Welcome!Whether you are seeking the ultimate relaxation treatment or if you have an issue that you may wish to resolve through stress management or hypnotherapy - you've come to the right place. As a specialised massage therapist and clinical hypnotherapist at SmootheAway I am committed to your comfort and satisfaction and use an holistic approach to all my therapies - thus mind and body. (See 'About me' for my experience and qualifications)
Massage has been found to improve circulation, joint range-of-motion and flexibility. It can reduce many common ailments such as stress, muscle tightness, aches and pains - even anxiety and depression.
Hypnotherapy has been found to help people give up smoking, lose weight, deal with the fear of flying, nail biting, lack of confidence and much much more. Please see rest of website for further information.
This is your time to relax and escape. David
***ASK ME ABOUT MY FREE STRESS MANAGEMENT SESSIONS AVAILABLE TO COMPANIES, COMMUNITY/VOLUNTARY GROUPS AND CHURCH GROUPS - WHY PAY HIGH CONSULTANT CHARGES - OR GO ON COSTLY TRAINING WEEKENDS? WITH 25 YEARS TEACHING STRESS MANAGEMENT I WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH ALL THE BASICS AND MUCH MORE***
Choose from a variety of therapies:
- Swedish Massage
- Indian Head Massage
- Sports Massage
- Reflexology
- Aromatherapy
- Seated Chair Massage
- Hopi Ear Candling (Thermo Auricular Therapy)
- Clinical Hypnotherapy - (including Past Life Regression/Smoking Cessation and Emotional Freedom Therapy) - see below
All therapies are for one hour (except first massage or hypnotherapy sessions and any multiple sessions) and can be carried out at my home therapy room, or I can visit you at your home*. I can also visit your workplace or other suitable venue. I am available for Open Days/Health Days/Pamper Days or other days set aside for the public, and am also available for Private Pamper Parties.
*It is preferable that Hypnotherapy sessions are at my home therapy room - though where this is not suitable I will visit you at a convenient, quiet location if possible (this maybe your home if you have a quiet room, where you will not be disturbed)
Not sure what treatment is right for you? You can choose on the day or we can discuss your needs over the telephone or by email. Many of my clients enjoy a mix of treatments i.e A full body massage including a head massage, or some reflexology prior to a body massage, or even some hypnosis and massage - the choice is yours.
You can also book as many one hour sessions back to back as you wish e.g a luxury two hour massage including a full reflexology session followed by a relaxing full body massage, finished off with an Indian Head Massage.
Other services offered
- Massage in Schools Programme (see below)
- Stress Management (see below)
- Infant Massage Instruction
- Some of these therapies (except Hypnotherapy) can be taught to individuals/couples/groups. Cost will depend on number of sessions needed, number of participants and any venue hire if necessary. NB This is not a substitute for accredited training and as such will not allow you to practice for profit as you will not be trained or insured to do so. These sessions are purely meant for you to offer others the benefits of massage without charge
What to expect
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils for the treatment or prevention of disease. It is a form of complementary therapy designed to treat the whole person and not just the symptom or disease by assisting the body’s natural ability to balance, regulate, heal and maintain itself. This is usually a full body treatment which includes soft music and candles. A truly relaxing experience.
Indian Head Massage
This treatment is based on old Ayurvedic techniques involving work on the back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face. A variety of massage movements are used to relieve accumulated tension, stimulate circulation and restore joint movement. This can be finished off with oil massaged into the scalp.
Reflexology
Reflexology can detect subtle changes or ‘imbalances’ in the reflex points of the feet and, by working on these points, may help to restore the body’s natural equilibrium. This can be a treatment in itself or incorporated into other treatments.
Sports (Deep Tissue) Massage
How often have you had a crick in the neck, knots, painful shoulder, sciatica or lower back problems without knowing how you got them? Sports/deep tissue massage helps to identify the root of the problem and un-knot muscles affected. This is not just for athletes!
Swedish Massage
This is the massage you usually see on films where the therapist uses ‘hacking’ on legs and shoulders. It is an invigorating massage which reduces stress, both emotional and physical, thus is not really recommended for a 'relaxing' end of day treatment!
Seated Chair Massage
This is where the person sits on a specially designed chair so I can work on the back, shoulders and head. It is normally used for Indian Head Massage or back massage in the workplace or at public open days, though can also be used in the home where someone may prefer to sit down rather than lay on a massage couch.
Hopi Ear Candling
Ear candles have a purely physical function. A light suction action and the movement of the flame create a vibration of air in the ear candle (which is hollow, and no wick), generating a massage-like effect on the eardrum. This induces a pleasant feeling of warmth and a balance of pressure in the ears, forehead and sinuses. It's soothing and helpful for earache and headache, ear noise, stress and nervousness.
Mix ‘n Match/Half & Half
These are probably the most popular therapies as they include most of the above therapies i.e. Full body aromatherapy but fixing any knots if found, or half reflexology followed by half full body sorting out any issues found. Or half full body, half Indian Head and so on. You choose.
A detailed questionnaire needs to be completed during the first visit, so allow an additional 10 minutes or so.
What happens during a therapy session?
