What makes someone or something a 'Healer'?

Andrew Cuerden
Jul 11
4 min read

What makes someone or something a ‘healer’?

During my life I have encountered and experienced a vast number of therapists, coaches, healers, shamans etc. Some were incredible, some did not work at all for me. However that does not mean they are not good, every relationship is unique. What works for one, may not work for another. Also the power of a ‘healer’ is greatly determined by the willingness and trusting mindset of the patient.

I also grew up as a ‘Christian Scientist’ A religion based upon metaphysical healing. Which I thank for kick starting my interest in metaphysics and living outside the traditional mainstream boxes.

However, as with most religions, despite Christian Science’s original pure intentions, it’s run by humans. And as result becomes, ironically, prey and boxed into its own dogmatic and bureaucratic policies.

So after finding our freedom from the church my mother sent me to an Iridologist aged about 14. Why? I don’t remember now!

However to my absolute astonishment, through merely looking at my eyes, more specifically my iris, he correctly diagnosed that I had suffered a fairly significant trauma to my testicles. A bullying experience of being kicked in the gonads by two boys about 5 years prior whilst at junior school, and I had never told a single person! And perhaps a reason I was struggling at school!?

Anyhow…I have always been fascinated by, and benefited from, a wide array of alternative and complimentary therapies. Much of which mainstream medicine either denies or discredits due to a lack of scientifically evidence. In other words…there is no pharmaceutical profit to be made. Which means mainstream medicine is not going to pay for, and promote, the research on it.

So it’s no wonder that I have serendipitously landed up co-directing Soulhub. A wellbeing consultancy and community of alternative and complementary therapists and coaches who offer a wide variety of modalities. Including my own personal practice of using Dance as a tool for therapeutic self-understanding, love and expression.

I believe that healing is just something that happens when conditions are right and relevant within any relationship. Be it with ourselves, others or nature.

Healing is a natural process of realising, realigning and rebalancing. Normally when we let go of beliefs, thoughts and behaviours that no longer serve us positively or are not in alignment to our true soul self. The trick is real-eye-zing what they are! And this can happen anywhere, anyhow.

Even just spending time outdoors in nature, or having a heart to heart conversation with a good friend can bring forth a degree of positive realisation and transformation. Our most intimate relationships are where the greatest growth and healing can happen.

Beware of people who try make healing exclusive, ie: “I am the way…the only way!” No there are many many roads that lead back home.

The foundations of wellbeing are based upon the successful management of what and how we; eat, sleep, move, breathe, talk, think and feel.

So when I approach someone for help with my own challenging dis-eases. I am looking for the following essential aspects…

Safety - This can mean different things for different people at different times. But absolutely necessary if there is to be any positive transformation. For me it is the practitioner’s depth and breadth of their Loving Presence to meet and accommodate me where and how I am in the moment with grounded compassion and soothing spaciousness. Which is possible only to the degree to which they themselves have found inner peace and safety or can get themselves out of the way enough to channel what is required. “You can’t offer what you don’t have.”
A Holistic, Integrative and Curious Mindset. A deep appreciation of the fact that; EVERY aspect of life energetically affects every other aspect of life. So when diagnosing energetic dis-eases or misalignments I feel it fundamental that they curiously and compassionately explore the whole of me, including my immediate environment and lifestyle.

Not just the isolated visible symptoms but the invisible energetic root causes and connections.

Deep Experiential Skills, Wisdom & Intuitive Confidence, born from a commitment to their own personal inquiry, healing and development.
Honesty & Integrity - A practitioner that PRACTICES what they preach. And are honest about their own human challenges and limitations. I don’t expect anyone to be perfect, just HONEST.
Belief/Faith - Someone who can be compassionate of my challenging shadow and at the same time hold a guiding light and vision of my harmonious, balanced and easeful self. Gently and lovingly holding me honestly response-able to that vision, however and whenever it may unfold. Knowing that the challenges we all face are actually blessings and lessons that appear to guide us towards our truest and fullest selves.

EVERYONE is capable of evolving, healing and moving from a degree of dis-harmony to a degree of harmony. One just has to be truly open and courageous to do what’s necessary.

Most recently I have been struggling with a chronic and strange foot and arm pain amongst some other bits and bobs.

As result I have been seeing two amazing practitioners who both embrace all of the above ingredients and therefore I highly recommend them to anyone seeking holistic wellbeing.