Helen Johnson,
Director
Helen began her career in Holistic Medicine in 1990 qualifying as a Naturopath and Osteopath, and then continuing to train as a Homeopath and a Cranial-Sacral Therapist.
She was then fortunate to study at the Guild of Homeopaths, a post-graduate course with Martin Miles, Janice Micallef and Colin Griffith, learning the importance of the endocrine system, the chakras and principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and gaining knowledge of many indispensable new remedies which deal with these principles as well as modern day challenges such as radiation/chemical toxicity.
Helen then ran seminars and a clinic with Dr Ramakrishnan, an Indian homeopathic doctor, where she experienced first hand the power of treating deep pathology with homeopathic medicines.
Helen has extensive clinical experience: she has run a full time practice for 30 years, and has had teaching experience as a regular lecturer for several schools of Homeopathy. In addition she founded the Alchemical Healing Arts Academy (AHAA), teaching Complementary Therapists an integrated approach to health. It is from this experience that she has developed her vision for the River School of Homeopathy.
For 15 years, Helen has also run retreats on the magical island of Gozo, helping people to release deep trauma and has witnessed phenomenal healing through this. Helen grew up with a spiritual approach to life and has a strong understanding of all aspects of the human condition – psychological, physical, mental and spiritual.
Helen says “Running the River School of Homeopathy is a wonderful opportunity to share the extraordinary teachings I’ve received together with what I’ve learnt from 30 years of intense clinical practice. Like the flowing river I hope to release new life to the homeopathic community.”
Judy Renucci,
Student and Mentor Coordinator
Judy provides additional pastoral care to the students and coordinates the mentors to ensure a consistent mentor program across the different mentor groups. She is also involved in tracking the cases submitted for live clinics and follow up by the students so that their hands on clinical experience can be maximised.
While studying modern languages at university, Judy developed a love of communication and combined this with her interest in teaching when teaching English as a foreign language in France. This was put to good use in her career in software travelling Europe doing sales presentations and training customers. Managing teams gave Judy a further insight into the importance of learning and experience to support peoples’ development.
After giving birth to 3 children, and a spell of ill health, Judy realised the importance of good health. Combining a degree in homeopathy at the Centre of Homeopathic Education (CHE) with studies in cranial sacral therapy she was able to pursue her passion in wellness. While studying, Judy attended several clinics to learn the different clinic styles and gain more clinical experience as this is such a key part to becoming a successful practitioner. Soon after graduating, she began to supervise students, employing her previous teaching experience and communication skills.
Mentoring students fuels Judy’s desire for encouraging more and more practitioners of this natural form of medicine. Strong clinical practice forms a key component of this skillset, combining with knowledge of remedy pictures and intuition, of course all based on the firm foundation of strong homeopathic principles.
Hilary Fairclough,
Associate Director
Hilary was inspired to train in homeopathy when, as a trained nurse 30 years ago specialising in community nursing, and palliative cancer care, she knew that there had to be a system of medicine which promoted well-being, and had healing at its heart. She found this medicine in Homeopathy – and nearly 25 years later she is still inspired by its brilliant healing potential.
In 2002 she had a life-changing experience in Botswana. She witnessed the devastation caused to peoples’ lives by the HIV and AIDS epidemic there, so was moved to set up mobile homeopathic clinics which took off in a big way – word spread, people queued daily to be seen and the reported results of treatment were astounding.
She went on to establish and direct the Maun Homeopathy Project, a registered charity, and together she and the volunteer homeopaths treated thousands of people. In Botswana, she developed a system of homeopathic prescribing called ‘The Triad Method’ for people living with complex health conditions – either chronic physical illness or deep emotional trauma. In 2015 she had a book, “The Triad Method: treating complex cases from grassroots to clinic”, published by the Winter Press.
Hilary says “Being involved in running the River School of Homeopathy is an exciting new opportunity for me. I have been a regular teacher of homeopathic students and practitioners, but this school offers something more – an integrated, holistic and person-centred approach which will enable the next generation of homeopaths to be sensitive, confident, grounded and inspired practitioners.”
Alexandra Britton
Course Administrator
Alex is the River School Course Administrator supporting both staff and the students in her role. She is thrilled to have had the opportunity to join River School of Homeopathy as a student in its 1st year and subsequently join the team as Course Administrator. She says it’s truly wonderful to be part of something that everyone feels so passionate and proud of and in her role, she loves and takes great pride in supporting the college and students.
As well as a remedial massage therapist, Alex is also an independent consultant and therapeutic practitioner working with a wide variety of disciplines to include specialist work for over 30 years with people with a learning disability and autism which she is incredibly passionate about. She has worked, as a facilitator and trainer in educational, health and community settings, to help transform services and communities. Her career path has also seen her in various roles with a strong focus on organisation, coordination and creative input.
Having experienced poor health in childhood and subsequent years, Alex has only been able to return to good health through homeopathy and holistic alternative approaches to include a life changing trip to the magical island of Gozo on one of Helen Johnson’s retreats which has all led to her decision to train as a homeopath and relocate to North Devon.
Her desire is for everyone to have equal access to better informed health and wellbeing.
Sian Moss
Core Teacher
Sian has been a homeopath since 2009 having, qualified with a BSc and Licentiate from the Centre of Homeopathic Education in London. Previously she had gained a first-class degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics and worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry and academia for 15 years, researching the mechanisms involved in chronic pain conditions.
More recently she relocated to South Cambridgeshire where her practice is now based. She is particularly interested in supporting those with conditions which are conventionally difficult to treat, or in which prescribed medication causes unpleasant side effects. Rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue, multiple allergies and stress are some of the conditions people seek help with in her practice, her aim is to improve quality of life.
Between 2014 and 2017 a series of systematic reviews of Individualized homeopathic treatment and single remedy therapy for named conditions were published. Sian was part of the team who worked on these assessing the quality of selected trials. She is pleased to say that this has led to a greater awareness of the importance of method quality in trials of homeopathy and the remedies involved.
Currently she is a Module Leader for two modules at CHE, Research Methods and Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. She started lecturing in 2012 since when she has taught in London and New York. In addition, she delivers online webinars to reach students interested in developing their knowledge to a deeper level.
Voluntary work is important to Sian, currently she practices for an ‘on-line’ clinic treating Syrian child refugees who have crossed the border to Turkey so they can carry on with their education. Due to their experiences the children suffer with many complex issues, both emotional and physical, in recent years she has seen successful treatment resulting in happier children and relieved parents. The clinic relies on volunteers and they work with a limited journal published by the Society of Homeopaths.
Sian is dedicated to developing education in holistic health and excited to be part of a new school with a unique vision.