What is
Homeopathy?
A natural, gentle and holistic system of medicine that has been practised for over 200 years working with your body to stimulate its own remarkable capacity to heal.
A natural, gentle and holistic system of medicine that has been practised for over 200 years working with your body to stimulate its own remarkable capacity to heal.
The Foundation
The name homeopathy is taken from two Greek words meaning "similar suffering" — the founding principle that a substance which would cause symptoms in a healthy person also has the potential to heal those same symptoms in a sick person.
This natural principle has been understood for thousands of years. It was developed into a coherent system of medicine over 200 years ago by a German physician, Dr Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), who spent decades refining the principles and practice that remain at the heart of homeopathy today.
Homeopathy does not claim to 'cure' specific diseases. Its aim is to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal itself by administering the remedy most closely matching the patient's complete picture — physically, emotionally and mentally. Symptoms are seen not as the problem itself, but as the body's intelligent response to imbalance.
The Homeopathic Approach
One of the most fundamental distinctions of homeopathy is that it treats the individual, not the disease. Two people presenting with the same condition may receive entirely different remedies, because each person experiences and expresses that condition differently — in their own unique physical, emotional and mental way.
A homeopath takes time to understand the full picture: your current symptoms, their character and what makes them better or worse, your emotional state, your sleep, your energy, your history. This detailed understanding guides the selection of the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic remedies are safe, non-toxic and non-addictive. They carry no harmful side effects and are suitable for people of all ages — from newborn babies and pregnant women through to the elderly. They can be used safely alongside conventional medication and are an ideal complement to other healthcare.
The remedies themselves are made from natural sources — plants, minerals and metals — which are processed through a careful series of dilutions and succussions (vigorous shakings) that are believed to release and amplify their healing energy.
"Homeopathy seeks to treat the person rather than suppress the symptom."
Joy Ellis, RSHomWhat I Treat
People consult a homeopath for a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions. The following are some of the most common reasons patients come to see Joy in practice:
If your condition is not listed, please do get in touch — homeopathy can often offer support where other approaches have not. Joy's general practice encompasses people of all ages with an exceptionally wide range of presentations.
What to Expect
From your first consultation through to follow-up, here is what the process looks like when you work with Joy.
Your initial appointment lasts approximately 1½ hours. Joy will take time to listen carefully to your emotional, physical and general symptoms — your lifestyle, diet, sleep, temperature, how your condition affects your daily life, and your past and family medical history. This thorough case-taking is central to finding the right remedy for you.
Following the consultation, Joy will prescribe a homeopathic remedy carefully matched to your individual symptom picture. The remedies are easy to take — typically small tablets or pillules. After taking a remedy you may notice increased energy and wellbeing, or a temporary shift in symptoms. These are positive signs that the healing process has begun.
A follow-up appointment of approximately 45 minutes is usually arranged around four weeks later to assess how you are responding. The frequency of subsequent visits depends on your individual condition, its severity and duration. Joy works with you at your own pace, adapting treatment as your health evolves.
Joy's Training & Experience
A change of career from accountancy in 1995 led me to work in the holistic field of healthcare, initially gaining various qualifications in aromatherapy and sports massage (IIHHT). I subsequently trained as a reflexologist with the Bayley School of Reflexology and became a registered member of the The British Reflexology Association (MBRA) working both in private practice and in the NHS. Whilst working in this field, I became very interested in homeopathy….
BSc (Hons) Homeopathic Medicine
RSHom Registered Member of the Society of Homeopaths.
PCH Practitioner of Classical Homeopathy - Diploma in Advanced Homeopathic Studies at Dynamis School of Homeopathy
MBACP Member of British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists: Diploma Person Centred Counselling
MBRA Member British Reflexology Association
Foresight pre-conception Practitioner
As a mother of five grown up children, I was concerned about the side effects of conventional medicine on my family when my children were growing up. My youngest children - twins (aged 2 at the time) developed a chronic bowel problem that became progressively worse over the next couple of years which their conventional medication wasn't resolving. I also felt the root cause of the problem wasn't being addressed. With the help of homeopathy the condition resolved itself completely.
I became a homeopath 26 years ago because I was drawn to the gentle, holistic and non-invasive approach of homeopathy and it made so much sense to me working with the body, listening to its signs and symptoms and treating the underlying causes rather than suppressing the symptoms.
I subsequently trained at the University of Central Lancashire gaining a BSc (Hons) degree in classical Homeopathic medicine, undergoing extensive educational and clinical training in homeopathy and allied sciences.
I am a Registered Member of The Society of Homeopaths; the largest regulatory body of professional homeopaths in the UK which is dedicated to maintaining high standards amongst its members. All members adhere to the Society's strict code of ethics and practice and are fully insured.
I am a qualified teacher and a trained supervisor of homeopathy students. Also a qualified Person Centred Counsellor I add these skills into my practice.
In my spare time I am passionate about painting and textiles as well as plants and love going to festivals or going off on jaunts in my trusty old campervan staying off grid in nature.
My aim is to help people achieve a better quality of life through increased wellbeing and achieve freedom from limitations so they can fulfil their true potential.
Consultations are available in person or via Zoom worldwide. Joy would love to hear from you.