Like many complementary practitioners, Paul’s path to becoming a hypnotherapist was through the consulting couch.

Paul said: “I was working in a high-pressure job in the media, with constant deadlines, long hours and staffing issues – sounds familiar? As a result I began to suffer from anxiety.

“In a quest for a solution, I discovered a hypnotherapist practising in north Hampshire and from that moment, my life changed dramatically and for the better. Within an hour of meeting the therapist, I had more or less decided to change career. The use of solution-focused brief therapy coupled with hypnosis was revelatory.”

That therapist had been trained by the Clifton Practice at its base in Bristol and in 2007/2008, Paul took the plunge and enrolled on Intake 41, led by the incredible David Newton, ably assisted by Susan Rodrigues. One of the co-students was former world champion boxer Glenn Catley, whose insight into how hypnotherapy enabled him to achieve glory on a global stage was amazing.

Since qualifying in 2008, Paul has had thousands of hours of clinical experience in both private practice and in a voluntary capacity, which included working at a hospice and for Macmillan Cancer Support in a south coast hospital. He has also hosted talks on the subject of hypnotherapy for a range of organisations.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to experience first-hand the incredible benefits that hypnotherapy can bring, both for myself and for others. For me, what sets the Clifton Practice apart is the incorporation of science into the application of therapy. The solution-focused approach is also great for getting clients to think and feel in new and healthier ways.

“I believe that hypnotherapy can be beneficial for virtually anyone and I’m committed to helping students to transform their own lives as well as their clients.”