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Hello Jenny, it´s nice to meet you. For the benefit of our
readers I wonder if you could introduce yourself and then tell
them a little about yourself.
Hello and
thank you. My name is Jenny Challis. I am a Holistic
Therapist and I currently live in Cehegín, Murcia.
Can you explain what a Holistic Therapist is?
Holistic
Therapy is a variety of treatments which come under the
umbrella of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
These would include massage, acupuncture, acupressure,
aromatherapy and reflexology, just to name a few. Holistic
Therapists will look at everything relating to a client and
not just the specific complaint that they have. So a
therapist will ask about diet, exercise, past medical problems,
current medical problems, medication that is being taken etc.
This builds a picture for the therapist. Then a treatment
programme can be devised and discussed with the client to help
the body recover. A Holistic Therapist is usually qualified
in various disciplines of CAM.
What disciplines are you qualified in?
I am
qualified in Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage
and Anatomy & Physiology. I am also qualified as a Reiki
Practitioner. I hold a current certificate for First Aid and
CPR. I am a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
and also a Member of the International Council of Holistic
Therapists (MICHT). I also teach breathing and relaxation
techniques to the clients I work with. It is surprising how
many people do not know how to breathe efficiently for their
body´s benefit! I also have to undertake Continual Personal
and Professional Development (CPPD) every year, as laid down
by the regulated professional body I belong to, and this can
be done in a variety of ways.
My
certification is available for scrutiny on request.
How did you become interested in Holistic Therapy?
I have
always been interested in Holistic Therapy but perhaps was not
really aware of what it entailed. Whenever friends complained
of neck or shoulder problems I would gently massage the
affected areas with good results. I was always told that I
had healing hands! I first thought about training in Holistic
Therapy about 20 years ago, but it was not appropriate at that
time to retrain.
You mention retraining. What were you doing at the time?
From
school I went to a secretarial college and was trained in all
aspects of secretarial work. So for the last 30 years I have
been doing that. At the age of 30 I was in college again
doing a 2-year Business and Finance course and then I did a 1-year
course in Law! So all my work was office orientated. I have
worked for private companies, small and multi-national, the
NHS, the Police and have had 3 different stints in local
government.
What made you retrain in Holistic Therapies?
The time
was right.
How do you mean? Can you explain?
I had a
summer of discontent! Life changing issues. In a nutshell I
had seven weeks of tests after which I was diagnosed with
abnormal cells and was booked for breast surgery. The night
before I was due to go into hospital I enrolled at my local
college! I needed something to focus on during my recovery.
The time may not have sounded right, but for me, it was. As
it has turned out it was one of the best things I have ever
done. I was very lucky, my surgery was not radical and I am
as fit and healthy as I can be. It was a very humbling
experience and during my check ups I met some amazing women
who had gone through so much. I was still working full time
as a PA while I retrained.
Do you mind people knowing?
No, why
should I? I am a survivor. But it has given me an empathy to
help other women who have gone through radical surgery.
Can Holistic Therapy help?
Yes it
can and it is becoming more and more recognised. There are
now training courses available specifically for working with
clients who have or are recovering from cancer in general.
Holistic Therapies are non-invasive treatments which help the
body to recover in its own way. The beauty of Holistic
Therapy is that it can work alongside mainstream conventional
medicine without any side effects. In fact, Holistic Therapy
can ease the symptoms of side effects which can occur when
taking conventional medication. The benefits of Holistic
Therapy are vast. But sometimes it is not possible to work
with a client because of their medical history. That´s why it
is so important to do a full consultation with a new client.
And you are now working in Cehegín?
Yes. I
have set up my own practice here, working from home. I have
tried to create a relaxing environment for my clients.
Why Cehegín? Why Spain?
Cehegín
because I was introduced to the town by friends who were
purchasing a holiday home on an urbanisation in Calasparra.
And I was given an opening I really could not turn down at the
time. Spain….I have come home. This is where I am meant to
be. Spain is part of my soul, it´s in my blood. That must
sound very clichéd, I do apologise, but that is how it is for
me, and has been for as long as I can remember!
Where did you live in the UK?
I lived
on the south-west coast in Dorset. A seaside town called
Weymouth.
What plans do you have for the next 5 years?
I have no
set plans. I am passionate about my work. I am living and
working in a county I love. What could be better? I have
more dreams and these will happen as and when they are meant
to happen.
How can people get in touch if they want to talk to you about
a specific problem or make an appointment?
They can
telephone me on
608 02 93 14
or, if
they have internet access, they can email me on
jennychallis@hotmail.com.
Can I please stress that from the outset of contact with a
client all information divulged is on a strictly confidential
basis. |
