Complimentary therapies are offered to Solace clients in addition to talking therapy sessions. These offer our clients time out from the stresses of daily life, dedicating time to focus on their physical, emotional and mental well being.

Janet has offered shiatsu to Solace’s clients since 2017

What is your role at Solace? 
I am a volunteer and have been working at Solace for 2 years. I come in on Wednesdays for most of the day and do a few Shiatsu treatments for people recommended to me who would like them.
I had been thinking about volunteering with an asylum seekers’ charity when I met another volunteer counsellor who told me about Solace. I contacted Anne and started the conversation about whether offering shiatsu to the clients would be a good idea. She was and has been hugely supportive of what I offer and that has set up the positive atmosphere about shiatsu both for those receiving it and for me giving it.

Can you describe Shiatsu to someone who has no experience of it?
Shiatsu literally means ‘finger pressure’ but can also be described as ‘loving touch’. It has developed from the Japanese healing tradition that has links with Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. So instead of needles we use different types of hand and finger pressure, to connect with the ‘chi’ or energy of the receiver. We work through clothing and the client lies on a futon mat. However we can work with people on a chair or a massage table as well.

We work intuitively and from a knowledge base.It is a very relaxing therapy but has wide therapeutic and healing effects and is helpful both for physical and emotional issues.

What has been you proudest achievement(s) relating to your work for Solace? / Moments that remind you why you do it?
I’m not  sure there is one proudest moment I can name! However the change in how each person looks after a treatment and  that they can go out facing the rest of that day and maybe that week with some sense of well being, often less pain, and some hope that life is more manageable gives me pride and joy every time it happens.

What are the difficulties for you with Solace’s client group that you may not experience elsewhere? 

Both the post trauma that most clients experience and the daily stress of coping with their present situations is more challenging than with any other people I have worked with.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a practising therapist?
Good question….no one else has asked me that! I have been practising shiatsu for over 20 years now during which time I have also had 2 children and enjoyed managing both motherhood and shiatsu. Before that I was a midwife for about 20 years. (So I have specialised in pregnancy and birth shiatsu since then as well). I do love working with people and having found this way of using my hands while giving attention to each person as they come in has given me huge satisfaction….not sure I know what the alternative would be…..maybe getting my garden into shape!

What is your role at Solace?
I am a volunteer and have been working at Solace for 2 years. I come in on Wednesdays for most of the day and do a few Shiatsu treatments for people recommended to me who would like them.
I had been thinking about volunteering with an asylum seekers’ charity when I met another volunteer counsellor who told me about Solace. I contacted Anne and started the conversation about whether offering shiatsu to the clients would be a good idea. She was and has been hugely supportive of what I offer and that has set up the positive atmosphere about shiatsu both for those receiving it and for me giving it.

Can you describe Shiatsu to someone who has no experience of it?
Shiatsu literally means ‘finger pressure’ but can also be described as ‘loving touch’. It has developed from the Japanese healing tradition that has links with Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. So instead of needles we use different types of hand and finger pressure, to connect with the ‘chi’ or energy of the receiver. We work through clothing and the client lies on a futon mat. However we can work with people on a chair or a massage table as well.

We work intuitively and from a knowledge base.It is a very relaxing therapy but has wide therapeutic and healing effects and is helpful both for physical and emotional issues.

What has been you proudest achievement(s) relating to your work for Solace? / Moments that remind you why you do it?
I’m not sure there is one proudest moment I can name! However the change in how each person looks after a treatment and that they can go out facing the rest of that day and maybe that week with some sense of well being, often less pain, and some hope that life is more manageable gives me pride and joy every time it happens.

What are the difficulties for you with Solace’s client group that you may not experience elsewhere?

Both the post trauma that most clients experience and the daily stress of coping with their present situations is more challenging than with any other people I have worked with.
Good question….no one else has asked me that! I have been practising shiatsu for over 20 years now during which time I have also had 2 children and enjoyed managing both motherhood and shiatsu. Before that I was a midwife for about 20 years. (So I have specialised in pregnancy and birth shiatsu since then as well). I do love working with people and having found this way of using my hands while giving attention to each person as they come in has given me huge satisfaction….not sure I know what the alternative would be…..maybe getting my garden into shape!