A Proposed Evidence Based Therapeutic Hypnosis Healing Support Protocol

For COVID-19 Patients

22 March 2020

Following a published study from Liu et al. (2020), demonstrating the effects of progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality in patients with COVID-19, the author is proposing the design and use of a modifiable therapeutic hypnosis protocol for a hypnotic based progressive muscle relaxation technique, which includes additional hypnotic suggestion for mindfulness based mental relaxation and mind body healing.

The Proposed Evidence Based Therapeutic Hypnosis Healing Support Protocol for The Use with COVID-19 Patients using Hypnotic relaxation techniques have been widely used and studied for the treatment of a variety of acute and chronic physical and psychological conditions as an adjunct to conventional healthcare and medical treatment (Brugnoli, 2016; Castañeda & Krikorian, 2018; Eason & Parris, 2019; Flynn, 2018; Kendrick et al. 2016; Thompson, et al. 2019; Molina del Peral et al. 2017).

A unique and innovative randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving patients being treated in isolation at the Hainan General Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei, China from January 1 to February 16, 2020, demonstrated that by teaching Jacobson progressive muscle relaxation techniques to an intervention group of patients compared with a no-treatment control group, improved the sleep quality and anxiety associated with the patients being treated for COVID-19 in isolation. This is the first known study of its kind and the medical treatment and research team at Hainan General Hospital must be applauded for their dedication and efforts in carrying out this ground-breaking research during a time of a global viral pandemic.

The Jacobson progressive muscle relaxation technique (sometimes called progressive relaxation therapy) is a type of physical training therapy that focuses the patient on tightening and relaxing specific muscle groups in a sequence moving through various muscle groups of the body. It requires the patient to actively participate in learning the technique, by repeated contraction (flexion/tension) followed by relaxation of the specific muscles regions, with the result that the patient learns to recognise the difference between tension and relaxation sensations, therefore learning how to recondition the muscles to maintain a relaxed state. It requires active learning and repetitive and dedicated practice in order to establish the recondition responses, which ultimately reduces physical tension in the body. This technique was famously used by the behaviour psychiatrist Dr Joseph Wolpe (1915 - 1997) in his widely recognised systematic desensitisation technique (Batty et al. 2006; Lehrer, 2018; Morales & Tapia, 2020; Peris et al. 2020; Rabinovich, 2016; Seyyedeh, 2020) to treat phobias and other anxiety related conditions.

In contrast to the Jacobson progressive muscle relaxation technique, the therapeutic hypnosis progressive relaxation technique developed by Dr John Hartland (1901 – 1977) uses verbal hypnotic suggestion, where the progressive relaxation process is accomplished through mental thought processes following the instructions given by the (hypno) therapist (Debellemaniere et al. 2018; Jensen et al. 2009; Morrisson, 1988; Reid, 2016). It is a more passive process for the patient, who follows the guidance given to the patient by the therapist, so it does not require the patient to learn how to flex and relax their muscles. The hypnotic progressive relaxation process works by either mentally moving up or down through the body relaxing all of the muscles of the body, with complete body relaxation achieved in a matter of minutes. This technique is one of the most basic and safe hypnotic inductions taught and used for hypnotic relaxation, as it reconditions the physical sensations associated with the sympathetic autonomic nervous system response (Hammond, 2019; Kekecs, Szekely & Varga, 2016). This physiological response process is widely researched and applied to the treatment of a number of stress response related conditions, both physical and psychological (Flynn, 2018; Flynn, 2019; O’Toole et al. 2016; Sawni et al. 2017).

One of the great benefits of using hypnotic relaxation techniques, is that the hypnotic suggestions can be used to extend positive beneficial response to the mind and mental/psychological components of any presenting condition. By using a hypnotic progressive relaxation physical response process, combined with a mindfulness like meditative mental relaxation, we can extend the alteration or desensitisation of the sympathetic response and recondition the autonomic nervous system response to maintain a parasympathetic state (Flynn, 2018; Flynn, 2019; Hammond, 2019; Kekecs, Szekely & Varga, 2016) . Thereby, creating not only a physical relaxation response, but also a mental relaxation response, supporting a positive whole mind body (holistic) therapeutic state, which research has shown to support the body's natural immune response and healing processes (Hammond, 2019; Shakel et al. 2019). In addition, hypnotic suggestion supporting and promoting improved immune response and natural healing can be added into any treatment protocol once the body and the mind are in a relaxed and receptive state, as it is recognised that in this physical and mental hypnotic relaxed state the subconscious is more accessible and receptive to positive hypnotic suggestions given during this period, thereby amplifying the patient's own motivation, expectations and beliefs about improved health and well-being.

