About Mark R. Davis
Mark R. Davis is a therapist, trainer, meditation teacher – and leader in developing the integration of hypnosis with cognitive behavioural psychotherapy approaches.
Mark is Director and Principal of The UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, a world leader in evidence-based hypnotherapy training, and Chairman of the Register for Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. He also has a therapy practice in Central and North London.
He has a Dual Honours Degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Sheffield Hallam University (1986)– and a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy from the UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy (2007).
He is very involved in merging Western evidence-based psychotherapy with Eastern philosophy and meditation techniques. (See his keynote lecture to 3000 psychotherapists at the 2016 Applied Psychology Conference in Bejing: “Integrating the Ancient, the Magical and the Scientific: Mindfulness, Hypnosis and CBT”)
My History with The UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
I started working with Donald Robertson and the UK College in 2008, teaching on the courses and developing materials (particularly around Mindfulness, Insomnia and Relaxation Skills). Together we founded The Register Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (REBHP) in May 2008. In 2012, Donald asked if I wanted to take over running the UK College, as he was emigrating. Honoured to take over such a great body of work, I of course, as you can see, agreed!
Early Days
Before becoming a therapist and trainer, I gained broad practical experience as a senior executive and business director within both charitable and commercial organisations. Since the age of 16 I had a deep interest in the human potential movement and the possibilities of human development and experience. That interest took me into Zen Buddhism, Silva Mind Control (remember that?), Existentialism, an honours degree in Psychology & Philosophy and then Siddha Yoga Meditation and non-dual philosophy/meditation.
In the late 1980’s, I spent five years in India, and further 10 years in America, studying and practicing yoga, meditation and Indian philosophy under the guidance of a renowned meditation teacher. During this time I qualified as a Hatha Yoga Teacher and Meditation Instructor in that tradition. I delved deep into the non-dual philosophy behind yoga and meditation – studying with leading ‘scholar-practitioners’ (Professor Paul Muller-Ortega, Professor Douglas Brooks, Carlos Pomeda, Chris Wallis, Sally Kempton, Professor Bill Mahoney) and gaining might be called “a felt knowledge” of the teachings of non-dual Tantra, Buddhist and Indian philosophy.