What is Person Centred Art Therapy?
Person centred art therapy can be used as a tool to help you discover more about yourself and bring any unconscious issues into your awareness. It works by helping you to get in touch with your right brain, the part of the brain that is more creative, spontaneous and playful.

What happens in a person centred art therapy session?
I will invite you to close your eyes if you feel comfortable to do so and will lead you through a relaxation exercise . I will ask you to allow an image to come up for you when I say a particular word, for example ‘flower’ I will ask you to notice everything that you can about the image eg. where is the flower? what does it look like? is there anything else that you can see? I will then invite you when you are ready to choose paper and pens, pencils, paints, pastels etc (whatever you feel like using) to draw your image. Once your image is completed I will go through your image with you asking you specific questions about it in order to help you make the connections that will help you to understand more about yourself and issues in your life. Whatever is in your unconscious mind and is relevent to your current or future situation will be portrayed in your image. My job is to help you discover this in a safe, supportive and creative way.

Why Person Centred Art Therapy?
Because every now and then we can get stuck in our lives and even talking about it doesn’t help. Person Centred Art Therapy is a way of helping you to get unstuck by making you aware of new possiblities or behaviours and feelings that are preventing you from moving forward.

But what if I can’t draw?
It really doesn’t matter if you think that you can’t draw very well as it is not about admiring the end product, it is about the process of making the image and finding out the meaning underneath. Lots of people I have worked with including myself held this belief to start with but I encourage you to trust the process and just have fun with it! Person Centred Art Therapy can really surprise you with what it can uncover.

How much is a Person Centred Art Therapy session?
Sessions are £50
or
a block of 6 sessions is £250

If you would like to try a Person Centre Art Therapy session or would like to book a block of 6 sessions to help you work on a specific issue book an appointment contact me on 07841 420067 or email me at ncroote@nicolacroote.com

by Craig Coman of Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, Fulham Rd, London, SW10

Find the cause of your problem….

Why? Because your headache is only the symptom. To get a different result in life you need a different approach – that is a principle of life. I am going to say something that may sound whacky but here goes…. your symptom (pain, signal, sign) is NEVER the problem. Now I know you should never use the word never, but that is my belief. AND….. The reason alternative medicine will never compete with orthodox or western medicine is because to take a pill or potion you do not need to change anything.

This clinic has been running since 1991 and although it changed location and name last year the health problems we see through the door remain constant. I myself like to see a variety of challenges because it keeps it interesting – infertility, digestive problems, children, low vitality are always more challenging than an ankle injury. They may in fact be related but that does not fit our western concept of everything fitting into a box that matches a piece of research, meaning it is proven. The way to find the cause will be what I call ‘peeling the onion’ – looking into the layers to find evidence and clues as to what the causes might be and from there a resolution is possible. A headache is not really a diagnosis, it is just a label to tell you the symptom the patient is complaining about and the reason they came through your door. The Osteopathic criteria has five categories that allow understanding and a clear path for treatment, these are:

1. Aetiology – or the cause if known. This may be an accident or lifting something heavy for example. “My back pain started as I was lowering the fridge into the car”, “ I felt something go….” Often the cause is unknown e.g. “I just woke with a sore neck this morning”.
2. Tissues causing symptoms – this helps you clarify whether it is muscle, ligament, vascular, organ etc. As Osteopaths we are trained to treat the different tissues but we first need to know what tissue is in trouble. A headache that is pounding suggests it is a vascular headache caused by the blood supply being compromised. This could be through dehydration, neck tension etc.
3. Predisposing factors – this is an important area because it tells you why and what led to a problem. Sometimes difficult to distinguish but very useful information because once someone knows what they did to make it happen they can avoid that in the future. If someone understands that their headache is caused by dehydration then they know they need to drink more – simple.
4. Maintaining factors – this is also extremely useful and often predisposing and maintaining factors are synonymous. If not drinking enough water led to a headache then the same reason will keep the headache from resolving itself.
5. Pathology – this is when tissues and cells are changing and is what we call a disease process or pathology. This is when the condition is getting serious and is always related to toxicity.

