About Us

Calming influences was established in Southampton as a traditional holistic school in 2005, working with students in groups and also on an individual basis. Our first course was the Reflexology Diploma, and you can see us celebrating our accreditation with the AoR with our very first group of Reflexologists. We soon started offering  a range of additional courses including aromatherapy. Today, we offer blended courses for qualified therapists, combining comprehensive online learning—complete with access to educational resources and instructional videos—with personalized assessments. These assessments are conducted either virtually via Zoom or in person at our treatment room in Bursledon, Southampton, ensuring tailored support throughout the learning process.

AoR accreditation celebration

We are also happy to offer face-to-face courses at your venue for all of our courses, subject to minimum student numbers.

Our people

Dr Jackie James - Principal

Dr Jackie James, DHealth Science, is the Principal and main tutor for Calming Influences.  

Jackie has been a complementary therapist for over 25 years and has qualifications in reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, Indian head massage, Thai foot massage, and Ear candles. She has a wealth of experience working with students and clients, and has recently completed a Professional Doctorate in Health Studies at Portsmouth University, focussing on the quality of reflexology study intervention reporting.

Before changing careers to become a complementary therapist, Jackie worked in IT in corporates such as AT&T and IBM.

If you have any questions about any of the Calming Influences courses, or would like to chat about reflexology or complementary therapy research, please get in touch with Jackie@CalmingInfluences.com.

Paul James - Director

Paul has an IT background and designs, manages both our website and sites for other therapists, as well as managing our online learning platform.

He also manages the general administration and finance for the business.

In his spare time, Paul is a keen sailor. 

Upcoming Conferences

May 2026 – Winnipeg, Canada

Jackie feels honoured to be a featured speaker at the Reflexology Association of Canada’s 50th Anniversary Conference. She is looking forward to sharing insights and connecting with fellow reflexologists. More details are available here.

February 2026 – Reflexology Association of America

2026 Discovery Lecture Series: DR. Jackie James – From Reflexology Practice to Research Evidence: How to Report Interventions Effectively

How can reflexologists ensure that what happens in the treatment room is accurately and powerfully represented in published research? This seminar bridges the gap between everyday reflexology practice and the rigorous standards required to build credible research evidence. It also highlights the consequences of poor or incomplete documentation, including misinterpretation of interventions, reduced research quality, and the inability to replicate or validate findings—issues that will be examined and discussed in depth during the seminar. 

More information at: https://reflexology-usa.org/event-6465091

 

Presentations, Publications and Media

Naturopath - Dr. Jackie James in conversation with John Petter Lindeland, senior advisor at NNH.

Follow this link to read through the discussion Dr Jackie James had with Norwegian John Petter Lindeland covering her reseach, findings, practical implications and more here.

 

September 2025 in Taiwan – ‘Navigating the Future of Holistic Care and Wellbeing’ 

Presented a workshop on reflexology research, sharing current evidence and key developments in the field. The session also introduced my reflexology reporting guidance, designed to support best practice and enhance the quality and reproducibility of reflexology research and education.

September 2024 in London – ‘Online RCCM Conference’


Presented reflexology-specific guidance, developed through a Delphi study, at the Research Council for Complementary Medicine (RCCM) Conference. The guidance helps study authors document the key elements of their interventions, supporting improved clarity, reproducibility, and overall quality in reflexology research. Please click here for more information.

May 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland -‘Geneva Workshop’

Attended a reflexology workshop and presented on the Integrative Nursing Education Series (INES) on behalf of Anita Lunde, Denmark. The event was organised by the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare. Grateful to Dr Tsay for the invitation and the opportunity to contribute.

August 2023 in London – ‘RCCM Conference’

Presented a systematic review at the Research Council for Complementary Medicine (RCCM) Conference, examining how well reflexology intervention studies are documented. This review established a benchmark for current reporting standards, identifying areas where documentation is incomplete and providing a framework to quantify improvements in future research. For more information please click here. 

2024 Graduation

Jackie obtained her Doctorate in Health Sciences in December 2024.

She attended Portsmouth Guildhall on 24th July 2025 for her Graduation. This video shows her receiving her award.

Calming Influences is also supported by experienced tutors who provide student support.  

Available on Kindle

Jackie's Book