Dr Jonquille Chantrey has pioneered a series of forums promoting positive body image and self-esteem. She tells Fiona Vlemmiks why

Somewhat uniquely, the underpinning philosophy of Manchester-based ØNE Aesthetic Studiø, is centred not only on physical enhancement but also the holistic improvement of mental and spiritual wellbeing.

In addition to aesthetic medicine, an expert team of 12, led by Dr Jonquille Chantrey, offers nutrition, health, psychology, hypnotherapy, yoga and meditation, plus spiritual and personal development services.

To coincide with the recent Mental Health Week 2019, Dr Chantrey was further inspired to create a series of Mind, Body and Soul forums. This launch reflects a growth in body dissatisfaction in a society where our appearance is constantly scrutinised.

Body image and self-esteem can directly influence each other and our wider feelings, thoughts, and behaviours

In a recent Mental Health Foundation with YouGov online survey, just over one third of adults said they had felt anxious or depressed because of their body image. The study, conducted in March this year, highlighted that one in five adults felt images used in advertising had caused them to worry about their body image. The same proportion also believed that images on social media caused them to worry about their body image.

“We’re living in a pretty difficult world where society can be full of judgement,” says Dr Chantrey. “Body image and selfesteem can directly influence each other and our wider feelings, thoughts, and behaviours. For some patients that are unhappy with aspects of their body, it can be difficult to accept and feel positive about their whole self. The reverse is also true: if selfesteem is lacking it can be hard to notice the good things and give our bodies the respect it deserves.

“The forums are about empowerment and sending the message that it’s ok to want to improve yourself, be it physically, mentally or health wise.”

Dr Chantrey, who is a Global Key Opinion Leader for Allergan, regularly advises the international media in printradio and TV. She explains how she recently rebranded her clinic to include a more holistic element, prior to launching the forums.

“I’ve done a lot of research on the motivations of people coming in for aesthetic treatments and, often, there is an underlying reason which they may need support with, so I think it’s important to understand that and be open about it.

“Aesthetics is wonderful, it’s what I’m known for. However, Iast year I began to get frustrated with others defining me as somebody who just works on the outside of a person, when actually a lot of the work that I’ve always done with my patients is on the inside from an emotional and mindset perspective. This may not necessarily always be in a formal way, but as part of my overall journey with them.”

The Alderley Edge clinic was hence rebranded as ØNE Aesthetic Studiø, a 2,500 sq ft haven comprising six treatment rooms, private waiting areas and a new, multi-purpose studio for yoga, meditation and workshop sessions. Additionally, the studio serves as a facility to host training seminars for visiting UK and International medical professionals.

Though there is some cross over between the aesthetics clinic and holistic services, Dr Chantrey is keen to outline that this is not where her motivation comes from.

“Some of my aesthetics patients just want to look good and that’s fine. But generally patients really like the new space and they’ve been extremely supportive of my concept.

“A few years ago, we were one of the first clinics in the UK to bring a psychologist into the clinic. Last year, I did my yoga teacher training and expanded the clinic because I simply found that I could not refrain from speaking my inner truth any longer about a subject I am passionate about.”

Dr Chantrey’s interest in the mind goes back to medical school. “In my first degree, Bachelor of Medical Sciences, my research major was in psychiatry.

“I was torn between psychiatry and surgery but when I was offered both opportunities, fter graduating, I went for surgery. However, psychiatry remains a big passion of mine.

“Throughout my life, I have been in the selfimprovement space. I have always been one of those people with a self-help book on the go – to the amusement of my friends.”

Sponsored by SkinCeuticals, the first two-hour Mind, Body and Spirit forum was attended by local press and celebrities including ex-Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, Hollyoaks actresses Sarah Jayne Dunn and Nicole Barber Lane, TV presenter Natalie Anderson and actress Sophie Austin.

The event commenced with a Mirror Soul Connection exercise from meditation expert Ashleigh Guthrie, followed by a 90-minute Q & A with a team of experts and a sound healing session. Accompanying Guthrie, the expert panel included Calum Tierney, director of Terence Paul Salons group; Penelope Silver, ØNE’s in-house, multi-award-winning reiki master, advanced EFT practitioner and wellbeing coach; Mark Bohannon, acclaimed Manchester personal trainer and Lorraine McCulloch, celebrity stylist and TV fashion expert.

“The energy was incredible,” explains Dr Chantrey. “Seeing how passionate people were about these body image topics blew me away.

“What was also really amazing was that a lot of people in the room felt safe enough to share their mental health stories. For example, one actress explained how she’d suffered from depression. A contributing factor was that she found her appearance played a major part in the kind of roles she was offered.

“This encouraged other people to share their experiences, which I wasn’t necessarily expecting. It felt like a really safe space where people could open up and realise they were not alone in their feelings. Also the body positivity movement was a shared passion of the attendees.”

Following the success of the inaugural session, the forums will subsequently be held at the ØNE Aesthetic Studiø on the last Wednesday of every month. Dr Chantrey intends that the forums will become part of her ØNE Beauty Project, focusing on mental health, body image and self esteem. AM