These criteria can also be used in any area of life. Why not try them and see if they work?

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• Stress in the Workplace and Shiatsu
• Allergy Testing
• Health - The Final Frontier by Craig Coman
• Shiatsu Shown to Improve Health

According to Shiatsu Therapist and Bodyworker, Jan Murphy, simple steps – including gentle complementary therapies – can be of positive help in treating problems such as impotence, pre-menstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms.

We all know that improving our diet, giving up smoking and taking moderate exercise is good for us. All these can have a substantial impact on common women’s health problems. The trouble is, most of us are too busy, too wound up and too stressed out to stick to good resolutions – even when our doctors tell us that would improve our health.

What’s more, stress itself can cause these miserable conditions. So stress leads to the very problems we get stressed about. It’s Catch 22.

At the Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, Jan Murphy offers her clients a combination of Shiatsu, Japanese Bodywork, Nutritional advice, self-help and free advice.

Shiatsu has been demonstrated to improve endometrial circulation – a factor in infertility – while supplements such as vitamin B6 and magnesium can have a positive effect on PMS. Techniques like yoga, meditation and visualization can even help prevent the typical hot flushes suffered by many women going through the menopause.

Jan Murphy says:

‘Complementary therapies, such as these have several benefits.

'Of themselves, they can improve general fitness and well-being. They also make it easier for patients to do the hard things, like change their diet, give up coffee or alcohol, and stop smoking.

'What’s more, some, such as Shiatsu, may directly affect how well conventional treatments are going to work.

'I am convinced that the way forward for women’s healthcare is an integrated approach, looking after the whole person instead of relying on modern technological medicine to do its magic on a totally passive client. I ask the question, how many women want to be passive anyway?”

The Power of Being Still by Simon Heale at Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, Fulham Rd, SW10

I chose this title because I have found being quiet or being still a major challenge to achieve. What I mean by ‘being still’ is not simply sitting silently every once in a while, although this is a good start, but the gradual releasing of the noise we carry with us , like flies constantly buzzing around on a hot summers day. Worries, concerns, pressures, lists, desires, regrets, fears, going round and round our minds continually.

Being Still allows a TIME-OUT for those flies, creating a sensation of calmness to replace tension, to allow expansion to replace constriction, to allow pressing thoughts to pass uninhibited, to enjoy moments of peace over stress.

When I am on holiday it usually takes me at least 2 days to de-London: to walk slowly again, to not have to have each minute of the day planned, to allow myself to just sit and read, play and take in the sights and sounds of my surroundings.

So how can you enjoy the same calmness and inner quiet that you might glimpse occasionally on holiday, on a more regular basis without daily meditation practice?

Here are a few of my personal recommendations on how you can enjoy daily stillness:

• 60 seconds of calmness daily is infinitely better than none.
• Acknowledge your pressing thoughts, decide what can be done and what cant be done, then either do or not.
• Learn to breathe again, slowly and simply.
• Give yourself moments each day of NOT ACHIEVING or NOT DOING: 60 seconds of quiet, slow breathing, to allow the daily noise to settle.

So why does this matter?

If you experience STRESS, TIREDNESS, ANXIETY, EMOTIONAL PEAKS AND TROUGHS, REGULAR PHYSICAL CONCERNS, then you may well be placing your systems under too much strain.

The main benefit of regular STILLNESS is giving your Adrenal Glands and the Sympathetic side of our nervous System (fight or flight, stress response) a rest by activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System (recovery and relaxation).

The PRESSURE in our lives come from two angles: those in our control and those out of our control. What is IN YOUR CONTROL you can CHOOSE TO DEAL WITH. IF YOU CANT, THEN DEAL WITH HOW YOU RESPOND TO THE PRESSURE AND STRESS.

