Jillian, Erica, and Emi
We recently were informed of an English-speaking directory showcasing health services for pregnancy and postpartum in the Geneva area. We caught up with Erica, Jillian, and Emi.
Jillian Aragon explained, “When I first arrived in Geneva, I faced the challenges of navigating a new environment with no knowledge of the language or the local maternity healthcare system. As a doula, I envisioned being able to connect my clients to like-minded professionals who shared my passion for supporting physiological birth and holistic health practices. Over time, I met incredible providers and realized there was a genuine need for a comprehensive free resource guide to connect women with compassionate, holistic care.”
Have you been working on this idea forever, or was it something that came to you recently?
She goes on to say, “The concept of offering a free resource didn’t fully form until I crossed paths with Erica and Emi. At first, I envisioned creating a guide for my private business, and then I considered partnering with one of the international organizations here in Geneva to refresh their resource page for English-speaking families. But as the idea grew, I realized that to bring it to life in a meaningful and sustainable way, I needed a strong, connected, and creative team of women to help weave this vision into a resource that could truly serve the community.”
From the Heart2Heart team
As we reflect on the past year, we are humbled by the moments of resilience, compassion, and hope that define our journey. Since 2023, Heart2Heart Crisis Line (H2H) remains committed to being a beacon of support for individuals navigating life’s toughest moments, and we could not do it without you.
In 2024, we responded to over 1200 calls from individuals in crisis; more than 2000 calls in the last 2 years.
Each call represents a life touched, a story heard, and an opportunity to listen.
One of our callers was struggling with the divorce and custody of their young child and called our H2H line. Our team member provided encouragement and a listening ear and together, they are able to name the things that bring joy and clarity.
Another caller shared their work challenges with a colleague and at the end of the call expressed that they had a plan of action to advocate for themselves and more importantly, they felt heard.
Since time began, security blankets and soft toys have been the bane of most parents' existence. The dependance and comfort a child gets from this attachment has long been studied by doctors, scientists, psychologists, and psychiatrists! They refer to them as transitional psychological supports that give concrete emotional reassurance. Yes, on one hand, there are real advantages; on the other, tantrums and stress when they are lost, missing, in the wash, or tattered to the point of no return can be disturbing. A beloved stuffed animal, a soft edged blanket, or a scrap of fabric that is unrecognizable to the average beholder is a must-have accessory in the sight of the youngster!
In English, the proper names and synonyms are often altered by the child but start off as:
- blankie
- softie
- comfie
In French, they fall under the following appellations:
- doudou
- toutou
- nin-nin
- peluche
Of course, these names are often renamed by the child.
We were recently contacted by Carla M. Zilli and Mélanie Svalander who launched a divorce consulting service, or divorce coaching, providing emotional and practical support. We sent them a few questions after two women sent us these following recommendations this January:
"I worked with SPARQ and they provided me with the knowledge and clarity that I needed to navigate a very challenging time in my life. They helped me stay focused, manage (and reduce) conflict and in the end they helped me make decisions that protected my emotional well-being. A very rewarding experience."
"My lawyer recommended SPARQ, and I’m so grateful I chose to work with them. My husband had walked out on me, and my life felt like a complete mess. The confusion and shock were beyond words. SPARQ provided me with a sense of direction, helping me set realistic goals and actionable plans. Divorce can feel overwhelming, but talking to a caring professional helped me move forward. I highly recommend Sparq Divorce Consultants. Their wealth of life experience, coupled with their understanding and empathetic approach, makes them exceptional at listening and guiding you throughout the journey."
What languages do you speak?
Carla is Italian and Dutch, with experience in the legal field, while Mélanie is Swiss and Swedish, with expertise in the communication field. Fluent in English, French, Dutch, Italian and Spanish, we use a multilingual and multicultural approach to help clients from diverse backgrounds navigate challenges effectively.
Why did you start?
We both experienced divorce in Switzerland (one as an expat and one as a Swiss citizen) and found ourselves completely lost as we tried to navigate the complexities of the process. While we had good legal counsel, we quickly realised that divorce extends far beyond legal advice — it touches every part of life, from our children and health to our careers, finances, and living arrangements. It even impacted our sense of identity and future aspirations.
Lois Vitry Trapman, 9D Breathwork Facilitator
We have known Lois Vitry Trapman since 2019 when we wrote an article about Royal Bloom florist shop in Lausanne at this link. We got to know Lois better when The Fish Club opened in Geneva in 2021 (now closed) at this link. Following this talented, beautiful, humble, and personable lady has been an inspiration and we are delighted to let our readers know about her new venture, BloominBreath. She explained it to us below.
How did you get started in breathwork?
I have always cared about people, about wellbeing, about betterment. What we do with bretahwork can result in the same amount of work of years of psychotherapy... It has transformed me and I believe in it so much that I wanted to be able to teach others how they can transform their lives in a positive way.
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
So far everything has been aligning in my life regarding this path. I feel drawn to it and it feels natural. Breathwork is not very well known but I think it is so important to your wellbeing that it should be taught in schools! It is something that needs to be explained as it is not very common yet.
What is the definition of Breathwork?
There is nothing like breathwork and its not just meditation or breathing calmly. Its breath WORK, I have been utilizing breath throughout my life. I started running with my father when I was 6 years old, and I practice apnea diving whenever possible.
I discovered "breathwork" itself in Bali during a life changing voyage, and i have decided to share this beautiful knowledge since.
In layman terms Wikipidia describes Breathwork as a term for various breathing practices in which the conscious control of breathing is said to influence a person's mental, emotional, or physical state, with a therapeutic effect.
The 9D method is one of a kind, mixing hypnosis bibaural beats voice coaching, and other methods to help you feel and deal with imprinted traumas and limiting beliefs in order to become a better you.
