In Conversation With: Julie Watts, Director and Co-founder of The BWRT Institute

Julie Watts is the Director and Co-founder of The Terence Watts BWRT Institute, and as a former professional dancer, she brings a unique perspective to the world of mental health, understanding the importance of both physical and mental well-being.

The dedication and resilience required during her dance career have seamlessly translated into her work at the BWRT Institute and I am delighted she was able to take the time to speak to YOMU about her journey.

What inspired you to start a company in the health and wellness sector?

BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT®) was developed in 2011 by Terence Watts, a psychotherapist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. Today, BWRT® is used by 4,000 clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists worldwide, offering a cutting-edge approach to mental health that’s both fast and effective. It helps people overcome anxiety, phobias, depression, addiction, trauma, and PTSD, often achieving remarkable results in just a few sessions. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved over the past 13 years.

What influenced your services?

BWRT® is grounded in neuroscience, specifically targeting the ‘hind brain’ or ‘reptilian brain,’ which is responsible for our most basic and instinctive responses, like the fight-or-flight reaction. By working directly with this part of the brain, BWRT® can resolve deep-seated issues at their source, providing lasting relief.

Terence’s eureka moment came while reading about Benjamin Libet’s experiments in the 1980s that suggested a gap between the brain’s initial reaction and our conscious awareness, challenging the traditional understanding of free will. At that moment, Terence realised the cognitive gap between the brain’s initial reaction and our conscious awareness could be harnessed to create beneficial changes in the psyche. This revelation was the ‘birth’ of BWRT®.

How does your company uniquely address the health and wellness needs of its customers?

BWRT® is renowned for its speed. Unlike many traditional therapies requiring numerous sessions over months or years, BWRT® often resolves issues in just a few sessions. Significant improvements can be seen after just one session for some clients. This rapid effectiveness is particularly valuable in today's fast-paced world where time is precious.

Additionally, clients do not need to disclose personal details (if they prefer not to) or relive traumatic experiences (repeatedly) during sessions. BWRT® can be delivered both in-person and online, maintaining a low rate of symptom recurrence and providing more permanent resolution than therapies that only address symptoms.

What major health and wellness trends have impacted your business strategy?

The growing recognition of mental health’s importance has been important. It’s great to see this getting talked about equally along with physical health. There’s also an increasing demand for therapies that deliver quick and lasting results, which aligns perfectly with BWRT®'s strengths.

Could you describe a pivotal moment or decision in your company's development? How did it influence your path forward?

The expansion of BWRT® into South Africa marked a transformative milestone early in the development. In South Africa trauma is unfortunately prevalent, so it provided a critical proving ground for BWRT®.

Therapists reported exceptional success rates in treating a wide range of psychological issues, often achieving results in fewer sessions compared to traditional therapies. Clients experience rapid relief from their symptoms, leading to a surge in demand for BWRT® nationwide.

This not only extended our reach globally but also validated BWRT’s innovative approach to addressing complex psychological challenges. Beyond its use by psychologists and psychotherapists, BWRT® has been adopted as the primary therapy in many South African universities, as well as by the police force and military, with its acceptance continuing to grow.

How do you stay informed and continue to innovate within the health and wellness field?

Ongoing research and collaboration globally are crucial. Our annual World Congress brings together practitioners to share case studies and advancements, fostering a collaborative environment for continuous improvement.

Practitioner feedback from our global network of over thousands of professionals is crucial for sharing best practice. We offer advanced training courses, webinars, and workshops to keep our practitioners updated with the latest knowledge and skills.

For more information or to find a BWRT® therapist, visit https://www.bwrt-professionals.com/ Follow us on Facebook @BWRTOrganisation and Twitter @BWRTInstitute for the latest updates and insights.