Credit: The NETWORK
Luxembourg-based international professional women's association The NETWORK held an event dedicated to alternative therapies for mental wellness at Silversquare Liberté in Luxembourg-Gare on the evening of Wednesday 12 February 2025.
About 60 people attended this sold-out event, which brought together the following speakers: Beatrice Casalena Ash, wellness expert and founder of Authentic Cacao Club; Silvija Zagar, body-centred therapist and coach; Moesha Tshishimbi, neuropsychologist and neurofeedback practitioner; Isabel Van De Voorde, psychologist and nature (re)connection practitioner; Egle Anatolitis, Gestalt therapist / practitioner.
The evening kicked off with an introduction by Mariana Florea, President of The NETWORK, who welcomed the many members and guests alike. This was followed by two pitches and an invitation for jobseekers and people who are hiring (or whose companies are hiring) to connect with each other.
Dr Megha Agrawal then introduced the guest speakers before asking them questions. They each shared their personal mental wellness stories and what led them to their chosen form of therapy. Beatrice Casalena Ash described cacao as plant medicine and cacao ceremonies as "a beautiful way to reconnect with yourself". Silvija Zagar spoke of the benefits of somatic therapy, particularly for people for whom talk therapy may not be the best fit. Moesha Tshishimbi emphasised the importance of brain health for overall wellness, whilst Isabel Van De Voorde recalled the power of nature in stress prevention and recovery. Egle Anatolitis presented Gestalt therapy and noted the importance of finding a therapist with whom one has a connection (regardless of the type of therapy).
The speakers went on to share their particularly impactful client journeys, which included: people crying as a form of release or simply feeling reconnected to their bodies and/or at peace during cacao ceremonies; recognising that the body remembers everything, even if the mind does not, addressing this, and reaping the benefits of somatic therapy; learning to trust the process and reconnect the brain and the body through neurofeedback therapy; learning to reconnect with nature, to relax and be comfortable doing nothing, for example in forest sessions; being present and recognising that every small detail is important (Gestalt).
Practical tips that the audience could implement in their daily lives included: starting one's morning coffee (or cacao drink) with intention, trying to connect with the beans, for example, and remembering that everything has energy; thinking about how one can connect and listen to one's body, and making choices based on that; taking care of one's body and nervous system, for example through breathing exercises and good (quality and quantity) sleep; beating the winter blues by bringing nature inside (if cannot / do not wish to go outside) e.g. with plants and natural materials, but also trying to spend two hours in nature per week (just seventeen minutes a day) to boost one's mental health; reconnecting with oneself and being present, aware of what is happening, and also introducing creativity and spontaneity into daily life.
A Q&A session followed, with questions including how and when to seek help from others (knowing it is okay to ask for help) and finding out which type of therapy is the right fit - this is very personal/individual, and it is important to have a connection with the therapist/practitioner and trust that wherever one starts is a good start; also do not rush the process but if no progress after several months, be open to testing other options.
The event concluded with a lively networking session over finger food and drinks.
