Allison qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1990.  She also has a BSc (Hons) Zoology which gives her great insights to human development. Allison has studied many aspects of therapeutic healing. She says, “I continue to be amazed and humbled by the capacity we Human beings have to re-balance, re-organise and re-structure ourselves in our physical, psychological and spiritual realms. Experiencing and working with the inherent health and wisdom that drives this process, I find an ongoing source of wonder and learning.”

Allison’s passions 
The incredible journey that it is to be a mother
Nature in all her Elemental glory, Oceans, Forests and Green as far as my eye can see.
All the amazing creatures that also call this planet home
Dancing with the Wind
Being held in the Embrace of the earth under a limitless Blue Sky 

 

BOst.(Hons)
  Graduated with a distinction from the four year full time Bachelor of Osteopathy course at the British School of Osteopathy in London

In addition to her extensive training in structural osteopathy, Catherine has undertaken postgraduate training in Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, including Paediatrics.

Prior to training as an Osteopath Catherine worked in the IT industry in the City of London so has excellent first hand experience of the physical and emotional pressures of city life.

Catherine’s insight
Catherine has a special interest in work related physical stress where prolonged standing or sitting combined with computer, telephone or equipment use results in repetitive strain injuries and postural problems that cause headaches, backache, neck and arm pain.

Catherine is experienced at treating patients with chronic conditions such as arthritis as well as acute sporting or accidental injuries. Her treatment provides rapid relief from pain, swelling and stiffness and improves mobility enabling a speedy return to full activity.

Catherine also loves working with our patients in their winter years, to help them regain and maintain quality of life – for example gardening, playing bowls – these activities are very important to help keep going and are enjoyable.

Catherine’s passions
I enjoy walking, spending weekends exploring the Hertfordshire countryside and holidays hill walking in Europe.

 

BSc (Hons) Ost

Eva qualified from Oxford Brookes University with a BSc 1st class (Hons) in Osteopathy.  Eva started her training at The British College of Osteopathic Medicine but her training was interrupted by illness culminating in abdominal surgery.  Ultimately she completed her training at Oxford Brookes University.  She says ‘at the time having to stop the training seemed disastrous, but it turned out to be a very positive experience – I gained immensely from training at two very different establishments.  I was also treated by some eminent and experienced osteopaths.  It has helped to make me a more rounded osteopath’.
Eva is engaged in post-graduate studies at The Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy in London which specialises in the treatment of children and pregnant women.  She has a particular interest in female reproductive health including the osteopathic management of conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and fibroids.

However, Eva enjoys treating a wide variety of patient groups.  ‘I love the variety of patients we work with – everyone is unique and I welcome the challenge of finding what is right for each individual, whether it’s sports injuries, digestive problems, headaches or rehabilitation – particularly to help people regain their function and quality of life – that is really exciting!’


Eva’s Passions
My passions are mediation, dancing, swimming, bathing in hot springs, playing with my beautiful nieces and cooking for my family.  I also enjoy travelling and experiencing different cultures. I have spent time in both India and Australia working with children and on voluntary environmental projects.  (Eva has a BSc in Applied Environmental Science).

 

MA; LCHE; MARH Studied at the Centre for Homeopathic Education in London and qualified in 2005 after 4 years of study and clinical training. 
Registered with the Alliance of Homeopaths
Founder member of Herts Homeopaths whose aim is to increase awareness of the benefits and scope of homeopathy in the county

Alyson’s insight
Homeopathy has offered Alyson the opportunity to follow her interest in people and the idea that how we think and view ourselves has such an impact on our overall health and ability to enjoy life. 

Within the full scope of the human experience Alyson specializes in female hormonal imbalances, babies and young children and all ear problems. 

She is keen to work with people and loves the chance offered in her work to share information, educate people to become responsible for their own health and as it is a talking therapy to have a good chat.

Alyson’s passions
I love to be busy, to be around my family and friends, especially to keep me laughing and feeling sane.  I also like to keep challenging myself and have begun singing lessons after not singing since my schooldays.

 

BSc D.Th.D, Advanced NAET, JMT Trained in France and Belgium and qualified in 2001.
Member of BIAET, BCMA(Reg)
Member of the Society for Homotoxicology and Anti-Phototoxic Therapy (GB).