The author has developed a modifiable mindfulness process that can be delivered through a recording or directly face to face with patients, the recording may be a more appropriate delivery format, due to the highly infectious nature of COVID-19. The author will make this process available (upon request) to the general medical communities around the world, free of charge, as a contribution to promoting global public health under the current challenges we are facing. The process can also be used for anyone experiencing anxiety or concern associated with the acquisition of infection.

The author has extensive experience in treating thousands of patients using therapeutic hypnosis and mind body therapeutic approaches, working with hundreds of individuals every year. The author also teaches medical hypnosis to medical practitioners and medical students in UK medical schools, so has a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the use of therapeutic hypnotic suggestion for mind body healing. The author is a graduate of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, trained in preventive medicine and communicable and infectious disease control and worked in a hospital preventive medicine clinical setting for 6 years, most recently as a mind body therapeutic medical practitioner in private practice in London since 2013.

The author would like to thank Dr. Alyx Taylor, Senior Lecturer Physiology, AECC University College, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH5 2DF, for her valued contribution to the proposal.

Mr. Tod A. Cury, BSc, PGCert (Dist), PDCHyp, PDCBHyp, GQHP, FHEA

10 Harley Street

London

W1G 9PF

References

Batty, M. J., Bonnington, S., Tang, B. K., Hawken, M., & Gruzelier, J. H. (2006) Relaxation strategies and enhancement of hypnotic susceptibility: EEGneurofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation and self-hypnosis. Brain Research Bulletin 71 (2006) 83–90.

Brugnoli, M. P. (2016). Clinical hypnosis for palliative care in severe chronic diseases: a review and the procedures for relieving physical, psychological and spiritual symptoms. Ann Palliat Med, 5(4), 280-297.

Castañeda, E., & Krikorian, A. (2018). Current Applications of Clinical Hypnosis in Latin America: fi Systematic Review of the Literature. Avances en Psicología Latinoamericana, 36(2), 269-283.

Debellemaniere, E., Gomez-Merino, D., Erblang, M., Dorey, R., Genot, M., Perreaut-Pierre, E., Pisani, A., Rocco, L., Sauvet, F., Léger, D., Rabat, A., & Chennaou, M. (2018). Using relaxation techniques to improve sleep during naps. Industrial Health, 56, 220–227.

Eason, A. D., & Parris, B. A. (2019). Clinical applications of self-hypnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 6(3), 262.

Flynn, N. (2018). Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Hypnosis for the Management of Headache. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 66(4), 343-352.

Flynn, N. (2019). Hypnosis and Medicine: An Historical Examination. Current Trends in Clinical and Medical Imaging, 3, 1-7.

Hammond, D. C. (2019). Integrating Clinical Hypnosis and Neurofeedback. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 61(4), 302-321.

Jensen, M. P., Barber, J., Romano, J. M., Molton, I R., Raichle, K. A., Osborne, T. L., Engel, J. M., Stoelb, B. L., Kraft, G. H., & Patterson, D. R. (2009). A Comparison of Self-Hypnosis Versus Progressive Muscle Relaxation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and Chronic Pain, International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 57(2), 198-221.

Kekecs, Z., Szekely, A., & Varga, K. (2016). Alterations in electrodermal activity and cardiac parasympathetic tone during hypnosis. Psychophysiology, 53(2), 268-277.

Kendrick, C., Sliwinski, J., Yu, Y., Johnson, A., Fisher, W., Kekecs, Z., & Elkins, G. (2016). Hypnosis for acute procedural pain: a critical review. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 64(1), 75-115.

Lehrer, P. M. (2018) Heart rate variability biofeedback and other psychophysiological procedures as important elements in psychotherapy, International Journal of Psychophysiology. Volume 131, 89-95.

