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Hypnotherapy Course – UK Training from Uncommon Knowledge

IMPORTANT MESSAGE – PLEASE READ

Although the Uncommon Knowledge Diploma Course in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy ceased in 2008, we decided to leave this page published to give you an insight into a big part of Uncommon Knowledge’s history.

Although our Hypnotherapy Diploma Course has now ceased, we are providing the same content via our online psychotherapy and hypnosis training courses. Currently, the courses available are:

Hypnotherapy Course contents:

  • Uncommon Hypnosis – foundation hypnosis course for those new to hypnosis
  • How to Lift Low Self Esteem in Your Clients – learn how to undo negative emotional conditioning and free clients to be their authentic selves
  • Precision Hypnosis – advanced hypnosis course for existing hypnotherapists who want to upgrade their skills
  • How to Lift Depression Fast – brief, solution focused depression treatment training for therapists and counsellors
  • The Rewind Technique – fast phobia and trauma cure for therapists and counsellors
  • Smoking Cessation Training – learn the Uncommon method to stop your clients stop smoking for good. Includes 10+ hypnosis scripts and over 3 hours of hypnosis audio and a way of approaching smoking cessation that will skyrocket your results
  • Uncommon Psychotherapy – get the full Uncommon Knowledge approach to therapy and counselling in this, our flagship course.

Diploma Course in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy
(UK based near London)

The Uncommon Knowledge professional hypnotherapy training course includes:

  • Treating 3 real clients in supervised hypnotherapy sessions during the course, fantastic for integrating skills and building confidence
  • Experienced, professional trainers that make your learning fun!
  • Professional-level hypnosis training – become fluent in hypnotic language – no relying on standard hypnosis scripts
  • No ‘historical’ essay-writing like many ‘traditional’ hypnotherapy courses
  • Training in brief, solution focused approaches to enable you to help people quickly and effectively
  • Access to extensive video library of real hypnotherapy sessions
  • Minimum 6:1 delegate-trainer ratio to ensure high levels of personal attention and effective learning
  • Up-to-date skills from the fields of cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapy, NLP and hypnotherapy
  • Much, much more, including free hypnosis downloads, business support, professional indemnity insurance, course mentors…

Funding – For information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact 0800 100 900.

Why Study Hypnotherapy in London?

Why struggle through London when you can enjoy weekends away in open countryside and fresh air at Brighton University?

Our famous Hypnotherapy Diploma Course takes place every year in the green and relaxing environs of Brighton University campus.

Travel from London to the campus is easy by car or train. The University sits on the A27, about 45 minutes from the M25. And the train line from Brighton runs right through the campus.

And if you prefer to stay overnight, we can recommend reasonably-priced accommodation.

So if you want to attend one of the UK’s top hypnotherapy training courses, don’t be put off because you live in London! Around half of the course delegates travel from the London area every year, and others come from as far afield as Glasgow Northampton, Bristol and Cornwall.

And, seeing as London Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes drive from the University campus, you could travel from just about anywhere… Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Paris, Milan… (one delegate in 2004 travelled from Israel!)

Hypnotherapy Course Introduction

Sensible psychology – easing suffering, advancing performance

Since 1996, Uncommon Knowledge have trained thousands of people in hypnosis and psychology, empowering them to help themselves and others.

The Uncommon Knowledge Diploma Course in Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy is unlike any other because it puts hypnosis into perspective as part of wider psychology, enabling you to be flexible and versatile in its use.

Uncommon Knowledge takes as the starting point for therapy the factors that every individual needs to live a healthy, satisfying life. This simplifying and clarifying approach allows theory and technique to fall away, opening up a clear view of what it is to be human, and what we need to avoid emotional problems and perform at our best.

From this foundation grows a uniquely focused and effective skill-set, utilising the latest developments from the fields of hypnosis, psychology and therapy, creating
Uncommon Therapists that are confident, knowledgeable, and above all – effective.

“This course has given me great personal development – attitudes and techniques which have made me already a more rounded person,and given me the start of a professional extension which will make me a better doctor and therapist.”

Dr Peter Bellamy, therapist and retired GP

Up-to-date and effective – so you only have to train once

The greatest criticism of hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and counseling courses in the UK today has to be the focus on theory, rather than efficacy.

Read the materials for other training courses and you will be baffled by technical jargon and archaic terminology. On many hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and counselling courses you will spend precious hours writing essays on the ideas of historical figures or learning ‘technical manuals’, rather than focusing on learning what is helpful to you and those you will help.

“A well structured and enlightened course… set it apart from the clinical, narrowly focused, theoretical and prescriptive approaches of some of the London schools. Excellent. Thank you.”

Guy Baglow, Therapist

Read more testimonials

Personal or professional development?

Different people have different reasons for attending the course. Some graduates use their qualification to set up their own full time practice, or develop a second income. Some are already therapists, adding to their existing skill-set.

Others, however, put their learning to a different use. These are people looking to enhance their communication skills, increase their confidence and look after their own mental health. In today’s fast paced, high stress environments, more and more people are finding it difficult to cope.

The ability to relax properly, be aware of damaging thought processes, develop positive thinking styles and effectively use our resources is invaluable. And as Daniel Goleman says in his brilliant book Emotional Intelligence, it’s those with ‘people skills’ that get ahead.