An Advanced NAET practitioner and one of the first accredited NAET Practitioners in the UK.  Fitz Larsen has a string of proven successes covering diverse allergy-related illnesses.

Fitz’s insight
I enjoy the challenge of each patient – everyone is different!  The body never ceases to amaze me, as so often people report benefits far greater than we’d anticipated were possible.  Allergy affects people very deeply and it is such a joy to have these powerful tools to work with.

Fitz’s passions
I love all types of music and am always open to be introduced to something new. Recently a patient opened my ears to Heavy Metal music - it really did something to me!

 

MBACP Snr Accred Counsellor, UKRC Reg Ind Counsellor Gained accreditation in 1999
Particular area of expertise: helping people with the psychological consequences of physical illness.

Jackie’s insight
Jackie has been working as a counsellor for many years, seeing adults and young people in private practice and also in agency, company and school settings. She uses an integrative approach and enables clients to determine the focus, pace and depth of their counselling. Her role is to help clients find their own solutions to their problems.

 

SRN; DipAP; Mem BASF; Reg. UKCP Member & Hon. Fellow British Autogenic Society (BAS)
Member British Association of Social Functioning (BASF)
Registered United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

Trained as an autogenic therapist with the late Dr Wolfgang Luthe (a leading researcher of AT), London 1982.
Founder Member of British Autogenic Society 1984. Jane trains new therapists at the BAS.

Co-author of ‘Autogenic Therapy: self-help for mind and body’ published by Gill & Macmillan 2002

Jane’s insight
Jane works with all age groups, helping people to help themselves improve their well-being. She works with the client’s process of change with positive encouragement and gentle challenge.

Jane’s passions
A life-long musician, reader, writer, swimmer, mum; and more recently: grandmother – but not all at the same time.

 

LSSM (Dip), MISRM Graduated from the London School of Sports Massage (LSSM) in Jan 2007.
Member of the Institute of Sports & Remedial Massage

Kim’s insight
I enjoy working with people of all ages and being able to help them achieve a better quality of life. I love working with other professionals at The Penn Clinic, gaining insights to the different approaches, which all contribute to a better long term outcome for our patients.

Kim’s passions
I enjoy watching the clouds and am amazed at the number of different cloud formations there are!

 

MAR
ABC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology
Diploma in India Head Massage
Diploma In Natural Life Facial Massage
Foundation Certificate In Kinesiology


Sandra's Insights
Having worked in the financial industry in London for many years, I discovered firsthand the damaging effects of stress.  I was constantly tired and mu immune system seemed very low as I caught every bug or infection doing the rounds.  I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and began to investigate alternative ways of supporting my body back to better health.

I began my Reflexology diploma at the start of 2009 and can't believe I waited so long to begin this journey of discovery.  I have also studied other therapies that involve the same principal of working on the pressure points of a particular area of the body in order to support the body's own ability to restore balance to the entire body.

I have recently begun my training in Kinesiology to allow me to go deeper than the physical symptoms; to look at the emotional, structural, chemical or energetic causes of ill health.  These techniques enhance my other therapies and allow me to provide a more holistic treatment.

Sandra's Passions
I love spending time with my husband, friends and family.  Social interation is very important to my emotional wellbeing.  I love the fact that through my therapies I can interact with the people I love on a whole new level.  I have had the travelling bug since I was 17 and have lived, worked and holidayed in many countries over the years,  I never tire of experiencing new places, cultures and of course food.

 

BA Hons,  Itec. Dip, MTI School of Thai massage London (1995)
New Zealand College of massage (1998)
College of Holistic Massage UK (2002) Itec Dip
Pre and Post natal Massage - CHMUK (2002)
International School of Developmental Baby Massage and Movement (2006)
Indian Head Massage - Clare Maxwell-Hudson School (2005)

Sophie’s insight
Advanced training in pre and post natal, helped by completing the course whilst I was pregnant so I really knew what worked and what felt terrific!

My three children have really benefited from the baby massage I am now qualified to teach.

On this journey within the world of bodywork, I have tasted the depth and breadth of what is possible and it seems the skies the limit! I am excited knowing that there is a wealth of knowledge to be discovered working as part of a team in the years ahead.

Sophie’s passions
The sound of my children’s laughter and keeping them in good health make me happy. Live bands and music restore my sense of youth!

