About The Woodland Haven

The Woodland Haven was set up in 2015, with the intention of making a very special approach available to help people who are experiencing difficulties - whether these are emotional, psychological or physical. It is quite likely, though, that someone will be experiencing a combination of these.

The theoretical basis for the approach is a holistic one, underpinned by continually increasing evidence from science, about how the mind and body interact all the time... they are inseparable... and so it makes sense to treat both.

The ethos, here, is a person-centred one. It is about kindness and compassion, respect and dignity. It is also about seeking to enable access to therapy for as many people as would like it, so you will see that session prices are very reasonable and concessions are also available.

The beauty of the combination-therapy approach is that each element reinforces the other, so that both mind and body are soothed, enabling relaxation and enhancing clarity of thought. It is a supportive, helpful, empowering and lovely experience.

The Woodland Haven was set up by

Veronica Nelson
BA (Hons) Psychology;
MSc. (Mental Health research);
Dip. Counselling (BACP accredited);
HPD (Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma);
Accredited Bowen Therapy Practitioner

A Little Bit About Me

I have lived in Carmarthenshire for a great many years and have both worked and studied in Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Neath through those years. I love the mountains and beaches, countryside and communities and feel happy and lucky to have been able to bring up my children to feel part of these things.

After gaining my BA (Hons) in Psychology and doing some further research and studies, I have worked in mental health, mostly, over the last 20 years and, also, spent 4 years working for Women's Aid in both refuge and outreach.

Over the years, there are three therapies that I have trained in and it is lovely to be able to offer each of these - and, especially, a combination of them - to people.

Counselling

In 2001, I qualified as a counsellor, with a BACP-accredited Advanced Diploma. We trained, mainly, in the Person-Centred model, also known as Client-Centred... which is a lovely, humanistic approach. Over the years, I have worked:

  1. on a voluntary basis, for CRUSE Bereavement Service, where it has felt a privilege to work with and support people who had experienced loss
  2. in private practice, with people experiencing a variety of problems
  3. as part of a University counselling service, supporting students

Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH)

I trained and studied for around 2 years in SFH, gaining a Hypnotherapy Practitioner Diploma (HPD). I was very interested to do this, as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) as a counselling model always interested me. Combining this approach with hypnotherapy can enable change in a relatively short time and I have seen how it helps people to reach their goals, cope with stress, anxiety and related physical conditions and more.

Bowen Therapy

This is a wonderful therapy that is performed with gentle, non-invasive movements over fascial tissue, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

I fell in love with this gentle, non-invasive, holistic, physical therapy that is designed to offer relief to aches and pains via a gentle muscle release technique, when I saw how effective it can be... as well as the feeling of wellbeing and relaxation that each person experiences.

Having worked with these therapies, I learned that, when they are combined, something special happens and the benefits to clients are wonderful - whether this is for physical issues, emotional ones, mental health difficulties or when someone is looking to make change in their life - or any combination of these.

Then, serendipity seemed to play a part in making it possible to establish The Woodland Haven - to be able to offer these therapies - especially, combination-therapy, to as many people as possible.

The Woodland Haven and its approach means a great deal to me and, I hope, will bring a great deal of benefit to others. The philosophy and ethos are based on kindness, respect, support, community involvement and a person-centred way of working.

Veronica Nelson
Membership of Professional Asscociations
MBACP (Registered Member of British Assoc. of Counselling and Psychotherapy)
AfSFH (Assoc. of Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy)
CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council - The UK voluntary regulator for complementary health practitioners)
NCH (National Council for Hypnotherapy - a UK register of independent practitioners

bacp Registered College of Bowen Studies

Equal Opportunities Policy - Provision of Service (in compliance with Business Wales)

The Woodland Haven is committed to equality of opportunity for all and to removing barriers to equal opportunity. It fully recognises and accepts its responsibility to ensure that there is no discrimination on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation.

All individuals will be treated fairly and equally, and all relevant legislation will be complied with, in the provision of its services, and in arrangements for access to facilities and information.

The Woodland Haven will ensure that confidentiality of information is maintained at all times and will also endeavour to provide suitable interpreting services where appropriate, and will ensure that buildings are accessible to all wherever possible or that a suitable alternative is provided.

If you feel that you have been treated unfairly or suffered harassment because of your gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation please, initially, discuss this with The Woodland Haven, which will seek to address the issue or, failing this, arrange for the issue to be taken to an independent professional supervisor. Any complaints will be dealt with as quickly as possible and you will be kept advised of action taken. If you are dissatisfied with any decision, you have the right to request and use The Woodland Haven's formal Complaints Procedure.

Environmental Policy (in compliance with Business Wales)

As an ethically managed business, The Woodland Haven recognises that its activities still impact upon the environment. To address this challenge, the business aims to operate in a legally compliant and environmentally responsible manner. This is done by using the following Environmental Policy to monitor, review and take action on activities to minimise this impact. By adopting this approach, The Woodland Haven intends to benefit its clients and the broader community whilst complementing its core business operations.

Reflecting identified areas of impact, the current objectives are to:

  • Minimise waste production by identifying reduction areas: suppliers’ packaging, raw materials, treatment towels and products, working electronically and encouraging suppliers to do likewise
  • Assist waste minimisation by re-using items where practical and hygienic: packaging, containers, postage materials and stationery
  • Purchase ethically by choosing organic and/or locally sourced goods including catering and ecologically-kind cleaning supplies
  • Commit to, where items cannot be re-used or donated elsewhere, recycling wherever possible and, as a last resort, disposing of items responsibly
  • Reduce energy usage by investing in low-energy rated equipment, heating and lighting, use a switch-off and non-standby policy, maximise heat through effective insulation and thermostats/timers on the premises
  • Lessen water usage by using clean water prudently, and continue to re-use grey water on the premises' grounds
  • Lower emissions by minimising car-travel, using public transport where practical, car-sharing, journey-planning
  • Use recycled products such as stationery and containers
  • Commit to continuously research and use new sustainable alternatives in all business areas
  • Continue to compost all compostable materials
  • When relevant, to provide practical, regular training to all employees, with opportunity for engagement and feedback
  • Display the company’s most up-to-date Environmental Policy on the business website and within its premises
  • Allocate sufficient resources to measure all the above