Join the growing band of Uncommon Therapists

Demand for effective therapists is increasing year-on-year. Public awareness of the varying efficacies of different therapies is growing, and people are seeking brief, solution-focused therapy that can help them quickly. Uncommon hypnotherapists charge between £50 and £100, meaning your course investment can be repaid within 40 sessions.

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Hypnotherapy Course Features

When you join the Uncommon Knowledge Hypnotherapy Course, you will gain access to the following resources. These have been added to the course over the years as make learning for our delegates more fully-featured, interesting, and (dare we say it) – fun!

  • Free membership of HypnosisDownloads.com from Uncommon Knowledge gives you over 300 hypnosis scripts for many different problems. As you will see if you visit the website, HypnosisDownloads.com contains a vast library of hypnosis sessions. As a student on the Diploma course, you will receive a free hypnosis script or mp3 of your choice every two weeks during your course to give you further experience of hypnosis and hypnotic language patterns.
  • Free books – there are no ‘hidden costs’ for reading materials. You will receive all your books as soon as you reserve your place.
  • A free client-convincing website – no matter how well-trained you are, getting clients through the door is the bottom line for your business. You can refer potential clients to UncommonTherapists.com where they can learn about your training and your approach.
  • Duration of course allows new knowledge and skills time to ‘bed in’.
  • Practice groups ensure learning between classroom sessions.
  • Focus on practical skills makes the most of your time.
  • High trainer-to-student ratio ensures personal attention at all times
  • Fun learning environment keeps you motivated.
  • Our friendly, knowledgeable trainers and supervisors will make you comfortable to ask questions and develop your knowledge.
  • Personal mentor scheme means you always have someone you can call. Your mentor will be an experienced course supervisor who is currently practicing as a hypnotherapist using the skills you will be learning. This personal support continues for 3 months after you graduate. You will be able to get help with your course work, opinions on clients and support whenever you need it.
  • Extensive video library of real therapy sessions aid ‘learning by absorption’. Throughout your time on the course, you will be able to hire videos of the course trainers working with clients on a wide range of common problems. Seeing the skills in action backs up your practice and gives you new ideas and approaches to try.
  • ‘Real client’ practice system with written feedback builds your confidence and ensures you can use your skills. One of the unique features of the Uncommon Knowledge Diploma course, during your training you will work with members of the public in supervised sessions. Year after year our graduates tell us that this was the single most important factor in their learning advanced skills so quickly.
  • ‘Tell, show do’ training ensures we cater to your preferred learning style by giving you theory and background (tell), demonstrating the skill (show), then giving you a learning exercise to carry out (do).
  • Extensive course notes and lecture overheads mean you will always have access to what you have learned.
  • Clear modular format ensures you are confident in your knowledge.
  • Private online discussion forum at UncommonForum.com enables you to ask questions and discuss ideas with trainers, supervisors and other students
  • Detailed, constructive written feedback makes it easy to improve your skills
  • Professional and efficient admin support means you can always get queries resolved quickly
  • Free advertising on the Uncommon Knowledge hypnotherapists list with email address and a link to your own site if you have one.
  • Business setup support – if you wish to practice as a hypnotherapist in the UK, you will get all the information you need about business, advertising and finance. After completing the course, you will be able to contact one of Uncommon Knowledge’s hypnotherapy business advisors for advice on marketing and business in general.
  • Ongoing peer support – via our online forum and local groups
  • Experienced supervisors – all supervisors are currently practicing as hypnotherapists

‘Lunch included – always a chatty affair, you don’t need to worry about bringing your own’.

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Uncommon Knowledge Advisory Board

Maintaining the highest standards

To ensure Uncommon Knowledge retains its position as leader-in-the-field, and you receive the best training available, we have established an advisory board of experienced professionals from psychology, medicine and education.

“Balanced, comprehensive and well-presented.”

Joe Griffin, eminent psychologist, lecturer

Advisory board

Neurology Advisor: Dr David Lewis BSc (Hons) DPhil, FISMA. FINSDT. C. Psychol. is a psychologist, author and award-winning broadcaster. David, a researcher specialising in neuropsychology is a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society and a Fellow of both the International Stress Management Association and the Institute of Directors. His current research interests involve studying changes in brain activity under different stimulus conditions. His many books include The Secret Language of Your Child, Thinking Better, Know Your Own Mind; The Secret Language of Your Handwriting, The Secret Language Of Success, The Doctors’ Heart Attack Recovery Plan, One-Minute Stress Management, The Alpha Plan, Life Unlimited: Peak Performance Past Forty, Ten Minute Time and Stress Management and Information Overload – Practical Strategies for Surviving in Today’s Workplace, The Soul of the New Consumer: Authenticity: What People Buy and Why in the New Economy.

Psychology advisor: Paul Myszor, Educational Psychologist specialises in working with children and young people with emotional, behavioural difficulties, their teachers and carers. He have taken a lead in East Sussex LEA’s decision to promote emotional literacy in schools and after gaining the Uncommon Knowledge Diploma in 1999, developed a stress management program for teachers and treatment of traumatised children, including refugees.

