More about Caroline Keane stressCare programme developer
Caroline Keane returned from Zimbabwe in 1987, suffering from severe PTSD, as a result of being held hostage. Whilst in Zimbabwe Caroline practised Roman Dutch Law, with Surgey Kerswell and Pitman Attorneys, Harare, Zimbabwe. She was consultant for the Ministry of Justice on the Nicholas Ridley report to be introduced, pending Independence of Zimbabwe.
On her return to the UK, following a partnership with a legal firm in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, How, Roche and Waller she moved back to Cornwall and settled following treatment for PTSD in Tavistock, Devon having attended RAF Wroughton and RN Haslar PTSD treatment centres and Broadreach House, Plymouth.
In a change of career direction, Caroline trained as a person centred counsellor with Exeter University and Transactional Analysis at WEA Plymouth. She proceeded to Plymouth College of Art and Design, to a take a degree in Fine Art, followed by a Fine Arts BA and Masters Degree in Fine Art and Ecology of Mind at Dartington College (underwritten by Plymouth University). Caroline also attended various courses at Schumacher College, Dartington and the Ehama Institute, Council Guide Training, Mexico, Wisconson, and Windtree, near San Jose, California, USA. Caroline worked with Dr Mary Beth Williams, Senior Psychiatrist in Maryland, in Washington DC veterans centre.
She was simultaneously elected as MicroCredit Practitioner, at the Summit Conference in Washington DC, working in Sri Lanka and India, supporting Womens’ Initiatives through the Grameen Bank worldwide programme.
Caroline was elected to Tavistock Town Council and West Devon Borough Council, to represent the North Ward of Tavistock in 1999, she was also appointed Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Torridge and West Devon (2003). As Chair of West Devon Safety Partnership Committee, and as a Stresscare Trustee, was requested along with Caroline Lucas MEP, to create a report for the Cabinet Office, in collaboration with Farm Crisis Network to request mental health provision for farmers and their families, during the Foot and Mouth epidemic (2001), to be provided by the NHS in Devon and Cumbria. This report was accepted and acted upon by the Government.
Caroline also worked with Dr White, at the complementary health centre, at Exeter University and introduced the Buteyko Method for those suffering from asthma and related conditions in Tavistock. She was also West Devon’s representative at the Exeter University Court (2000).
Caroline headed a mental health initiative, establishing a domestic violence refuge in West Devon. Supported by Comic Relief Caroline also set up the first Environmental Conference at the Methodist Hall in Tavistock. As Mayor of Tavistock, she established a workshop for Tavistock business leaders and councillors in order to achieve the best Market Town in Britain award for the town 2005.
Caroline led the community schools initiative, along with The Eden Project for African Cultural Activities for outlying Dartmoor Schools, and was awarded the BBC Cultural Award in 2004. She introduced the literary component for the Tavistock, Music and Arts Festival, and The Dawn Chorus on Dartmoor for 10 years, and was consultant for Peninsula Arts, Plymouth University for their very successful Exhibition and Lecture series named, ‘Sacred Footprints’ in 2004.
Through her experiences in recovery, from PTSD and her later career in Mental Health Psychology, Caroline academically lodged the basis for a recovery programme for the treatment of PTSD for clients to include their families. A 10 week programme now called stressCare was born.
Having lectured at Exeter University in the Classics Department in Ancient Food and Medicine, together with studying research for Jung and Steiner, she realised the relationship with Braggs Law (Physics DNA Colour Sequence through Crystallography). Caroline researched and established the StressCare/ stressCare Self-Empowerment Colour Wheel based on Colour Immersion Therapy. To combine the effect of DNA, fragmentation of colour sequence due to the impact of trauma on the individual and to include in the course the most effective therapeutic and related activities with a 10 week course, this is the course offered by stressCare, who have gained funding through Awards for All in collaboration with Exeter University.
Through the 5 pilot programmes so far, stressCare has been able to identify the most effective therapeutic interventions and related activities.