Dr. Katrina Whalley

In General Practice we see a little bit of everything. We see a huge range of people and problems, often supporting people at their most vulnerable moments. In a typical day I will see people between the ages of 0 to 99 years of age, in illness, in wellness, and at moments of grief, anger, sadness, joy, anxiety and uncertainty. We see on a daily basis how physical health, stress, lifestyle and mental wellbeing are all closely interrelated. Inseparable, in fact. We see the common challenges faced by all human beings. This experience provides a deep understanding of the many ways to approach wellbeing. However in UK General Practice we are hugely limited by time, resources, and the constraints of our healthcare system. My additional skills in Yoga, Acupuncture and Coaching allow me to support people in a different way. A meaningful and holistic way. I believe yoga is one of the best ways to truly unify physical /mental /spiritual wellbeing and I enjoy sharing this with people. Our minds and bodies are so very connected. Western Medial Acupuncture also acknowledges this and can be an effective way to soothe symptoms which are otherwise not easily treated. Coaching is a further skill which builds upon many years of listening to patients explaining their stories and experiences. General Practice has taught me that the most empowering changes come from within. Allocating time for a coaching conversation is a gift, enabling fresh thinking on an important theme, which is very different from being told what to do by a well-meaning friend (or GP!). All in all I feel these roles complement each other and allow a broader approach to health and wellbeing.

If you book in for yoga, acupuncture or coaching with me it is important to be clear that I am not acting as your doctor in this context. I will not have access to your medical records and I am not able to order tests or provide specific diagnostic or management advice. My skills enable us to approach your symptoms or difficulties from a fresh perspective which should complement your normal medical care. I will always encourage you to continue to consult with your normal healthcare provider.

The Mayfair centre is set back from the road and is located next to the “Health and Wellbeing Centre” in Church Stretton. There is a large red sign on the wall of the building pointing to the entrance door. The reception is staffed, and there is a small cafe in the building. More information about the Mayfair Centre here: https://www.mayfaircentre.org.uk/

There is very limited parking so you will probably need to park in the public car park opposite (60p per hour)

Sorry, no. I currently only accept bookings made online with payment on booking.

If you need to cancel please give me as much warning as possible so that I can offer the appointment to someone else. I regret that I normally will not be able to refund last minute cancellations or no-shows. If you give me more than 24 hours warning I will be able to issue a refund.

No, normally acupuncture is not an unpleasant or painful experience. If a needle is placed and feels painful or uncomfortable, we can remove the needle immediately if you wish.

Not necessarily, since the needles we use are super fine and it is likely you won’t feel the needle being inserted. It is perfectly fine to close your eyes, and you will be lying down, so you may feel more comfortable than you expect. I have known people who are very needle-phobic tolerate acupuncture very well. In any case you are in control and if you don’t want to proceed with the treatment for any reason you just tell me.

Yes. Very. Acupuncture needles are sterile, very fine, and important anatomical structures are avoided during insertion. The risk of a serious adverse event is very rare indeed. Some people can experience drowsiness, feeling faint, bruising, or temporary worsening of symptoms. There are some specific higher risk areas of the body such as overlying major blood vessels or the lungs, but this is where my medical training and sound knowledge of anatomy will further minimise the risk of harm

Yes. The British Medical Acupuncture Association (BMAS) have produced a summary of the medical evidence here: NICE also recommends acupuncture for certain conditions including chronic pain. Acupuncture certainly doesn’t help everyone, but that is true for most medical interventions and therapies.

Yes! If you can breathe you can do yoga! If you have parts of your body which feel tight or restricted you are likely to gain great benefits from yoga. We know that flexibility is just one benefit however, and there are many other ways in which yoga can benefit the body and mind. We all have unique anatomy and unique abilities, and we will work in a non-competitive and non-critical way.

Most certainly yes… yoga is a wonderful way to recover from illness or injury and we can use restorative and gentle yoga techniques to help nurture the body back to health. Yoga practice helps us to engage the parasympathetic nervous system which is strongly associated with optimum function of our immune system and neuro-endocrine systems. All in all yoga is very good medicine during recovery.

I have to make space for Yoga teaching around other commitments, so please contact me and we can discuss options. We will discuss venue options and find a mutually agreeable time.

Yes and no. We will be quite focused in our discussions and I will ask specific questions drawing upon various techniques such as positive psychology, cognitive-behavioural-coaching, solution-focused coaching and embodiment, amongst others. We may use specific written tools or creative or imaginative exercises to move forward. We will be drawing upon a wide body of evidence based approaches to have a conversation with a purpose

Whichever suits you best. I normally provide coaching online (via Zoom) but it may be possible to arrange face to face (in South Shropshire). Please contact me if you are interested.

If you are not sure whether coaching is right for you we can discuss this before you sign up. During the process of coaching it is very possible that difficult emotions will arise and all human beings can experience symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues at times. As a GP I am comfortable talking about mental health and if I feel you would be better served by counselling or other talking therapies I will discuss this with you.