About Us
Hartwood Health was set up in October 2019 by Paula Wood.
Paula is a registered dietitian with many years of experience who strongly believes that
health issues are rarely solved in isolation. Instead, a whole-body approach is required to identify
where a problem originates and how to achieve better health.
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It is for this reason that Hartwood Health has a broad team of specialists,
covering nutrition, counselling and musculoskeletal health.
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Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
We can discuss your concerns and assist in finding the most appropriate treatment for you.
Meet The Team
Our Nutrition experts
Paula Wood
Registered Dietitian
Paula is a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience working in the public and private health sectors.
She started her career working in the NHS as a clinical dietitian, then moved over to research, working for the UK Armed Forces involved in large pieces of work improving the nutritional and physical health of military personnel.
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Paula understands the importance of realistic and practical nutrition advice to help individuals and populations reach their goals - whether this is with therapeutic diets for certain illnesses and conditions or optimising nutrition to improve health and wellbeing.
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Paula specialises in gastrointestinal disorders including irritable bowel syndrome and coeliac disease, weight loss, weight management and sports nutrition.
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Paula is a keen cyclist and loves to be out on her road bike - especially when it is sunny! She also enjoys keeping fit, reading and gardening. She has three children whom she loves being with but they don't currently share her enthusiasm for cycling!
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British Dietetic Association: 3658
Helen Simpson
Registered Dietitian
Helen has been a dietitian for over 20 years.
She is also a qualified food technology teacher.
Helen has worked for the NHS, the military and Private Healthcare companies as well as Macmillan and educational establishments.
She is currently working as an oncology and elderly care dietitian in the State of Guernsey.
Her interest lies in understanding people's behaviour around food and the choices they make. This is a hugely complex area but a fascinating one and unlocking it for individuals can make a huge difference in their relationship with food. She enjoys working with and supporting people to make constructive and lifelong changes to improve their health and well-being.
Helen's interests include swimming, DIY, caravanning and spending time with her dog.
HCPC: DT05408
British Dietetic Association: 3906
Ruth Stratford
Registered Dietitian
Ruth qualified as a dietitian in 2019 following a varied career, most recently running a small catering company.
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Since qualifying Ruth has worked with young adults with neuromuscular disorders and complex feeding requirements.
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Ruth’s main area of interest is irritable bowel disease (IBS) and other gastrointestinal disorders. Ruth has undertaken IBS and Low FODMAP training and is qualified to give specialist advice in these areas.
Ruth is really keen to provide practical, individual support to people to improve their quality of life and give them the skills to manage their conditions.
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Ruth is a keen cyclist and is out on the road at every opportunity. She also enjoys running and is attempting to train her dog to run with her.
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British Dietetic Association: 18456
Catherine Kidd
Paediatric Dietitian
Catherine is a registered dietitian with over 10 years of experience working in the public and private health sectors.
Catherine has worked as a clinical paediatric dietitian in the UK's top children's hospitals, promoting growth and nutrition in vulnerable children with issues ranging from allergies, faltering growth, fussy eating and obesity to managing tube feeding and gut issues.
Her main clinical and research interest lies within nutrition for cardiology and intensive care patients. She has also written two recipe books for low-sugar and vegan diets.
Catherine believes that if you can improve a child's nutrition, you can make a huge difference not only to their life and that of their family now, but can change their future. She understands the importance of setting realistic nutrition goals and will work with the parents and carers to reach them. She also works with expectant parents to optimise nutrition during pregnancy.
Catherine is a keen hiker, swimmer and cyclist. She lives in London with her husband and dog.
Craig Van Wyk
Paediatric Dietitian
Craig completed his studies in South Africa in 2010 and went on to work in a community hospital seeing children and adults.
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In 2013, he undertook a collaborative piece of research that was being conducted by the University of the Free State and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University looking into malnutrition in children aged under 5 years old. This built on his interest in paediatric nutrition.
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Craig moved to the UK in 2013 and commenced a role as a community paediatric dietitian working with children with neuro disabilities in London.
He now works at a residential school for children with physical disabilities many of whom have neuro disabilities and complex feeding issues.
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Craig works with children (and their families) to help them achieve the appropriate nutrition to optimise their growth and health.
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British Dietetic Association: 17837
Our Women's Wellbeing experts
Michelle Jupp
Nurse
Michelle has been a nurse for over 27 years. She spent the first 10 years of her career in NHS hospitals before a couple of years nursing in Western Australia.
Upon her return, she worked for the Nuffield Hospital group before changing primary care and practice nursing.
Through her Practice Nursing she has gained certificates and diplomas in diabetes, COPD, asthma, health and wellbeing advice and counselling among other skills.
As well as NHS GP surgeries she has worked as a civilian Practice Nurse in military surgeries. Most recently Michelle has specialised in menopause care.