Training advisor: Ann Clark, Senior Training Manager, NHS. Ann’s career began in physiology research and following a career break she lectured in Colleges of Further Education covering a range of pure and applied science subjects. For the past 20 years she has worked in the field of organisational development and learning in the public and private sector. This has enabled her to develop extensive internal consultancy skills in the provision of a range of learning interventions. She has an in depth knowledge of organisational accreditations such as Investors in People and also those specific to the public sector.

Medical advisor: Liz Evans After studying medicine at Cambridge University, then at St Mary’s hospital medical school, London, Liz worked in accident
and emergency before becoming ill with ME. After two years recovering using a holistic approach of diet, acupuncture, CBT, homeopathy and osteopathy she joined the GP training scheme at Princess Royal Hospital. She has worked as a Senior House Officer in psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology and general practice. Liz plans to take an MSc in nutritional medicine to enable her to work in a more holistic way than the conventional Western medical model.

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Hypnotherapy Course Modules (1)

The Diploma Course modules

The Hypnotherapy Course is divided into clear-cut modules, each supported by comprehensive course notes. The modules take place over 9 weekends; see the booking form for dates.

Module 1 – Hypnosis workshop

  • What is hypnosis?
  • How to hypnotise yourself and others
  • Principal hypnotic techniques
  • Trance states and depression, anxiety, anger & addictions
  • Why depression makes you dream more
  • Basic needs for emotional health and physical wellbeing
  • Self hypnosis for relaxation, confidence and performance

Module 2 – Solution focused therapy

  • Miracle questioning
  • Finding and amplifying resources
  • The Human Givens approach
  • Agreeing strategy and measurable goals
  • Creating optimism and expectancy quickly
  • Using solution focused questions to hypnotise

Module 3 – Advanced hypnosis

  • Advanced hypnotic language patterns
  • Developing deep rapport quickly
  • Ericksonian approaches
  • Skills for effective communication
  • Reframing – the heart of therapy
  • Pain management with hypnosis
  • Indirect conversational hypnosis
  • Dreaming & metaphor
  • The truth about false memory syndrome and regression

Module 4 – Addictions and smoking cessation

  • The Uncommon Smoking Cessation System
  • How addictions control and how to ‘unhook’ them – a ‘pact
  • with the devil’
  • How to break the addictive trances
  • The commonality in all addictive patterns

You can now learn the Uncommon Knowledge Smoking Cessation system online with our Smoking Cessation Training course.

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Hypnotherapy Course Modules (2)

Module 5 – Sleep disorders

  • Fundamental sleep hygiene
  • Deconditioning fear of sleep disruption
  • Removing expectancy for sleep
  • Reliable thought-stopping self hypnosis
  • Nutrition and sleep
  • Improve sleep patterns to lift depression

Module 6 – Anxiety, phobias & trauma

  • The Rewind Technique or Fast Phobia Cure
  • Physiology of anxiety
  • Understanding the stress response/effective
  • stress management.
  • Instantly teachable relaxation techniques
  • Stop panic attacks in a single session
  • The role of anxiety in depression
  • How anxiety conditions responses and how to stop it

Module 7 – Story, metaphor and analogy

  • The central nature of metaphor in all human experience
  • Left versus right brain hemisphere functions.
  • How to use client metaphors in therapy
  • How to bypass logical resistance
  • Replacing negative patterns with positive expectation
  • The dreaming brain – unconscious storytelling
  • Using analogy to make complex ideas simple
  • Psychosis and metaphor

Module 8 – Weight loss

  • Self esteem and body size
  • Dispelling the myths around food and eating
  • Why diets don’t work and what does
  • The link between nutrition and weight control
  • The Uncommon system to control food craving
  • Maximizing motivation for exercise

Module 9 – Relationships and sexual problems

  • The truth about essential relationship skills
  • Spotting common predictors of relationship breakdown
  • Getting over past relationships
  • Understanding sexual problems
  • Lowering performance anxiety

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Hypnotherapy Course Modules (3)

Module 10 – Mind/body connection

  • Creating physical responses using hypnosis
  • Utilising the placebo response
  • How emotions affect health
  • The power of the mind to heal the body
  • IBS, skin conditions, migraines

Module 11 – Depression and grief

  • The latest knowledge about depression
  • How to lift depression in a single session
  • The roles and limitations of cognitive, behavioural and interpersonal therapy for depression
  • The central role of dreaming in maintaining depression and what to do about it
  • Natural grief and healthy readjustment

Module 12 – Peak performance

  • How to access the flow state
  • Optimising performance through hypnosis
  • Pre-setting patterns for success
  • Overcoming perceived limitations

Module 13 – Confidence and self-esteem

  • Exploding the myths of self-esteem
  • Where low self-esteem comes from and how to lift it
  • How to gauge someone’s level of self-esteem
  • Building confidence for stressful situations
  • Self esteem-destroying thinking styles and how to alter them

Module 14 – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

  • The importance of deconditioning anxiety in OCD and how to do it
  • The central role of basic human needs
  • Stepwise approach to reducing obsessive behaviours
  • Tasking and paradoxical interventions
  • The compulsive trance and how to break it

Module 15 – Business & marketing

  • How to set up your own business
  • How to create a thriving practice
  • Professional memberships and insurance

“Since commencing the course, not only have my stress levels during my normal working day reduced significantly, but I have also had the opportunity to help friends and family overcome some of their own obstacles. I intend to pursue therapy rigorously as a career and have already set the wheels in motion. Thanks for all your help, advice, guidance and teachings!”

