Helen Donnison
Helen Donnison
Nutritionalist and "The Journey" therapist
Tell us about yourself.
I grew up in a very traditional medical household - my father was a doctor and mother was a nurse, and I knew from a young age I wanted to have a career in the health industry. At university I studied science majoring in physiology, genetics and molecular biology. After having my three children I went on to study alternative therapies for my children's health and continued on to complete a Diploma in Herbal Medicine. I set up a clinical practice from home and have continued from there. I have taught nutrition and herbal therapeutics at the Waikato Centre for Herbal Medicine for five years and run my own Vibrant Health programme.
What's the most important thing people should know about your approach to your professional work?
My work and teaching of health and nutrition are based on what I believe to be true from my science background and clinical experience, even though it may be different to what is currently ‘in fashion’. I help people understand how their bodies work and how to help them to heal.
Why are you involved in the "help me to heal" programme?
I aim to help people understand nutrition in terms of ‘cellular biochemistry’ and how this affects their metabolism and overall health. I teach participants how to create a healthy balanced diet using everyday foods plus discussing the foods I consider to be ‘super foods' for optimal (vibrant) health, and those best to avoid.
I also work with the Journey therapy which is a very powerful technique for letting go of old emotional issues to allow healing to occur at a much greater rate. The Journey therapy was formulated and refined by Brandon Bays who healed herself completely from a large tumor in her uterus in only six weeks.
What do you hope people will gain from your involvement in the programme?
I hope people will start to see food as a therapeutic tool as well as something to enjoy. It is an aspect of their healing journey over which they can have complete control. I also hope the participants start to heal themselves on the emotional level and let go of all their past grievances which are buried deep (we all have them!). It will enable them to grow in ways they never thought possible.
Is there anything you expect of people in the programme?
I would like people to be open minded and willing to consider new ideas and concepts with regard to ‘alternative’ healing therapies.
Please list your relevant qualifications and roles
Qualifications - MSc in Biology, Diploma in Herbal Medicine, Diploma in Natural Therapies, Certificate in Adult Teaching and a professional member of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (MNZAMH). I have also trained in the Journey, studied Reiki (level 1), metaphysics (level 1), fitness and personal training, Touch for Health, Bach flowers etc.
I have a naturopathic clinic (Vibrant Health Centre) and run the Vibrant Health programme in Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast.
What do you do for fun?
Play with my kids and watch their sport; spend time with the beautiful people in my life; dance, run or walk, do yoga and go to the gym; read - personal and spiritual development, health and healing, novels (occasionally); listen to beautiful music and watch movies; go shopping.
What's your funniest experience in your healing role?
I had a gentleman who rang me up to talk about worming treatments. He went on to tell me about his experience of excreting a tapeworm and keeping it in a jar until it died!
When I was training as a herbalist my (then) husband had a fungal rash on his groin and wanted something to heal it. I vaguely mentioned tea tree or thyme oil in passing. Not long after he was calling out to me in great distress as he had used straight thyme oil (which burns like mad) on his groin and it had gone onto his testicles and he was hopping about in agony. I was doubled over with laughter with tears rolling down my face (and still giggle when I think about it) while I got him a cold cloth and some lavender instead!
What makes you laugh?
Water fights or other play fights with the kids, watching comedy shows and movies, some of the emails I receive, anything funny!
I grew up in a very traditional medical household - my father was a doctor and mother was a nurse, and I knew from a young age I wanted to have a career in the health industry. At university I studied science majoring in physiology, genetics and molecular biology. After having my three children I went on to study alternative therapies for my children's health and continued on to complete a Diploma in Herbal Medicine. I set up a clinical practice from home and have continued from there. I have taught nutrition and herbal therapeutics at the Waikato Centre for Herbal Medicine for five years and run my own Vibrant Health programme.
What's the most important thing people should know about your approach to your professional work?
My work and teaching of health and nutrition are based on what I believe to be true from my science background and clinical experience, even though it may be different to what is currently ‘in fashion’. I help people understand how their bodies work and how to help them to heal.
Why are you involved in the "help me to heal" programme?
I aim to help people understand nutrition in terms of ‘cellular biochemistry’ and how this affects their metabolism and overall health. I teach participants how to create a healthy balanced diet using everyday foods plus discussing the foods I consider to be ‘super foods' for optimal (vibrant) health, and those best to avoid.
I also work with the Journey therapy which is a very powerful technique for letting go of old emotional issues to allow healing to occur at a much greater rate. The Journey therapy was formulated and refined by Brandon Bays who healed herself completely from a large tumor in her uterus in only six weeks.
What do you hope people will gain from your involvement in the programme?
I hope people will start to see food as a therapeutic tool as well as something to enjoy. It is an aspect of their healing journey over which they can have complete control. I also hope the participants start to heal themselves on the emotional level and let go of all their past grievances which are buried deep (we all have them!). It will enable them to grow in ways they never thought possible.
Is there anything you expect of people in the programme?
I would like people to be open minded and willing to consider new ideas and concepts with regard to ‘alternative’ healing therapies.
Please list your relevant qualifications and roles
Qualifications - MSc in Biology, Diploma in Herbal Medicine, Diploma in Natural Therapies, Certificate in Adult Teaching and a professional member of the New Zealand Association of Medical Herbalists (MNZAMH). I have also trained in the Journey, studied Reiki (level 1), metaphysics (level 1), fitness and personal training, Touch for Health, Bach flowers etc.
I have a naturopathic clinic (Vibrant Health Centre) and run the Vibrant Health programme in Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast.
What do you do for fun?
Play with my kids and watch their sport; spend time with the beautiful people in my life; dance, run or walk, do yoga and go to the gym; read - personal and spiritual development, health and healing, novels (occasionally); listen to beautiful music and watch movies; go shopping.
What's your funniest experience in your healing role?
I had a gentleman who rang me up to talk about worming treatments. He went on to tell me about his experience of excreting a tapeworm and keeping it in a jar until it died!
When I was training as a herbalist my (then) husband had a fungal rash on his groin and wanted something to heal it. I vaguely mentioned tea tree or thyme oil in passing. Not long after he was calling out to me in great distress as he had used straight thyme oil (which burns like mad) on his groin and it had gone onto his testicles and he was hopping about in agony. I was doubled over with laughter with tears rolling down my face (and still giggle when I think about it) while I got him a cold cloth and some lavender instead!
What makes you laugh?
Water fights or other play fights with the kids, watching comedy shows and movies, some of the emails I receive, anything funny!
Website: www.vibranthealthcentre.co.nz