Liu, K., Chen, Y., Wu, D., Lin, R., Wang, Z., & Pan, L. (2020). Effects of progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and sleep quality in patients with COVID-19. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, (39), 101132.

Molina del Peral, J. A., Mendoza, M. E., Díez González, L., Llanes Basulto, Y., & Capafons, A. (2017). Clinical Hypnosis: assessment of its effectiveness and the quality of the investigation of it in Medicine. Revista del Hospital Psiquiátrico de La Habana, 13(3).

Morales, A. M., & Tapia, B. P. (2020). Hypnosis as a therapeutic tool applied to a case of ornitophobia. Ajayu, Vol 18, No 1, 2020. 121-151.

Morrison, J. B. (1988). Chronic Asthma and Improvement with Relaxation Induced by Hypnotherapy. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 81(12), 701-704.

O'Toole, S. K., Solomon, S. L., & Bergdahl, S. A. (2016). A meta‐analysis of hypnotherapeutic techniques in the treatment of PTSD symptoms. Journal of traumatic stress, 29(1), 97-100.

Peris, T. S., Storch, E. A., & McGuire, J. F., Eds. (2020). Exposire therapy for children with anxiety and OCD: Clinician's guide to integrative treatment. Academic Press, London.

Rabinovich, M. (2016). Psychodynamic Emotional Regulation in View of Wolpe’s Desensitization Model. The American Journal of Psychology, 129(1), 65-79.

Reid, D. B. (2016). Hypnotic Induction: Enhancing Trance or Mostly Myth?. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 59, 2: Hypnotic Induction Techniques.

Sawni, A., & Breuner, C. C. (2017). Clinical Hypnosis, an Effective Mind–Body Modality for Adolescents with Behavioral and Physical Complaints. Children, 4(4), 19.

Schakel, L., Veldhuijzen, D. S., Crompvoets, P. I., Bosch, J. A., Cohen, S., van Middendorp, H., ... & Evers, A. W. (2019). Effectiveness of stress-reducing interventions on the response to challenges to the immune system: a meta-analytic review. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 88(5), 274-286.

Seyyedeh, Z. S. (2020). Non-Pharmacologic Therapies, Multiple Sclerosis, Stavros J. Baloyannis, IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.86288.

Thompson, T., Terhune, D. B., Oram, C., Sharangparni, J., Rouf, R., Solmi, M., ... & Stubbs, B. (2019). The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 99, 298-310.

Advanced Integrative Transformational Hypnotherapy

 - The ICCHP teaches its hypnotherapy practitioner students the most advanced integrative rapid transformational hypnotherapy approaches available today, along with important therapeutic skills. So that as practitioners our student graduates can specifically tailor treatments to ensure each individual client's positive transformation, empowerment and long-term psychological well-being. Whilst many traditional psychotherapy, hypnotherapy and counselling approaches still rely on dated problem based techniques and approaches, the ICCHP promotes the most modern solution based approaches that are supported by the latest scientific research, practice based evidence and clinical expertise.

The ICCHP team of hypnotherapy teachers and key advisors is made up of the most skilled clinical practitioners from a variety of backgrounds, with experience teaching clinical hypnosis in medical schools. We do not just have one expert person promoting and teaching just a single approach to hypnotherapy. If you are planning on investing your time and money on any rapid transformational hypnotherapy course, then you can try our course free in the first instance and be assured of our quality, backed up with hypnotherapy expertise and a money back guarantee.

Clients are all different, a hypnotherapist may have ten clients present with insomnia, a highly trained integrative therapist, after making a precise therapeutic assessment, may treat each one of these ten clients differently, thereby tailoring the correct combination of approaches and therapeutic interventions to ensure success with each client. Learning a single approach and using this same approach with every client, may achieve success with some clients, but not with all. Therapists who use a single approach, whether appropriate or not, are limited and it indicates a poorly trained therapist. Many therapeutic hypnosis approaches are not suitable for all clients and using a single approach with all clients demonstrates the therapist's lack of flexibility, forcing each client to fit into the therapeutic model and framework that the therapist uses (square peck in round hole approach). An integrative therapist will be trained in a number of different approaches, having the flexibility to combine these to suit each client's differing needs.