(NB The following refers to physical therapies - not hypnotherapy)
Whether or not you have had any therapies in the past the following is a general guide. I well remember my first massage and would have benefited from even the most basic of information! Now, due to the amount of lifting, bending and standing I ensure I receive a massage as often as possible! The first visit will include a medical questionnaire just to ensure you are able to proceed with treatment. This includes basic personal details and considers issues such as allergies to oils and other possible contraindications.
All details recorded and indeed all aspects of any treatment are strictly confidential and are only known by myself.
After consultation I will leave the room for you to undress, and cover yourself with towels provided. I will then re-enter the room, turn down the lights, play some relaxing music (or not, if preferred) and commence treatment. (NB Indian Head Massage can be carried out fully clothed, but for those with bare shoulders or back, oils, cream or talc will need to be used). Oils can be used on the hair also which can be decided on the day. Treatments will be followed by advice on appropriate lifestyle changes, posture, stretches and exercises.
Cost
Cost varies according to what treatment you require, how many sessions (thus discount applies), and whether at your home/workplace or my clinic. Organise a group of friends to have a session and you have a treatment free! Please call or email me.
Stress Management
As with all therapies Stress Management is offered to individuals, community groups and those in a workplace setting. Indeed some organisations add therapies as an integral part of a stress management programme, and as such is becoming very popular.
This programme needs a minimum of 6 hours to be of true benefit, and is a very much shortened version of what can take up to 2 to 3 days. Individuals, groups or organisations interested can contact me to discuss various timing options. Cost will depend on number of sessions, number of people, distance, number of packs required etc. Sessions cover Recognition of stress in self and others, Coping Strategies and methods of relaxation (which can include any of the therapies offered either during sessions or at a later date)
Some sessions can be conducted free of charge - please call to discuss
Workplaces
All the above body therapies are available at your workplace. Seated massage can be carried out at the person's desk . Other treatments require a private room. For workplace costs and discounts please call to discuss options
Massage in Schools
Using massage in schools is quite a new concept in modern day society. Although massage, in some native and traditional cultures, is as old as mankind itself. It is only in the past century that science has been able to explain the benefits of massage. When the profession of massage therapists became recognised in modern society, studies regarding massage began to emerge everywhere. The studies give credibility to the practice of massage itself as a tool for health, stress management and well being.
Massage and Children
Massage therapists have also developed massage approaches for individuals with special needs, young children in pre-school, and elderly people living in nursing homes. It is only recently that massage was introduced in schools. It has been done at local levels by individuals searching for ways to help the well-being of children at schools.
Various authors have written books on massage for children. Some of these approaches were for therapeutic reasons and some were developed for massaging children in hospitals. Others were developed for the nurturing touch and the enjoyment of massage, and many times the parents were included.
The idea of children massaging each other was slowly brought to consciousness by individuals who saw that there are amazing ways of improving relationships and social skills among children.
Massage In Schools Programme
The Massage In Schools Programme (MISP) was officially founded in the year 2000 by Mia Elmsater from Sweden and Sylvie Hetu from Canada. Both believe in the contagious effect of a credible, well-structured yet simple program. It is with this spirit that they combined their experiences to create MISP.
They also believe in the principle that a shared common core curriculum as a solid base is necessary for a program to be successful. This solid base can also serve as a tool to help credibility and professionalism to become an integral part of the ethos of the program.
The programme can be adapted for older children/adults in youth club or community settings. Please call to discuss costs.
Infant massage
There are many schools of thought and many forms of massage. Massage therapy schools offer a wide variety of different types of massage courses. Some massage therapists have developed approaches directed to specific populations and age groups. Infant massage is now well recognised throughout the world mainly because of the work of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM). IAIM was founded by Vimala McClure, who became inspired by the massage she observed while working in an orphanage in India. Subsequently, she created a routine of massage strokes for parents that consisted of Indian massage, Swedish massage, reflexology and other treatments. Other approaches to baby massage brought into modern culture have also been mostly inspired by massage in traditional culture. This is offered to individuals, or groups.
Please call to discuss costs
Clinical Hypnotherapy


Want to stop smoking, lose weight, regain confidence, want to stop nail biting or have a fear of flying or a phobia? Hypnotherapy can help with many of these issues and more. For those who have never experienced this therapy before please do not base your knowledge on stage hypnosis or what you see on TV! Clinical Hypnotherapy is to help you - not make you do silly things! I use a range of techniques to help you, all of which is discussed prior to treatment. If you have any queries or just want to know more about this service please do not hesitate in calling me. Past life regression and emotional freedom therapy are just a few techniques used to help clients - but more will be explained when you call.


Many issues can be dealt with in a single session - some may need a number of sessions. Again this will be explained at first contact. It may be obvious but is worth noting that the best results are with those who genuinely want help e.g. whilst anyone can attend to stop smoking it will only usually work if the client truly wants to quit, and not because they have been told to. Even so, I am more than willing to hold smoking cessation sessions without hypnotherapy - but this may take longer to see any results. I am registered with The Central Register of Stop Smoking Therapists (
http://www.crsst.com)
Cost: Please call to discuss.
Contact me today!07711885130
Established 2006