I did my professional training at the University of Central Lancashire, from which I obtained a first class degree in Herbal Medicine. The course provided a thorough grounding in human physiology and medical diagnosis as well as the uses of hundreds of different medicinal herbs. At the same time I gained practical experience in treating patients at the Preston Clinic of Herbal Medicine, a specialist training clinic for medical herbalists. I qualified as a herbalist in 2003, and have been practising in South Warrington ever since.
I was originally a finance manager in the NHS, but decided to change career after one of my children had herbal treatment. After months of emergency GP appointments and broken nights, we had a healthy child again, and life returned to normal. I wanted to be able to make that kind of difference for other people. I have never for one moment regretted my career change - helping people to better health is hugely rewarding.
As well as running my herbal practice, I am a clinical supervisor at the Preston Herbal Clinic, the training clinic for students on the BSc Herbal Medicine course run by the University of Central Lancashire. Consultations are taken by a student, supervised by a qualified and experienced herbalist, and observed by a group of students. Consultation charges are subsidised by the university, and so are rather less than those charged by herbalists in private practice.