My name is Stephen Mann, but everyone apart from my mother (and my wife if, she needs to make a point) calls me Steve.

In 2018 I started to study, as a mature student, a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree with The Open University and successfully completed my first year in June 2019. This enabled me to gain a place with Lincoln College in 2019, to study the only recognised Batchelor of Science degree in the UK for Clinical Herbalism, which I started studying September 2019, having put my Psychology degree studies on hold.

The BSc (Hons) Clinical Herbalism is not only unique because it is the only degree of its kind, but it is the only degree that not only teaches a modern scientific, evidence based course in clinical herbalism, but also requires students to achieve clinical examination skills passes, to the same basic level of a GP, and complete a minimum of 500 practical clinical hours with patients.

This is a mandatory requirement and unless examination of all the body systems, including, cardio-vascular, respiratory, abdominal, muscular-skeletal, nervous system, cranial nerves are assessed and signed off as passed, the degree can not be awarded. This cumulates with an examination in the final year of a patient, based on the students diagnosis, which is externally examined as a pass or fail. Failure in this final exam, as well as final written exams would require a student to retake their final year.

I completed my final year in June 2022 and have been awarded a BSc (Hons) Clinical Herbalism by Lincoln College. The quality of this degree enabled membership of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (HIMH), which is the largest professional body in the UK for practicing medical herbalists and as such entitles me to use the letters MNIMH, after my name.

Being a member of a professional body not only ensures the highest standards are required in my practice, but also requires professional development training on an annual basis to ensure my practice skills are always up to date. Membership of NIMH also gives me the benefit of £6,000,000.00 practitioner liability insurance for my practice.

As part of my professional development, I have completed and passed my second year of study for my BSc (Hons) degree in psychology and I am currently studying my final year of this degree with the Open University, and hope to successfully complete my degree in June 2024.

The combination of clinical herbalism and psychology, I believe makes me a better practitioner. One of the biggest advantages of a herbal consultation is that the 60 to 90 minutes for a consultation, allows me not only to discuss my patients complaint or condition, but also explore how they feel, both physically and emotionally. The link between our mind and emotions and physical symptoms of illness, I believe is one of the most powerful tools we have to build strong physical and mental foundations, that enable us to support our body to deal with the stresses of modern life, ultimately improving our health.