room in a private therapy centre for four years and at the

beginning of 2003 a local GP offered me a room in his practice.

The GPs now regularly refer to me on a private basis and this

seems to be escalating.

It has been a very busy few months

Nursing was all I ever wanted to do. I started as a cadet nurse

here in Leeds, with more students

and I really love my job, but for me hypnotherapy is the icing

than ever enroling on the courses. It

on the cake. Training with the LCCH has changed my life out

is a real pleasure and privilege to

of all recognition.

help facilitate the learning of such

dedicated students and to watch as

My first experience with hypnosis was when someone

they evolve to become competent,

recommended to me in 1993 for smoking cessation and stress

professional Hypnotherapists.

relief the eminent Hypnotherapist/Dentist Geoff Graham (he

was the treasurer of the British Society of Medical and Dental

In this issue there is an article written by a nurse and, with the

Hypnosis and has written books on hypnotherapy). In one

LCCH Courses now approved by The Royal College of

session he turned me into a non-smoker and it felt like a

Nursing, I envisage Hypnotherapy being used more and more

miracle. At a subsequent session, Geoff taught me how to

in the medical setting. Also in this issue is a profile of Alan

control my stress. From that time I felt that I would love to train

Lawson, a student who is just over half-way through the

as a Hypnotherapist but I was working full time and didn't think

Diploma course in Leeds. I hope to include a profile of a

it would be possible.

student in each future issue as I am sure readers will find it

interesting to read of the journey that brings many diverse

It wasn't until 1997 that I discovered the LCCH was running a

individuals to train as Clinical Hypnotherapists.

weekend Certificate course in Newcastle. I enroled for this

course; loved every minute of it; subsequently completed the

With more students on the courses we need more

Diploma course in York and started practising approximately

supervisors/tutors and anyone who is interested should

four years ago. I often tell people that all of this nearly didn't

contact me on 01282-843 363.

happen as the dates for the Certificate course were changed

and the first day coincided with my return from America and I

cancelled the course (I was devastated). But luckily I

remembered something a Psychologist had told me: "go in the

direction of your dominant thoughts". My dominant thought

was that I would love to find out all about hypnotherapy,

therefore I rang the LCCH and they agreed to my missing the

first day and I was reinstated on the course. I don't think the

Certificate course has been held in Newcastle since then and

I might not have bothered if I'd had to travel to York at that time.

I remember wise words from Michael Joseph: "have a dream

and then make it happen". This is what I did and I often tell my

patients this.

At that point in time I had no ambitions to practise as a

Hypnotherapist, I simply wanted to find out all about the

subject. Little did I know!

I love the LCCH courses. They have excellent background

theory and promote good use of practical sessions with lots of

observed practise. I recently raised my practice to another

Students on the Certificate course taking their exam at Beckett

level when I undertook the LCCH Practitioner Diploma in

Park in August.

Leeds. I attend Master Classes when I'm able to. I am also an

LCCH Tutor/Supervisor and currently supervise five students,

two from the current Certificate course and three from the

Diploma course in Leeds. I feel that being a Supervisor helps

me to maintain my practice while helping other people.

Incidentally Geoff Graham became my mentor and

I have worked as a nurse in the NHS all of my

when I mentioned to him my intention of training

working life, in North Durham, and I'm currently a

with the LCCH he gave me his full endorsement. He

Ward Manager of a rehabilitation ward for older

said that the LCCH was a good organization and

people. I have been a member of the RCN since I

that he had a high regard for Michael Joseph. He

qualified as a nurse. I recently reduced my hours to

told me that the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis

25 per week in order to develop my hypnotherapy

was a very good professional body and I would do

practice. This was a very timely move as my

well to be associated with them. That was all I

hypnotherapy work seems to have taken on a life of

needed to know.

it's own and I'm spending approximately 2 1/2 days

per week as a Hypnotherapist now. I must say that

I find that I receive excellent support from the LCCH.

part of my success may be attributed to the BSCH

I have contacted the College on several occasions

corporate advertisement in YELL. It has really

for advice and if the person I've spoken to can't help

enhanced my marketing strategy! I have rented a