A treatment from ancient Chinese medicine. It’s based on the belief that illness can occur when the body’s essential energy is unable to flow freely due to physical injury, emotional stress or infection. Fine needles are inserted into the skin at specific points around the body. This stimulates the system’s natural healing and restores a healthy energy flow. See the British Acupuncture Council for qualified professionals practising this healing therapy.

Use the power of your subconscious mind to create change in your life by developing a set of positive statements that you affirm through repetition. The process of repeating phrases such as I am healthy, I am calm alters the dynamics of the brain so that we begin to believe the new ideas. Affirmations worked for me. I started with one of the very best teachers… Louise Hay.

Long-established global organisation first set up in the USA in the early 1930s. It offers a twelve-step process to help recovery based on supportive group sessions held in an anonymous safe space. AA is open to alcoholics, their families and friends. The ethos is non-judgemental, something that’s especially important in today’s open and often opinionated world.

Many ancient civilisations created complex systems charting the position and movement of the planets over time. Astrologers believe this information can shed light on human behaviour and events. Plotting the precise position of the planets at the moment of your birth allows a Birth Chart to be prepared. Astrologers then use the chart to make interpretations about your life, your family and relationships. In-depth readings produced by qualified astrologers are far more insightful than the horoscopes you read in some newspapers. For some it’s a revealing journey of discovery. Check out the famous London Astrology Shop for books, charts and more.

Ayurveda is a form of complementary medicine and one of the world’s oldest. It originated in India thousands of years ago and is, to this day, one of the country’s most traditional methods of healthcare. It uses herbal remedies and special diets combined with other health-giving treatments such as massage. Many retreats in India offer ayurvedic holidays in comfortable, sometimes luxurious, resorts. Check out one of the professionally accredited learning centres here.

A treatment using pairs of magnets placed in and around different areas of the body to help equalise the pH balance of the whole system.

Organised in terms of the different types of card decks (tarot, goddess, power animal, angel). The individual cards are often beautifully decorated. Typically, an experienced ‘reader’ will lead the interpretation of each person’s character and life experience, either done in a group practice, or individually. They can be insightful, beneficial and can change your thinking. Perhaps choose a deck you like the look of and get to know how they work yourself before having a reading.  Here’s an idea of the huge range of decks out there.

A hydrotherapy used to remove toxins from the body via the intestine, colon cleansing dates back to ancient Egypt. It’s like an enema, but uses far greater volumes of water. Practitioners say it has many health benefits including weight loss, increased energy, brighter skin, softer nails, a flat stomach and can even improve psychological wellbeing. I was looking for a total clear-out of mind and body so was keen to try, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Can be helpful in reducing panic attacks and erratic moods common during the menopause – it’s a gentle, hands-on healing that focuses on evening out the rhythmic pulses of the nervous system. The therapy is related to osteopathy, which works on skeletal structure and promotes wellbeing by working on the craniosacral system of membranes and fluids that surround the brain and spinal chord.

This therapy uses heated round glass cups, which are placed on the body. The cups create a suction effect to help improve circulation. They can be moved across the skin during treatment, or left in place for some minutes, creating red ring ‘imprints’. The therapy was brought to public attention in 2016 when it was used by the US Olympic swimming team. My experience was rather brusque and the angry red marks made me wonder – is this therapy? Then again, sixteen gold medals must mean something.

A type of Sufi (Islamic mysticism) meditation based on a continuous whirling dance – the aim is to achieve a trance-like state of abandon, losing yourself and finding God through the performance of a continuous counter-clockwise spinning dance. It starts slowly and speeds up gradually over time. If you want to achieve an altered state of mind using just movement and music, this could be a good place to start.

A psychic claims to have heightened ‘extra sensory’ perception and therefore an ability to uncover facts and details about a person or events that are not evident through the normal senses. Psychics can be consulted by phone or in person and may use crystal balls or cards to help provide spiritual guidance.

A way of meeting people in a friendly, informal and unthreatening manner. Many different options exist but they usually have a regular published calendar of organised events. They are run as ‘clubs’ with the specific aim of providing the opportunity for members to meet dozens of interesting new potential partners in interesting surroundings. You’ll meet lots of great new friends – mainly girlfriends!

A methodology practised only by women, for women. Claims to be good for ‘helping reconnect with your feminine side’. It’s essentially a delicate massage that specifically centres around the lymphatic area of the breast. The therapy helps women become more aware of their body and – for those not good at checking themselves – more conscious of lumps or pain that may require investigation.

A proprietary name. What started out as a remote Italian retreat for stressed-out professionals has now become a way of life for many who subscribe to the ‘F**k It’ philosophy. It’s a tonic for everyday woes and an unexpected approach: jettison everything that doesn’t work for you and simply watch what happens. The retreat was an escape from the grind with therapies on tap, beautiful surroundings and delicious food.  For info on the retreat in Italy and more look here.