The ICCHP, promotes an integrative approach to client/patient treatment, combining REBT, CBT with all other hypnotherapeutic approaches and refers to this combined approach as Integrative Evidence Based Hypnotherapy. ICCHP students studying will receive training in more than just a single rapid change therapy approach. All of our approaches are rapid change approaches. Want to know what our students say about our courses? Read our Hypnotherapy Student Testimonials and you will know that we provide the most comprehensive range of hypnotharapy and hypnosis training courses available anywhere.

Check out our latest Free & Integrative Rapid Change Therapy Courses >>

RECBH - An Empowered Approach to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT + CBH + REBT = RECBH

Rather than a limited Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) approach, the ICCHP teaches a more elegant and powerful approach to CBT based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

CBH is an action-oriented humanistic approach to emotional growth that focuses on individuals’ capacity for creating, altering, and controlling their emotional states.  Rational Emotive Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (RECBH) places much emphasis on the present - on currently held beliefs and attitudes, painful emotions, and maladaptive/dysfunctional behaviours that can sabotage an enriched and fuller experience of life. That is, RECBH teaches people how to overcome problems and how to implement gratifying and realistic alternatives to current psychological patterns, now and at any time in the future.

ICCHP hypnotherapy training tutors teach RECBH inline with the Albert Ellis Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) model of emotional disturbance rather than the Aaron Beck Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) model for three reasons; the first is that the Ellis’ model deals with both symptom treatment as well as advocating a philosophy of healthy living, whereas Beck’s model only focuses on symptom treatment. Secondly, Ellis’ model does not shy away from disputing worst case scenarios from the start, whereas Beck’s model focuses on reality testing. Thirdly, because, there seems to be a convergence among Beck therapists to following one of the primary Ellis models of disputing rigidly held beliefs.

Clients are all different, a hypnotherapist may have ten clients present with insomnia, a highly trained integrative therapist, after making a precise therapeutic assessment, may treat each one of these ten clients differently, thereby tailoring the correct combination of approaches and therapeutic interventions to ensure success with each client. Learning a single approach, like just Cognitive Behavioural Therapy | Hypnotherapy and using this same approach with every client, may achieve success with some clients, but not with all. Therapists who use a single approach, whether appropriate or not, are limited and it indicates a poorly trained therapist. Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy (CBH) approaches are not suitable for all clients, using a CBH based approach with all clients demonstrates the therapist's lack of flexibility, forcing each client to fit into the therapeutic model and framework that the therapist uses (square peck in round hole approach). An integrative therapist will be trained in a number of different approaches, having the flexibility to combine these to suit each client's differing needs.

The ICCHP, promotes an integrative approach to patient treatment, combining REBT and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with all other hypnotherapeutic approaches and refers to this combined Cognitive Behaviour Hypnotherapy (CBH) approach as RECBH. ICCHP students studying will receive training in more than just Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Hypnosis. Want to know what our students say about our courses? Read our Hypnotherapy Student Testimonials and you will know that we provide the most comprehensive range of hypnotharapy and hypnosis training courses available anywhere.

Are you searching for hypnotherapy courses?

Or maybe wanting to advance your hypnotherapy training?

If you have an interest in hypnosis training and hypnotherapy and want to find the most flexible, comprehensive, best value for money courses available (Please check the cost of hypnotherapy training with the ICCHP), then you are in the right place. The ICCHP - International College of Cinical Hypnotherapy Practitioners - has the right training programme for you. With comprehensive hypnosis and hypnotherapy training courses for aspiring hypnotherapists, the London UK based ICCHP is one of the best colleges to study and obtain hypnotherapy training. Our Hypnotherapy training teachers also teach in the London UK and Malaysian medical schools and have access to the latest research in clinical and therapeutic hypnosis.

If you are interested in becoming a professional hypnotherapy practitioner then you can sign up for our professional hypnotherapy courses for an incredible and life changing experience. With different training and course options available, hypnotherapy courses from the ICCHP can offer you everything you want to know about hypnotherapy. With courses aimed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, you can control how far you go into the fascinating world of hypnotherapy.

