Caroline Flack was having 'somatic therapy' used on PTSD sufferers after seeing a holistic healer in LA in the weeks following her assault charge on boyfriend Lewis Burton

  • CPS has come under intense scrutiny in the wake of the much loved star's death
  • Caroline had reportedly been undergoing therapy in the weeks before her death
  • She is understood to have travelled to Los Angeles for Somatic therapy 

By Ciara Farmer and Amie Gordon For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Caroline Flack was reportedly undergoing therapy in the weeks before she passed away, it has emerged today. 

The much loved presenter was said to have gone to Los Angeles for 'somatic therapy' on the advice of her friend Russell Brand, according to the Mirror.  

Somatic therapy helps people who suffer from stress, anxiety, grief, depression and PTSD. 

Friends yesterday said Caroline - whose upbeat, vivacious and energetic personality won her a legion of fans and captured the hearts of a nation - was doing her best to remain upbeat ahead of her impending trial for alleged assault.  

This comes as the 40-year-old's friends have hit out at the CPS for pursuing the trial even after her boyfriend dropped charges against her. 

The Crown Prosecution Service has come under intense scrutiny for persisting to prosecute the star for alleged assault, and her management company criticised what it called a 'show trial' even after her boyfriend said he did not support it. 

A court previously heard that Caroline Flack had 'hit her boyfriend Lewis Burton' (pictured together above) 

Caroline is pictured above leaving Highbury Magistrates' Court in December last year

Caroline is pictured above leaving Highbury Magistrates' Court in December last year

The 40-year-old presenter died hours after it was announced that she would be charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27. 

According to the Mirror, after her first court appearance for assault on December 23, the former Love Island host 'attempted to restore her mental wellbeing with somatic therapy, a holistic practice used to treat PTSD.'

She reportedly travelled to Los Angeles after Christmas to work with a somatic healer. 

Speaking on ITV's Loose Women in 2018, Ms Flack revealed how she underwent hypnotherapy to get her 'mind in the right place', adding: 'I do it more when I need to focus on something. 

'I knew when I had eight days to learn the role, I went and saw him [her hypnotherapist]. He got my mind in the right place. That really works for me'. 

Caroline stepped down from presenting the current winter series of the ITV2 dating show after the alleged assault.

The TV star pleaded not guilty to assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton at a flat in north London during a court hearing in December.

In recent days it has emerged that CPS lawyers decided to prosecute Caroline even after her boyfriend Lewis Burton asked police not to proceed.  

Known as an 'evidence-led prosecution', it would have relied not on his testimony but on material gathered by police such as bodycam footage taken at the presenter's north London home in the early hours of December 12. 

But Caroline's management released a statement, where it branded the case a 'show trial'.

Francis Ridley of Money Talent Management said: 'In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.

'The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events.

'The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest.

'And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline.'

The TV presenter, aged 40, was found at her London home (pictured) on Saturday

The TV presenter, aged 40, was found at her London home (pictured) on Saturday

It has now been suggested that Flack's trial had been a 'show trial' by the CPS
Russell Brand

The much-loved presenter (left on holiday with a friend last week), was said to have gone to Los Angeles for 'somatic therapy' on the advice of her friend Russell Brand (right)

Human rights barrister Charlotte Proudman, of Goldsmith Chambers, suggested the prosecution of Miss Flack was a 'show trial'.

Dr Proudman told Today: 'Looking at the circumstances of the case, I'm struggling to see why it was in the public interest to prosecute when it's very clear that Caroline Flack, at the time, was struggling with her mental health.' 

How Somatic therapy can help treat PTSD sufferers: Holistic healing techniques for mind and body aid stress and depression 

Somatic therapy is a form of body-centered therapy that looks at the connection of mind and body and uses both psychotherapy and physical therapies for holistic healing. 

In addition to talk therapy, somatic therapy practitioners use mind-body exercises and other physical techniques to help release the pent-up tension that is negatively affecting physical and emotional wellbeing. 

Somatic therapy can help people who suffer from stress, grief, anxiety, depression, and problems with relationships, as well as issues related to trauma and abuse. 

Chronic physical pain, digestive disorders and other medical issues may also benefit from somatic therapy. 

Somatic therapy techniques can be used in both individual and group therapy settings.

Physical techniques that may be used with somatic therapy include dance, exercise, yoga, or other types of movement, vocal work, and massage. 

Source: Psychology Today 

Leading law firm Stephensons Solicitors LLP has also blasted the Crown Prosecution Service for having a 'one size fits all' policy. 

Sean Joyce, head of criminal justice at Stephensons, said that enforced separation can sometimes do more harm than good.

