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I first met William when he trained on my Diploma in Indian Head Massage and I was impressed by his caring and sensitive approach with clients. It was great to see him again recently at camexpo 2011 at Earls Court and hear about his plans to set up a local support group for people with Coeliac disease.
1. What prompted you to train in complementary therapy ?Â
I had always enjoyed giving massage to friends and in 2004 I happened to find details of a massage course in Brighton which sounded interesting.  Six months later I was made redundant and part of the redundancy package was an optional extra payment towards training for a qualification. The next course available wasn’t for a few months but the employer agreed to pay part cost. The course was an ITEC Swedish Massage Course run by Michael Gibbons at The College of Classical Massage in Brighton. The course started in October 2005 and I completed it in February 2006.
2. What therapies do you currently practice?Â
 I work from home in Lancing and do occasional home visits. I worked for 2 years in a Spa in Hove giving masage only. Now I can offer Indian Head Massage – I trained with Mary Atkinson Holistic Therapy Courses for my qualification in this treatment. I also offer Hopi Ear Candles, Hot Stone Massage, Body Wrapping, Facial Massage & Masks.
Other therapies include: Stress Management using Holistic Therapies. Ayurvedic Foot massage, Ayurvedic Abdominal Massage. As a male therapist I also offer waxing, specializing in male intimate waxing. I have completed a course on Remedial massage.
3. Describe one time when you felt that the benefits of complementary therapies had really made a difference to someone.
A lady phoned up on behalf of her mother who was suffering from deafness and issues with her ears.  I suggested that Hopi Ear Candles may be helpful. The consultation was carried out through the daughter as it was difficult for ‘mum’ to hear me. I gave the ear candle treatment and asked the client to sit up, she gave me a very strange look and I thought something was wrong, she exclaimed I can hear!. Feedback I got several weeks later confirmed that she was hearing much better.
4. Â Can you share any holistic tips that have worked for you?
You know for me what really works is knowing and liking the products that I use. We go to the shows and are tempted by some nice smelling or beautifully packaged products. As I’m using my hands its nice to put something on them that’s like putting on pair of favourite gloves! I don’t always go for organic products but I do try to steer clear of products with parabens. I think you have to know how a product will behave on the skin. I deal mainly with men and appreciate some don’t want to leave smelling like a flower.
5. What path are you hoping to follow in the future?
To be honest the current financial situation has hit most of us therapists quite badly, so currently trying to hold on to clients is my main path for the future. There are many courses available for progression and I really would like to take up a couple more, but have to consider if they would bring in anymore business.
Currently I am involved in the creation of a new support group in West Sussex for Coeliacs, the last local group closed a couple of years ago through lack of support. It now looks like more people are being diagnosed with coeliac disease which is an intolerance to gluten , mainly found in wheat, rye & barley. Having a lifetime condition, although only diagnosed 8 years ago, does help me empathise with some clients who come for complementary therapies, who are looking for relief for their symptoms when their GPs have been unsuccessful with them.
- You can find out more about Bill and his work from his website  www.greettherapies.co.uk
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