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My journey into holistic healing began long before it became my profession. Like many people who are drawn to the healing arts, my path was shaped by my own personal experiences and the transformative power of holistic therapies.
In 1995 I experienced a life-changing accident that required major reconstructive surgery and a long period of recovery. Living through both the physical and emotional challenges of that time gave me a profound understanding of how trauma can affect the mind, body and spirit. It was during this period that I first experienced the deep impact that holistic therapies can have on the healing process.
Alongside this, I have also undertaken significant personal healing from childhood abuse and early life trauma. Navigating that journey has given me a deep awareness of how past experiences can shape our physical health, emotional wellbeing and sense of self. It is through this work that I developed a strong belief in the body’s incredible capacity to heal when the right support, compassion and holistic approach are in place.
These experiences ultimately inspired me to dedicate my life to helping others on their own healing journeys.
In 1998 I formally began my professional path in holistic medicine when I qualified as a Clinical Aromatherapist, Massage Therapist and Reflexologist. What began as a passion soon developed into a lifelong vocation. Over the past 25 years I have worked across a variety of settings including private clinics, rehabilitation environments and palliative care, supporting people through a wide range of physical and emotional health challenges.
Today I run my own private holistic therapy clinic in Central Scotland, where I combine decades of practical experience with an integrative range of therapeutic modalities. My work has always been guided by a deep curiosity about how the body heals and how different therapies can work together to support true wellbeing.
As my practice evolved, I continued expanding my training to better support my clients. I added Indian Head Massage and the Metamorphic Technique, enabling me to work more deeply with both physical tension and subtle energetic patterns within the body.
In recent years my work has increasingly focused on Energy Healing. In 2019 I qualified in Reiki and I am now a Reiki Master, allowing me not only to practise Reiki but also to offer attunements and training to therapists who wish to learn this powerful modality.
Another area that has become a great passion of mine is Sound Healing. After many years of studying with a variety of respected teachers in the field, I am now qualified in Sonic Aura Therapy, Sound Massage and Sound Therapy. These powerful techniques use vibration and frequency to support deep relaxation, energetic balance and healing.
During the Covid pandemic I used the additional time to deepen my knowledge further, gaining additional qualifications in Sound and Energy Healing, as well as training as a Life Coach so that I could support clients not only physically and energetically but also emotionally and mentally.
One of the guiding principles of my work is that every client is unique. Each person arrives with their own story, needs and circumstances, and those needs can change from one session to the next. For that reason, I often create bespoke treatments, drawing on different modalities depending on what feels most supportive on the day. Many clients appreciate this personalised approach, and sessions frequently evolve into a carefully tailored combination of therapies designed to support the whole person.
My own healing journey has given me a deep level of empathy and understanding for the people I work with. I know first-hand how physical trauma, emotional wounds and life experiences can affect every aspect of our wellbeing. But I also know how powerful healing can be when we take a holistic, compassionate and integrative approach.
Outside of my work I feel most connected when I am immersed in nature. I enjoy spending time outdoors and nurturing my love of gardening, which has been passed down through generations of my family. I am currently developing a healing garden, where I grow natural food for my family alongside plants known for their healing and energetic properties.
I also have a deep love of creative crafts, which I find incredibly meditative and grounding. Working with my hands allows me to slow down, focus and reconnect with a sense of calm and creativity—something that beautifully complements my holistic lifestyle and philosophy.
For me, holistic healing is far more than a profession — it is a lifelong path of learning, transformation and connection. Through my clinic and teaching work, my aim is to share the knowledge and experience I have gathered over decades, helping others discover the profound benefits of compassionate, integrative and truly holistic care.
The roots of the Universal School of Holistic Therapies began in 2014 when Joanne met fellow therapist Kirsten Green while working together in an unrelated part-time role. It quickly became clear that they shared a deep passion for holistic health and for helping people overcome illness, trauma and emotional challenges through compassionate, client-centred therapies.
For many years they remained close friends, regularly exchanging treatments and discussing their shared experiences within the holistic therapy industry. During this time, Joanne became increasingly aware of a significant gap in the quality of training and therapeutic care available within the sector. Many therapists were entering the profession without the depth of knowledge, practical confidence or compassionate approach that truly supports meaningful healing.
What began as light-hearted conversations about one day creating something together gradually evolved into a serious vision: to raise the standards of holistic therapy training and to help more people access truly high-quality, heart-centred care.
Having both worked with other training providers in tutorial roles, Joanne realised that the only way to truly deliver the level of teaching, integrity and professional standards she believed in was to create a school built on those values from the ground up.
In October 2022, this vision became reality with the founding of the Universal School of Holistic Therapies. The school was created to provide high-quality, practitioner-level training that combines strong theoretical knowledge with practical experience, professional confidence and a truly holistic philosophy.
Since its founding, the school has quickly grown to become one of Central Scotland’s respected centres for holistic therapy training, offering a wide range of Certified Professional Courses across multiple holistic modalities. All courses are professionally accredited by both the Complementary Medical Association (CMA) and the Guild of Holistic Therapists, ensuring graduates leave with recognised qualifications and the skills needed to practise safely and confidently.
While Kirsten was involved in the early development of the school, she has since chosen to step away in order to focus on family life, personal wellbeing and other ventures.
Today, the Universal School of Holistic Therapies continues to grow and evolve under Joanne’s leadership, remaining committed to its founding vision: providing high-quality, compassionate training that empowers the next generation of holistic practitioners to support healing in their communities.