“Living with Complex PTSD, I thought was a way of life. I've always known I am more than managing symptoms, avoiding triggers etc but knowing isn't always enough to change behaviour. I've been on a personal quest for inner peace for 15 years. This has lead me into every type of personal therapy (e.g. person centred therapy, CBT, EMDR, hypnosis, psychotherapy). I am a therapist myself and study psychology. My knowledge has enabled an identity which has given me relief from suicidal thoughts, difficult patterns of relating (abusive relationships) and obsessions (eating disorder, drugs, alcohol, body dismorphia). I've felt a lot better to overcome these struggles. However, I still needed to feel safe, avoid certain things and live a structured life. I lacked self expression and creativity most the time.

I heard herbal medicine with Jonny could help with my overarching need for safety. My physical health is good so the idea of seeing Jonny to give me a tincture for Complex PTSD- essentially my thoughts and brain structure felt counterintuitive. Especially, as I have never opted for pharmaceuticals within my recovery. When booking Jonny, I was at a place in life where to try, felt safe enough as I had already tried so many methods with some success. Herbal medicine as a natural product was still within my recovery values too. I was so tired of my way of being but wasn't sure if I would experience a huge shift within my ingrained thought patterns.

Jonny was surprisingly therapeutic in his knowledge for me. I come from a lot of therapeutic training. His way of explaining things that didn't feel related to herbs (e.g. my way of thinking, my past) was exciting. I opened up to the deep, shameful parts of me and he held the space like a good therapist does, with all the boundaries, compassion and empathy I needed. He got me and could see my vision for the life I wanted. He wasn't put off by my therapeutic knowledge and welcomed my questioning of method etc. He understood it was my safety, he is clearly passionate and confident about his work, therefore happy to chat and remain open. I needed to ensure he was ethical!

The adventure of herbs meant I needed to go inwards - into the self, cut ties with friends and family, change my work/life balance. My attachment to myself and others positively changed as a result. I have now invested more time in understanding my body, releasing trauma that way, getting out of my head; into my feelings, intuition and just being. The changes came naturally.

The first month I cleaned my cupboards (literally) and started organising my life. The second, I started exploring relationships and grief came up. There has been lots of tears and growing pains over the five months I've worked with Jonny. I now have a cleaner life and do a lot of yoga. This is me, authenticatically me. Herbs haven't helped me to be a version of myself I wish I was or an ego identity. They have helped me accept myself exactly as I am; within this acceptance I have freed up mental space to just be. I sing and write poetry. I've gotten more creative in my work and balance my intuition with theory. Herbs haven't changed my passion to use education as a catalyst for action. My intuition has grown but I need education within client work - herbal medicine is now a solid psychologically informed, tried and tested method to me.

I have come to the end of my official herbal journey for now - I'll be back when/if needed. As I leave my time with Jonny, I can reflect on why I came to see him. I no longer feel alone, scared of the external world - my safety is within me now. How did I get here? I guess it's ok not to quite know as within talking therapy, if you feel better that's exactly that. I feel very chilled now. I fully recommend anyone who really wants to transform deep trauma wounds start their herbal medicine journey. I can only vouch for Jonny in my recommendation as herbs is a new world to me. Thankfully, I don't need another herbalist as I've got a life to be getting on with. Thank you Jonny!”

Jen was a qualified therapist and had spent many years devoting herself to self-development, healing and integrative talking therapies. We spoke about her insights and knowledge of her situation, health and psychology. Developing a herbal medicine protocol and plan to further progress her mind, body and health.

Jen responded well to the herbs and recognised the contribution that herbal medicine has made to her life and her career in helping others.

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

Every now and then a documentary or film comes along that touches a wound within yourself. Months can roll by watching monotonous movies that often make you feel they have taken something from you rather than given you something in return. At the weekend this documentary was recommended to me and it didn't disappoint.

Four days to redemption shows the process of an American charity that takes men into prisons where they offer male convicts the opportunity to undergo a transformational four days of therapy focused on sharing circles, family constellation work, meditation, breathwork and trauma release.

The men who are taken into the prisons from the outside are curious about who they are as men, feeling drawn to the process as a way of answering a call within themselves.

What I witnessed was raw male wounds being opened bit by bit as I witnessed man after man break down into their hurt child and reveal truths about themselves that otherwise would be hidden by layers of violence, aggression and prowess at not revealing their vulnerabilities. So many of the convicts relive traumatic childhoods where they were beaten, assaulted, neglected and abandoned.

So many of these men have wounds so deep, so locked away, hidden from their consciousness and scarred by life that they have developed ways of surviving and living that have ended with them being locked up. They are repeating the same patterns of abuse and behavioural mindsets they learned as children.

For the first time many of these men have a space to really be vulnerable and let out the pain of their traumatic experiences. We see some of the most violent men in America at a maximum security prison began to let out that pain among other men who facilitate a space where they can be heard, accepted and healed.

As a regular committed participant of male sharing circles this documentary triggered my male wounds deeply as I couldn't help but connect with one of the participants. With my own healing journey into the masculine unfolding before me this documentary touched me emotionally.

The film finishes with a paragraph stating that every convict who has taken part in this therapy and gone on to be released has so far not re-offended. For those who don't know, most convicts will be locked up again after being released, constantly staying in a cycle of crime, poverty, addiction.

This is a must watch for any man wanting to see how therapy can access his inner wounds when done in a space of experienced men who are there to facilitate healing and change.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09c1rch/storyville-the-work-four-days-to-redemption

Jonny Woodall
Medical Herbalist and Flower Essence Therapist
Bsc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
National Institute of Medical Herbalists

Contact me for help with your health problems and illness

PHONE: +44(0) 7525827558

EMAIL: jonnyapothecary@gmail.com

SKYPE: jonnysapothecary

Patient Testimonial: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Film Review: Storyville - The Work: Four days to redemption