A PAIR of therapists have set up a new business in Thornbury, aiming to help bring together like-minded individuals in the trade.

YOU Wellbeing Centre is a partnership between counsellors, Rachel Hixson and Mel Wilkinson, aiming to fill the gap between the growing demand for clients seeking support by bringing together a team of self-employed counsellors and therapists looking to increase their workload.

Having opened its doors on Thornbury High Street on Monday, the centre’s main focus is on promoting positive health and emotional wellbeing for the people of Thornbury, Alveston and the surrounding communities within South Gloucestershire.    

“It is a massive step for someone to have the courage to ask for help,” said Rachel, “so for them to then get told there is no space to see them would be a big knock back.

“Thornbury is such a central location so it makes sense for people to come here. People are often going in to town for therapy and that journey at the wrong time of the day can do just as much to cause stress and anxiety as our sessions attempt to undo.”

Services available at the centre will include counselling and talking therapies for people of all ages including children and adolescents, hypnotherapy, holistic massage, therapy room hire, and employee support for local employers. 

“The feedback on the concept that we have had from other therapists in the area has been fantastic. They have said the idea for a centre like this has been a long time coming and we hope it can help others starting out in the industry establish themselves.

“It has been a dream of mine to set up a business like that for years, and now the reality is setting in, it is very scary, but at the same time incredibly exciting.”

Anyone wanting to find more about the service, or to join the team, email info@youwellbeing.co.uk.