Why Every Modality Needs More Than a Form
Traditional healing, medical care, complementary therapies and everything in between.
Lately, I've been learning from some amazing people, exploring traditional healing, deepening my own intuition and looking at my healing journey from a different perspective.
And there's one thing I've taken away from these experiences that I can't stop thinking about.
Where is the actual care plan?
Now, let me explain.
As someone who manages multiple health conditions, I've spent years navigating the healthcare system, advocating for myself, researching, asking questions and trying different modalities to find what genuinely supports my wellbeing.
I've been a fierce advocate for myself and, through sharing my experiences, a voice for others who sometimes struggle to find theirs.
I've also visited a few mirimiri practitioners. The work I've experienced has been amazing, and I have enormous respect for traditional healing and the people who dedicate themselves to it.
But something I've noticed is that while the treatment itself might be wonderful, the planning, communication and follow-through can sometimes be missing.
You fill out a form, have a conversation, receive a treatment and off you go.
But what happens next?
What are we actually working towards?
What support do you need?
How do we know whether the treatment is helping?
When do we review things?
And when do we know it's time to change direction?
These are important questions, and I think we need to start asking them.
Every modality deserves a plan
Whether you're working with your GP, specialists, counsellors, physiotherapists, Reiki practitioners, mirimiri practitioners or other complementary health providers, there should be some thought given to how that particular support fits into your overall healing journey.
Not every modality needs the same type of plan, and not every treatment needs to be ongoing.
But there should be some understanding of:
1. Your starting point: What are you currently experiencing, and what do you want support with?
2. Your intentions: What would you like to achieve from working together?
3. Your support needs: What do you need emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually?
4. Your boundaries: What are you comfortable with? What aren't you comfortable with? What consent is needed before any hands-on treatment?
5. Your treatment approach: What will the practitioner be offering, and why is it appropriate for your needs?
6. Follow-ups: How often will you check in, review progress and discuss what's working?
7. Your outcomes: What changes are we looking for, and how will we recognise progress?
8. Your next steps: Do we continue, adapt, pause or finish the work?
A care plan isn't about controlling your healing. It's about making sure there is intention, communication and accountability behind the support you're receiving.
Let's talk about your GP and medical care.
This is another area I've been reflecting on.
If you're someone with multiple or complex health conditions, regular reviews with your GP are important.
And I'm speaking from personal experience here.
I've realised that some areas of my own ongoing care have been lacking.
My thyroid blood tests are regularly monitored, which is great, but I've had to question whether we're looking at the bigger picture.
What about the other conditions?
What about symptom changes, medication reviews, referrals, ongoing investigations, flare-ups and how everything overlaps?
Managing multiple conditions isn't about treating one thing in isolation and hoping the rest behaves itself.
It's about having a coordinated approach where the people involved in your care communicate, understand your needs and work alongside you.
Your GP should be an important part of coordinating that bigger picture, particularly when different specialists and treatment providers are involved.
Your body. Your boundaries. Your choice.
There is another part of this conversation I feel strongly about.
Nobody should be putting their hands on you when you aren't comfortable.
This applies to every hands-on modality.
You have the right to ask questions, understand what is happening, give or withdraw consent, establish boundaries and stop a treatment.
You don't owe anyone access to your body because they're the practitioner.
You don't have to accept something simply because someone tells you it's part of the process.
And please don't confuse someone's experience or qualifications with automatically being the right person for you.
The relationship matters.
Feeling safe matters.
Being listened to matters.
Trust is built, not demanded.
Do your homework. Ask the uncomfortable questions.
I want people to feel confident asking the hard questions of the people involved in their care.
What is your training and experience?
What does working together actually look like?
How do you assess whether this is helping?
What happens if my symptoms get worse?
How do you work alongside my existing healthcare team?
What are the boundaries and expectations?
How often do we review progress?
What happens when we reach our intended outcome?
And don't be afraid to walk away if something doesn't feel right.
You are allowed to look for another practitioner.
You are allowed to change your mind.
You are allowed to expect professional standards.
Five years later, I'm still putting the pieces together.
Here's the reality.
I've spent five years doing the work. Advocating, learning, attending appointments, trying different treatments, exploring healing modalities and understanding my body.
I've had to learn what works, what doesn't, what supports me and what sets me backwards.
I'm still finding the right people and the right combination of support.
I'm still learning.
But one thing has changed.
I'm no longer just turning up and hoping someone else will figure it out.
I'm asking questions. I'm looking at the bigger picture. I'm making sure the different pieces of my care have a purpose.
And I'm realising that some of the things I previously accepted as okay probably weren't enough.
That's not about blaming every practitioner or dismissing the amazing people doing meaningful work.
It's about raising the standard of care we should all be able to expect.
Because healing isn't one appointment, one treatment, one practitioner or one magic solution.
It's a journey, and sometimes that journey involves medical treatment, traditional healing, complementary therapies, lifestyle changes and learning to trust yourself again.
You deserve people who work alongside you, not people who simply provide a service and send you on your way.
Your healing deserves intention.
Your care deserves a plan.
And your voice deserves to be heard.
A reminder for anyone navigating their own healing journey
Don't just ask yourself whether you enjoyed the treatment.
Ask yourself whether you feel safe, whether you are being heard, whether there is a purpose behind the work and whether the support is actually meeting your needs.
You are allowed to be an active participant in your own care.
You are allowed to expect more.
And you don't need to have all the answers to start asking better questions.
Healing is personal. Your care should be too.
From someone still learning, still advocating and still finding the right pieces of her own healing puzzle.