Andrew Leen, Insurance Consultant

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Skills you will gain on the course

Whatever your reasons for attending the Diploma course, this section of the prospectus will show you what you will learn. Take a look and see how many of the skills relate to what you want to get from it.

  • An understanding of the central role of hypnosis in all therapeutic interventions
  • How to match, pace and lead on an unconscious level to establish and enhance rapport
  • The relief of symptoms
  • Creating expectancy
  • Solution focused questioning
  • Establishing well formed outcomes with clients
  • How to check and use ‘basic needs’ in therapy
  • How to structure an effective therapy session
  • ‘Miracle’ questioning and other solution-focused approaches Cognitive therapy and its uses for anxiety and depression
  • Age regression, accessing resources, revivification and rehearsal
  • An understanding of false memory syndrome
  • The use of ‘informal/conversational’ hypnosis in therapy
  • Learning to ‘read’ unconscious communication and communicate below the level of consciousness
  • How to create motivation for the client
  • Paradoxical interventions
  • The rules of social influence
  • How to develop personal influence
  • The role of ‘double binds’ in therapy
  • The ‘utilisation method’ and ‘joining with the client’
  • The importance of ‘direct perception’ when working with clients
  • An understanding of ‘The Human Givens’ and how to use them in therapy
  • Hypnotic suggestions and post hypnotic suggestions
  • The uses for hypnotic amnesia
  • Teaching social skills – interpersonal therapy
  • The ‘Observing Self’ – how to develop and use it
  • Accessing resources and creating new ones
  • The role of the conscious mind in therapy
  • Eliciting trance phenomena and working with the unconscious mind
  • How to create a conscious/unconscious split
  • Prescribing therapeutic tasks and ‘paradoxical interventions’ – behavioural therapy
  • Using re-framing and humour in therapy
  • A full understanding of all the main types of counselling and psychotherapy and their levels of scientific validation
  • A basic understanding of all the major current drug treatments for psychiatric disorders
  • How to ‘read’ client metaphors and use them to elicit change, how to construct and use metaphors and work
  • How to understand dreams according to the very latest
  • How to work with psychosomatic conditions, physical pain
  • An understanding of ‘Systemic Therapy’ and the ‘Life with the ‘metaphorical mind’. Stories that heal, dream understanding and research and high blood pressure
  • How to ‘wean’ clients when therapy has ended
  • Launching a successful psychotherapy practice

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Hypnotherapy Strategies

Innovative strategies for common problems

The previous page shows you the abilities you will have acquired on graduation. This section shows the variety of disorders you will be able to treat with hypnotherapy. Your learning from the course will allow you to use a versatile approach to treating these and other disorders, including cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy as required.

  • Depression
  • Panic attacks
  • Generalised anxiety
  • Phobias
  • Post traumatic stress disorder
  • Eating disorders
  • Addictions : smoking, alcohol abuse, gambling…
  • Chronic anger
  • Pain: physically and psychologically based
  • Relationship and sexual difficulties
  • Sleep disorders
  • Allergies
  • Confidence issues – shyness, blushing etc.
  • Weight and dieting
  • Stress/tension
  • High blood pressure
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Grief
  • Performance anxiety – driving test, exam nerves, sexual anxiety etc

On completion of the course, your understanding of human psychology and behaviour will enable you to see these and other problems with clarity. In addition to standard approaches, you will have the experience, confidence and knowledge to create your own interventions and solutions. As Milton Erickson, father of modern therapy, said when asked about his theory of psychotherapy, “I invent a new theory for each client who walks through the door!”

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About Uncommon Knowledge

The company

Uncommon Knowledge LLP was formed in June 1998 by Mark Tyrrell and Roger Elliott. Having run hypnosis workshops for several years in their local area, they decided to pursue training on a full-time basis. Within 6 months, Uncommon Knowledge was running workshops in 6 different locations around England. Since then, over 400 diploma trainees have graduated, many of whom are now working as hypnotherapists. The company’s mission is to spread sound, useful information and skills around psychology, psychotherapy and hypnosis.

The trainers

Mark Tyrrell DHyp, EH.P, NLP-BHR, HGDip

Mark trains thousands of health professionals and members of the public every year. Co-author of ‘Maximise your self esteem – The Giant Within’ published by Orbit books, he used to work as a psychiatric nurse. Mark is now Creative Director for Uncommon Knowledge and maintains a busy practice at the Uncommon Knowledge clinic in central Brighton.

Jill Wootton, DHypPsych (UK), BA(Hons)

Director of Training for Uncommon Knowledge, Jill began life in sales and marketing leading to directing a team managing international conferences and exhibitions. After retraining Jill worked as a massage then acupuncture therapist. She has worked and taught in a variety of positions and places, including The Cancer Resource Centre in orth and the Royal Marsden Hospital. Jill now works as a therapist from the Uncommon Knowledge clinic in Brighton and her home in Cuckfield, East Sussex. She is a dedicated and experienced trainer with a down-to-earth and fun presenting style.

Roger Elliott, DHypPsych (UK), BEng(Hons)

Managing Director of Uncommon Knowledge, Roger has created websites for Uncommon Knowledge on topics including depression, panic attacks, hypnosis and self confidence. He co-authored the ebook ‘How to Raise Self Esteem in Others’ and has gained a reputation for creating original, entertaining and effective training materials.

