Mark R. Davis:
Principal, Pioneer, and Thought Leader
Mark R. Davis, BSc. Psy & Phil, HDip CBH, GMBPsS, is the Director and Principal of The UK College of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy, a world leader in evidence-based hypnotherapy training. He is recognized as the pioneer responsible for systemizing and evolving Hypno-CBT® into the powerful, evidence-based methodology taught today.
He has a Dual Honours Degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Sheffield Hallam University (1986)– and a HIgher Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy awarded by NCFE..
Professional Qualifications and Governance 🎓
Mark’s expertise is underpinned by a dual academic background and a commitment to professional governance:
- BSc. (Dual Honours) in Psychology and Philosophy from Sheffield University.
- Higher Diploma (HDip CBH) in Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, awarded by NCFE
- Graduate Member (GMBPsS) of The British Psychological Society (BPS).
- Thought Leadership: Mark actively shapes professional standards, having served as the Chairman of the Register for Evidence-Based Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy (REBHP). This commitment continues as he oversees the standards of the college curriculum and the establishment of the new Hypno-CBT® Directory.
Mark is also an advisor and supervisor on several research projects, and his memberships include the GHR (Senior Registered Hypnotherapist), NCH (Accredited Hypnotherapist), and the Association of Contextual Behavioural Science (ACT Therapist).
Clinical Experience and Practice 🏛️
Mark ensures the college’s standards remain high, drawing on years of dedicated practical experience:
- Clinical Foundation: Mark ran a successful, full-time clinical practice in Central and North London from 2008 to 2013. He specialized in treating a diverse range of psychological issues, with a focus on anxiety disorders, panic attacks, insomnia, and depression.
- Ongoing Insight: While his primary focus is now the college curriculum and leadership, Mark maintains occasional clinical work (approximately one client per month) to ensure his teaching and training methods remain informed by current clinical realities.
- Practice Location: His past client base included areas like Camden and Harley Street.
- Keynote Speaker: Mark delivered the opening keynote lecture to 3,000 psychotherapists at the 2016 Applied Psychology Conference in Beijing, and was a keynote speaker at the 2023 UK Hypnosis Convention.
- Academic Outreach: Mark has delivered training and lectures at major academic institutions, including a workshop at Turin University and a lecture on Spiritual Leadership at Warwick University.
“Mark's a great and knowledgeable trainer. He is very enthusiastic and really communicates his passion for the subject.” — Theresa Brockway, Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist and UKCHH Supervisor
Selected Projects and Publications 💡
Mark's work extends beyond the College, leading significant projects and contributing to key texts in the field:
- Clinical Textbook Chapter: Contributed the chapter on Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy to the textbook Clinical Hypnosis by Ursula James.
- Keynote Speaker: Mark delivered the opening keynote lecture to 3,000 psychotherapists at the 2016 10th Psychologists Conference in Beijing, and was a keynote speaker at the 2023 UK Hypnosis Convention.
- Great Ormond Street Hospital: Mark and the UK College team were invited to train clinical psychologists at GOSH in a custom 8-day CBH programme, targeting skills to help children cope with chronic pain and anxiety.
- Legacy Work (Donald Meichenbaum): Mark has been instrumental in supporting the legacy work of Dr. Donald Meichenbaum (one of the founders of CBT), including re-introducing Dr. Meichenbaum to a new generation of therapists through his Legacy Psychotherapy Course.
- Integrative Psychotherapy: Mark and the team are working towards a series of papers outlining Hypno-CBT® and positioning it as an Integrative Psychotherapy (as Integrative CBT)
- International Outreach (Past Work): From 2016 to 2019, Mark delivered a special version of the CBH training programme, certified by the Chinese Psychological Society.
- Conditioned Reflex Therapy (CRT) Reprint: Mark successfully led the project to bring back the psychotherapy classic, Conditioned Reflex Therapy by Andrew Salter, including writing the introduction for the new edition.
“Much of the science and wisdom on which modern day, powerful, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions are based comes from this book… this timeless classic should be read by every therapist and most of their patients!”
— David H. Barlow Ph.D, ABPP; Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry Emeritus; Founder, Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University. - PhD and Research Supervision and Support: Mark is involved as an advisor and supervisor on several research projects.
Mark's published works are posted on his profile: Mark R. Davis on ResearchGate
Mark's Journey: In His Own Words
I started working with Donald Robertson and the UK College in 2008, initially teaching courses and developing materials around Mindfulness, Insomnia, and Relaxation Skills. Honored to take over running the College in 2012 when Donald emigrated, I was excited to build on such a great body of work.
My interest in human potential started when I was just 16 and evolved into 25 years of meditation-philosophy practice and insight. This led me to pursue an honours degree in Psychology & Philosophy, followed by five years in India and ten years in the United States, studying and practicing under a renowned meditation teacher.
During this time, I delved deep into the non-dual philosophy behind yoga and meditation—studying with leading ‘scholar-practitioners' including Professor Paul Muller-Ortega, Professor Douglas Brooks, Carlos Pomeda, Chris Wallis, Sally Kempton, and Professor Bill Mahoney. This experience provided me with a deep, “felt knowledge” of the teachings of non-dual Tantra, Buddhism, and Indian philosophy. I also lectured on Spiritual Leadership at Warwick University.
Before becoming a therapist and trainer, I gained broad practical experience as a senior executive and business directorwithin both charitable and commercial organizations. I actually trained at The UK College back in 2006, took everything I learned, and applied it to my new hypnotherapy practice that I started in 2007, which was previously based at inspiredhypnosis.co.uk.
My entire focus as a therapist has been on skills training—enabling others to take control of their lives and begin to unlock their potential.
I now thoroughly enjoy and delight in bringing this unique perspective—the convergence of Behavioral Science, hypnosis, and modern CBT with the teachings of both the Greek philosophers and the non-dual teachings of Buddhism and Yoga—to every course we teach.
UKHC23 Presenter Video – Mark Davis – YouTube