The Natural Healing Rooms

Alan Bowens

Acupunture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Having graduated with the Acupuncture Foundation of Ireland in Dublin, Alan undertook post-graduate clinical training in China at the First Affiliated Hospital and the Municipal Hospital, Nanjing, both of which are recognised by the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.). Further clinical experience was gained in Tokyo, Japan.

He has also completed post-graduate studies in Patent Herbal Medicine and Chinese massage at Nanjing University. Alan is a member of the Acupuncture Foundation of Ireland register, which in turn is affiliated to the World Federation of Acupuncture Societies, and is also a member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Council of Ireland, T.C.M.C.I., both of which are approved and have coverage with V.H.I, Quinn Healthcare and Vivas.

Alan is available on Mondays and Fridays.

Greg Bradley

Acupunture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Greg Bradley Graduate of the London School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1988. Greg has been practicing in Ireland since 1999 and recently completed a diploma in Chinese Herbal Medicine. He has studied Children's Medicine with Julian Scott in England. He also has a background in Massage Therapy, as both a therapist and teacher.

Member of the Professional Register of Traditional Chinese Medicine, P.R.T.C.M.
Member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine, RCHM.

Greg is available on Tuesdays and sessions are V.H.I., Quinn Healthcare and Vivas approved.

Dr. Lisa Brinkmann

Clinical Psychologist, specialised in sex and gender related concerns

Lisa is originally from Ireland, but grew up in Germany, where she lived until her return to Ireland in 2007.She studied Clinical and Educational Psychology as well as Sexual Sciences at the University of Hamburg from 1999 until 2004 and graduated with a Pre-Diploma
(BA) in 2001 and with a Diploma (MA) in 2004.
In 2007 she obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

She was trained in Humanistic Therapy and Behavioural Therapy at the University Hamburg and Hypnotherapy at the Milton Erikson Institute Hamburg.

Lisa is member of the German Psychological Association (BDI) and the German Society for Sex Research (DGfS).
She is fully accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland and the Department for Health and Children to practice as Clinical Psychologist in Ireland.

Lisa is available on Fridays and Saturdays.

For more information about Lisa and her work, please visit her website:
www.lisabrinkmann.com

Pat Connolly

Counsellor

Pat has a diploma in Counselling from The Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy, Cork, where he has studied since 1997.

Pat is a fully accredited member of The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

He has trained as an Addiction Counsellor and works with Tabor Lodge Addiction treatment Centre (Cork) and in Fellowship House (Halfway House) (Cork).

He has worked as a Continuing Care Facilitator from 1995 to 2007 with Áiséirí Treatment Centre and Tabor Lodge Treatment Centre.

Pat has also trained and qualified as a couples/relationship counsellor.

Pat is available on Wednesdays.

For more information about Pat and his work, please have a look at this website:
Bandon Counselling Services

Maura McCranor

Psychotherapist

Maura did her initial training in counselling in 1988 in London and worked as a nurse counsellor there.

In 2004 Maura completed a higher diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy in UCC and in 2007 she graduated with a Masters Degree in Psychotherapy.

She is a pre-accredited member of the Irish Association of Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy (IAHIP)

You may make an appointment by contacting Maura directly on 086 3827742. The best time to reach Maura is between 12 noon and 1 pm and between 5 pm and 6 pm, Monday to Friday.

Claire O'Shea

Manager of Massage & Beauty Services

Claire O' Shea has been manager of Massage & Beauty Services at the Natural Healing Rooms since 2004. She has worked in the field of holistic health since 2000 after completing two years of study in holistic health at the College of Commerce, Cork. During this full time course, she studied the following subjects:
Holistic/ Swedish Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Diet & Nutrition, Reiki (levels 1, 2, advanced & Masters), Sports Therapy Massage (including deep tissue massage), Sports Therapy Equipment, Sports Psychology and Stress management.

Claire spent time working in the renowned Powerscourt Springs Health Farm, which was Ireland's first destination health farm. It was here in Wicklow she got invaluable experience, working her way up to Senior Therapist by the time she left in 2003 to take a year out in Australia. During her travels in Australia Claire worked in salons and spas and subsequently took over the position of Manager of Massage and Beauty Services upon her return in 2004.

Claire regularly updates her skills and studies new massage styles in an effort to continually grow as a therapist and be able to offer her clients a well-rounded holistic approach. In 2005 she was invited to Dr Hauschka headquarters in Ireland to study holistic skin care adding Dr Hauschka Aesthetician as another string to her bow. She has a keen interest in massage and reflexology during pregnancy and offers these treatments tailored specifically for each mum-to-be.

She is a member of the N.R.R.I (National Register of Reflexologists, Ireland) meaning clients can claim some of the cost of reflexology treatments back from their health insurance.
Claire enjoys exotic travel and in 2007 she took a four-month sabbatical from the Healing Rooms to travel to Asia. Here she spent much of her time in Vietnam, travelling by herself and learning about the beautiful culture of the Vietnamese. During this trip Claire also travelled from Vietnam, through Laos and into Northern Thailand where she studied Thai yoga massage in Chiang Mai.
In 2008 she took the opportunity to study Lomi Lomi Nui, Hawaiian temple-style massage, with Louise Kleu, a South-African native who studied her teacher training for Lomi Lomi Nui at Aloha International in Hawaii.

Alice
Glendinning

Homeopath

Originally from Glanmire, Alice moved to London in her early 20’s. She has now moved back to live in Clonakilty with her husband and two daughters (who are both great ads for homeopathy).

