Meet our Herbalists and Therapists
Robyn James MNIMH Medical Herbalist
Robyn is a highly experienced herbal practitioner and herbal educator. She has been in practice as a medical herbalist in Sheffield since 1998. Her particular interest is in the use of herbs to treat hormone problems, especially thyroid imbalance.
Robyn is currently programme leader for the Open University BSc(Hons) Herbal Medicine course at Lincoln College.
Geoffrey Soma MNIMH Medical Herbalist
Geoffrey moved to Sheffield in 2017 after working as a medical herbalist in London for over 15 years. He has a special interest in digestive disorders and gall bladder disease.
He is also experienced in practical herbal medicine for acute illness and is trained as an Emergency Responder. He regularly practises these skills at festival herbal first aid clinics such as at Glastonbury and the Green Gathering.
Geoffrey is keen to promote simple & effective herbal remedies for the whole family.
Carol Burnett MNIMH Medical Herbalist
I have great faith in the capacity of the human body and mind to heal itself, and in the power of herbs to assist this process.
I have used herbs for both First Aid situations and chronic conditions with great success and know them to be powerful and effective medicine. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping someone take charge of their health whether that means solely using herbs of integrating their use with prescribed medicines and the work of other health care professionals
I was lucky enough to study for a BSc in Herbal Medicine at Lincoln University and have been a full time Herbalist ever since. To me being an Herbalist is a way of life not just a career and includes growing and gathering from the wild many of the herbs that I use to make the tinctures, teas and creams that I use in practice.
Kirsty Anderson Amatsu Therapist
Kirsty's interest in amatsu grew out of her desire to empower people in their innate ability to heal and keep themselves well while facing the challenges of the modern world. This started as an interest in herbal medicine, and eventually turned in to an exploration of the healing mechanism itself, which can be reawakened or strengthened through direct touch.
Amatsu is grounded in the Japanese martial art Taijutsu, which emphasises "natural" movement; the balanced body moving well - with freedom and connectivity - amatsu strives to re-educate the body itself back to a state of dynamic balance. The body/heart/mind are not separate and are worked together, as such psychological as well as physical trauma can be addressed. Any patterns of dis-ease in the body systems can be worked out, including in digestive/nervous systems as well as the musculoskeletal systems.
An amatsu treatment lasts approximately 45mins, and is done through non restrictive clothing.
Melvin Timm Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs
Acupuncture is well known for pain relief and is used for much more as well. This includes a wide range of physical problems and also emotional or mental health issues. My acupuncture is based on a couple of different styles. I learnt TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine - a Chinese Communist invention) at college, and have since learnt different methods. I adapt my needling technique to suit the client - some like it heavy and others much lighter. I gauge this as I'm working.
I have recently qualified as a Chinese Herbalist and can give herbs alongside acupuncture or on their own. The method I learnt is based on the traditional principles of Chinese medicine that predate Chinese communism and are now becoming more well known as China opens up.
Hannah Cussen Massage Therapist
Hannah’s welcoming approach blends her scientific background with her heart-centred wisdom. Her rich training encompasses a wealth of medical and people-centred techniques.
Hannah attended Sheffield medical school for three years, leaving with a degree in Medical Science. Since then, she has been driven to find ways to further this training and support health in ways often deemed alternative. Hannah trained in holistic massage at the Sheffield Centre for Massage Training and developed her skills with Indian head massage at the Bristol School of Massage and Bodywork. Most recently she is gaining a degree in Herbal Medicine at Lincoln College and hoping to unite her love of people and plants.
This portfolio of studying and experience is ever expanding and creating richer experiences for her clients. During her massage sessions she brings her knowledge, kindness and techniques together through her skilled hands, and takes a gentle responsibility for the space that is held during the treatment.
Megan Hatto - Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist
I first came into contact with craniosacral therapy in 2014 after a long history of physical complaints and anxiety. Having tried a huge range of different therapies I’ve found that craniosacral has been the most beneficial and supportive.
Through my background in dance and movement I have experienced many forms of bodywork, and my work with Marina Collard, a dance artist and biodynamic craniosacral therapist, inspired me to train as a therapist myself.
The impact of this therapy has been influential and transformative, and continues to support me in finding a centred, grounded and stable lifestyle, allowing me greater insight into myself and my history, and a deepening understanding of the state of others.
Craniosacral therapy is a very gentle treatment for both client and practitioner. It is a beautiful way to be with another human, to be able to meet them non verbally, non judgmentally, exactly where they are at that moment in time. This in itself can be a great facilitator of healing.
Dr Phil Deakin BSc Hons (Sheffield & Lincoln) MB ChB MCPP MNIMH Medical Herbalist
After graduating in physiology and medicine, Phil practiced family medicine as a GP in Sheffield for thirty-four years. A growing interest in plant-based holistic care resulted in an honours degree in Herbal Medicine at Lincoln College. Expecting to emerge as a doctor with additional skills in herbal medicine, he is now proud to realise that he is a herbalist with previous experience of general practice.
Still working as a locum doctor, he practices an integrated approach to herbal medicine and is particularly interested in helping those who need to combine a herbal approach with their conventional medical treatment.
With this unique background he is keen to promote herbal medicine and develop local and national collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Ruby R.J. Berridge Nutritionist
Ruby has been a practising nutritionist since retraining 2015, having previously worked in healthcare. She is qualified in naturopathic, therapeutic and clinical nutrition, allergenic nutrition, children’s nutrition, plant based nutrition and eating psychology as well as other health related fields. Ruby is also a referral practitioner for The Quantum Clinic (functional medicine clinic, specialising in cancers).
“Having worked in healthcare, including over five year’s nutritional training, I have seen the great results a change of diet can make. I have a specific interest in children’s and women’s health, auto-immunity and digestive conditions and cancers”
For more information see: www.berrinutritious.com