The ICCHP provides you with the easiest access to the most comprehensive, modern and dynamic hypnotherapy training at the lowest cost, available anywhere. You can start training in hypnotherapy today with our free online introductory hypnotherapy course module. The ICCHP offers classroom based practitioner training in the UK, Europe, Malaysia & Singapore. This is in addition to our online distance learning hypnotherapy practitioner training available worldwide.

Not only will you have access to some of the best hypnotherapy and hypnosis training, but you will have fun learning. What better way to learn about hypnotherapy than to start experiencing it today? If you have never had the opportunity to learn about hypnosis and hypnotherapy then sign up now for our free online introductory course module and start learning hypnotherapy today. Take the opportunity to see what hypnosis and hypnotherapy is all about. You are also welcome to come along and join in on one of our current scheduled hypnotherapy courses free, to see if you like it, before you decide if the ICCHP hypnotherapy training is for you.

All of our hypnotherapy courses are self paced, so you will not have to worry about missing any part of the learning experience. With tools such as the online hypnotherapy learning portal, the hypnotherapist's eNoteBook and a flexible unique learning format, everyone can train to become a hypnotherapist. The hypnotherapy courses offered by the ICCHP are unique and tailored to your needs. Learning the art of hypnosis is easy, and it will certainly feel relaxing and enjoyable - just ask any of our students/graduates.

By enrolling in hypnotherapy courses with the ICCHP, the home of clinical hypnosis, you are embarking upon an experience that you will never forget. Start your experience today by taking the next steps toward becoming the hypnotherapist that you have always wanted to be. Come and sit in on one of our current course modules, sign up for the free on-line course and start learning today.

The London UK based ICCHP provides the most advanced and comprehensive integrative evidence based hypnosis and hypnotherapy training courses available, anywhere, offering students three distinct streams of study for learning clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Our high quality, professional, dynamic and flexible online and classroom learning programme allows you to study clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy from a very basic introductory level through to the most advanced levels of study. We are sure that you will not find any better hypnotherapy training elsewhere, therefore we offer our students a money back guarantee.

• Our free on-line introductory course module in clinical hypnosis is designed to offer you the greatest quality and flexibility in deciding if learning hypnotherapy is right for you. Anyone thinking of investing their time and money in learning hypnosis and hypnotherapy will find this course invaluable.  Study and learn the principles and theories of clinical hypnosis and hypnotherapy at your convenience and without having to make any significant or long term financial commitments, allowing you to make informed decisions and choices before investing your money in expensive practitioner training courses.
  

•  Students interested in our classroom based hypnotherapy practitioner courses (PCHyp & PDHyp) can come and join in on one of our current free hypnotherapy class, to see if you like it. You can meet our students and tutors who will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.

• Students interested in our hypnotherapy practitioner courses who are unable to attend our classroom based training, or those with previous hypnotherapy training, can sign up for or distance learning hypnotherapy courses (CHyp & DHyp).
  

• The ICCHP hypnotherapy courses are organised in a modular format so that you can progress through the programme at your own pace. As our courses are modular, you can join at any time, no need to wait for the next course to start. The courses are flexible to meet your needs, so there are no time limits to complete the course, you can take as long as you need, you can even re-sit any module at a later date at no extra cost.
  

• The online delivered training programme allows you to study from the comfort of your own home, anywhere and at anytime. You can access your course lessons from your smart-phone/tablet computer. No need to pay to sit in a classroom listening to long theoretical lectures. ICCHP practitioner classroom based students receive a free state of the art Android tablet computer, which contains all of the course notes and resources, along with the ICCHP's exclusive OneNote hypnotherapy practitioner application and access to the online course components. This is yours to keep and use once you finish the course.
  

• There are a total of twelve separate online modules which make up the full programme of study. One introductory module, five intermediate level modules and six advanced level modules. Completing all twelve online modules will award you a Diploma in Integrative Evidence Based Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. A prestigious award you can be very proud of achieving.

• Students wishing to become qualified hypnotherapy practitioners can enrol in our paid classroom practical courses which include over 150 hours of hands on practice and have access to over 120 hours of video recordings which include all classroom lectures, demonstrations and live treatment sessions, this is in addition to over 1000 pages of practical course notes/resources and hundreds of hypnotic scripts. All techniques are fully demonstrated and students have the opportunity to practice with each other on these practical courses.