Mr Joyce said: 'The current CPS approach is too much of a one size fits all policy, it must give greater thought to individual circumstances.

'The enforced separation between parties, in individual cases, as highlighted here, often prevents reconciliation and can do more harm than good.

'It's important that the CPS takes the time to reflect on this.

'If as a country we want a criminal justice system that provides justice to all parties, including the alleged victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, then it needs to be properly resourced.

'At the moment, the police, prosecution and courts often don't have the time or the money to consider properly the complex issues raised by domestic violence.

'Perversely, this can lead to inappropriate cases proceeding to trial when a robust review at an early stage would have prevented this.' 

The CPS refused to comment on the specifics of Ms Flack's case, but explained the process by which it decides to charge people.

'We do not decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence - that is for the jury, judge or magistrate - but we must make the key decision of whether a case should be put before a court,' a spokesman said.

 

'I am angry and sad she found herself in that place': Russell Brand pens impassioned tribute to tragic Caroline Flack... as he brands the late star 'a lovely little person, a laugh, a dynamo' 

Russell Brand penned an impassioned tribute to the late Caroline Flack following her heartbreaking suicide over the weekend.

The Get Him To The Greek star, 44, took to his website to write a lengthy message, in which he lauded her, admitted he is 'angry and sad' over the tragedy and urged people to be aware they are 'capable of kindness'. 

Caroline, 40 took her own life on Saturday, after a friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the Love Island presenter alone at her London flat.

Heartache: Russell Brand has penned an impassioned tribute to the late Caroline Flack following her heartbreaking suicide over the weekend (Russell pictured in January)

Heartache: Russell Brand has penned an impassioned tribute to the late Caroline Flack following her heartbreaking suicide over the weekend (Russell pictured in January)

Russell joined a legion of stars paying tribute to Caroline in an impassioned and lengthy statement shared to his website. 

Having been candid about his own battles with depression and suicidal thoughts in the past, the actor and comedian was speaking about the tragedy. 

On the star, he wrote: 'I am angry and sad that Caroline Flack found herself in that place. I am sad because she was a lovely little person, a real laugh, a dynamo and the idea that she had been so drained of hope by her circumstances chokes me.' 

He confessed that his withdrawal from the spotlight was due to how he was made to feel and the person he became. 

'A laugh, a dynamo': The Get Him To The Greek star, 44, took to his website to write a lengthy message, in which he lauded her, admitted he is 'angry and sad' over the tragedy and urged people to be aware they are 'capable of kindness' (Caroline pictured on Strictly in 2015)

'A laugh, a dynamo': The Get Him To The Greek star, 44, took to his website to write a lengthy message, in which he lauded her, admitted he is 'angry and sad' over the tragedy and urged people to be aware they are 'capable of kindness' (Caroline pictured on Strictly in 2015)

'I am angry and sad that Caroline Flack found herself in that place': Russell's statement in full  

'The line then that separates people who kill themselves and people that don't is vague and uncertain, it is a line within each of us, not between us.'

I recently performed a monologue, a 'verbatim piece' made up of extracts of the last written words of people who had taken their own lives. I was grateful to the surviving family members for allowing me such intimate access to such a painful and personal artifact. 

There is so much shame around suicide, so much shame and so much pain. The writing itself; some in the form of emails, some blogs, some old fashioned notes, provided a blurred portal into the mind of the person that would go on to take their own life. 

I sensed a familiar resonance throughout these varied pieces, a common tune in the expression of these distinct people; it was 'ordinariness'. The ordinariness of the thoughts, feelings and events that led them to make the ultimate act of self sacrifice.

'I don't feel good enough', 'I'm lonely', 'I'm worthless', 'I'm scared I'm in too much debt', 'I'm scared I've hurt too many people', 'I am unlovable'. Normal feelings that I've felt many times, that I suspect we all feel at times. 

The line then that separates people who kill themselves and people that don't is vague and uncertain, it is a line within each of us, not between us. 

We just don't know who will or who won't be pushed to a point of such inward pain and desperation that the dreadful certainty of suicide and the despair it inflicts on those left behind are insufficient deterrents.

I am angry and sad that Caroline Flack found herself in that place. I am sad because she was a lovely little person, a real laugh, a dynamo and the idea that she had been so drained of hope by her circumstances chokes me.

I am angry because I have watched this play out before with vulnerable people in the public eye and I would like to slay with some righteous sword the salacious, foaming, incessant poking, trolling judgment that chased her to the grave. The way it did with Jade Goodie [sic], the way it did with Amy Winehouse. 

I know there is no single 'media' or 'social media' I know they are complex machines that comprise, by their nature, millions of participants. But our systems operate in accordance with values and the way these values are set and the consequences of these values are obviously in serious need of reevaluation. 

