About
My Story
In a nutshell… my children have been my inspiration.
I became interested in natural approaches to health and wellbeing with the birth of my first child. A baby brings the opportunity to reconnect with the basics. This led me to train in holistic massage. I became so fascinated by the healing power of touch that I took a career break (from 11 years of advisory work in the EU) and never looked back.
6 years later, the school principal advised to get this same child assessed for dyslexia/dyspraxia. He was also agitated and emotionally vulnerable.
This was my first cross-roads. It is commonly a point where most parents feel confused and overwhelmed. While the help offered came from good standard care, the inquisitive part of me wanted to know more.
By pure chance, I got in contact with a kinesiologist who diagnosed him with gluten intolerance, a much unrecognised disorder 15 years ago. In less than two weeks on a gluten-free diet, my child was spelling confidently, his writing became more uniform and he was overall, calmer and more settled. Subsequently, the school dropped the need to have him assessed.
This blew my mind. How could the removal of a particular food component such as gluten possibly have such a positive and immediate effect on my child’s learning and behaviour? This was pure gut-brain magic.
The gut-brain is such a vast topic. To understand how it works, it is important to understand how different body systems work, i.e. digestive, immune, nervous and structural/fascial systems as well as how they interact and compensate to sustain health.
Food, nutrition, toxins, emotions, stress and trauma are some of the key factors that influence the gut-brain and need to be considered too!
Fast forward to 2009, 2011 and 2018 when I trained in kinesiology, craniosacral therapy and nutritional therapy. I was on a holistic path that has led to a lifetime of learning.
My professional journey has been very much interconnected with my personal journey. Back in 2013 while training for craniosacral therapy, I got pregnant with my 3rd child. This was a time where I applied everything I knew into the making of this baby, from nutrition, bodywork to mindfulness.
Feeling confident, healthy and held in the caring hands of an experienced midwife, I chose a homebirth. This transformative event changed my view on the importance of early days.
At that time, I was seeing adult clients for different health reasons, from stress to low immunity, poor digestion, hormonal changes or lack of sleep. Progressively, I came to realise that health patterns that emerge during a lifetime can be forged in childhood and infancy.
What if we applied a holistic approach to these formative years?
What if we provided strong environmental, nutritional and emotional support to a child from early infancy?
What if we also provided that kind of support to the mother pre and postnatally?
The past two years have been pivotal for my understanding of the environmental influences on the embryo, baby and child. My MSc dissertation ‘Is there a role for nutritional advice for breastfeeding women for colic relief?’ has provided insights into the formation and maturation of a baby’s gut, microbiota and immunology.
From my Integrative Baby Therapy (IBT) training, I have learnt to listen to the baby/child’s story and help process adverse experiences.
These foundational steps are key for optimal development and behaviour later on in life.
My children have set me on a holistic path. As a mother, I have gained first-hand experience from raising three kids and I have had the chance to practise what I preach.
I am excited to share my knowledge and clinical practice to support parents to help their children have the best possible start in life.
Qualifications and Professional memberships
- Master's Degree in Personalised Nutrition awarded by Middlesex University in collaboration with the Centre for Nutrition Education and Lifestyle Management (CNELM), London 2023
- Integrative Baby Therapy training, Conscious Embodiment, Bristol 2022
- Institute for Functional Medicine, Applying Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice (AFMCP UK), London 2018
- Nutritional Therapy Diploma, Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION), London 2018
- Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Diploma, Body Intelligence Training, Dublin, 2013
- Systematic Kinesiology Diploma, The Academy of Systematic Kinesiology (ASK), Dublin, 2011
- Member of NTOI (Irish Association of Nutritional Therapists)
- Member of IACST (Irish Association of Craniosacral Therapy)
- Fully insured for professional liability with Balens Ltd
- Garda vetted, July 2018 (according to the Irish children & vulnerable persons Acts 2012 & 2016)
- First Aid certificate
Post-grad training
I belong to two professional associations, NTOI and IACST which both require CPD. I attend approximately 20 different events a year, from conferences, workshops and webinars to keep up with new developments in my areas of expertise and meet CPD requirements.