• Supplementing and enriching your learning experience through our low cost scheduled practical face to face hypnosis and hypnotherapy training courses will allow you as a practitioner to become a member of the prestigious UK based Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) and the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR), as our courses are accredited by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council (GHSC). These practical hypnosis and hypnotherapy training courses are currently taught in London and the north of England UK, Europe, Singapore and Penang Malaysia, with future plans to offer these in other centres. The distance learning delivered and supported courses are available internationally to both ICCHP students and graduates/practitioners from other hypnotherapy training institutes. Students are eligible to join the International Hypnotherapy Register (IHR).
  

• Graduates can apply course credits towards Advanced Prior Learning (APL), Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Education Units (CEU).

• The ICCHP classroom venue in London is Pimlico Academy, in the heart of Westminister. The Academy is sponsored by Future, a local education charity, which the ICCHP and our students are proud to support. Our fully accessible hypnotherapy training venue offers free parking around the venue and is within walking distance from Pimlico Underground station.

• Visit our free course page to enrol and try the first module of our certified online hypnotherapy course

The ICCHP would like to thank Ann Danilina for the use of her face photo.

Meet The Team

ICCHP hypnotherapy training teachers are all practising and highly experienced therapeutic hypnosis practitioners holding a range of both hypnotherapy and academic qualifications at the highest levels. In addition, the ICCHP engages external specialist training teachers to ensure that our students are being taught by the most highly qualified and experienced lecturers on the subject being presented. All ICCHP training teachers and advisors are approachable and will engage with students as much as required.

The ICCHP programme is guided by a highly qualified team of tutors and advisers with extensive knowledge and experience in their areas of expertise, ensuring that the ICCHP hypnotherapy courses are kept up to date with the latest developments in the field of therapeutic hypnosis and hypnotherapy training. Each key adviser has experience teaching medical hypnosis in UK medical schools and they have been involved in published research on stress and learning, therefore supporting evidence based learning and practice.

A Short Message from the Director

Tod Cury, Programme Director

BSc, PGCert (Dist), PDCHyp, PDCBHyp, GQHP, FHEA

Tod has been a practising clinical hypnotherapist based in central London since 2003 and has overall responsibility for the ICCHP programme and its delivery. After graduating from the School of Aerospace Medicine, Tod worked in a hospital clinical setting for 6 years and has been a hypnotherapy training teacher and lecturer for over 16 years (previously the Clinical Hypnosis MSc programme leader for a collaborative partner college with the University of West London), Tod currently lectures for the ICCHP and the University of London Medical Schools with Thames Medical Lectures. Tod also works with hundreds of university students every year, helping them to improve their focus, concentration and confidence. Tod is a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR), and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). In addition, Tod holds a postgraduate certificate in learning & teaching and is a Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. Tod is also the UK contributing editor for the Journal of Psychosocial Genomics, a member of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) and the Research Council for Complementary Medicine (RCMC), having published work in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.

Dr Alyx Taylor, Senior Academic & Research Adviser

PhD

Alyx is an ICCHP tutor and senior lecturer in physiology at the Anglo-European College of Chiropractic Bournemouth, a visiting research fellow at King's College London and an honorary research associate at Imperial College London. Alyx is also an external examiner at the Bart's & London School of Medicine & Dentistry. Alyx was previously a senior lecturer in biochemistry and Director of Graduate Entry to Medicine Programme at King's College London, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine. Alyx was also the science leader for the International Science Foundatin Programme and Deputy Chair of the Research Ethics Committee for Biomedical Science, Dentistry and Medicine, as well as a member of the Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences. Alyx's research examines genetics, epigenetic and enviromental factors that contribute to human stress responses and mental health, which involves observational and intervention studies. Alyx is currently involved in a number of active research projects and has authored and published research in her current role, as well as in previous roles as research assistant and senior lecturer at Imperial College, Thames Valley University, Kingston University and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Queen Charlotte's Hospital. Alyx brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the ICCHP, providing academic and research advice to the programme and our students.

