WHO WE ARE

A brief introduction to the people at the Centre ...

PERMANENT STAFF

Gretchen Stevens:

Gretchen was born in America a very long time ago, and her least favourite question at seminars and conferences is: "How did you find out that you had a healing gift?" The answer, basically, is that the realisation dawned upon her slowly in the same way that other people begin to recognise they have a natural ability to draw, or pick out a tune on a piano, or put words together entertainingly on the page. She doesn't believe that her ability is unique … rather that it's a talent we all possess to a greater or lesser degree, but with which most of us have lost touch. Her approach to healing is informed by her own Christian faith, but she never proselytises and expects no reciprocal belief from those who come seeking help. People who arrive at the Centre for the first time are often nervous, vaguely expecting something mystical or new-agey. They are always pleasantly surprised by Gretchen's - and indeed the Centre's - relaxed and resolutely down-to-earth attitude. The most common sound issuing from behind the treatment room door is that of laughter.

  Moira Briggs:

Moira is the Centre Manager (at least, that's what it says in her Job Description). She originally started as a Saturday morning volunteer in 1990 and nobody seems at all sure how or why she ended up running the place 14 years later. They just turned their backs one morning, and there she was - office, computer, large mug of tea and a three-legged dog. Everybody blames someone else and leaves it at that. Her background is nothing if not varied - arriving at the Centre by way of the Civil Service in Oxford, a Solicitors' office in Cornwall, the Health Service in Cumbria and - as a final flourish - Outward Bound Eskdale. Her qualifications are diverse, but chiefly seem to involve typing with one hand whilst eating ginger nuts and drinking tea with the other, producing newsletters that teeter precariously on the brink of social acceptability, stamping around moodily on Monday mornings and going all gooey in the presence of small furry creatures. If absolutely forced into it (and when she thinks no-one is looking), she can be quite nice to people, too.

If you have nothing better to do, you might like to visit Moira's blog:  From the Centre Manager's desk

VISITING THERAPISTS:

Sonia Norton:

Sonia joined the Centre in the Autumn of 2004 when she "retired" after many year of working within the National Health Service. She is a Chartered Physiotherapist and has had extensive experience in the treatment of orthopaedic and musculo-skeletal problems, neurological conditions (including stroke) and respiratory conditions. She has specialist knowledge in the management of COPD and asthma. We are delighted to welcome her to the Centre, as she not only brings with her years of invaluable experience as a "hands-on" practitioner but also adds substantially to our mix of available skills. We look forward to many years of happy co-operation.

Jenny Bailie:

Jenny has been with us since the beginning of 2005.  She is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist and a practising member of the Institute of Transactional Analysis (TA).  TA helps us to understand personality and how people interact with each other.  It can be used to help people understand and change their feelings and behaviours.  We are very pleased to welcome Jenny to the Centre and have no hesitation at all in recommending her to those who are seeking counselling and/or psychotherapy. 

Angela Pollard:

Angela originally trained as a nurse and it was through nursing that she first became interested in complementary therapies - especially reflexology.  She is still nursing, but qualified as a Reflexologist in 2004 and is continuing her studies.  She particular wishes to use reflexology in a clinic setting with palliative care patients, the chronically ill and their carers and relatives. 

We are delighted that Angela has joined us and look forward to a long working relationship with her.

Wendy Dawes:

Wendy is a practicing Person-Centred counsellor and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Person-Centred counselling offers an understanding and non-judgemental environment in which to explore our feelings about our troubling issues.  This can help us to find ways forward in our lives that feel right for us.

Pippa Furlong-King:

Pippa is an holistic therapist offering – amongst other things - aromatherapy, reflexology and massage.

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