 

Tim qualified from the London School of Sports Massage (LSSM) in 1998 and is a member of the Complementary Therapists Association.  Tim also holds an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling and is a member of  the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Tim was for 28 years a self-employed sculptor working in wood and stone on London's historic buildings. In 1998, he decided to change direction and use his hands in a different way, by working with people.

Tim has studied and practiced the Alexander Technique since 1978 and is very interested in how massage and postural awareness work to enhance one another.

Tim tailors his massage in response to the needs of the client, working with them to provide an individual treatment from which they will gain the maximum benefit.
This may be gentle rhythmical therapeutic massage for well being and stress reduction, firmer pressure (Sports Massage) for more specific problems such as tight shoulders from long hours at computer or working-out too vigorously at the gym!  Some patients are referred by their osteopath, GP or other healthcare practitioner for assistance with medical problems that benefit from remedial massage.

Tim lives on a smallholding with goats and an organic vegetable garden and enjoys sailing his boat on the East coast when time and weather permits! He also likes walking in the mountains.

 

I have worked at The Penn Clinic for over twenty years.  My job as receptionist involves lots of duties; I take particular responsibility for the filing system and keeping the household stocks up to date.  But the part of the job I enjoy most is meeting the people who come for help.   They are all ages and from all walks of life.   When they first come many of them are visibly in pain; it is lovely to see them coming back looking so much better and enjoying life again.  I love helping the mother’s who bring their babies and children for help.  I am often able to assist while they wait to be seen, or if they stay afterwards to breast feed.  I’ve had three of my own children and now I have eight grandchildren, so I am used to a full house and I love to help people in any way I can.  Before I worked at The Penn Clinic I was in the Wool Shop in Hatfield Town.  I used to help people with their knitting projects!  That was fun – but the variety of this job is never ending and infinitely interesting and challenging!

Elaine’s passions
I love sitting quietly in my garden and listening to the sound of birdsong.  I can close my eyes and imagine I am in a meadow in beautiful countryside.  It relaxes me all over!

 

I have worked at the clinic for 13 years and have enjoyed seeing the range of help available to patients here develop.  I work closely with Caroline Penn in my job as clinic manager.  I am responsible for coordinating all the different practitioners as well as managing the systems we have in place – it can be challenging, but it is very interesting and satisfying when everything runs smoothly! It is very rewarding when patients comment that their visits to the clinic are not only helping their health, but that they are grateful that the reception team is a familiar force!  As I have now been at the clinic for 13 years I have seen many patients who first came as babies growing up through the years. It is marvellous to see them doing well!

Prior to working at the Penn Clinic I worked within two financial institutions holding a variety of positions ranging from secretarial cashiering and administration.

My idea of heaven? A jigsaw puzzle of Elvis Presley and a rainy day!

 

I have been working here now for just over 4 years.  I work very closely alongside Kim on reception, welcoming patients to the clinic, making appointments on the phone assisting all staff as best I can to make their day run smoothly.  I am responsible for housekeeping try to keep the clinic clean but “homely” as some patients have told me. I do enjoy being able to give attention to all our patients as times allows, especially if the patients are showing signs of stress – people may be unable to bend to put their shoes on if the have a bad back or mums with small babies or with another child coming along for the first time need assistance – it’s all part of the job!  I also like the close association with all staff; we really do try to work as a team, helping each other out when needed.

I have worked in the medical field nearly all of my working career including hospitals, dental clinics and opticians.   I have always enjoyed the caring atmosphere of The Penn Clinic.  I have found that osteopathy offers a more gentle type of healing while still proving to be a very powerful way of treatment; and the patients are lovely – they really appreciate the help they receive.

Linda’s passions
I have been in the Rollercoaster Club of Great Britain for nearly 20 years and have enjoyed many trips and holidays in Europe and the USA. I could not believe there were other people who could feel the same! The main meeting of the Club is at Blackpool where 400 – 500 people gather. I have made many long lasting friendships at the club. As well as the obvious places such as theme parks in the USA, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon… we also visit an exceptional place called Cedar Point in Ohio. The staff are so friendly and always give the club a fine welcome – usually 90 Brits turn up together! My favourite coaster is called Raptor and is a suspension or hanging coaster at Cedar Point. The tallest one I have been on is Dragster, also at Cedar Point. It is 410 feet tall and reaches speeds of 120 miles per hour…