A Last October, Justin and Sarah Rowland's 15-year-old daughter, Lucy, was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma. After the diagnosis, their whole world fell apart. They were suddenly faced with many months of chemotherapy and radiation along with hospitalizations, taking care of two other children, leaving work, and an uncertain future. To see their child going through cancer treatments was more difficult than most could imagine. Facing the reality of the fragility of life caused them to rethink their paths in life.

For eight years, Sarah has worked as a psychologist in the Buffalo Public Schools, a rewarding, yet challenging, career. Justin, an artist, musician, and pastry chef, had reached a fork in the road with regard to his future. They began to think of ways that they could give back to the community while using Sarah’s psychology training, among other skills between the two of them. While working on her Ph.D. in Counseling and School Psychology at the University of Buffalo, Sarah studied eating disorders under Dr. Catherine Cook-Cottone. Professor Cottone helped to teach her the value of a holistic approach to psychology. Sarah worked with Dr. Cottone incorporating yoga and meditation as part of their treatment approach. Sarah quickly realized that an integrative holistic approach to health was most effective for improving health; this approach uses not just the mind, but the body and spirit as well. This methodology became the catalyst for Elmwood Village Wellness.

According to the National Wellness Institute, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” Wellness is a choice, a way of life, a process, a channeling of energy, and the loving acceptance of yourself (Travis & Ryan, 2004). Sarah wanted a business that integrated psychology and wellness services by providing services that bring about awareness, education, and client growth.

So, when office space opened in Elmwood Village, Justin and Sarah quickly made plans to move forward with their new business idea. In March, their daughter, Lucy, completed her cancer treatments and is now in remission. In July, Elmwood Village Wellness (EVW), LLC opened its doors, offering an experienced group of professionals supplying a wide variety of services to nurture and treat the whole person. At EVW, you can find a psychologist, social worker, esthetician, masseuse, life coach, and Reiki master. Services include: psychological counseling, massage therapy, organic facials, esthetic services (e.g., waxing, eyelash extensions), life coaching, human design, Reiki, yoga, and meditation.

Psychological Counseling

Sarah 's psychology practice primarily serves adolescent girls and women, specializing in issues such as mood disorders, anxiety disorders, body image and eating disorders, trauma, and relationship issues. The focus of her therapy is on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (i.e., cognitive behavioral therapy). She emphasizes self-care, empowerment, relaxation, and bibliotherapy. Holistic treatment plans include taking care of the physical and spiritual self, awareness, and psychoeducation.

Massage Therapy

The massage therapists at EVW use a variety of techniques including Swedish massage, deep tissue, prenatal, trigger point therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, sports massage and hot stone massage. They have the ability to integrate any technique to make a customized massage for the clients. They have experience working with a wide range of people and can assess tissue condition, muscle, and range of motion in order to offer a specific therapy for optimum results. Massage therapy alone can help with anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, and headaches.

Esthetic Services

The licensed estheticians at EVW provide customized organic facials to target specific skin concerns. The estheticians use all organic Ilike products. Facials can be tailored for many needs including calming red, inflamed, or acne prone skin; increasing radiance (to bring back the natural glow into the skin), and to address aging concerns. The overall effect is to relax the mind, body and spirit while deeply purifying the skin and pores promoting the health of your skin while subsequently boosting esteem and self confidence. This, in turn, provides a better quality of life.

Life Coaching & Human Design

The EVW’s life coach has been coaching hundreds of clients from around the world via phone and skype for the past six and a half years. Her focus is on quality of life, which to her means an authentic life, a life that reflects the client's authentic values and sense of purpose, and in which they are sharing their unique gifts with the world in the way that is right for them. The name, Verite Life Coaching, reflects these beliefs. EVW’s life coach has been studying and incorporating Human Design into her coaching practice for almost two years. Human Design is a snapshot of a person's unique wiring and energy. A Human Design reading can assist a client in owning and leveraging their strengths and in understanding and navigating the challenges or conundrums that may be evident in their energy patterns, according to their Human Design chart.

Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese energy treatment that can instill calm, great peace, and promote healing. A Reiki treatment consists of the client laying down on a Reiki table or sitting in a chair with eyes closed, opening up to the gift of relaxation that the energy of Reiki can bring. The Reiki practitioner lays her hands either on or just above the client’s body with the intention to bring peace to the client. Reiki energy relaxes the muscles and increases the blood flow bringing much needed oxygen to stubborn and tense areas of the body.

Yoga

Yoga provides a holistic approach to physical and emotional symptom management. The six-week Hatha yoga class at EVW is designed to build strength, increase range of motion, and joint mobility, reduce pain, and decrease stress. Using a combination of gentle physical poses and mindful breathing and relaxation techniques, students will feel more connected and balanced within the mind, body, and spirit. No prior yoga experience is required and individual attention will be provided.

It is the hope that people can use the wellness center's plethora of services to take steps to not only nurture themselves, but also move closer to an overall state of wellness. Health is on ongoing process, one that, for most of us, involves awareness and everyday choices. EVW recognizes that not everyone has the blessing of health, but most people are able to take steps in the right direction. Now is the perfect time to begin.

Currently, these services are by appointment only.

167 Ashland Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222

www.elmwoodvillagewellness.com

716-799-1523