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Writer’s note: For just over a year I have had the unmitigated pleasure to travel around town visiting various spas and salons (and in many cases sample their services) and present them to you, the austinwoman readers. For me, this has been a dream writing assignment as I am as addicted to spa treatments as other people are to coffee or chocolate. But in my travels, I have come across many facilities and treatments that are doing some really cool things to enhance beauty or promote health and wellness, but because of the focus on “spas,” I was not able to learn more about these facilities or services and share them with you – until now.
So, the Spagirl column is now Beauty, Health + Wellness. I am so excited to be able to learn even more about the various services, treatments, tools and information available in the Austin area that can help Austin women live longer, happier, healthier and more self-confident lives. austinwoman magazine is committed to being the leading resource for Austin women when it comes to promoting self care and healthy living. This newly expanded section is poised to bring new opportunities for personal growth, beautification, improved health and overall well-being to Austin women and it is my pleasure to have the opportunity to bring this information to you.
Contemporary Health Care is located in a wooded area just off of North Capital of Texas Highway. The unusual location underscores the unusual makeup of this healing center that by its own definition “Combines the best of today’s health care with the wisdom of complementary and alternative healing therapies.” It’s a bit difficult to find as it is located within a business office complex that sits well off of the highway and once inside the office building, there is not a prominent sign to direct you to the wellness center. But that aside, the short quest to find the wellness center is well worth it.
The manifestation of a longtime vision, Contemporary Health Care was founded by owner Chris Holland, Ph.D, FNP, RN. Holland, who is a primary health care provider with expertise in geriatric medicine, says that opening Contemporary Health Care is much more that starting a business or an independent practice. “I’m doing the work that I am supposed to do.”
After completing her Ph.D in 2003, Holland was living, working and “doing life.” Yet in her heart, Holland yearned to create a space for healing for seniors. “In my heart of hearts I wanted to build a beautiful, holistic environment for elders, a healing sanctuary.” Holland kept these desires in her heart, having no idea how to bring them to fruition. But one morning in 2005 she awoke and knew that it was time. She walked into her kitchen and declared to her husband, “I have to build this sanctuary.” With her husband’s support, she searched for just the right space and found it in Northwest Hills. After a year of planning, Contemporary Health Care opened its doors in October 2006.
Contemporary Health Care is not just for seniors, nor is it just a fancy health care center. It is a wellness center that is focused on intentional healthy living on purpose. Holland herself provides primary care services such as physical examinations and health maintenance screenings. With the help of her colleagues, the practice helps clients to do intimate work on their lives. Holding firm to the belief that everyone is born “with a job to do,” Holland and her colleagues help their clients to seek inner awareness and guidance not only to heal illness and disease, but to live more fully and authentically. “You have to have an awareness of and listen to your inner voice,” says Holland. “You also have to have the courage to step out and do what you believe you must do.” Making bold authentic steps are what Holland and her colleagues help their clients to do.
One look at the services provided at Contemporary Health Care and its soothing, artistic and spiritual décor and it’s evident that it’s a different kind of health care center. In addition to primary care and geriatric services, Holland and her colleagues also offer a menu of life balancing services including Integrative Balance Therapy (a blend of energy healing modalities), Person/Family-Centered Care (stress management and coping skills), Life Transitions Management and a program called Infinite Horizons™ (a supportive program that eases the transition from life to death).
Carolyn Kinney, Ph.D, AHN-BC, RN is not only a colleague of Holland’s and a provider of services at the center, she has experienced firsthand the power behind these very life-transforming services and Holland’s gift and ability to deliver them.
“At the very end of my mother in-law’s life, Chris helped her to peacefully transition from life to death using Infinite Horizons™.”
Holland and Kinney created an atmosphere of complete calm and comfort within the assisted living facility. Kinney decorated the room with cherished family photos and personal items including several of her mother-in-law’s Madonnas. They played soothing music, lit candles and used essential oils to bring energy into the environment. Holland delivered a meditation of love and support to the elderly woman in preparation to transition from life to death. When Holland had finished and prepared to leave, Kinney’s mother-in-law, who had been in and out of consciousness and unable to speak for weeks, looked right at Holland and clearly said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” To her daughter-in-law, she simply said, “That was wonderful.” The ceremony gave the woman and her surroundings a sense of peace and an air of tranquility that was noticed by everyone who later visited, including the facility’s chaplain. She died peacefully in her sleep three days later.
“To be able to do such a service successfully, you have to mirror the family’s beliefs,” says Kinney. “Chris is very effective in understanding and respecting the family’s needs and wishes.”
Holland seems to have a knack for creating healing spaces. As a healing sanctuary, Contemporary Health Care emphasizes a holistic approach, tending to the mind, body and spirit. In addition to the life management programs offered, the center also offers massage therapy, aesthetic skin care, nutrition consultations and Ayurvedic wellness plans. Chris D. raved about the facial she received at Contemporary Health Care Center.
“It was truly one of the best facials I’ve ever had,” says Chris D. “Karla (my aesthetician) massaged my head and scalp as well as my face, neck and chest area. Although she’s not a massage therapist, she has incredible skills and her passion for her work really came through to me as a client. What I really liked is that Karla really got a good understanding of my skin in the short time that we were together. She used products that not only clarified my skin but also firmed and toned my skin at the same time. I was really pleased with the results and will definitely go back and would definitely recommend Karla to others.”
Holland and her colleagues are dedicated to helping their clients live their best lives. Whether they come in for routine preventive health care or have specific life issues with which they are struggling, Holland and her colleagues listen attentively and make recommendations that best align with the beliefs, wisdom and purpose of the client. By teaching and encouraging clients to live intentionally each according to his specific purpose, Contemporary Health Care helps everyone they encounter to “Be Well. Live Well. Stay Well,” thus following the intention from which it originated and the purpose for which it was created.
MORE INFO
Contemporary Health Care - A Healing Center
9009 Mountain Ridge Drive
Austin Building, Suite 140
Austin, TX 78759
512.343.2800
www.chcAustin.com