In addition to maintaining a busy private practice, Roger manages new product development for Uncommon Knowledge and undertakes research into developing areas of psychology.

Course Administrator – Karen Reynolds

Karen is the epicentre of Uncommon Knowledge organisation, and a stickler for great customer service. She will be available throughout your training to help you with the practicalities of the course, making your path through the Diploma course smooth and easy!

A quick word from the trainers

The Uncommon Knowledge Hypnotherapy Diploma Course was created as we saw a gap in training in the UK. Although there are too many hypnotherapy schools to mention, there are few delivering quality training in effective methods. Many courses have become cumbersome, teaching out-of-date ‘directive’ methods and engaging students in studies that are more of a historical nature than therapeutic.

We have worked hard to create a training course which is both stimulating and practical and we are confident that you will find the experience rewarding, enlightening and enjoyable. For us, there is nothing better than seeing our trainees surprise themselves with their abilities to help people.

The supervisors

Trained and experienced supervisors will be on hand throughout the course to help with practice sessions and any queries you may have. All supervisors have completed the course themselves and will be currently practicing.

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Hypnotherapy Training Course Accreditation

Professional bodies, accreditation and insurance

The Uncommon Knowledge hypnotherapy training course is accredited by the two largest hypnotherapy organisations in the UK – the Hypnotherapy Association and the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council. This enables you to join after graduating at a higher level of membership than usual. Uncommon Knowledge is also an organisational member of the GHSC and the UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be entitled to use the letters DHypPsych(UK) after your name. Membership of either organisation will provide you with many benefits, including professional liability insurance.

Red Poppy Register

You will also automatically qualify for inclusion in the Red Poppy Company’s national register of trauma therapists trained in the Rewind Technique.

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Hypnotherapy Course Testimonials

These are some comments from previous trainees:

“Has helped me immensely in my work and private life”

An extremely comprehensive course presented by people who care about doing the best job that they can. Has helped me immensely in my work and private life and is already bringing benefits to myself, my friends and family.

I am used to a very professional style of training in my day job and this course matches my expectations.

Alan Hearton, Pilot, Gravesend

“With every step doing the course my enthusiasm and desire to learn increased”

This is by far the best course I have attended, it has already benefitted me both professionally and personally. Uncommon Knowledge manage to balance beautifully a highly professional profile whilst maintaining a safe and friendly learning experience. With every step doing the course my enthusiasm and desire to learn increased which is a credit not just to Mark and Jill but all the staff at unk who made my learning experience so enjoyable. Thank you!

Tim Houghton, Teacher of Karate, Lancing, West Sussex

I can’t recommend the course highly enough

This course, Jill, Mark and the supervisors have all been instrumental in me becoming a much stronger and all round individual. It has been an incredible journey of self discovery and fulfillment which no more than 18 months ago I would have flinched at the very idea of doing.

I have applied what I have learnt in my everyday life and work life to help me and others and the difference has been amazing. I plan to set up a hypnotherapy practice as a hypnotherapist alongside my existing business. I can’t recommend the course highly enough. It’s really life changing.

John Hatch, Interior designer, Exeter

“I feel passionate about taking forward what I have learned.”

I have attended many courses and yours are without doubt the most informative, enjoyable and hypnotic!!!!

Incredible course. It would be an amazing world if everyone knew this stuff. I had almost been going through my life with my eyes half shut without realizing. My eyes are now very much more open and I feel passionate about taking forward what I have learned.

It is a great feeling to be included in the amazing therapeutic ripple effect that begins with Uncommon Knowledge and I now look forward with much excitement to being one of the many who help this ripple effect continue.

Mark Pegler, Solicitor, Birmingham

“it’s given me a set of tools for life”

I think that the Uncommon Knowledge Diploma course should be taught in schools as it’s given me a set of tools for life that I wish I had years ago. It will definitely keep my life in balance and hopefully for other as well. The teaching style is unique, course directors inspiring and students were a supportive group to learn with. I would recommend it to anyone.

Deborah Tiley, Public Relations, Beaconsfield

“I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who seriously wants to help people”

The Course was brilliant. I enjoyed everything about it. Learned an amazing amount of very useful info and techniques. Met wonderful people and did a lot of personal growth too.

It feels wonderful to have the tools and knowledge to make such a big and speedy difference to peoples lives. Doing this course has been the best thing that I have ever done and I whole heartedly recommend it to anyone who seriously wants to help people live happier lives and improve their own.

Alison Ward, Coach/Trainer, Eastbourne, East Sussex

“5 star standards throughout, first class learning experience”

Thoroughly enjoyed, learnt and grew due to all asopects of the course.

5 star standards throughout, first class learning experience- will recommend. I intend to use hypnotherapy in all areas of my lofe, personal and professional.

Thank you for all your hardwork it clearly showed in the seamless experience of a 1st class learning experience.

Emma Disney, Counsellor, Eastbourne, East Sussex

“Powerful stuff indeed – strongly recommended”

This course has had a major impact on my personal and professional life. Powerful stuff indeed – strongly recommended.

Paul Myszor, Chartered Educational Psychologist

“This has undoubtedly been the best yet.”