Here’s How:

• Deep relaxation Massage
• Cranio Sacral Therapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Reiki

As a therapist my aim is to alleviate the stress and pressure felt by each patient, whether it is caused by exercise, work, or personal issues.

I employ various modalities to ease stress, to calm the mind, to relax the body:

·        Deep Tissue Massage

·        Hypnotherapy

·        NLP and Visualisation

·        Cranio Sacral Therapy

·        Reiki Healing

·        Coaching Processes

For any advice or information please use form below, contact reception on 020 7352 3087 or book online here

Simon Heale is co-Director of Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, a Remedial and Sports Massage Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Cranio Sacral Therapist and Reiki Master.

Appointments Available Weds 2-8 and Sat 10-6

Next Article: Recognising and Dealing with Stress at Work

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Stretching is one of those words and activities that we know of, occasionally use, but don’t give it much importance.

Stretching is for anyone who experiences physical restrictions or tight and painful muscles. Stretching is for anyone who plays sport, exercises, sits at a desk all day, uses their muscles on a daily basis….everyone.

Stretching aims to:

·        Increase circulation to muscle fibres, improves mobility in and around joints and increases flexibility.

·        Lengthen and mobilise muscle fibres, thereby easing tendons.

·        Treat and prevent injuries.

Stretching is best done before any physical activity, especially if you are feeling stiff or in pain, but most importantly after the activity is over when the muscles are still warm.

Stretching can and indeed should be done during the day to ease any postural aches and stiffness, to mobilise the back and neck areas.

So whether you are a runner, gym-bunny, desk-jockey, manual worker, mum or dad, understanding how stretching can help you and knowing what stretches are available, will make a huge difference to you…guaranteed.

Follow this link to my Stretches on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/user/simonheale#g/u although aimed at runners, most if not all of them can be adapted for any muscular need.

In my treatments as a Remedial and Sports Massage Therapist I employ stretches to ease restricted, achy and stiff muscles and tendons. Included in each treatment is also the following:

• Postural and Mobility Assessment
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Fascial Integration
• Exercises for postural strengthening and mobility
• Personalised Stretching Programme

Check out my stretches at  http://www.youtube.com/user/simonheale#g/u

Stretching and Remedial Massage can help you

• If you are preparing for a physical activity: run, bike, swim or hike.

• If you sit at a desk all day and experience regular pain and stiffness.

• If whatever you do all day: driving, studying, carrying your children, lifting things, massaging, is causing pain or stiffness.

Regular, effective stretching, combined with some Deep Tissue Bodywork will alleviate pain and stiffness, improve your flexibility, health and vitality.

For any advice or information please use the form below, contact reception on 020 7352 3087 or book online by cliking here

Simon Heale is co-Director of Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, a Remedial and Sports Massage Therapist, Hypnotherapist, Cranio Sacral Therapist and Reiki Master.

Appointments Available Weds 2-8 and Sat 10-6

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The real cost to life in our age of speed.

I had a very interesting interview with Carl Honoré last week. He is the author of “In Praise of Slow”. I was not aware that there is a whole slow movement worldwide where people are appreciating that slowing down is crucial to survival. It covers many areas such as slow food, slow travel, even slow sex. Today we are going at a pace that is beyond any other time in history. ‘More is better’, ‘the quick fix’, ‘I want it now’. To do lists, numerous activities and multi tasking are the norm but at what cost? Carl wrote the book after realising he was speed reading books to his son at bedtime and asked himself what this was doing to his son and their relationship. The trouble with youngsters is they know every word in the book so when he got caught out on the fact he was skipping lines there was disappointment and breakdown. Story time should be a quality moment of the day when you wind things down, not a stressful time, and Carl knew things must change. He is not the only one guilty of cutting relationships short to get back to the to-do list, I have caught myself many times in the same act. His book is great, I genuinely recommend it.