Traditionally South American. I was given a tiny balsa-wood box of handmade matchstick people to place under my pillow and was told that by the morning all my worries would disappear. The ‘worry dolls’ are mostly handmade of wire, wood or wool and are dressed in colourful, traditional Mayan style. The size of the doll can vary between half an inch and two inches.

An easy DIY therapy to do at home. Simply pick your favourite voice and storyline then sit back and relax. Unless you’re a total wreck, you’ll soon be calm. It’s essentially a meditative story, gently spoken by a trained practitioner and often accompanied by relaxing music to help calm the mind.

An alternative medicine based on the premise that ‘like cures like’, but only using highly diluted substances (really only a trace) to aid natural healing. Practitioners treat the whole person, not just the symptoms, so they need information about lifestyle, diet and sleep patterns as well as state of mind. After a full analysis I was always prescribed a new remedy, a tiny pill, tailor-made for my situation at that point in time. Always good to inform yourself about any therapy. Take a look at one of the organisations dedicated to Homeopathy, its research and wider understanding of the benefits. here

Innumerable types from many different cultures, each involving different kinds of pressure applied to different parts of the body by the therapist’s hands, fingers, elbows or feet. The treatment should take place in a warm relaxing environment and is best accompanied by soothing music. Muscular pain is reduced, stress relieved and mental faculties rested and restored. If you like massage, it’s the ultimate pick-me-up therapy.  There are so many great places to go for a massage – Relax, Neal’s Yard, the Massage Centre – it all depends on your preferences regarding style. But I know one of the best places to go in London is Bharti Vyas. A dedicated team with years of know-how.

NLP is about personal development. First developed in the 1970s in the US, practitioners believe there is a link between language, behaviour and the nervous system and that changes can be made to a person’s experience through careful re-programming. I diligently followed the plan with long lists of aspirations and visualising success. I wasn’t convinced …until a few years later.

Using of a set of numbers calculated from your date of birth, numerologists believe they can outline personality traits and times of change in your life. Pythagoras was apparently the first to do this. I’ve mapped out my numbers for the coming years and look forward to seeing if it’s true. Check out my book for how I worked out my ‘numbers’ or for more info on having a numerology reading done for you, one option is here.

Links to concepts around reincarnation, regression using hypnosis is a therapeutic and spiritual experience that takes you back to your memories of past lives. I still have a record of my first session. It led me to my most unusual midlife retreat in Egypt.

A type of yoga based on the ancient Indian sage Patanjali, whose wise words and approach are widely followed today. ‘We’re not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves.’  If you’re looking for a teacher trained by the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) with extensive experience, check out Diana Currey – I first met Diana when I was on a course led by the then Chair of BWY Monica Burton (one of the very best) who was training her students to be exceptional, with skills to match.  Diana teaches all levels and loves her work. On her website she says more about Patanjali.

A widely used therapy to treat emotional problems or mental health conditions. It usually involves a course of one-to-one sessions with a trained therapist, talking through the issues in detail and allowing the patient to open up in a quiet, safe space.

If you think you need counselling sessions, speak to your family doctor first.  If the waiting time for an NHS session is too long, you might want to find a cost-effective private therapist. Look for a local qualified therapist and keep your doctor informed.  Best find a counsellor via a professional organisation such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy ‘BACP’

According to the team of therapists that treated me, QT was first used to remotely check the health of astronauts in space. The ‘Scientific Consciousness Interface Operations System’ (SCIO) used churns out page after page of data as it scans the body for physical, mental and emotional vibrations. It records any imbalances and the therapists treating me used the results to suggest changes in my diet and lifestyle.

This is one of many personal development programmes designed to bring about positive change to a person’s life. It works by purging negative childhood beliefs that are holding you back. For some it is gruelling and diminishing while others feel liberated, more successful and able to move forward confidently.

A non-intrusive complementary therapy that can help improve your entire body system by manipulating key ‘crunch’ points on your feet. It’s based on the theory that different points on the feet correspond with different parts of the body (organs, blood or nervous system). Face and hand reflexology is also performed but is less common.

A healing technique that channels energy to the patient by means of very gentle touch (sometimes the hands hover above the area without touching). A trained therapist works to reduce stress and restore wellbeing. Some reiki therapists burn herbs to help relax the patient and cleanse the energy during treatment. There is such a thing as Dog Reiki …

For more on reiki and verified practitioners look here.

Shamanism is an ancient method of healing that believes emotional and physical problems are caused when our soul energy is out of balance. A shaman is able to see these problems and shift energy in such a way as to restore balance. Today there are many different ways to experience shamanism. My experience was with a group in Egypt – inside the pyramids, in the desert – an experience I’ll never forget.

There are many different types of retreat but they usually focus on a particular spiritual tradition (Catholic, Buddhist) and can be found in interesting places all around the world. Organised groups eat, live and meditate together in prolonged silence for several days. It can help to recharge from the stresses of daily life and work through uncomfortable past experiences, thoughts and feelings.

