The Power Of Thought

More and more people are turning to hypnotherapy to help with a range of issues. Roger Borrell spoke to Caroline Dawe

- Caroline Dawe

MENTION the word hypnosis to many people and it will probably conjure up an image of stage acts where hapless ‘victims’ are plucked from the audience and made to do ridiculous things – anything from eating a raw onion to taking off their clothes off.

This public persona is, understandably, a source of great irritation to qualified hypnotherapists such as Caroline Dawe. It’s one of her ambitions to change the image of this complementary treatment that is now being used for a wide range of conditions.

Caroline, who is based in Wigan, has a very good reason to champion hypnotherapy. She says she is living proof of its efficacy.

‘I had a nasty fall and fractured both my knees,’ she says. ‘It turned out to be a life-changing experience because complications set in and I was told I needed two artificial knee replacements.’

Caroline had spent a large part of her career working in the health service, but it was mainly in administration and the prospect of having surgery unnerved her.

‘I’d never had an operation and I was very apprehensive about it,’ she said. ‘Someone recommended hypnosis as a  way of dealing with my anxiety and I have to admit I was quite dubious.