About me

Holistic therapies have been my passion since I began working as health and fitness journalist on national magazines around twenty five years ago. In the mid ‘90s, I trained to be a holistic practitioner and have qualifications in Holistic Massage, Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage and Reflexology. I am also trained in Hopi Ear Candling and Ayurvedic Massage. I am a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists and registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) which plays a vital role in setting standards in our industry.

My Books and Articles

My first book on complementary therapies, The Art of Indian Head Massage, was published in 2000, and is still just as popular ten years on. Indeed, it has just been published in a new paperback format. The book has been translated into many languages including French, Spanish and Japanese. In 2005, I was invited to Tokyo to lecture at the Institute of Indian Head Massage in Japan and have maintained  strong links with Japan.

My other books include Personal Trainer: Hand and Foot Massage and The Complete Book of Massage. My latest massage book, Healing Touch for Children, a guide to massage, reflexology and acupressure for children aged 4-12, has now been translated into fourteen languages. I contributed to The Encyclopedia of Mind, Body and Spirit and continue to enjoy writing articles and reviews for national magazines and websites. My books can be ordered from Amazon using the links on the Publications section of this website.

Holistic Therapy Training Courses

After two years setting up and working in the complementary therapy education department at St Wilfrid’s Hospice and teaching at Chichester College of Further Education, I decided to set up my own training venture offering accredited CPD courses and workshops for trained therapists and beginners.

My specialty is Indian Head Massage training and courses include my popular Diploma in Indian Head Massage and Advanced Indian Head Massage Techniques.  It is always such a joy to work with like-minded people.

Talks and Seminars

My courses are small and friendly with the emphasis on achieving learning within a supportive atmosphere. Students travel from all over the UK to attend. You can read some recommendations for Mary Atkinson Holistic Therapy Courses. We have also shared ideas and skills with students from Japan, Eire, Australia and USA. I love to travel to local groups to talk on different areas of my work and have spoken at events and FHT local support groups all over the country. Indeed, I am now joint co-ordinator of our local FHT support group in Chichester. If you are interested is my talks and workshops then you can find out more by clicking on the Talks section of this website.

Therapy Sessions

I have worked as a complementary therapist at St Wilfrid’s Hospice since 2000 and have personal experience of the many challenges and rewards facing therapists in this specialist field.  I have a limited number of clients who attend my clinic, some have been touched by cancer in some way and find that complementary therapy can offer great comfort and support.

Positive Touch for Children

As an instructor on the Massage in Schools Programme , I have recently become a MISA (Massage in Schools Association) committee member helping to spread the vision of positive touch for children in school and home. In April 2012, I travelled to the tsunami disaster area in Japan with Cocoro charity to introduce creative story massage to the children. It was wonderful when one of my students considered my work to be worthy of the title ‘Soul Hero’ in Natural Health Magazine (July 2012)

On a personal note, I live in Chichester with my husband, our two daughters and our golden labrador, Crumble. I have recently been awarded an MA in Transpersonal Arts and Practice (with Distinction) at the University of Chichester which I undertook for my own personal and professional development. It is so important to continue to update skills and so in February 2011, I travelled to India to study Ayurvedic Medicine can read more about my trip here.