Pathfinder CIC Trains One of the UK’s First Blind NADA Practitioners to Bridge the Gap in Tayside’s Trauma Recovery

Tucked away in Perth is a "hidden gem" of social innovation that is quietly tackling Scotland’s trauma crisis. Pathfinder CIC has just hit a staggering milestone, providing life-changing somatic healing to over 1,200 local people in just two years. Their work is so impactful that it recently drew a personal visit from the First Minister to see how this local hub is "resetting" the nervous systems of Tayside.

“Their trauma-informed approach offers a genuinely supportive environment for people dealing with anxiety, trauma, and burnout. The care and thought that goes into their work is evident, and it is making a real difference in the lives of many across Perthshire.” Mr Swinney said.

Now, Pathfinder is making waves again by qualifying one of the UK’s most unique practitioners, Anita Davies, a British and European Judo Gold Medallist who has been blind since birth.

Anita travelled from Wales to Perth to master the NADA acupuncture protocol, a specialised 5-point ear technique that "reboots" the body from survival mode into calm. While most practitioners rely on their eyes, Anita uses what she calls "tactile sight." By feeling the topography of the ear, she creates a 3D map in her mind, allowing her to place needles with a level of precision that many sighted practitioners envied during the training.

“Anita is the living embodiment of what we do at Pathfinder,” says Founder Lynn Erasmus. “We help individuals who feel frazzled from past traumas, causing acute stress and anxiety and even addiction, to build capacity in their nervous system so they can feel safe in their bodies – and that is when the real work starts. Whether it's through NADA, Reiki, or our Quantum Body Scans, we teach people how to feel safe in their own skin again. If a blind World Champion can master these tools to heal others, imagine what we can do for every household, charity, and business in Scotland.”

Pathfinder CIC, which has received significant funding from the NHS Tayside Charitable Trust, to deliver group acupuncture to those in need in Tayside, is now issuing a call to action to the Scottish business and charity sectors. They are looking to become the "Wellbeing Partner" for organisations that are tired of temporary fixes and want real, somatic resilience for their teams.

“We should be in every household and every business,” says Erasmus. “Trauma lives in the body, and we have the tools to release it. We are right here on your doorstep, and we are ready to resource the nation, creating 1 million REBELs by 2030 as per Erasmus’ TEDx talk, Transforming Trauma into Happily Ever After.”

Anita, who recently lost one eye to glaucoma and is fighting to save the vision in her other, remains undeterred. “I’ve flown planes and won gold medals; now, I’m here to serve. You don’t need sight to have vision, and Pathfinder CIC has the vision the rest of the country needs right now.”