Professor Ursula James

External Programme Validator

Professor Ursula James is Visiting Professor of Clinical Hypnosis at Robert Gordon University and a Visiting Teaching Fellow at Oxford University Medical School and has lectured for the past 15 years at many of the UK’s medical schools including Oxford and Cambridge. She is a Patron of Anxiety UK and the National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV). She is also a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Educators and a member of the Editorial Board of Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (Elsevier).Ursula was instrumental in the creation of the MSc clinical hypnosis at Robert Gordon University, and is the author of 5 books including Clinical Hypnosis Textbook now in its third edition. Her 25 years of experience as a clinical hypnosis practitioner, educator, researcher and author make her uniquely qualified to fulfil her role as External Programme Validator of the ICCHP Programme

Synthia Surin

Regional Director & Trainer ICCHP ASIA

Educated in London and is a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist with integrated skills in Psychotherapy, Counselling and a validated Practitioner registered with the General Hypnotherapy Register and the Complementary & Natural Health Council.   She is also an Advanced EFT Practitioner and Mental Health Trainer.  She is an experienced Counsellor and a Professional Development Coach. She uses Cognitive Hypnotherapy that is based on modern neuroscience and works from a modern understanding of the of the mind-body connection. She uses Cognitive Hypnotherapy and has worked successfully with physical issues such as pain management, IBS, stress/anxiety response and many other related needs.

Synthia Surin specialises in strategic intelligence and planning, business transformation, and collaborative culture. She coaches on a variety of issues in a wide spectrum of industries, Medical, Social Care and Education settings. But no matter what the business is, she is quick to point out that a shift in management’s focus makes all the difference in keeping the company competitive. She coaches individuals and teams in a variety of organisations, and always stresses that it takes both managerial and team growth for companies to realise their vision. Her expertise lies in: Solutions coaching, Consultative selling, Strategic planning, Leadership, Change management, Team development, Assessment tools.

Through her breakthrough and proven techniques, she has helped organisations and individuals achieve their goals and improve the quality of life. Synthia is currently the Asia Regional Director of ICCHP ASIA and senior lecturer with ICCHP ASIA.

Dr. Gayathri K. Kumarasuriar

Programme Director ICCHP Asia

A Psychiatrist currently practicing in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah. Dr Gayathri is also a Clinical Hypnotherapist. She obtained her Postgraduate Membership of the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists. She has the distinction of being the first locally trained candidate for Psychiatry to have passed the MRCPsych examination. Dr Gayathri is also a practitioner of Emotional Freedom Technique, a useful form of therapy that she offers as an adjunct to her patients with various emotional disorders. She is also a certified Mental Health Trainer.  She was the previous MMA Chairperson of Kedah and is currently the Wilayah Representative for SCHOMOS, MMA. She is one of the members of the MMA Helpdoc Taskforce, another venue for doctors to channel their grievances. She is also a member in the PIC at MMC as well as a committee member for the Parallel Pathway Exam in Psychiatry. Dr. Gayathri is the programme Director and senior lecturer with ICCHP Asia.

Dr Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman

Programme Director ICCHP Asia

Dr Mohammad bin Abdul Rahman is Associate Professor in Psychiatry with the Faculty of Medicine at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Royal College of Medicine Perak (RCMP) Ipoh and affiliated to NBCC International Malaysia as Trainer Mental Health Facilitator Program.

Dr Mohammad holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Universiti Malaya and Master of Medicine in Psychiatry (M.Med Psychiatry) from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis (PgDipCH) International College of Clinical Hypnosis Practitioners (UK)

He has worked with Ministry of Health for 2 years and seconded to School of Medical Sciences, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) as trainee lecturer and later academician from 1987-1996. He has moved to Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UniMAS) in 1996/97 and started training and services in Organizational Mental Health from 1998-2008. He Joined Faculty of Medicine, UniKL RCMP in 2008 until now. He teaches Behavioural Sciences, Psychology and Clinical Psychiatry to medical and nursing students.Apart from conducting programmes and courses in Preventive and Interventional Mental Health Programs. Dr Mohammad is a Programme Director and senior lecturer with ICCHP Asia.

