Up to 1998
I have been involved in the driver training industry since 1983. I trained to become a DSA Approved Driving Instructor with an old school friend who had become a police instructor. The earlier part of my working life was spent in engineering after serving an apprenticeship in a nearby town.
After completing my driving instructor training, I became a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists in 1983 and have remained a member since that time. In addition, I am a member of the Driving Instructors Association who advise on the most effective training techniques and legal matters etc.
Unfortunately, I spent an extended period unable to work as an instructor following a non-fault motoring accident in 1995. After my physical injuries had healed, I found I was unable to return to work due to the psychological effects of the accident. However, after using self-hypnosis during my recovery, I returned to the driver training industry in 1998.
My interest in hypnotherapy was then established and I started reading up on the subject as a hobby. Upon returning to the driver training industry I was required to have my driving tuition skills examined (a statutory requirement for all UK driving instructors).
I was awarded a top grade for my efforts, which applies to around 7% of instructors nationally and recently achieved another top grade on my last check test.
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1998 to 2006
During this period, I studied at a long established School of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy.
The National Council of Hypnotherapy (NCH) approved this training school along with thirteen other establishments nationwide as an accredited training organisation.
After using self-hypnosis to help me recover from my accident, I feel I have particular empathy for anyone who's driving ability has diminished due to physical or psychological difficulties. I completed my hypnotherapy training in 2006 attaining the 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 2006, I established the Nervous Driver Nationwide business treating driving phobia's throughout the UK along-side a successful hypnotherapy practice.
I am involved with the NCH Continued Professional Development (CPD) programme. Valerie Hird is now my mentor in pursuit of this goal and is an accredited member, a qualified supervisor and educator with the NCH.
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2006 to Present Day
Since 2006, I have spent most of my spare time developing my Nervous Driver Nationwide business. Having many years experience in the driving training industry and professional qualifications as a hypnotherapist, it seemed a logical next step.
After learning by experience that drivers can lose their ability to drive after accidents, illness or neglect and I decided to use my experience and knowledge to help others recover.
Nervous Driver Nationwide has been structured as a national business and I make frequent visits to most parts of the country delivering the service. I also run a hypnotherapy business treating clients for the usual issues associated with hypnotherapy.
Some of the more specific problems we deal with at Nervous Driver Nationwide include fear of Motorway driving, fear of Overtaking and fear of Speed. There are an estimated 10,000 people in the UK who fear motorway driving due to faster speeds and the overtaking manoeuvres that are required.
Ironically, motorways are amongst the safest roads in the UK and I have discovered that these issues can be resolved for many people in a single day. The suggestions used are unique to Nervous Driver Nationwide and were developed during my career as a driving instructor and hypnotherapist.
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Search Inside The Booklet'Fear of Driving
The Facts, The Myths, The Answers'
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