My Hypnotherapy Qualifications
I studied at the long established Wakefield School of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy which the National Council of Hypnotherapy (NCH) approved when I trained (along with thirteen other establishments nationwide) as an accredited training establishment.
Following the NCFE awarding body’s assessment of my work, I received my Hypnotherapy Practitioners Diploma. I believe the HPD to be the first open to all, nationally accredited Diploma in Hypnotherapy. Both the NCFE and the NCH bring forth this jointly accredited credential in the interests of consolidating hypnotherapy training into an externally verified qualification. The Learning Outcomes for the HPD are in line with the National Occupational Standards for Hypnotherapy.
In addition to my training course (which included certification in Neuro Linguistic Programming), I completed some further training with Steve Norton (an NCH [Reg] member from Stockton-on-Tees). When I contacted Steve after reading his web-site, he kindly offered to be my mentor and helped me to learn and develop my skills (see links).
I am actively involved with a Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme to keep up to date with innovations in the industry and develop my skills. Valerie Hird is now my mentor in pursuit of this goal. Val is an Accredited member, a qualified supervisor and educator with the NCH. I believe it is essential to keep up to date with developments in a rapidly expanding industry that gains increased recognition and validity every year.
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My Working History
I trained to become a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1983. My tuitor was an old school friend who had become a police instructor in the Newcastle area.
After completing my driving instructor training, I became a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and have remained a member since that time. In addition, I am a member of the Driving Instructors Association who advise instructors on the most effective training techniques and legal matters etc.
Sadly, in 1995 I spent a period of time unable to work as an instructor following a non-fault motoring accident in Newcastle Upon Tyne. When my injuries had healed, I was unable to return to work due to the psychological effects of the accident. After using self-hypnosis during my recovery, I returned to work in 1998.
Upon returning to work I attended a refresher course in Newcastle Upon Tyne before having my skills examined by a supervising examiner (a statutory requirement for all UK instructors). I was awarded a top grade for my efforts, which applies to around 7% of instructors nationally and I recently achieved another top grade.
I learned by experience that drivers can lose their ability to drive after accidents, illness or neglect and I decided to try to help such individuals re-gain their former abilities. I established my business 'Nervous Driver' in 2006 that runs alongside my hypnotherapy business.
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Unsuitable Clients
Examples of instances where I may choose not to accept a client include - clients who are suicidal - people on severe medication (including hard drug users) - people who are in crisis or who were physically or verbally threatening.
If a client who requested treatment was psychotic (suicidal or possibly in crisis), I would decline because their treatment is out of my scope and the client would probably benefit more from medical intervention including prescribed drugs.
If a client who presented was on severe medication, I would decline treatment because the effects of the medical drugs they were taking could exaggerate the emotional turbulence that may briefly result from therapy. In addition fighting against the effects chemicals may be futile and there is every chance that nothing may happen which leaves the client disillusioned and out of pocket.
If a client requested treatment and was addicted to hard drugs, I would decline because I believe that the physiological addiction to certain drugs would need treatment by medical intervention. The treatment needed to overcome the physiological addiction may require prescribed substitute drugs, which I am not qualified to prescribe or recommend.
If a client were threatening in any way, I would decline treatment because my aim as a hypnotherapy practitioner is to help people and not risk injury to myself or to the aggressor in the course of my work.
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