Thevi Sinnadurai

Senior Lecturer ICCHP Asia

Thevi Sinnadurai has been in the field of training, coaching, empowerment and transformation for 17 years. 2006. She pursued a career as a clinical hypnotherapist and trainer for hypnotherapy training in Malaysia and Singapore. As a therapist she uses several modules in combination, Hypnosis, Neuro-Semantic Linguistic Programming (NS-NLP), Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Training and Releasing of Blocked Energy (BQi). Thevi is currently practicing as a clinical hypnotherapist, seeing clients on a one to one basis. Thevi is also a certified mental health trainer. She also runs workshops on mindfulness training, stress management, and other empowerment programs to private and public groups. She actively participates in social empowerment programs. Thevi is currently one of the senior hypnotherapy training teachers and lecturers for ICCHP Asia.

Jyothi Chelamcharla

Senior Lecturer ICCHP Asia

A psychologist and hypnotherapist, she uses an eclectic mix of Hypnotherapy, EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy) and Mindfulness to achieve this. Jyothi Chelamcharla has been in practice for more than ten years and has been actively contributing to various NGOs. Her areas of special interest include Stress Management, Weight Management, Relationship issues, Positive psychology and Raising awareness about mental health. She is also a certified  mental health trainer. Jyothi is a solution-focused therapist. Her approach is designed to provide support and practical feedback to help clients effectively address their life's challenges and help move them beyond their limiting negative thoughts and negative behavioural patterns. Jyothi is currently a senior training lecturer with ICCHP ASIA

Spencer Baldwin

Course Lecturer / Tutor London

Spencer trained with the ICCHP and has been a practicing hypnotherapist since 2014. He has a London hypnotherapy clinic in Greenwich as well as Deal, Kent. He also works as a hypnotherapy teacher on ICCHP's London Hypnoptherapy diploma and practitioner courses. Spencer also delivers our unique PESR - Performance Enhancement Stress Reduction course. Spencer works with musicians, actors, sportspeople, opera singers, personal trainers and other performers with a range of psychological and emotional issues. His background is in the music business. This experience includes 9 years at Warner Music, working with and developing music for chart-topping artists. Spencer subsequently owned and managed a variety of independent record labels and publishing companies as well as management roles for world famous DJs, producers and artists. Recent years have been devoted to provide training in mind management and performance control techniques, drawing on his varied and extensive experience. Spencer is a ICCHP practitioner course London teacher and lecturer.

Amanda Evans

Regional Tutor / Senior Lecturer UK

Amanda is a highly experienced, fully qualified clinical hypnotherapist and counsellor with private clinics based in Barnsley and Huddersfield. Amanda helps clients with an extensive array of issues, using both clinical hypnosis and counselling to help clients release their own inner resources to overcome emotional difficulties and regain their self-esteem and confidence. Joining ICCHP as one of our senior hypnotherapy training teachers Amanda has been lecturing in clinical hypnosis for over 12 years and has previously taught on the University of West London's MSc in Clinical Hypnosis programme. Amanda is a clinical hypnosis examiner at The London and Bart's Medical School and is a full member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis and the UK Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).

Aloysius Tay

Regional Director/Course Lecturer - Singapore

Aloysius trained with the ICCHP in 2013 and is now a Clinical Hypnotherapist with The Hypnosis Clinic in Singapore. As a certified Counsellor and Life Coach, he brings with him a wealth of experience and skills in the field of therapeutic hypnosis. Aloysius is a proponent of Eriksonian hyponsis and specialises in stress, anxiety and emotions management. He is a member of good standing with the National Guild of Hypnotists, USA; the International Psychotherapy Council, UK; and the Association of Hypnosis Professionals (Singapore). Aloysius is an experienced hypnotherapy training teacher and lecturer who is currently the Principal Facilitator and Trainer at the School of Clinical Hypnosis Singapore. He oversees the training and delivery of the ICCHP Hypnosis Courses in Singapore. 

Maria Angeles Martinez-Perez

Course Lecturer / Tutor London

Maria has been a practising hypnotherapist since 2012. Her background is in Law and Finance where she worked for almost 20 years. She has always had an interest in psychology and any science related to mind and behaviour. In the mid 2000’s she started training in different complementary and alternative therapies including Reiki, NLP, Life Coaching, Behaviour Skills and Hypnotherapy. Maria helps her clients to realise their full potential in their lives. Maria is a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR), and the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).