Michelle's passion is to deliver affordable, compassionate support to those pre, peri or post menopause in all areas of this stage of life. Her advice will include how to manage the physiological and psychological challenges of menopause. This may come from a range of health and lifestyle choices to HRT and non-HRT options.
She is a keen road cyclist, especially when the ride involves a coffee and cake pit stop. As well as this she, enjoys walking her dog and spending time with her daughter.
Our Muskuloskeletal experts
Osteopath
Toby Pollard-Smith
Toby qualified with distinction from the British School of Osteopathy (now the University College of Osteopathy) M.Ost course in 2014. He has also completed training in sports massage and various rehabilitation techniques.
Before training as an osteopath, Toby was a professional ballet dancer, working in Tel Aviv with the Israel Ballet, followed by freelance work, and then two world tours with Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. While a dancer, Toby had various injuries and experienced plenty of treatment himself. An interest in how the body works, and what happens when it goes wrong, led to his career change.
Toby has built valuable experience in a variety of clinics, as well as continuing to work with a leading Formula One team. He enjoys seeing patients of all ages and from all backgrounds, but unsurprisingly, has a special affinity with performing artists, especially dancers. Most of all, Toby enjoys improving the way in which people move. This helps injuries improve, and also prevents further injury in the future.
Toby lives in Fleet with his wife and two young daughters. He has always loved music and now enjoys cooking and gardening.
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Rosemary Gifford
Sports Therapist
Rosemary qualified in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation and has over 14 years experience in managing individuals with varying functional injuries, both sport and non-sport related.
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She initially developed a passion for musculoskeletal dysfunction when working as a Registered General Nurse in Orthopaedics, and later working as a Clinical Practitioner in the Emergency Department and as an Athletics Coach.
Rosemary is committed to empowering individuals to reclaim and optimise their physical independence across all walks of life, from elite athletes to those who wish to maintain their functional well-being.
Over the years she has gained knowledge and built a comprehensive toolkit to support her holistic approach to assessment, treatment plans, rehabilitation and education on the current issue and prevention of further injury.
Completing further qualifications as a Bodymaster Practitioner, Sound & Energy Healing Practitioner, Systematic Kinesiologist and skills in acupuncture, Sports Taping, Kinesiology taping, Muscle energy, soft tissue release, positional release techniques and therapeutic ultrasound and Thai Massage.
Rosemary likes to immerse in the sounds and energies of nature with some "Forest Bathing" or walking barefoot along the beach! Circuits and dog walks feature high on the agenda for downtime as well as spending time with family.
Rosemary likes to travel and gain knowledge of other countries, experiencing their traditions and cultures.
Our Counselling & Coaching experts
Lorraine Stevens
Counsellor
Lorraine is a qualified Counsellor, working with both young people and adults in an agency in Wokingham and for the NHS Youth Counselling Service.
In her previous career role, Lorraine recognised the warmth, empathy and passion she has for connecting with people.
She subsequently spent 4 years training to be a Counsellor at Farnborough College of Technology, followed by a further year working with young people and adolescents.
Lorraine is an integrative counsellor whose belief is: “negative experiences from the past shape and affect our life and our sense of who we are. Sometimes people feel the need for extra support, so talking to an impartial third party can be helpful; to talk freely in a confidential space with someone whose life is separate from their own''
Lorraine has experience of working with a wide variety of common life issues and mental health problems, from anxiety and panic attacks to suicidal ideation, trauma and neurodiversity.
In her free time, Lorraine enjoys yoga, reading and walking her dog.
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Vanessa Shefras
Counsellor
Vanessa is a qualified Humanistic Counsellor with training in Transactional Analysis (TA), who has worked with individuals of all ages in a GP surgery in Chandler’s Ford. She also helps manage the service there and supports trainee counsellors.
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Her background is within the medical profession, and she has always been passionate about helping people achieve their potential, enjoying the role of facilitator in that process.
Vanessa’s empathic and caring nature has been key to supporting individuals in reaching their goals.
She spent three years training as a counsellor at Peter Symonds College in Winchester after working with young people in education who needed emotional learning support. Upon qualifying, she remained at the GP surgery where she completed her placement and also worked with young people through a local charity.
Vanessa understands that life can sometimes throw unexpected challenges, and the ways people previously coped may no longer work. Everyone can feel lost, stuck, or confused at some point, but she believes in the capacity for change.
She provides support by helping individuals explore and understand themselves within a safe, confidential space. Her approach is tailored to each individual to promote healing and personal growth.
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Vanessa has experience working with a wide range of life challenges and mental health issues, whether in personal or work life, including loss and bereavement, work-related stress, trauma, anxiety, ill health, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.
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In her free time, she enjoys yoga, walking outdoors, and attending concerts.
