A FORMER nun has swapped her role in a convent for a life healing people using alternative therapies.

Catherine Wallace, 38, spent 14 years as a member of a closed order of Carmelites in Darlington, County Durham.

But she realised she was meant to follow a different path in life after training as a journey therapist, using a radical new form of therapy which she is keen to bring to the region.

She originally left the order to learn more about journey therapy with the intention of using her experience within the convent, but realised she was meant to use her talents elsewhere.

The order does not allow nuns to leave the convent except for medical reasons, for religious courses or if there is a family emergency.

Their lives are dedicated to prayer. They are woken at 5.30am and they then pray for an hour before coming together seven times a day, as a community to recite psalms.

They then have their chores to do and have two periods of recreation a day, when they can read, play a musical instrument or walk in the garden. They only watch television to see the news and only have videos on special occasions like Christmas.

Miss Wallace said: "It is a structured life and one of the most austere of orders.

"Deciding to leave was the hardest thing I have ever done. I was happy and fulfilled at Carmel, but I became aware that I was living on a completely different dimension to my sisters and the Carmelite life began to feel quite stifling," she said.

"I was drawn to Carmel by a passionate love for God and humanity - the same things which brought me out. I feel this is the path I am meant to follow."

Attempting to explain journey therapy, she said: "Some people call it soul detoxing. It is one of the most radical ways of getting in touch with who you really are and developing better coping mechanisms."

Her time at Carmel helped her realise her strengths lie in mentoring and understanding others, which has led her to set-up Mind Body and Spirit Therapeutics.

As well as journey therapy, she is also accredited in a number of other alternative therapies, such as hypnotherapy and reiki healing.

Last week she shared some of her life experiences with the members of the town's Women's Business Network.

"The one thing we all have in common is stepping into the unknown. It is a step of faith and we have to remain focused on our vision. Sometimes it is scary - anything new is, but it's also exciting," she said.

Miss Wallace faces some different problems to other business women in setting up her venture, particularly since the Carmelites take a vow of poverty, so she did not even have a bank account.

However, she is confident MBS Therapeutics will be a success and hopes to be able to work alongside more mainstream therapists in the NHS.

She runs the business from Remedies in Duke Street, and also operates from Eastbourne Leisure Complex. She can be contacted on 07960 036608.