Alice graduated as a Homeopath from The Centre for Homeopathic Education in London and is a member of the Alliance of Registered Homeopaths.

Until very recently, she practiced homeopathy at the Sunrise Clinic, a low cost homeopathic clinic for children in London and from her home in North London. She is particularly interested in treating children.

Her background is in IT systems development and before that she got a BA from University College Cork.

Alice became interested in Homeopathy 15 years ago. A friend recommended a homeopath for a skin complaint. At the time Alice was alarmed by the side effects of the medication her GP was prescribing, for a problem which, although annoying and at times upsetting was not in any way life threatening. Homeopathy worked for her and became her treatment of choice.

Alice is qualified in first aid, having trained with St John's Ambulance.

Mary Aspinwall

Homeopathy

In the early 90s Mary designed the best-selling Helios Double Helix range of kits (homeopathic kits for first aid; acute illness; childbirth and travel).

Mary left the UK and set up the original Natural Healing Rooms in Clonakilty in 1995, running a busy homeopathic practice from there. During that time she has also taught hundreds of people how to use Homeopathy for first aid and acute situations. Mary has taught student homeopaths at the College of Homeopathy in both Dublin and Cork and regularly contributes to both national and international journals. Mary is registered with the Irish Society of Homeopaths.

In 1999 www.homeopathyworld.com was launched providing free on-line homeopathy courses, information for patients and practitioners, and an on-line shop selling kits and books via the internet.

She is the editor of Dr Stephen Gascoigne’s “Clinical Medicine Guide” and author of “A Basic Guide to Homeopathy”.

In 2003 she bought a larger premises for the Natural Healing Rooms and was joined by a much larger team of well qualified and experienced therapists.

Mary is available for telephone consultations on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening.. Click here for more information.

Yoka Pauelsen

Kinesiology

Yoka Pauelsen is a member of the K.A.I.
(Kinesiology Association of Ireland) and a member of the P.R.K.C.I.
(The professional Registrar of the Kinesiology College of Ireland).

She is a fully qualified instructor of TFH
(Touch for Health = Basic Kinesiology) as well as PRANA (Polarity Reflex Analysis and Nutritional Assessment).

Yoka Pauelsen is originally from Holland and has lived in Ireland for the last 26 years. In 1996 she started her career in Kinesiology and was very fortunate to be taught Touch for Health (TFH) by John Thie, “the grandfather” of Touch for Health. She is at present a very active Touch for Health instructor and teaches this course regularly.

For more information on upcoming events, please contact the receptionist at the Natural Healing Rooms.

In 1998 Yoka attended a course in Applied Physiology taught by Eoin McCuirk and later
graduated from the Kinesiology College of Ireland in 1999.

She has participated in various courses in the meantime and has gained huge clinical experience.

Yoka was the owner of the Blackrock Alternative Medical Centre in Blackrock, Cork and now has practices in Cork, Clonakilty and Kinsale.

One of her passions is working with children who have learning difficulties, such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Aspergers Syndrom, ADD, ADHD, Autism or Cerebral Palsy. Yoka believes that these children have a gift and are here to teach us.

Yoka is available on Wednesdays.

Rhoda Kingston

Naturopath, herbalist and nutritionist

Rhoda was sick with debilitating asthma for many of her teenage years. Doctors were concerned that her prognosis was not good. At best they predicted she would be in a wheelchair on a ventilator by the age of thirty!

Yet, happily, with dietary changes and treatment with various herbs, supplements and homeopathic remedies over the years, she is now in good health with minimal medication.

As a result she has great empathy for people suffering from any illness and it is her life's goal to help as many people as possible to achieve better health.

Rhoda has an Advanced Diploma in Nutrition, an Advanced Diploma in Herbal Medicine and a Bachelor of Health Science Degree in Naturopathy from ACNM (Australian College of Natural Medicine).

She has studied some Homeopathy as part of the degree in Naturopathy and is currently studying Touch for Health (kinesiology).

Rhoda is registered with the Irish Association of Naturopaths.

Rhoda is available on Mondays.

Florence Vion

Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy

Florence Vion completed 4 years of full-time professional training in both France and the Uk.

She qualified with a Bachelor of Science in Osteopathy from the European School of Osteopathy, Maidstone (UK) in 2003.

Following her graduation she worked in the Uk for 2 years, before coming to Ireland in 2005.

Florence is registered with both the General Osteopathic Council (UK) and the Irish Osteopathic Association.

She has a keen interest in Australian Bush Flower Essences and uses them to complement her treatments.

Treatments with Florence are V.H.I, Quinn Healthcare and Vivas approved.

Christopher Minhall

Osteopathy and Cranial Osteopathy

Christopher Minhall is a BSc Honours graduate of the European School of Osteopathy. He practised in London and Kent for two years before moving to West Cork.

His style is very gentle, focusing on the connective tissues and cranial rhythms. This style works well in effecting often quick, but more importantly long-lasting change. Treatment will involve supporting the body the way it wishes to change rather than imposing too much.

Physical and emotional trauma can be treated, this style often working on a very deep level. Left untreated these traumas manifest in many ways, physically, emotionally and psychologically.

With children in particular there can be profound behavioural changes in just a short course of treatment. In adults, where appropriate and with consent, very occasional muscle work and adjustments are employed.

More than simple pain relief, Osteopathy can offer powerful support for both improved health and also personal growth. Advice and treatment aims to educate and empower patients, rather than making them reliant.

Chris works with all ages from newborn to elderly. Special areas of interest include chronic conditions, emotional trauma and stress. He also has a keen interest in Osteopathic History.