It’s been a busy year for me and one filled with big changes and challenges, but as I reflect, I feel immense gratitude. This year, I made the bold decision to transform my business model, allowing me to focus fully on becoming the best therapist and healer I can be. It’s been a journey of growth, learning, and self-discovery, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights and lessons from this transformative year.
Embracing Change
Change is rarely easy, and for a self-employed therapist, it’s a leap of faith to restructure a business. But I knew it was the right decision. By narrowing my focus and dedicating myself to my craft, I’ve been able to deepen my practice and expand the ways I help others. Every session, every client, every animal I work with teaches me something new and valuable. The path hasn’t always been smooth, but it has been deeply rewarding.
There have been great days when everything seemed to align perfectly, and there have been days when challenges seemed insurmountable. But I view each experience as part of my learning curve, shaping me into a stronger, more empathetic therapist. Being self-employed comes with its own set of pressures, especially in a field where the effectiveness of your therapy depends on finding clients who trust and believe in your work. Despite these challenges, I’ve been fortunate to witness profound transformations in those I’ve helped.
Expanding My Skills: Animal Bereavement Coaching
One of the significant milestones of this year was my decision to train in Animal Bereavement Coaching. This felt like a natural progression, enabling me to support the owners of the elderly animal clients I already work with. Losing a beloved pet is an incredibly emotional experience, and my background in nursing with the NHS equipped me with the skills to guide people through these moments of grief and transition.
During my nearly 30 years in the NHS, I honed my ability to provide comfort and care during life’s most challenging moments. Now, I’m bringing that experience to my work with pet owners, offering a compassionate ear and practical tools to navigate their loss. It’s deeply fulfilling to provide this additional layer of support, and it’s a reminder of the profound connection between humans and animals.
The Heart of My Work
The transformations I see in my clients are what fuel my passion for this work. Whether it’s relieving physical pain, offering emotional comfort, or improving an animal’s quality of life, every success story reinforces my belief that I’m on the right path.
I’d like to share a piece of feedback I received from a client that beautifully illustrates the impact of what I do:
“Since last November I have been suffering from debilitating pain all down my right leg, no amount or strength of painkillers had the slightest effect. I eventually discovered there was not only a problem in the ankle but also with L4&5 in my back.
By a very Happy chance a neighbour told me about Emmett treatment and Tony …….who Came to the house…..other possibilities meant long – therefore impossible drives and up to a minimum of 20 treatments. I will be forever grateful for her recommendation and so happy to recommend him myself.
From the first session the excruciating pain was eased and increasingly so with subsequent visits. Tony also helped a neighbour and her dog, even showing her how to support the dog herself. Another neighbour who was having palliative care at home was greatly eased, and her family were incredibly grateful for Tony comforting and lessening her final suffering.
My overall arthritic condition has been helped by him in so many ways, and recovery from a recent operation too has been greatly relieved and speeded up.
The reaction to the treatment, always done with gentleness and good humour, does also depend on my body being able to respond – in spite of its 82 years it is managing to do so. The only problem… stopping myself from doing too much 🙄 would never have thought.”
Reading feedback like this fills my heart with joy and serves as a powerful reminder of why I do what I do. This client’s journey from pain to relief, and her enthusiasm for sharing her experience with others, is the best kind of job satisfaction I could ask for.
Lessons from the Year
As I look back, I’ve learned a few key lessons that I’ll carry forward:
- Trust the Process: There’s no straight path to success, especially in a field like mine. Every setback, every challenge, is an opportunity to grow and learn.
- Celebrate Small Wins: It’s easy to focus on what still needs to be done, but taking time to acknowledge each positive outcome keeps me motivated.
- Prioritise Self-Care: Helping others requires energy, focus, and compassion. To be the best therapist I can be, I’ve learned to set boundaries and make time for my own well-being.
- Stay Open to New Opportunities: Training in Animal Bereavement Coaching was not initially part of my plan, but it’s become a deeply rewarding aspect of my work. Staying open to new possibilities allows me to grow in unexpected ways.
Looking Ahead
As the year draws to a close, I’m filled with gratitude for the journey I’ve been on. The changes I’ve made and the challenges I’ve faced have all contributed to my growth as a therapist and as a person. I’m excited to continue building on this foundation, exploring new ways to support my clients, and deepening my connection to the work that I love.
For 2025, I am thrilled to announce a new opportunity: I will be holding a clinic at the Blush Beauty Rooms in Uckfield on a monthly basis. This is an exciting step forward, and I plan to increase the frequency of these clinics as client numbers grow. This new venture will allow me to reach even more people in need of support and healing, and I’m eager to see how it evolves.
For those considering complementary therapy or Animal Bereavement Coaching, I’d like to say: reach out. Whether you’re facing physical pain, emotional challenges, or the loss of a beloved pet, there are tools and support available to help you through. It’s an honour to be part of that journey for so many, and I look forward to seeing where the next year takes me—and the clients I’m privileged to work with.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of my journey this year. Your trust, feedback, and openness inspire me to keep moving forward. Here’s to a new year of growth, learning, and healing—for myself, my clients, and the incredible animals who share our lives.