‘Healing is calming and uplifting’

Former carer Rita Belfield recommends the power of healing to help people cope with the stress of caring

Rita looked after her mum for many years until she sadly died eight years ago. Rita admits she wore herself out trying to care for her mum, be a wife to her husband, David, and work full-time.

But throughout all her years as a carer, Rita turned to the power of healing – a gift she inherited from her parents – to help her during difficult moments.

Now she uses her healing powers to help people who are struggling with stress or who have lost a loved one and she wants to encourage other people to seek help if they are facing difficult times in their lives.

“Healers never pretend that they can cure physical illnesses but a healing session can give peace of mind and it’s a calming process that can’t hurt anyone,” she says.

Most people have a few healing sessions which involve Rita holding her hands over their body – often not touching them at all. Rita wears a crystal necklace when she holds a session as she believes in the healing power of crystals.

Rita developed an interest in healing as a young girl and had several sessions with experienced healers which convinced her that it could be a very rewarding and worthwhile thing to do.

She started healing others 50 years ago and over the years, has helped many people. She doesn’t charge for the sessions, regarding it as an honour and privilege to try to help others. She is trained and insured, having passed exams through the British Healing Association.

“Having a healing session is calming and uplifting and it’s a very gentle complementary therapy,” she says.

Rita’s mum had multiple sclerosis for most of her adult life. She was also diabetic and needed a lot of care. After Rita’s father died in 2001, Rita became her mum’s full-time carer and soon after this, Rita was diagnosed with cancer. Radiotherapy treatment has left her with long-term health problems.

“I used healing on my mum and although it didn’t cure her, she always felt better afterwards,” she says.

Rita never advertises her skills but is always busy through word of mouth.

“People are often very sceptical about the power of healing and I never try to influence them; it’s up to individuals to make their own decisions.”

She often uses healing techniques to treat herself and relaxes after a healing session by meditating.

“I recommend meditation; it’s free and can be done anywhere.

“A person may not notice the healing benefits straight away but will feel them at some time. As a former carer, I know how stressful caring can be and I’d urge anyone to try a healing session with a qualified healer.”

■ For details, visit the British Healers Association on www.britishhealers association.co.uk