Whether you want to meet new people, or simply don’t want to travel alone, holidays for singles in groups are now very popular. You can visit almost any destination, try out a new hobby in the safety of an organised group or just do your own thing with the enjoyment of company at mealtimes and a group ‘base’ to return to each day.

Sonic therapists use sound and music for healing. Our bodies are full of fluid and the frequencies within them can be altered by sound. During the therapy, a range of different sounds, from crystal bowls, gongs, chimes, drums or the human voice, are used to create healthy movement of energy around the cells of the body. Reducing dissonant frequencies relieves anxiety and stress and, as I discovered, can also heal past trauma. For more information about gong bath workshops check out the well-qualified Light Centre here.

This form of meditation with its focus on the minute molecular workings of your body, breathing and circulation of blood has become a popular ‘mindful’ therapy. After ten-hour daily sessions, you can’t help being in a meditative state.

For more information on one organisation that runs Vipassana Meditation retreats check it out here.

Achieving what you want in life may be down to your ability to visualise a ‘new you’. Vision boards are often full of beautiful and success- ful people with endless money and fun. And because sometimes it comes true, it’s very popular.

An animist religion in which a person’s spirit is believed to survive death and can be called on. Such spirits may also inhabit the bodies of others. It originated in West Africa and is practised in the Caribbean, where it brings together elements from Catholic ritual and traditional African witchcraft and magic. Communication with gods, ancestors and spirits involves trance-like states with charms, voodoo dolls, spells and spirit possession all common associations.

Whether it’s in the form of a private journal scribbled in snatched moments or as a more formal exercise to be shared widely, writing can be therapeutic as well as creative. Benefits include enabling the writer to appreciate what is important to them, to organise their ideas and have an opportunity to put issues and feelings into perspective. Many institutions and organisations offer courses – residential and non-residential – that can help hone your writing skills and connect you with other writers sharing their experience.

A group of physical, mental and spiritual practices originating in India that can be traced back many millennia. In Western countries in the 1980s it became popular as a form of exercise but it is important to appreciate that yoga has a spiritual and meditative core that can help practitioners attain a sense of inner calm and mindfulness. There are many different yoga methods and styles, so it is worth trying a number of classes until you find one that best suits your needs. Two suggestions for you; the hugely appealing US-based Adriene who has free online classes and a very gentle style and the wonderful UK-based teacher Valentina Candiani who runs fabulous retreats in beautiful places as well as her own yoga sessions and guided healthy eating plans.

This therapy wasn’t mentioned in My Life in 37 Therapies but it is a wonderful technique for the way we live today. We tend to sit in the same position when at work (computer, phone) and at home (eating, watching tv) and to move in a way that isn’t always helpful to our bodies in the long term. Alexander technique counters poor postural habits, improving spinal health and body movement. It is usual to have a course of Alexander lessons so that you can learn the correct mind body skills to change your behaviour. You learn a new way of moving, including sitting, standing, lying down until this new way of thinking becomes second nature. The chairs used in my sessions are very simple and allow you to feel your sit bones, distribute your weight evenly and establish a good skeletal alignment.

This is related to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy) in that it aims to alter how your brain stores your mental ‘data’.  Memories and feelings can become overwhelming if they are allowed to take over an individual’s thinking, so eliminating unhealthy mental patterns is key. There are many therapies in this area, so do your homework before committing.

A specimen of your handwriting can reveal facets of your character and approach to life. If you have a forward slanting style it suggests an outgoing personality. If you press heavily when you write, you likely find it hard to recover from a traumatic experience. An experienced interpreter looks at size, shape and all aspects of your writing style before providing an in-depth analysis.

This source of knowledge about your life and all its varied connections to the past, present and future are recorded in a vast ‘library’ of Akashic Records. An experienced reader will show you what the records reveal, may link you with family long gone, identify limiting beliefs that are creating problems in your life and thereby help with decisions for your future. If you’re interested in trying, perhaps start with a session with Apinder Sidhu.  She is a qualified coach and trained in the Akashic Records.

I didn’t include ‘Music’ as a therapy in the book. But the right kind of music is therapy for anyone. Think of music that instantly improves your mood. My favourites include the music in this scottish film short. It reminds me of nature and the happiest of times. For writing, I never tire of the calm inspiration that comes with Tuesday by Spool.  I first started work at Decca and was gifted a vinyl disc with Vaughan Williams Lark Ascending. A total joy, calming and uplifting at the same time.  Birdsong is important and has often inspired composers.  Fellow scot Chris Martin has many ‘bird’ tracks but I can’t stop listening to this. And if you’d like to listen to a composer playing his best-loved theme on the piano at home, check out this podcast with the Emmy award-winning composer of Downton Abbey. Enjoy your music! Therapy indeed.