Today we seem to have got caught on that treadmill of life and it is extremely difficult to get off. The urgent has taken over the important and the cost is huge. Health, relationships, work, in fact all areas are missing the quality that is possible. From speed dating to eating McDonalds we are in this time machine that is speeding up. What about the kids and the impact on their well-being? I am finding myself in that cultural trap of ‘I will just get this done and next month will be different’. Luckily I have a wife who gets it and gives me those reminders to keep me on track.

People I see each week are presenting with all sorts of ailments. The medications, the IVF, even the herbal remedies are designed to give us a quick fix. They are never treating the cause and so there must be a cost. Symptoms are messages in our body something is wrong, a cry for help. To stop and listen to those messages would mean getting off the treadmill. There is no doubt that is tricky today but it will leave you with a completely different result.

The message is that life is precious and you can only appreciate that by smelling the roses. To do that you must slow down. My little boy and I go for a walk out from our house and it takes five minutes to walk 100 metres! At times it is painfully slow in adult terms but he is fascinated with every bug, grain of dirt and hole in the ground. How did I lose that wonder and appreciation of life?

Oh well gotta go – things to do, good luck….

• Stress in the Workplace and Shiatsu
• Allergy Testing
• Health - The Final Frontier by Craig Coman
• Shiatsu Shown to Improve Health

When was the last time you had fun and were able to let go of feeling self conscious in order to have a good time?

If it has been a while it may be down to the fact that it’s difficult for you to connect to the child part of yourself, the part of you that is carefree and spontaneous, creative and fun loving.  It may be because that part of you is wounded or damaged and hides away for fear of judgement or criticism.

If you watch children you will see that they are spontaneous, playful and are always using their imaginations to make play more fun and enjoyable.   As adults we often lose this ability especially if these qualities were not encouraged by the adults around us, if we had strict parents or suffered from abuse or neglect.   We can grow up feeling self conscious, guarded and fearful of letting ourselves go in order to have fun and often turn to substances or other behaviours which make it a lot easier.  However this often comes with negative consequences such as hangovers and worse

Through therapy I can offer you the chance to re-connect with the child part of yourself, which will dramatically improve your life.

Being able to connect with your inner child may be painful to start with as you may uncover past hurts and difficult feelings, however once you make that connection you will also find a deep well of creativity and the ability to have fun again.  You will re-discover activities and interests that you had forgotten about and you will find the healing that takes place will change all aspects of your life for the better.   You will be able to manage feelings rather than your feelings controlling you, your relationships will improve as you learn how to integrate your inner child with your inner adult.

This type of therapy is extremely powerful and effective and can be accessed by anyone who wants to improve their life and tap into their creativity.    Creative therapeutic tools are used within therapy sessions in order to facilitate your connection to your child part such as:

• Art
• Objects
• Story telling
• Clay

These help you to make the connection to the young part of yourself very quickly and effectively and give you the opportunity to experience something different from simply spending the session talking.

If you would like to make a change to your life and try something different that will give you rapid results, make the commitment to yourself and invest in some counselling sessions.

I am currently offering a spring special offer of 6 sessions for the price of 5  so it’s the perfect time to make that change – what are you waiting for?

Nicola works from the clinic on Mondays from 3pm and is available to speak to  on 07841 420067.  Alternatively use the form above or call reception on 0207 352 3087

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I had a Mum in today with her three month old baby in a very distressed state. This baby was not sleeping very well and vomiting after each feed. As the story unfolded she explained that the baby cried through the night and then apologised for sometimes going and picking him up. Now I know this may be a little controversial in some quarters but I am not sure how we have come to this place. This Mum said “I know I shouldn’t pick him up when he is crying but I can’t help myself”. I asked her why she thought she shouldn’t and she said “well all the books tell you”. I asked her “what does every cell in your body tell you?” She had to admit that her body was saying pick him up. I then asked what she thought her little boy’s body was saying and she had to admit the same.