I have resigned from fame because it brought out the worst in me, vanity, insecurity, jealousy, competitiveness. Most people I've spoken to have comparable experiences, it's hard to endure what celebrity does to your mental health without a robust constitution or strong counter measures to ground and protect you.

There is little to be gained from allocating blame now that Caroline is dead. Her vulnerability was obvious when the CPS pursued her case and when she took another turn in the barrel with the media and social media. 

I've seen that there are petitions to regulate the press and I admire the optimism of the enterprise. But the media is made up of people, the world of celebrity is made up of people, social media is made up of people. 

All culture, all values pass through the consciousness of individuals and collectives. If we want the world to change, for less people to die in pain and shame then we should pause before we next vent a pleasurable stab of vindictive judgment or jeering condemnation. 

Social media is a network of connections. We can use those connections to convey love and support and kindness, all ideas that can be rationally understood as expressions of our unity.

While we are unique and different, beautiful in our vast and distinct identities – and all identities can be honoured, we are all capable of kindness, we are all capable of redemption, we are all worthy of love. 

Whenever we speak and act and relate we emanate intent through the invisible threads that connect us. Communication is the creation of community, what kind of communities are we creating? 

Caroline was surrounded by friends and families that loved her, that love her still through a shattered lens of anguish, and that love could not incubate her or protect her from the pain and shame that ended her life. 

We have the power to hurt one another and the power to heal one another, perhaps that's the only power we have. We can never see the positive impact of our actions, the times when our kindness and compassion may have saved a life but we can see what happens in it's absence. 

As long as our public values continue to be an expression of lower human instincts none of us are exempt from the pain and shame that closed in on the bright and playful light that used to shine from Caroline. 

Our best hope is to build relationships and communities based on kindness, forgiveness and compassion, not easy values to maintain given the complexity within us and without us but Caroline's death shows us that the alternative is just too sad to bear.

 

Russell went on: 'I have resigned from fame because it brought out the worst in me, vanity, insecurity, jealousy, competitiveness...  

'Most people I've spoken to have comparable experiences, it's hard to endure what celebrity does to your mental health without a robust constitution or strong counter measures to ground and protect you.'

Russell likened the treatment of Caroline by the public to Jade Goody and Amy Winehouse's strife during their dramatic lives prior to their untimely death.  

Caroline's suicide came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton - something she denied. 

Her love: Caroline's suicide came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton - something she denied (pictured last year)

Her love: Caroline's suicide came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton - something she denied (pictured last year)

Backing out: Russell went on: 'I have resigned from fame because it brought out the worst in me, vanity, insecurity, jealousy, competitiveness' (pictured in 2018)

Backing out: Russell went on: 'I have resigned from fame because it brought out the worst in me, vanity, insecurity, jealousy, competitiveness' (pictured in 2018)

The TV presenter's death was confirmed by a lawyer for the family. The Flack family said in a statement: 'We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.'

A worried producer friend had been staying with the star but found she couldn't get back into her flat after returning from the shops, a source said. She called Caroline's father Ian who gained entry to the flat where he found the star's body. 

In May 2017, Russell discussed Chris Cornell's death, after the rocker was found dead in a Detroit hotel room aged 52. The Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman's tragic death was ruled as suicide by hanging. 

In the wake of the tragedy, the comedian and actor spoke about the epidemic of male suicide and gave insight into his own depression and suicidal thoughts. 

Further tragedy: In May 2017, Russell discussed Chris Cornell's death, after the rocker was found dead in a Detroit hotel room aged 52. The Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman's tragic death was ruled as suicide by hanging (Cornell, pictured in 2015)

Further tragedy: In May 2017, Russell discussed Chris Cornell's death, after the rocker was found dead in a Detroit hotel room aged 52. The Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman's tragic death was ruled as suicide by hanging (Cornell, pictured in 2015)

In July of the same year, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington was found hanged at his California, aged 41, leading to more insightful comments from Russell. 

Russell said on his Trews podcast: 'Many are saying that both of these recent suicides are a point to the idea of disillusionment, dissatisfaction, that is more pronounced in the case of famous and successful men... 

'But it's probably something that all men this age experience.'

On his own suicidal thoughts, he said: 'I know I’ve had thoughts of suicide before, and the reason I’ve not carried it out is that I’ve always been fortunate enough to have access to other people, who’ve said, ‘Yeah I’ve felt like that, don’t do anything dramatic about it. There are other ways. This is temporary. This will go by.' 

Advertisement

Caroline Flack friends slam 'cruel' CPS for pursuing trial over 'minor incident'

Comments 15

Share what you think

  View all

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

  View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

What's This?

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.