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MBACP: 396753
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Helen Rowell
Counsellor
Helen is a qualified counsellor who works with adults. Having had counselling herself, which she describes as “life changing”, she decided she also wanted to help people in the way she had been. She subsequently spent 4 years training to be a counsellor, specialising in Person Centred Counselling. She provides counselling for MIND and has also worked within a Domestic Abuse Charity as a counsellor.
Helen says, “ In a world where there are so many expectations, pressures and challenges, I am passionate about providing counselling and a time where you are able to feel heard, understood, valued and fully accepted for the true person you are.”
She works with the client to make sense of what is going on for them, recognising how it is affecting their well-being, behaviours, thoughts and feelings. Through counselling she can help you to explore solutions, connect to the answers that are within you and support you as you move forwards towards personal growth, wellness and a more fulfilling, meaningful and happier life.
Helen is a registered member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP), and adheres to their code of ethics. She is continually developing her knowledge and skills as a practitioner. She is an autistic aware counsellor.
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Helen has experience of working with a wide variety of life challenges and mental health conditions and some of the issues she works with include anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, domestic abuse, loss of confidence, low self-esteem, grief, life changes, relationship problems and personal growth.
In her free time, Helen loves to walk her dog and spend time with her family and friends.
Fiona Herbert
Systemic Psychotherapist & Social Worker
Fiona Herbert is a Couples and Family Systemic Psychotherapist and Social Worker with 25 years of experience in the health and social care sector.
She has worked extensively in local authority and health settings, residential care, public and international schools with 10 years’ experience in private practice.
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Fiona currently works part-time as a Systemic Family Psychotherapist in an NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and in private practice.
Fiona’s qualifications include Master’s degrees in Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Psychotherapy. She is also a Doctoral student in Psychotherapy focusing on the use of Family Therapy interventions with Autistic patients.
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Fiona provides individual, couple and family therapy to adults, adolescents and children above the age of 8 challenged by a variety of issues.
This may include but is not limited to parenting, relationships, behavioural issues, substance abuse, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, loss, trauma and educational issues.
Fiona enjoys using an integrated strengths-based approach that is family-based and systemically applied to enable a holistic understanding of the issues. She uses a wide range of therapeutic modalities but is particularly interested in solution-focused, narrative, expressive, ACT and experiential therapies. Fiona is trained in EMDR, Gottman method couples therapy, and emotion-focused couples therapy.
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In Fiona’s free time, she loves spending time with her family, friends and playing any sport she can !
Our Complementary Health experts
Jen Carty
Reflexology & Reiki
Jen had a passion for well-being from an early age and undertook a course in reflexology at the age of 18.
She has since also spent over 13 years working in safeguarding vulnerable children and adults whilst doing Reiki level 1, 2 & Master level along the way.
Jen’s passion for helping people has always been a priority but it was the realisation that she wanted to make the well-being of others her life’s mission that she left her corporate job to create it as a priority. Jen believes that clients now look for and need more from holistic treatments and this is why she always combines reiki in her reflexology treatments as well as offering reiki as a stand-alone treatment.
As awareness of holistic and alternative treatments continues to rise, people are beginning to turn to deeper and more connected holistic treatments, and want to feel truly cared for.
Society is filled with hectic schedules, home environments and congested minds, be it from social media overconsumption, constant comparisons, or negative news that affects how we feel. Therefore, the need for a moment of pause and lowering the volume is high. Jen also recognises that every client has different needs and these needs can vary every time they visit, meaning no treatment is ever a cookie cutter method.
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Jen works with us on an ad hoc basis so please contact us to arrange an appointment.
Maria Hill
Usui Reiki & Spiritual Healing, Japanese Massage Therapies & Distance Healing
Life Energy is a unique and valuable resource for those seeking holistic healing and is based at Hartwood Health.
Maria is a dedicated Usui Reiki Practitioner, Spiritual Healer, and founder of Life Energy ©. She has a deep understanding of the healing benefits of holistic therapies for the mind, body, and soul.
Her journey into holistic healing began with a passion for helping others and a desire to embrace nature and its healing abilities. Maria enjoys learning new skills and techniques and in addition to her current therapies is currently training in Animal Reiki and further Japanese therapies.
Maria's approach to therapy is centred around creating a relaxing and nurturing atmosphere where clients can feel comfortable and supported throughout their healing journey. She offers a range of therapies, including Reiki and spiritual healing, designed to promote overall well-being and balance.
Maria's dedication to her craft and her genuine care for her clients make her a unique and valuable resource for those seeking holistic healing.
Maria's interests include freshwater swimming, travelling in her Campervan with her partner and 2 dogs, Dowsing and learning new things.
Maria works with us on a Monday Evening and a Saturday, so please contact us to arrange an appointment.