About Us

The British Hypnosis Research and Training Institute  was originally established as British Hypnosis Research (BHR) in 1979 at Cambridge University by Stephen Brooks who wanted to study the innovative hypnosis techniques of American psychiatrist Dr Milton Erickson.

Milton Erickson’s work was unknown in the UK at that time so Stephen created an Ericksonian hypnotherapy training course, the first of its kind in Europe, and BHR started running courses for members of the caring professions in over 20 hospitals and universities.

The organisation became so successful that by the 1990’s Stephen felt he needed to take time out from the day to day running of the organisation. So he introduced other trainers into the organisation and staff to manage the organisation. Stephen wanted to find a way of integrating Buddhist principles with Ericksonian hypnosis so ordained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand. After eight years he returned to teaching in the west with a fresh approach to helping clients, and Compassionate Hypnotherapy was born.

The courses are now taught at Birkbeck College at the University of London and we are one of the leading academic training providers for the hypnotherapy profession having trained over 6000 students in hypnotherapy and related fields.