain and stiffness is almost immediate. Once again, the practitioner follows up the gua sha with Chinese massage to enhance and complement the effects of the therapy. Any red rash-like marks left after treatment should fade and disappear completely within 2-3 days. It is important to note that such marks are not bruises or skin irritation and are simply the effect of blood being drawn to the skin surface by the scraping procedure.

Although both cupping and gua sha are primarily utilised for the relief of musculo-skeletal problems and muscle tension in particular, they have many other useful applications. Cupping, for example, helps speed recovery from a common cold and gua sha can prove enormously beneficial in reducing cough, wheezing, and asthmatic symptoms.

Facial Acupuncture

Facial acupuncture – otherwise known as cosmetic acupuncture or the ‘natural facelift’ – is an acupuncture specialism that utilises particular needling methods and techniques. These techniques aim to enhance the overall appearance and condition of skin and muscles of the face and neck.

During a Facial Acupuncture session the muscle groups around the eyes, nose, mouth, jaw and neck are stimulated by the insertion of short, fine needles. The needles activate energy in the meridians (energy channels) passing over those areas thus sending messages to the brain to ‘wake up’ the muscles which effectively get lazier as we get older.

Meanwhile, even finer, smaller intradermal needles are inserted into lines, furrows and wrinkles in the facial skin. In this way Facial (Cosmetic) Acupuncture encourages a supply of fresh oxygenated blood to the skin surface as part of the body’s natural healing response. This in turn promotes the production of collagen that gives skin its strength and elasticity. Facial Acupuncture can successfully be employed on areas of skin damage, such as scars.

Since Acupuncture is a holistic treatment focused on restoring balance to the body as a whole, in addition to the facial treatment a selection of acupuncture points on the body are simultaneously used. This helps restore and re-balance the organ energies that underpin general health and well-being.

After removal of the needles (which remain in situ for approx 30 mins), Julia Oji uses facial Manual Lymph Drainage techniques to optimise lymphatic circulation in the face and neck region. This revitalises the skin by encouraging the removal of toxins and excess fluids which contribute to puffiness. It is also a relaxing and enjoyable way to complete the treatment session

 

The Genotype Diet / SWAMI

What is SWAMI (So What Am I) / The Genotype diet?

The Genotype diet is an expanded, refined version of ‘The Blood Type Diet’. That is based on the ‘Eat Right for Your Type’ New York Times bestseller by Peter D’Adamo, an American Naturopathic physician, professor, researcher and scientist.

If we weren’t created with blood transfusions in mind, we have to ask ourselves the question, “What is the purpose of blood typing?”

Your blood type is one of the most important markers of genetic individuality (your ‘genetic blueprint’), and is a key factor influencing many areas of health and well-being.   A single drop of blood contains a biochemical make-up as unique to you as your fingerprint.

Our blood type antigens are not just located solely on red blood cells, but on every cell, tissue and in all bodily fluids (particularly those that interact with the environment).   Consequently, research shows that your blood type can determine your susceptibility to certain diseases or disorders, and influence your risk to certain infections.  It can even control which bacteria co-exist inside your digestive tract.   Blood types are correlated with levels of stomach acid, stress hormone levels and responses to lectins & glutens in specific foods.  For example, Type O individuals have an increased risk of developing stomach ulcers due to their naturally higher levels of stomach acid.  Type O’s also take longer to recover from stress because they have a heightened ‘fight or flight’ stress reaction – they secrete excessive amounts of ‘adrenaline’ into their system, and take a prolonged period of time to clear this stress hormone from their body.

As recent research in genetics is repeatedly confirming, gene function (& expression) is constantly changing on daily basis, and whether a gene is ‘read’ or ‘silenced’ is determined by the foods we eat, the exercise we engage in, the thoughts we have and the environmental conditions we live in. Depending upon your specific genotype, certain foods will activate ‘positive’ genes and others will trigger the expression of ‘negative’ genes.  Because your blood type antigens are everywhere, they also influence how your body reacts to certain foods containing ‘lectins’.  These proteins can bind with blood type antigens in your digestive tract, on red blood cells and on a myriad of other tissues within the body, inciting agglutination (clumping together), inflammation and dysfunction in these structures.  This can result in weight gain, fatigue, migraines, skin issues, digestive issues and a host of other complaints.