Holding three post graduate Diplomas made me feel something of an expert in the ‘course’ world. This has undoubtedly been the best yet.

What is complex information has been made accessible and easy to understand and applicable to therapy and consultancy work in a really positive way.

As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) it was hard to know where to look for CPD opportunities. This course seemed to offer something new and exciting. I enrolled and was never disappointed.” “It has radically changed my view on how public policy just misses the point when seeking to address long term unemployment, social work training, multi-agency working. I aim to use the learning to combat this. . .

Thank you for putting together such a well planned, delivered and organized course. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I enrolled but what I have experienced completely exceeded any small pre-conceptions I had. May your influence continue to grow, like ripples in a pond!

Michelle Spirit, Education and Training Consultant, Chichester, West Sussex

“…impeccably organized, timed and managed.”

Uncommon Knowledge should run courses on how to run courses – it was impeccably organized, timed and managed. I have never been on a course where so much faith was shown in the delegates and our ups and downs were so expertly managed to bring us so far in such a short time. I’m looking forward to carrying on practicing, learning and developing! Thank you so much.

Rebecca Welch, Personnel Manager, Hampshire

“The best training I’ve taken, personally and professionally.”

An absolutely amazing course; professional, fascinating, the latest information on all aspects of how humans are and how we can live more fulfilling lives. The best training I’ve taken, personally and professionally. I thoroughly enjoyed Mark and Jill’s unique styles in delivering lectures, their vast knowledge imparted in such an easy manner, their great sense of humour and the dynamics of the whole team – lecturers, mentors, supervisors and students.

This training left me inspired and so confident that what I’ve learnt and experienced is the best start up to a new career, equipped with all the tools necessary to go and make a difference to all those people I haven’t met yet! – as I know the work I’ve done so far has already helped change people’s lives for the better. I’ve left a full time, high profile sales role to embark on getting this stuff out there to more people and to those in particular who may not have previously considered how they could benefit from this kind of approach

Finally I’d like to add that I remember reading a letter from UNK about the course and what an Uncommon Therapist is. It listed numerous psychotherapeutic approaches and summarized an UNK Therapist was all those things. I was excited by that prospect and now I have completed the courses I can say that statement is entirely accurate. Thank you for exceeding my high expectations.

Sarah Echeverri, Hypnotherapist, Hove, East Sussex

“…presented very professionally.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the diploma course. The course was presented very professionally and yet by people who are obviously passionate about what they do. This passion was infectious and I find myself now doing the same thing. I feel I have learned so much in the last year – about hypnotherapy and about myself. For the first time in my working life I am excited by the possibilities ahead of me. There is a real sense of a door opening up as I prepare to walk through it..

Phillip Burrows, Kent

“I learnt more… then I did doing a 3 year degree in Pyschology!”

I learnt more in this year about how we think and behave than I did doing a 3 year degree in Psychology! It’s changed my perspective on life…

I think it’s made me a happier more centred person. I feel I’m able to deal with situations that I felt lost in before and has given me loads more confidence in myself and my abilities.. It has improved my professional skills at work. I have used a lot of Solution Focused principles and tools in both coaching individuals and in my training delivery. I have seen some amazing progress in people I work with, which I know wouldn’t have happened if I wasn’t using the skills I have gained on this course. Thank you for all of this and for the gifts I take into the future. A quote I heard the other day really rings true for this course: ‘The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own’. Benjamin Disraeli

Sam Dunnett, People Development Facilitator, Peacehaven, East Sussex

“…couldn’t have chosen a better way to spend my money!”

…the comprehensive explanations and demonstrations combined with the humorous approach and mentor support (invaluable) paved the way perfectly… couldn’t have chosen a better way to spend my money!

Paula Newman, Jeweller Brighton, East Sussex

“Uncommon Knowledge far surpass all.”

I have now found my vocation in life and thanks to Uncommon Knowledge the direction and qualifications have put me on the road to where I want to go. I feel confident about what I have learned and can put it into practice straight away. I how have such a thirst for helping people move forward. My life has turned a point where I know I can be of true value to myself and others. I have trained with many schools on different subjects. Uncommon Knowledge far surpass all. They were very entertaining also, making the learning a pleasure.

Mandy Paley, Adminstrator (soon to be self-employed Hypnotherapist), Brighton, East Sussex

“I came out… feeling confident”

I have studied a Degree and a Masters Degree as well as a Master Practitioner in NLP. None of them compare to the level of learning and understanding of the subject given to you by the teaching methods of this course. I really came out the back end of this course feeling confident about using all of the material from day one. The skills I have learned on the course have benefited me in many areas of my life, both at home and in my current job and I look forward to turning what I have learned from the course into a full time profession.

Nick Meredith, Commercial Associate Director, Peterborough

“I felt like a capable safe therapist from the summer onwards and left already feeling experienced.”

I’ve sat through cripplingly dull engineering and computer lectures with bad course planning, no handouts or mentoring. The entertaining lectures, the handouts, mentoring, supervising and planning seemed like they’d had so much thought put into them. If a student uses all the resources and suggestions made available to them they can’t fail to do well. The forum is another really helpful aspect – as were the downloads. The textbooks were brilliant and went with the course really well. I felt like a capable safe therapist from the summer onwards and left already feeling experienced. I think I am a very good therapist and have 100% belief in what I’m doing with the clients. I will continue to practice and make sure I practice what I preach most of the time. Can’t wait to see where I get now having such fantastic human understanding. Thank you.

