OUR TEAM

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Several years ago, I experienced a profound breakdown.  The pressures of life, the incessant demands, unresolved trauma, undiagnosed neurodivergent, and the overwhelming burden of societies expectations. I felt totally lost, pushing back all my emotions which lead to me being crippled by panic attacks and anxiety, often unable to leave the house.

On the outside I was a picture of success, I had a successful career in the corporate world, a partner and a beautiful son, but this was far from what was going on inside.

I went on a personal journey to healing, I discovered that by sitting by a tree mid panic attack it somehow soothed the panic, laying my hands on the ground and connecting to the earth clamed my nervous system. In nature, I found the courage to confront my fears and the strength to rebuild my life, by slowing down I found beauty in the journey, not just the destination. Nature has an incredible way of healing our wounds and restoring our spirits.

Community support was also invaluable, the power of connection and sharing with people who experienced what I was going though, empowered me and nurtured my loneliness.

Along this journey the universe connected me with some beautiful souls, and together this lead to the idea of us opening a charity, creating a safe place for people to come together as a community and learn the tools that help support us and so many others in times like these.

I’m Emma-Jo, a person-centred creative psychotherapist who is passionate about holding safe spaces for people to aid their healing and guide them on their process of exploring their internal world. 

My journey with Holistic Wellness Community began in 2021 where I approached the charity about holding online classes. I held taster sessions for creative psychotherapy, allowing people to try exercises in the comfort of their own home; these classes evolved into weekly online Creative Psychotherapy sessions. I was then approached to join as a trustee in the summer of 2021, and started women’s circles in late 2021. 

My time at the charity has really helped my therapy style evolve and grow. I am passionate about offering wellbeing sessions to the community, rooted in nature as a form of healing.  I offer creative techniques to help explore feelings, experiences and thoughts, and hold people in their vulnerability with compassion.

My own experiences with trauma and mental health lead me to my journey as a therapist. This fuels our ethos and drive to provide the community with access to services, classes and workshops to aid their mental health in ways that are accessible. 

I feel privileged to be a part of the Holistic Wellness Community. I have used the services offered since the very start of the online classes and I was delighted to become a trustee in 2024 and be able to give something back to such worthwhile Charity.

In 2002 I suffered a head injury which left me with a variety of cognitive, memory and speech problems. Which, in turn lead to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, self harm and obsessive behaviours. 

My ongoing journey to mental health has been long and winding with many diversions, setbacks and re-routing most notable being developing ME/CFS in 2015 and the physical challenges and social isolation that came alongside it.

I fervently believe that welcoming, accessible spaces that foster connection and community are vital to support ongoing healing. The fact that Holistic Wellness Community is able to offer such a space, alongside nature and complementary therapies that are far too often inaccessible to the majority of people; and, that I am able to be part of it, is something I am exceedingly grateful for. 

My hope is that in the future we can reach and support more of those who are looking for support on their own journey.