Andrea Ursula Hochgatterer: Member Interview

I have been mostly self-employed in various capacities throughout my working life and have never considered joining a company in full-time employment. My most recent role of near on twenty years as a therapist, coach and healer lent itself perfectly to continue running my own business as I enjoy the freedom of working in my own special way without people looking over my shoulder dictating how to do things. I enjoy the freedom of being able to adjust and work around clients’ needs on a 1-1 basis without applying somebody else’s template.

There have been some big changes since I first embarked on this particular route of therapy and healing.

Not only have people’s perceptions of how complementary therapies can support wellbeing changed to a much more open-minded and receptive state but also through the lockdown most of my business has switched to online or distant work which means that I can reach so many more people around the world.

I love that I can work globally, meeting and working with incredible people from all over the world. I enjoy learning about their different lives, views and approaches and I find it fascinating how everybody deals with things in their own special way however, I am reminded of how at the end of the day, we are all joined together by our humanity. We all have problems, fears anxieties and sometimes very serious traumatic events and health issues we have to live through. My biggest joy is when I see my clients change and grow during our sessions, see them light up and put a smile back on their faces, seeing them walk off with greater strength and resilience in the knowledge that they can now face their life from a different perspective and a level of self-knowledge which enables them to face their world again.

I have had some lovely feedback and great reviews over the years but there is one that still touches my heart every time I think of it.A young mum had referred a pregnant woman to me because, in her words:
“Our S would not be the happy glowing and incredible five-year-old she is now if we hadn’t found you to treat her. (Baby S had been brought in for treatment at three months of age because of incessant crying when mum was present, it very upsetting situation for a young mum, I m sure…I obviously won’t go into the treatment).

How lovely to think of little S all grown up and happy, how lovely that after five years the mum would remember me and pass on my name.

What steps have you taken to grow your business over the past 24 months?

I think the most important step was to really connect with myself and ask the right questions:
“What is it you are actually doing and what do you wish the outcome to be” which put a lot more clarity into my work and subsequently changed how I approach what I am doing, it changed the language around it and stopped me from comparing my work to what others are doing.

Relax into it but be there, consistently, trust yourself, keep learning new ways and approaches and dont be afraid to stick to your guns.

Get advice, speak to people, connect, don’t be afraid to ask for help and deliver what you promise.

Its the work behind the scene which is becoming more and more complicated due to technology, writing reports, doing accounts, advertising, the marketing,…it seems endless sometimes

The freedom of only having oneself to answer to, and the flexibility of time and space.

Apart from building up my online client base, I am aiming to keep an open mind, the world is changing quickly so staying flexible and being ready to learn seems the best way forward for me.