CBT is the therapy generally offered on the NHS. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy works on the links between our THOUGHTS and our behaviours. It focuses on identifying patterns of unhelpful thinking and works to challenge those and replace them with healthier alternatives. It is often presented in a systematic way with a clear track guiding each session. HeartSpeak works instead on our FEELINGS and our behaviours. It targets the stress response in the body and uses a series of straightforward exercises/ activities to have those feelings process quickly and easily. It does not look for explanations or meanings for these feelings, we make the assumption that you've probably learned everything you need to learn about your issue. And it's time for you to be free of it. Often the assumption is made that the term 'feelings' refers to emotions. Whilst emotions can and do come up in HeartSpeak, the types of feelings that come up far more often are urge type feelings and resistance types.

Whilst your practitioner will ask you certain health questions prior to having an AcuCalm treatment, there is no one who cannot have it. The only exception recommended is to forego NADA ear acupuncture treatment for the first trimester of pregnancy.

NADA Ear Acupuncture involves the gentle placement of small, sterilised, single use needles into specific points on the outer ear. This method follows the NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol, which was designed more than 50 years ago to help alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and addiction. Traditionally NADA is administered in a group setting and the people receiving it sit in silence for 30 to 40 minutes. There are NADA Practitioners in many areas and the only thing to be aware of is that at Heart and Head Space we cater for people who might find it challenging, or even impossible to sit in silence for this 30 minute duration. So whether you're in an AcuCalm Class with others, in AcuCalm for Couples or receiving individual treatment, NADA the way we do it is accompanied by Imagery Audio which is both powerful and relaxing. And that combined treatment we call AcuCalm.

Generally no, unless your piercings take up most of the space in and around your ear. Often piercings can be in specific acupressure / acupuncture points and whilst it is still a matter for debate, it's possible that piercings desensitise these powerful points. Thankfully the ear has over 200 of these points and so there is always something to work with.

It depends on you! You have the opportunity to do as much or as little therapy / treatment work as feels right for you. Therapies available are HeartSpeak (Mind/Body stress and trauma release), AcuCalm for dis-regulated nervous systems, Food Sensitivity testing and Psychometric Profiling.

Only YOU, or you and a friend, partner or family member if you have booked as a couple. This is as private and personal an experience as you can get. Whilst you are here, Sarah's practice is closed and she is at your disposal for the full time on Retreat. This means you can do as much or as little therapeutic work as you wish.

Acupressure Beads can be suitable for all ages, but generally we don't recommend them for children under the age of 8 Children and teens can often find themselves calmed by the beads. As long a you are confident that your child can rub the beads to stimulate the acupressure points and will not peel them off, feel free to apply them.

Generally no, unless your piercings take up most of the space in and around your ear. Often piercings can be in specific acupressure / acupuncture points and whilst it is still a matter for debate, it's possible that piercings desensitise these powerful points. Thankfully the ear has over 200 of these points and so there is always something to work with.

AcuCalm Beads can be kept on for up to 5 days at a time. In hot or sweaty conditions they may naturally fall off after a few days. Apply your beads to one ear only using the charts as a guide. After 5 days, use your finger nail to remove any remaining beads and wait 2 days before applying the beads to your other ear. This is to ensure that your acupressure points remain responsive. Most of the charts use 5 beads and so the 20 beads on your strip are intended to last for most if not all of a calendar month.

Remember 3 and 3... that's three times a day for around 3 minutes. This 3 minutes is for all of the bead positions combined, not per bead. No need to be exact, this is a guide. Rubbing more often (so long as you're not making them sore) is completely fine.

Whilst for most people AcuCalm Beads are completely comfortable, you might be one of the few who are very sensitive to them. If any of the beads feel sore when you rub them, then stop rubbing. After 30 minutes or so, if they continue to feel sore, remove that particular bead. Your experience will vary from one bead application to another, so don't avoid that spot in future as it will very likely feel different next time.