Lynne Sommerville, Hypnotherapist, Brighton, East Sussex

“The Uncommon Knowledge hypnotherapy course was simply the best”

I had decided to look to do a course on hypnosis/psychology because I needed further skills to complement my practice as a mental health nurse.

After looking at many sites it became clear that the Uncommon Knowledge hypnotherapy course was simply the best because it encapsulated all aspects of my work with clients in the community.

My criteria for a course were it had to come from an evidence base with well grounded research as to the theories and practices taught. The Uncommon Knowledge course certainly does that.

The weekend hypnosis course ‘changed my life’ because I feel more empowered to not only help my clients, but take time out to give myself an opportunity to MOT my mind.

I have been using the tools and techniques from the weekend to help people into a relaxed hypnotic state and Found this new way of working targets what is personal to the client and their specific problems rather than use generic scripts or CD’s.

Without doubt it is important for the individual contemplating any training in hypnotherapy to research, research and research again all the other schools and colleges offering training. After extensive searching I have no hesitation in recommending Uncommon Knowledge as being top of my list simply because they offer the most comprehensive and complete training I feel is available in the UK today.

Kevin Rees, Mental Health Nurse

Choosing to undertake your course has taken me on an incredible journey which has not only enabled me to help others but has empowered me to meet all of lifes challenges, now and in the future.

Veryan F Cooper
Read all of Veryan’s letter

“A really enjoyable and fulfilling experience.”

The course has already helped me personally to relax and also improved both my personal and work relationships – far fewer “head to heads”.
Streets ahead of my counselling diploma which was two years of agony. I am already using the skills with private clients I have seen. I feel so much more confident than before. A really enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Jose Penrose, Charity Manager/Counsellor

“A well structured and enlightened course.”

A well structured and enlightened course providing the student with the confidence and tools to go out and practice. The course material and pace of introduction of real clients at an early stage set it apart from the clinical, narrowly focused, theoretical and prescriptive approaches of some of the London schools. Excellent. Thank you.

Guy Baglow, Therapist

“I came rather cautiously…”

I came rather cautiously, knowing that it is easy for such a course to be blinkered, over dogmatic, even fundamentalist. I was totally reassured from the first weekend. Previous training has either been solidly ‘medical’, or totally ‘alternative’ where tutors and students tend to be equally dogmatic and awash with chi, prana and furiously spinning chakras. It has been a relief to be part of a course firmly planted in sound science, but which can see the human being as something/someone more than a collection of levers, pulleys, tubes and electro-chemical reactions.

This course has given me great personal development – attitudes and techniques which have made me already a more rounded person, and given me the start of a professional extension which will make me a better doctor and therapist.

Dr Peter Bellamy, therapist and retired GP

Since commencing the course, not only have my stress levels during my normal working day reduced significantly, but I have also had the opportunity to help friends and family overcome some of their own obstacles. I intend to pursue therapy rigorously as a career and have already set the wheels in motion. Thanks for all your help, advice, guidance and teachings!

Andrew Leen, Insurance Consultant

“…this course was enlightening.”

I thoroughly enjoyed the course and feel that it has changed my own circumstances immensely. I use what I’ve learnt daily and know I feel more optimistic. Some years ago I took a child psychology course and found it was quite depressing and I was fully aware having been in therapy with my children that going over the past was not changing the present for them. So this course was enlightening. I dearly hope to use my qualification and am discussing at the present time with another colleague the possibility of going into practice.

Edwina Sheer, Housewife

On a personal level this course has taught me balance of thought and feeling. It just goes to show that you can achieve anything and I will.

Dawn Tottle, Reiki Therapist

I was very attracted by the balance of the course, between theory/practical/home study. The course gave me the confidence to deal with clients. I have progressed rapidly on a personal development basis and I use solution focused language and reframing instinctively at work and outside. I feel very empowered to have a cluster of skills to help other people and appreciate seeing the bigger picture. Thank you!

Stephen German, Legal Services Commission

Although I came on the course so I could do therapy part-time, it surprised me how effective and useful the techniques were in my day-to-day business life.

Richard Boele, Consultant, Kingston Business School

As an occupational psychologist specialising in stress-related issues, I came onto the introductory course to help me feel less self-conscious about doing group relaxation exercises. I then got ‘hooked’ by the obvious effectiveness and lack of mystique with which the subject was approached. The course has led me to working directly with the public – an option I had not previously considered.

Jay Roseveare, Occupational Psychologist

Although I’m not intending to provide psychotherapy in the immediate future the course was I) immensely interesting from the point of view if understanding aspects of psychotherapy and communication ii) useful in my teaching job where focusing attention and motivation is pivotal iii) a growth-point personally and iv) a chance to spend time with an excellent bunch of people.

Simon Gregg, Teacher

“An excellent balance of theory, practice and the real thing.”

I found the course very useful. I started to use the techniques with some of my existing counselling clients. The tutors were excellent at demonstrating the skills and passing them on to me. An excellent balance of theory, practice and the real thing – with clients. Plenty of opportunity for support and an ideal setup to learn about hypnotherapy and solution-focused therapy. Brilliant!