As a result, different types of diets & lifestyles are suited to different types of individuals.   It really is true that ‘No one diet fits all’.  It is the reason why one person will thrive on a ‘paleo’ type diet, whilst another will feel toxic and nauseous on this high protein eating plan, or it explains why one person may look radiant and energized when adhering to a vegan diet and another looks worryingly pale and undernourished.

‘Eating right for your (geno)type’ has the ability to enhance your health by optimizing the function of all your bodily systems – it can reveal how to nourish your body with exactly the right foods and type of activities.  The Genotype Diet can aid weight loss, reduce inflammation, increase energy levels, enhance your digestion and absorption of nutrients, and most importantly, help you live a long, healthy life.

SWAMI is a sophisticated collection of web-based diet analysis and reporting software programme written by Peter D’Adamo to construct the Genotype Diet.

The Genotype diet is a truly personalised eating and lifestyle plan based upon your complete heritable genetic identity.  It is generated from 12,600 calculations using blood tests, your health history, fingerprint testing and a range of other biometric markers (i.e. cranium, torso & leg measurements).  SWAMI analyses all this unique data to provide you with a life-long 45-page eating and exercise plan based upon your unique epigenotype.

SWAMI includes: 2 x blood tests and a 1 x 1.5hr consultation (during which time I take a health history, some specific measurements and fingerprint readings and generate the programme using the SWAMI computer software).  It is priced at £315.00

 

Metabolic Balance

What is Metabolic Balance ®?

Metabolic Balance ® is a highly effective 12-week weight-loss programme.

This diet & lifestyle plan is for clients wanting fast results and long term success.  It is ideal for individuals who have been repeatedly struggling to shift the pounds, but frustratingly find the ‘diets’ fail to keep the weight off.

Metabolic Balance ® is so effective because it is specifically designed to re-set your metabolism through the adjustment & rebalancing of all bodily hormones (i.e. blood sugar regulating hormones, appetite hormones, stress hormones and metabolism regulating hormones).

It is not about drastically reducing calorie intake, and unlike many ‘fad’ diets, Metabolic Balance ® does not include any meal replacements or ‘light’ or ‘diet’ food items.  It is a fully-structured eating & exercise plan that teaches portion control and puts a stop to ‘cravings’ for sugar or junk food.  It alters your taste buds, so that you begin to appreciate and feel satisfied by eating natural ‘clean’ foods.

Metabolic Balance ® is the result of over 25 years of research and development by a team of doctors, nutritionists and IT programming specialists. It is based upon a sound scientific foundation, and has been followed by over 400,000 individuals in Europe and America with great success.

About Metabolic Balance® sessions:

At our initial consultation, I gather important personal health information and we will discuss your health goals and weight target. Between consultation 1 and 2, you will need to visit a London-based laboratory for a full-panel blood test (this is a simple blood draw which provides 35 laboratory values).   This test looks at a range of markers such as thyroid hormone levels, liver and kidney enzymes, vitamin D and iron levels, etc., and establishes your unique biochemistry.

Based upon these parameters, and all the information garnered from our initial consultation, Metabolic Balance ® (based in Germany) will create an individualized, precise, nutritionally balanced four-phase dietary programme for you.   During our second consultation (approximately 2 weeks later depending upon when the blood draw is taken), I will walk you through your personalized programme, so that you are fully prepared and ready to get started on your dietary & lifestyle plan.  We will then have four follow-up consultations (staggered over a 10 week period), where I provide you with support and guidance to help you navigate four phases of the programme.

Phase 1 involves a two-day ‘cleanse’, phase 2 a strict 14-day adherence to a list of ‘beneficial’ foods, phase 3 includes the introduction of a wider variety of foods, and phase 4 is the lifelong healthy eating phase which encompasses all the foods discovered to be health enhancing for that particular individual.

