UI & UIUK

About The Upledger Institute

The Upledger Institute was founded in 1985 by Dr. John Upledger to educate the public and healthcare practitioners about the benefits of CranioSacral Therapy (CST). While based in Florida, USA, it is recognized worldwide for its groundbreaking continuing-education programs, therapeutic services and clinical research. It conducts hundreds of workshops throughout the world each year, educating healthcare practitioners of many diverse disciplines in the CST field. To date, more than 90,000 people have undergone some level of training. Among them are osteopaths, medical doctors, chiropractors, doctors of Oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, psychiatric specialists, psychologists, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and other professional bodyworkers.

Also located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida is The Upledger Clinic. This innovative clinic offers both private sessions and unique intensive-therapy programs that address many acute and chronic health issues. It is also possible for students who have reached a certain level in their training to arrange to observe and sometimes assist in treatments.

Upledger Institute UK (UIUK)

Upledger's CranioSacral Therapy work was brought to the UK by John Page. He qualified in Osteopathy in 1979 and in Cranial Osteopathy in 1989. When he came across and began to study with Dr John Upledger he immediately appreciated the science and clarity of the CST approach and felt that it was an important stage in the evolution of osteopathy. His commitment grew and in 1994 he and his wife Carol Houston started the Upledger Institute UK satellite (the American’s term!). They ran their first course in Edinburgh in February 1994 and between then and March 2010 they ran 278 classes, teaching approximately 3500 students in a number of different countries. Now, wanting to retire – or start to at least – they feel ready to pass the institute on. John will be continuing to teach and train up new teachers as well as assessing those taking the exams.

So the general running of UIUK has been passed on to Caroline Barrow and Alasdair Morrison, who are based in Axbridge, Somerset. Taking over from where John and Carol have left off, their primary aim is to continue to build the opportunities for students to train in Upledger CST, support those who are at all stages of training and practicing and get more information out to the general public about the effectiveness of and place for CranioSacral Therapy.

As a satellite of the US, UIUK operates under clear guidelines about the work it offers, the quality and content of the courses taught and the adherence to the work as it has been developed by Dr Upledger. So all the courses epitomize this lineage and while we may put on additional courses, they will all continue to represent Upledger CranioSacral Therapy.

The CranioSacral Society (CSS – an organisation distinct from UIUK) has taken over the management of the study groups and accreditation issues, but of course, UIUK will do all it can to help support and promote them. Find out more here.

UIUK Instructors

The path to becoming an instructor for any Upledger Institute course is thorough and time consuming. There are many instructors all over the world who have done similar training and proved themselves worthy of the opportunities to teach this work! For many of the more advanced courses we bring in people from other places to teach, but there are also our own four home-grown instructors who you are likely to meet somewhere along the way should you train with us!

John Page

Instructs CST 1 & 2 and SER 1, Techniques Examiner

‘I gained a Diploma in Osteopathy at the Osteopathic Training Centre, Bournemouth in 1977, qualified in Cranial Osteopathy in Paris in 1989 and trained with the Upledger Institute in the U.S.A. from 1989. I have taught for the Upledger Institute since 1994 in Canada, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Namibia, Norway, Poland, South Africa, UK and USA. With my wife Carol we founded the Upledger Institute UK, which we ran until 2010, and I am a founder chairman of the CranioSacral Society. I practice near Perth, Scotland. My ‘outside’ interests include cooking and Havana cigars!’

Nikki Campbell CST-D

Instructors CST1, CSP1 and CSP2, Techniques Examiner

‘With an extensive background in dance and theatre, where I have worked in the fields of mental health, learning difficulties, profound multiple disabilities, profound autism and prison education with young offenders, I  became very interested in the interaction of the body and mind and in sensory processing.  This led me to discover Dr. John Upledger’s work and the second great passion of my life. I took courses in the UK and the States where I have been fortunate enough to study with Dr. Upledger and many inspirational teachers. 

'I have a private practice in Marlow, Buckinghamshire and specialise in treating children with sensory processing issues and learning difficulties and babies.  I enjoy teaching CST1, CSP1 and CSP2 for the Upledger Institute internationally and look forward to expanding my teaching portfolio.  I am also a Techniques Examiner for the Institute. I run a local study group where we continue our exploration of this incredible therapy and welcome students in training who would like to come and spend time with me in my clinic. When not working I love yoga, theatre, cooking and the company of my lovely friends..’

Maggie Gill MBA, MCSS

Instructs CST1 & CST2

‘My career in educational management was cut short by injury, taking me on a very practical study of anatomy and physiology and to gaining an appreciation of the body’s self-healing mechanisms. An interest in complementary medicine developed into a passion when I found Upledger CranioSacral Therapy. As well as enormous health benefits, the work gave me inspiration and a change in direction where new and former skills combined. In addition to qualifying as an Upledger therapist and then as an Instructor, I have a busy practice in Brighton and have led an Upledger Study Group there for many years. As an adjunct to Study Group activities, I organise ‘Developing Confidence’ weekends for practitioners of all levels.

‘I make regular visits to Cyprus where I treat clients and give talks and demonstrations, in addition to finding inspiration and relaxation. As a keen student of yoga for some years, I enjoy combining movement with the insights that the craniosacral system can bring.’

Fiona Gilbrath

Instructs CST1

‘Originally a Chartered Physiotherapist specialising in children with special needs, I came across Upledger CranioSacral Therapy at a paediatric conference in 1994. Having gone to the “wrong” seminar room for the talk I was expecting to attend, I was completely entranced by a demo of the 10-step protocol and introductory lecture. At the end of the lecture, I asked where I could train. The following year my journey with the Upledger Institute began, and I have as much enthusiasm for the work now as I had after that first lecture. My journey has taken me through many workshops, certification as a CranioSacral Therapist and training as an Instructor. I also run a local Upledger Study Group and have two busy private practices in Perth and Edinburgh. I continue to be completely astonished at the body’s ability to self-correct, and believe passionately in the importance of seeking out and treating cause rather than symptoms.’