Unfortunately today we are now more convinced by a research paper or an expert than we are with motherly or gut instinct. I find it genuinely sad that Mums and other people are under such pressure to tow the party line and follow the current trend. The experts and the research are often proven wrong and I believe that is because we are told that one cap fits all. I saw some research today looking at vitamin E as a cure for cancer. In my experience there have been more so called wonder cures for cancer than almost anything else. Perhaps each cancer is related to that individual and it requires an approach designed for that person and their cancer? I am sure that not every cancer can be caused by the same thing so why then would a standard treatment work? There are many books and experts out there and my suggestion is they are a guide just as with research. Sometimes you have to listen to your heart.

• Stress in the Workplace and Shiatsu
• Allergy Testing
• Health - The Final Frontier by Craig Coman
• Shiatsu Shown to Improve Health

Wonderful news that Aromatherapy is being offered in NHS hospital labour wards for pain relief (see attached article). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7736336/Aromatherapy-offered-to-pregnant-women-during-birth-as-natural-pain-relief.html

How it can help……………

Aromatherapy in labour:

In early labour a back massage can be very welcome! During contractions, gentle strokes can be calming and deeper pressures help ease muscle spasms. Ask about labour massage lessons for you and your birth partner.

Oils can be vapourised in labour to calm and relax or inhaled on a tissue to facilitate easy breathing – Frankincense works well. Some essential oils, Jasmine and Rose strengthen and deepen contractions – uterine tonics – and ease the pain of childbirth.

Please ask for advice on essential oil blends for pregnancy, labour and postnatal healing and which oils to vapourise or to put in the bath. Strict guidelines are followed in the choice of the essential oils in pregnancy and blends are tailored to the individual’s needs.

My own testimonial:

My recent experience of aromatherapy and massage during pregnancy was a very welcome one considering that my planned homebirth ended up being a hospital one.  I found that vapourising the oils helped create a calm atmosphere and all labour ward staff remarked on how nice it was to come into my room!  My husband massaged in different blends for me at different stages which helped not only as a distraction but to ease the deep muscular pains.  I also found my oils particularly beneficial post partum.
Please call or email me for further information, for appointments with my maternity cover and don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Best wishes,

Jenny James

BA (Hons) PGCE NYR MIFPA

Aromatherapist & Remedial Massage Therapist

Mobile: 07931 349 125
Website: www.aromatherapylondon.com

Facebook Fan Page  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aromatherapy-Massage/155051522852 for articles on aromatherapy for better health

• Aromatherapy treats sports injuries naturally
• Aromatherapy and Massage for Pregnancy
• Aromatherapy for colds and flu
• Aromatherapy treats stress

Hay fever is a very common condition which affects 20% of the population, typically between March and August.

The symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction to pollen and are very similar to a cold including runny nose, headaches, watery itchy eyes and sneezing attacks. When the pollen enters the body of a hay fever sufferer the immune system overreacts by producing histamine that triggers the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Reflexology offers a very effective alternative to antihistamines or eye drops without the drowsy side effects.

Reflexology increases blood flow and improves the circulation of oxygen and nutrients around the body. By applying pressure to the toes and fingers, which are linked directly to the head, sinuses and eyes, reflexology helps relieve the symptoms of hay fever. The adrenal reflex is also stimulated which reduces inflammation, helping you to breath more easily.  Over the season, hay fever sufferers also have a build up of toxins in the body and weakened immunity. Reflexology applied to specific areas on the sole and heel of the foot encourages toxin release and gives a much needed boost to the immune system.

Book your appointment with Adriana on Sat from 11.00-18.00

Prices: 30 min -£35

60 min- £60

• Aromatherapy treats sports injuries naturally
• Aromatherapy and Massage for Pregnancy
• Aromatherapy for colds and flu
• Aromatherapy treats stress