Local groups

Basingstoke group discuss best practice and crystal energy therapy

After introducing ourselves to the rest of the group, the opening discussion of our October meeting was, ‘What makes a good therapist great?’, writes coordinator, Patricia Harbot.

Among the main points was the need to remain professional at all times, and to maintain a clean, tidy and warm clinic for each client. Other suggestions were to factor in a follow-up email to check how they were feeling after the treatment, requesting their feedback. We also talked about the importance of time management and providing ‘buffer time’ between appointments for cleaning and writing up notes.

However our main topic of the evening was an introduction to crystal energy therapy, by Lynne Whiteland, based in Boars Bridge. We enjoyed hot drinks and biscuits while Lynne took centre stage. Her talk was witty, informative, and quite a personal take on how there is a relationship between our crystals and ourselves.

We also learnt that crystal therapy is a very gentle treatment with very few, if any, ill effects, so it is perfect to use alongside other therapies or if a person is very frail or ill, as they do not need to be moved to receive the treatment. Crystal therapy can also be performed remotely, with permission from the recipients, so ideal for when you are unable to see someone in person.

This was a super group meeting and we all had so much in common to share. We have also decided to set up our own WhatsApp group, in order to stay in touch between meetings and share information that way.

Colchester group learn about the benefits of salt crystals

After a year-long wait due to the pandemic, we were delighted to finally welcome Dathan Berry from Solrox (Ocean Spa Therapy) to our meeting in September 2021, writes coordinator, Miranda Welton.

One of the reasons I invited Dathan to speak to the Colchester group is because he sells salt lamps. His stall is a magnet at many mind-body exhibitions and, like so many other therapists, I have one in my treatment room, so naturally wanted to know more about their therapeutic benefits.

I thought we would learn where it’s best to place a salt lamp, how long to have it turned on, how far the ions or energy reach, what effects it has on air quality, what it can help with and so on. However, Dathan’s talk was much more in depth, covering – among many other things - the formation and mining of salt, and how humans have used salt and understood its many health and food preserving properties for centuries, with blocks of salt kept in houses before fridges were invented. Even as far back as ancient Egypt, salt was used to draw out moisture and preserve meat and during the more recent Georgian and Victorian eras, saltwater drinking and bathing became a popular pastime.

During the meeting, we all held cold crystals that had been in a fridge and felt as they changed in our hands and created tastes in our mouths, and then held hot crystals, which have a different effect altogether. You can also massage with salt crystals, to help reduce pain or discomfort, or use them in a bath to help skin conditions, and so much more.

All different grades of salt are mined - some are created into large structures, others turned into fine bath salts. The good thing to know is that however you physically use salt crystals, you will benefit from them.

Dathan and his team are currently working towards having a short course accredited by the FHT, to help practitioners further enhance other therapy practices. It’s certainly something I wish to explore further. T

FIND YOUR LOCAL GROUP

Local groups are a valuable hub for all those with a passion for therapies. Hear from excellent speakers about the latest therapies and business ideas, and chat to like-minded therapists.

EAST MIDLANDS

Alfreton Leicester Lincoln Northampton Nottingham

EAST OF ENGLAND

Colchester Essex Hertfordshire Norwich

NORTH EAST

Durham Newcastle Tees Valley

NORTH WEST

Chester Liverpool and Rainhill Manchester (North) Manchester (South) Morecambe Bay Preston Wigan, Leigh, Rainford and St Helens

NORTHERN IRELAND

Antrim Belfast and District Lisnaskea

IRELAND Donegal

SCOTLAND

Ayrshire

LONDON

Brixton and Kennington North London North West London South East London

SOUTH EAST

Brighton and Hove Chichester Dartford, Gravesham and Medway Eastbourne and South Downs East Kent Milton Keynes Oxfordshire (South) Waterlooville Worthing

SOUTH WEST

Bath Bournemouth Bristol Ipplepen Swindon Taunton

WALES

Pontyclun and District Swansea Wrexham

WEST MIDLANDS

Birmingham (North) Coventry Hereford Stourbridge and Dudley

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER

Calderdale Harrogate Kirklees York

DID YOU KNOW?

Attending a local group meeting - even a virtual one - can gain you two CPD points if the subject relates to professional development. Find out what subjects are covered as CPD at fht.org.uk/cpd.

CAN'T FIND A GROUP IN YOUR AREA?

Why not become a local group coordinator? It is a very rewarding role, and there is a range of additional benefits available exclusively to coordinators. Go to fht.org.uk/create-your-own-local-group for more information.

MORE INFO

For group contact details and information about forthcoming meetings, go to fht.org.uk/local-groups