A Carlisle mum who lost her only child 11 years ago is helping people uncover the secret to happiness.

Mo Colohan was devastated when her son Niky died after a long battle with kidney failure.

As she struggled to recover from her crippling bereavement she sought an answer to the question: “How can I be happy?”

As a practitioner in clinical hypnosis, energy therapy and mindfulness, Mo knew how life experiences could pitch people into a dark place leaving them vulnerable and deeply unhappy.

She used this knowledge together with meaningful support and training to rebuild her own life after Niky’s death.

“I had to overcome the effects of the death of my son. I felt losing my child stripped me of everything, especially happiness,” she said.

Today Mo is a successful businesswoman.

Having worked in occupational mental health for a private company in Carlisle, she has launched her new business as a mindfulness and wellbeing consultant in the city centre.

Working from her Centre for Mindful Wellbeing in Cecil Street, Mo sees people with a range of emotional issues from mood swings and depression to exam nerves, bereavement, unwanted habits, anxiety and weight loss.

Using a combination of clinical hypnosis, energy therapy, mindfulness, Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mo seeks to help people unlock happiness.

She is also a qualified coach working both at the centre and as a freelance business adviser with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

Many people are seeking help from Mo but recently there has been a surge of both men and women aged between 40 and 60.

This age group are coping with mid-life changes, increased work pressure coupled with things like children leaving home, ageing parents and bereavements.

“The problem with this generation is that they were brought up to put themselves last,” she said.

“They have spent their lives looking after children while working hard. They may have then gone on to looking after parents.

"They have spent their lives putting energy into too many places without thinking of themselves.

“Then all of a sudden; they look in the mirror and say, ‘Oh my god, who am I?’. Through my therapies I help them reinvent themselves and create an identity based on self-love and appreciation.

"I enable them to say ‘No’ without guilt. It is all about self-faith and belief.”

The number of sessions Mo recommends depends on the problem.

Exam nerves may need two, while combating life-long issues may take three or four. Weight loss can involve seven sessions.

She said: “Our emotions are swirling forms of energy and they do not speak with language but use feelings and sensations. So, it is often difficult for people to know or articulate how they are feeling. Using this process, I’m drawn instinctively to what is going on.

“I am able to design specific treatment for the individual, so they can feel a shift and change even from first session. It is all about taking back control of life to create happiness.

“We live in a blame culture. People come to see me because they have sponged everything up and taken the blame for everything going on. They let external difficulties affect their self-esteem.

“I help people to change that perception and learn self-care. Self first is not selfish.”

Mo is giving free workshops in clinical hypnosis and meditation at the Spirit Wings and Beautiful Things Fayre at Carlisle Racecourse on June 9 and 10.