The most significant factor in the Metabolic Balance ® programme is that, through the process of learning to eat healthily and through rebalancing hormones (& consequently neurotransmitter levels), metabolism remains optimal and weight loss remains permanent (whereas with other calorie restriction diets, the weight creeps back on once a normal levels of calories is consumed, because cellular metabolism has been disrupted).

It should be pointed out that Metabolic Balance ® is not only effective for sustained weight loss and weight maintenance.  With the consumption of nutrient-dense whole foods, cellular metabolism is up-regulated, leading to a boost in energy levels.   The adjustment in calorie intake, the alterations in the way in which the body burns different types of fuel, and the lowering of insulin hormone levels all have a positive knock-off effect of dampening inflammation within the body and modulating the hormonal cascades.  Consequently, significant improvements have been seen in clients with elevated cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, metabolic and blood sugar irregularities (i.e. metabolic syndrome or Type II Diabetes), digestive complaints and inflammatory-based conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, arthritis and depression.

The 12-week Metabolic Balance ® programme is priced at £850.00, and includes 2 x 1hr consultations, 4 x 30 minute telephone or Skype consultations, one blood test and an individualized personal nutrition plan.

Please feel free to ring the clinic on 020 8741 9264 to request a no-obligation chat about Metabolic Balance ®.

 

Pregnancy Massage

The body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy and regular massage can help you adjust to those changes with more ease and comfort.

Carrying a baby inside you is usually a joyful process, however, it has its challenges. The growing belly moves your centre of gravity forward, thus putting extra strain on the muscles in your lower back, abdomen, neck and shoulders. Your ligaments and your pelvic joints become looser, so you are less stable. All these changes can result in lower back pain, aching muscles, headaches and joint problems amongst others.

When you come for a pregnancy massage your therapist will try and make you as comfortable as possible. You cannot lie face down because of your growing belly. Lying on your back is not recommended either, as the weight of your uterus can restrict the blood flow between the lower and upper half of the body. The best and most comfortable position is usually on the side and your therapist will use as many pillows as you need for you to relax and enjoy the treatment.

Pregnancy massage is similar to any other type of massage in that it relaxes the muscles, relieves stress, stimulates the circulation and improves joint mobility. In addition, pregnancy massage therapists are trained to target the common sore points in pregnancy. They will work specifically to ease congestion, reduce swelling and help the lymphatic system work more efficiently – all very important issues during pregnancy.

Other benefits of pregnancy massage include sciatica relief, reduced insomnia, strengthened immune system and lower anxiety. Massage is also known to release endorphins – the natural pain killers – into the brain and nervous system. This can eventually lead to a less painful labour.

Your therapist may also recommend simple exercises or lifestyle changes that would help ease your discomfort and keep you and your baby in optimum health.

For appointment costs, please visit the individual practitioners’ pages.

Couples Counselling

Couples counselling helps people in relationships communicate better and resolve issues that get in the way of a positive connection. Couples counselling aims to give you the tools that you need to build a stronger, healthier relationship with your partner. Talking about the issues you face as a couple can help you move away from the patterns that make your relationship challenging.

People seek couples counselling for a lot of reasons: long-standing communications difficulties, destructive relationship dynamics, and/or specific issues like substance abuse or infidelity. Couples facing these problems often feel like they argue too much or even not enough. Couples experiencing issues can often find they keep having the “same conversation over and over again” or that conversations quickly escalate to arguments. Couples with difficulties communicating or relating to one another may find themselves exhausted by their intimate relationship rather than strengthened by it.

Whatever your issue as a couple, there are myriad techniques that couples counselling can help you learn to improve your relationship. Some approaches relate to cognitive behavioural therapy. Other relationship issues are best looked at through the lens of emotionally-focused therapy. Your couples counsellor will work with you and your partner to ensure that the therapeutic approach is tailored to your unique needs.

Talking confidentially to someone who is impartial regarding sources of friction in your partnership can be a big help in making your relationship more satisfying for both partners. A trained couples counsellor can help you overcome your issues and improve your relationship—enhancing both partners’ well-being.

For appointment costs, please visit the individual practitioners’ pages.