Therapeutic Services

Purpose: To improve the quality of life for those infected / affected by HIV / AIDS.

Complementary Therapies
Thames Valley Positive Support provides a wide range of Complementary Therapies all of which are well documented which use practiced techniques, which clients may wish to combine these with their medical treatment, Their use has been proven successful in many cases and, although they do not offer a definable cure, they can however improve the quality of life for an individual. Complementary Therapies are available on a fortnightly basis at the Burnham and Reading Support Centres. Acupuncture made a welcome return on July 1st 2003. Listed here are the therapies currently available.

Acupuncture
Aromatherapy
Homeopathy
Reflexology
Reiki
Indian Head Massage
Healing
Massage
Shiatsu Massage
Hypnotherapy
Hopi Ear Candles
Chiropody
Hopi Ear Candles

All of TVPS' Therapists are registered and qualified professionals and trained in HIV awareness. Details of practitioner qualifications are held on file. Currently, therapies are free-of-charge for each session. All therapies are available to people who are HIV-positive, and their Primary Carer(s). Listed here are therapies that TVPS has been able to offer in the past, all of which can be requested, and TVPS will endeavour to supply.

Alexander Technique, Vibration Healing, Hypnotherapy, Holistic Massage & Awareness, Art Therapy, Spiritual/Natural Healing, Chinese Herbs, Herbal Medicine, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Crystal Healing, Yoga, Nutrition Therapy, Kinesiology, Chiropody, Creative Art & Crafts,
Bach Flower Remedies, Beauty Therapy, Facials.

Complementary Therapies currently available are listed in our monthly newsletter @TVPS. However, you may be able to book any Complementary Therapies listed here through our Support Centres based at Burnham and Reading. For further details please refer to the Therapeutic Services Booklet which will be available shortly, and/or details available from the Burnham Support Centre.

Since the year 2000, Complementary Therapies are no longer being funded by the local Health Authorities (Primary Care Trusts), and TVPS was having to make a small £5 charge to our clients. However, we were able to drop this charge, Complementary Therapies are still as popular as ever, and TVPS will endeavour, through our own funding raising efforts, to continue to supply this important service provision free-of-charge.

Therapy Workshops
A variety of Complementary Therapy Workshops are available from time to time, giving an insight into the background and methods on all aspects of complementary treatments. There are also Art Therapy Workshops available, to look into the potential of members creative skills. TVPS has been able offer computer training via our own in-house IT resources facility at both Burnham and Reading, courses are available from time to time from an in-house training facilitator.

Counselling
TVPS provides a range of counselling facilities, either group sessions or one-to-one which a client may wish to use. All of TVPS' counsellors are registered professionals and all sessions are free-of-charge to people who are HIV-positive, and their Primary Carer(s). Listed here are some of the types of counselling TVPS has been able to offer:

Counselling
Systemic Psychotherapy

Counselling may assist in many ways, particularly in terms of coming to terms with an HIV-positive diagnosis, and the different stages a positive person will go through, also TVPS offers bereavement counselling for those who have lost partners or significant others.

To make an appointment and investigate your counselling needs, contact the TVPS Support Centres. Counselling sessions comprise of an initial introduction session with upto 5 further sessions (1 hour), which is reviewed between the counsellor and the client regarding further sessions. Further sessions are subject to funding available.

As with all the services provided by Thames Valley Positive Support all Complementary Therapy and Counselling consultations are treated in the strictest of confidence. When considering Complementary Therapies TVPS would strongly advise clients to consult their doctor/healthcare specialist before proceeding with any alternative treatment(s) to ensure that any therapy considered does not interfer with their ongoing healthcare.