Holistic therapist rebuilds life and launches new business after hitting ‘rock bottom’

GREATNESS was the last thing on Helen Almond’s mind when she hit rock bottom.

Growing up in Liverpool, the 47 year-old enjoyed a successful career in retail but a series of incidents, toxic relationships, addiction and an eventual breakdown led her to the pits of despair.

It was only at her lowest ebb that Helen, now living in Prestatyn, visited her cousin – a Latvian monk – and began to rebuild her life, seeking advice, mindfulness and using her own comeback as the inspiration for a new business that will launch in Rhyl next week.

Based on Wellington Road, Becoming the Great specialises in holistic therapies and breakthrough coaching, while also selling crystals and self-care items.

Over past years, Helen has trained and become a practitioner in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Reiki, CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping and EFT Matrix.

She plans to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, is working alongside local community organisations and charities and wants to heal those in need of support due to panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and negative beliefs, as well as hosting workshops and one-to-one sessions.

“I grew up in a tough area, I am dyslexic, so school was very hard for me, and my life just started to spiral from that point onwards,” said Helen, who lives with her partner, Wez.

“I was lost for a long time and living alone, I became as low as you can possibly go but hid myself away so nobody truly knew how bad things were.

“A turning point was when I visited my cousin, who is a Latvian monk, and he immediately identified a problem, he told me I was going to be a healer, but how could I possibly help others when I felt that way about myself?”

She added: “Slowly I turned a corner, I read books on holistic therapies and educated myself throughout the pandemic, gaining strength to the point I was qualified to help others on their journey back to health and happiness.”

With a grant from the Welsh Government and Business Wales-led Town Centre Entrepreneurship Fund, Helen secured her new premises, which includes a treatment room and counselling space.

And she chose the seaside town for a very specific reason.

“I could have gone anywhere, but Rhyl resonated with me, it’s a place which has so much to give but has faced its challenges and has a resilience,” she said.

“I want people to reach higher, to know they have no limits and that there is always hope.

“We are all our own ‘project’ – I know I will always be – and there are no limits to what we can go on to achieve if we find peace and are more connected with the people and environment around us.”

Helen added: “The feedback and testimonials I’ve had already are fantastic, it’s heartening to see the impact EFT Tapping (a combination of ancient Chinese acupressure and modern psychology known as energy psychology) and EFT Matrix in particular are already having.

“I truly believe my calling in life is to help others, and I look forward to doing that for many years to come right here in North Wales.”

Lowri Roberts, Business Adviser at Business Wales, congratulated Helen on her inspiring journey.

She said: “Supporting Helen was a pleasure and as a student of innovation I was able to quickly identify her goals for changing the management of well-being through alternative therapy.

“I am fascinated by the science of bio resonance, which Helen is installing in her practice and will enjoy watching her business go from strength as she leads the change in self-care in North Wales and beyond.”

Supported by Business Wales and Costigan’s, Becoming the Great formally launches with events on Wednesday October 12 from 12pm-4pm, and Thursday October 13 from 4pm-8pm.

These will include presentations by Helen and guest speakers, networking, and refreshments.

For more information, visit www.becomingthegreat.com or email becomingthegreat@gmail.com. Follow them on social media at @becomingthegreatcoaching.