HIGH stress levels among public-sector workers worried about their future and general uncertainty about the economic climate has contributed to an increase in people looking at alternative therapies.

That’s according to wellbeing therapist Jackie Pearson, who reckons that more and more people are seeking help to cope with the potential threat of redundancy.

She runs Alternative Perceptions, which has just relocated close to the large Government offices at Longbenton, Newcastle.

“My clients have a range of reasons for seeking treatment,” said Jackie.

“People say things like, ‘I’m stuck in a rut, I don’t know where to turn’. And metaphors such as, ‘I feel like I’m treading water’ and, ‘I’m feeling trapped on a hamster’s wheel’ are often used to describe a person’s state of mind.

“I’ve noticed an incredible difference in the number of public-sector workers coming to me for advice and treatment.”

She uses therapies including reiki, reflexology and Indian head massage to help reduce stress levels and is also a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) coach.

Jackie became involved in alternative therapies more than 20 years ago.

She said: “Moving into my new premises together with my ability to help people through the difficult times ahead has helped me to gain one of my life ambitions.”