I was born in Germany but grew up in England, coming here when I was very young. I became interested in psychology in my teens and studied psychology at UCL. I became a group psychotherapist in my early 20s and studied Contribution Training at the Pellin Institute with Peter Fleming. I decided I needed more life experience before embarking on a career in psychotherapy and spent my 20’s working mainly in the corporate sector – in magazine publishing. I also enjoyed travelling. The impetus to work with East Asian/Chinese medicine came when I was 30 and I used acupuncture myself, having seen how it had helped a friend. I found it fascinating from the very beginning – seeing a chart on my practitioner’s wall depicting the Five Elements and their associations/correspondences. I wanted to learn more about it – as I felt there was something missing in conventional medicine, especially in the way mental health problems are treated. I wanted to study something more holistic, where body and mind are not separated.
My professional training
I initially studied Five Element acupuncture at the College of Traditional Acupuncture in Leamington Spa, where I gained my Lic. Ac. I completed further studies with John and Angela Hicks who founded the Reading College (CICM). I travelled to China and undertook a course in TCM at Dongzhimen in Beijing, which involved working in a hospital. I have also studied in Vietnam.
In 1996 I trained in Kampo medicine with Gretchen de Soriano. I chose this course because it is an apprenticeship style training and there was clinical work, right from the outset.
I was amongst one of the first in Europe to sign up to train in Toyohari, with Stephen and his wife, Junko Ida – in Amsterdam and Tokyo.
I qualified in craniosacral therapy in 2013, training in at the Craniosacral Therapy Education Trust.
In 2020 I studied Jing Fang, a style of Chinese herbal medicine.
I learned about the approach of Chinese medicine physician Jeffrey Yuen through post graduate studies with Sean Tuten in 2022.
In 2023 I completed a training with Karlton Terry on the birth journey/the Birth Mask.
Learning is not linear and I am revisiting the classic of the Nei Jing, studying with Dr Ed Neal and the Apricot Grove
Over the years I have completed postgraduate training in mental health, stroke recovery, trauma, developmental trauma, addiction, prenatal and antenatal care and fertility support and working with babies and children with acupuncture and craniosacral therapy.
Learning about research
I gained my PhD in health sciences at the University of York and my research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research as part of a career development program to bring more complementary therapists like me into research. My motivation to learn about research came from a strong desire to help make acupuncture more accessible to those that cannot easily afford it. I see so many people given antidepressants. Whilst they are found extremely helpful in some cases many seem to find they are only partially effective. Learning about other ways to help support mood and emotional health seemed to me to be a global priority.
Clinical work and supervision
Over the years I have supported individuals with a wide range of health conditions in many different settings including: the Belgravia Surgery; the Stress Project; the Core Trust; the Angel Drug Project; the Hoxton Health Group and numerous complementary health clinics.
I completed a training to be a supervisor for health professionals with Isobel Cosgrove in 1999 and facilitated supervision groups for a decade.
I have had four years of supervision with Franklyn Sills of the Karuna Institute.
Creative work
I have made four healing films with Share Ideas on Five Element Acupuncture, Epigenetics and the Chinese Clock. They can be seen on You Tube on the Share Ideas channel.
I have been working with Chinese medicine continually since 1991 but I also have other interests. I run an ethical clothing company with a dear friend – Karen Barter. Its called Conscious Apparel.
In 2022 I took an evening class in pottery, and I fell in love with clay. I have collaborated with Karlton Terry on a Royal Society of Arts project to help educate and inform about the impact of birth trauma. In 2025, I created a sculpture (Orchard Spirits) which is dedicated to the patients of the former York Asylum
Unveiling Orchard Spirits. Fulford Orchard, Oct 2025
I feel so fortunate to have discovered the therapies I work with and it is very humbling to do this work. Each person’s path is so different and its a great privilege and honour to be part of someone’s healing process.