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'Women’s circles' are becoming more and more common in Jersey... but what exactly are they?
Express spoke to the local counsellor behind one of them to find out more...
Katherine Gasnier is a BACP and NCPS registered counsellor with a special interest in women's health issues including PCOS, endometriosis, postnatal depression, and PMDD.
With a background in health care, Katherine has predominantly worked in counselling over the eight years, out of passion for mental health.
As well as working with common mental health issues like depression and anxiety, Katherine offers appointments and 'women's health circles' at the Women's Health Hub, which was set up by Dr Jessica Langtree-Marsh at the Lido Medical Centre to help support local women through a holistic approach to their wellbeing.
Whilst women’s circles are becoming more and more common – there are now several facilitators in the island – Katherine is keen to highlight they are neither group therapy, nor a purely spiritual gathering and that they have a myriad of benefits for everyone.
“Women’s circles were originally quite spiritual,” she explained.
“They are places of intentional gathering where women gather together to pass wisdom between each other.
"They were sometimes called ‘moon lodges’ or ‘red tents’ when women used to live in alignment with nature and honour their cycles."
Pictured: Katherine advocates for women's circles, which foster connection, growth, and sisterhood.
“This tradition got lost under the patriarchy, but it is on the rise again," she noted.
"You start seeing these things all over the world where women are seeking connection – they are called book clubs, meeting groups, and they are always in the form of a circle because it’s a formation where everyone is equal.”
“As a society, we are constantly told we need to keep going and keep producing,” Katherine continued. “To step back and take back the time to connect with ourselves and others is really good for our wellbeing.”
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Katherine first discovered women’s circles shortly after completing her counselling training, which included weekly sessions where everyone would reflect on their week. When the course ended, she found herself missing the opportunity to “let out everything that needed to come out” and started researching ways to bring into her practice.
After reaching out to women in Africa and London, she came across a woman in Spain and trained with her.
Explaining what a women’s circle is, Katherine said it is mainly about connecting not only to yourself, but also to others
“Research has shown that connection and belonging is fundamental for wellbeing,” she said. “There is a spiritual element as you connect to yourself and allow yourself to just feel and be without being under pressure to do anything and I find that quite powerful.
“It’s also about bringing communities together. A circle is a space to share and hear stories, without judgment. When women cry in front of women they do not know, it tells others ‘I do not have to be scared about that’. It’s nice for people to see this and know that vulnerability is courage. It gives them the courage to do the same. It’s really interesting to see how quickly people can take off the masks and share what they are struggling with. It’s like a chain reaction, it just takes one person to open up and be vulnerable and it gives everyone permission to do the same.”
Born and raised in Jersey, Katherine said it can be hard for women to make friends and share stories in the island due to it feeling “gossipy or unsafe” at times. However, the circles aim to offer a supportive space where people of all walks of life are welcome.
Pictured: Katherine says that Women's Health Circles provide a supportive space for candid conversations about physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
“It’s a confidential and non-judgemental space,” she said. “We do not compare or criticise. You are just there to share. It’s about offering a space to discuss, for people to just be able to listen and hear in private, and feeling compassion for others.
“Connection and belonging are fundamental to our wellbeing so it’s really nice to see a group of women mingling, talking, sharing experiences, listening and crying, when they were all strangers minutes before, it’s magical.
“When I was younger, I could not believe that this could exist. It’s really empowering. I never leave a circle not feeling empowered or inspired.”
Whilst many will be looking after their physical health, taking supplements or vitamins to support their immune system for example, Katherine said not enough people are looking after their mental health. She reminded how stress and cortisol impact our body “constantly” and can affect women’s health and exacerbate symptoms, particularly when it comes to periods, menopause or fertility. During the circles she therefore shares tools used in therapy, such as meditation and mindfulness, with participants.
“I share grounding techniques and how to use them so that it does not feel overwhelming,” she said.
For those wishing to try a women’s circle but too nervous to do so, Katherine has many ways to reassure them and ease them in.
“If people are not quite ready to be in a group setting, they can start with one-to-one sessions to build confidence, learn about themselves and what’s going on for them,” she said. “Women’s circle are there to continue the process, but you don’t always have to share. Sometimes just listening is beneficial too.
“If you want to come and are scared to be on your own, I offer to meet people outside, I know how horrible it can be, how you worry about ‘what if I do not fit in?’"
“Women’s circles are really hard to explain and describe but you do not have to be spiritual, you do not have to meditate, and you do not even have to share if you don’t want to," Katherine said.
“It’s a space to learn new tools, find out something about yourself or learn that you are not alone in what you feel, which is the biggest thing.
"It’s also about taking the time to do something for yourself and for your mind and having the space to switch off and relax.”
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