Mike Lawley, Counselling Trainer

This is a life-changing course and very rewarding. Not only does it offer new tools and strategies for life, it also presents whole new perspectives on it. I enjoyed it immensely.

Jane Raven, Careers Advisor, Sussex

I really found the course thoroughly edifying and intend to practise part-time at present. I would certainly recommend it to anyone with an interest in hypnotherapy.

Steve Griffiths, Sales Manager, Brighton

“Thank you for a very significant experience.”

I originally approached the hypnotherapy course on a personal basis having had some limited success in using self-hypnosis techniques to help me with problems of sleeping, controlling anxiety and building self-confidence in general. The theory and practical techniques the course has taught have helped enormously in this direction.

Moreover, the practical experience of the course had reframed my attitude to working with clients to the extent that I now feel that I can offer something of real value. I am continuing to be able to make a significant contribution to friends and acquaintances and am considering practising further afield. Thank you for a very significant experience.

Michael Blee, London

This course has helped me become more confident in the outcome of my work generally. It has taught me to use my natural tendency to use whatever works, rather than stay rooted in one method, and helped me become more objective in my criticism of techniques and therapies that I am suspicious of ! I enjoyed every minute of it. Thanks!

Liz Hoare, Richmond upon Thames

“I was probably more sceptical than most people…”

Well here I am, a little over half way through the year and a completely different person to 2 years ago. I’m much more positive, energetic and enthusiastic about every aspect of my life and the course and its amazing benefits.

Sadly, in the last few months my mother in law has been diagnosed with advanced bone cancer but the huge resource of practical knowledge this course delivers can only help me to help her and my wife/family to cope in what clearly is a difficult situation. Learning about the power of the mind/body connection and the fantastic and wonderfully inspiring stories of how people can overcome terrible adversity with positive thinking is such a revelation. I know now that my heart and future lies in practicing hypnotherapy. Whatever happens it will always remain the most useful and beneficial course I have ever attended and believe me I’ve attended a few in my time!

I can only add that I would have absolutely no reservations what so ever about recommending anyone to learn more about this subject through Uncommon Knowledge, as clearly your well researched and professional approach pays tribute to your collective enthusiasm for your subject. I trust and hope that I can continue to have a positive and beneficial effect on the lives of those I meet both socially and in practice next year. It’s a real shame that hypnotherapy is still not regarded by the general public as “mainstream” therapy, I have become a total convert and considering I was probably more sceptical than most people, that in itself is a major endorsement of the benefits of this course.

Nick Powley
Director, Bandwidth Technologies International Group Ltd
www.btig.co.uk

“Uncommon Knowledge should run courses on how to run courses”

I think Uncommon Knowledge should run courses on how to run courses! Everything was very well timed and a vast body of complex knowledge was delivered very effectively. The whole atmosphere is very supportive, with great generosity of time and advice. The mentor system is a particularly good feature. Personally speaking, it’s been a life-changing and life-enhancing experience. I feel that I have the strongest possible foundation for a career as a professional hypnotherapist.

Ian Sherred

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Solution Focused Therapy Handout

This handout on solution focused therapy comes from the Uncommon Knowledge Diploma Course in Hypnotherapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. This is just a sample of our hypnotherapy course materials so you can see what they are like if you are considering joining the course. You may download and print the solution focused therapy handout for personal use, or provide it as a download from your own website, as long as it remains unaltered.

“I came out… feeling confident”

Download Solution Focused Therapy Handout (Right click and ‘Save as’)

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Hypnotherapy Training Course Reading List

The following books apply to the Uncommon Knowledge Hypnotherapy Training Course.

Required reading (in order)

Recommended reading (in no particular order)

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International Diploma Students – Hypnotherapy Course

Increasingly, students are travelling from abroad to the Uncommon Knowledge hypnotherapy course. For those of you considering making the journey, here are a few tales from our overseas students:

Budapest, Hungary To Brighton

Nia Clowney

Such a course of course does not exist in Hungary! But as there are no native English hypnotherapists the investment in travel will certainly be worthwhile!

I fly with the budget airline Wizz Air to London Luton and from there I usually get a coach to central London and stay with friends. I drive down to Brighton with another student from the course. Many people live in London who participate on the course and I think it is fairly easy to get a lift share. Once in Brighton I usually stay in a hotel with many others from the course and the evening meals are a fantastic time for bonding and sharing practice experience.

It seems like a big deal to travel back to London every month but I have to say it is usually my best weekend in the month!

Book flights in advance and I am sure once you meet people on the course you will be able to find out where other people stay and maybe even find another student to stay with in Brighton.

On top of the course cost I pay about 150.00 pounds in flights, petrol, coaches and hotel.

Nia Clowney

Amsterdam to Falmer

Etai

I’m am Etai, from Israel but I live in Amsterdam and I am a student on the 2008 Diploma course. Getting there and back for the weekends is as easy as can be (faster then some of the locals).

I fly with Easyjet (which costs about 60-80 euros ) and it is about a 45 minute flight to Gatwick airport.

I then get on a train to Brighton for 30 minutes and then a short and easy train ride, the next day to the campus.

In Brighton I stay with sister of a friend so I pay them cost + breakfast £25 p/n A cheap solution for accommodation I know of is:
www.st-christophers.co.uk/brighton-hostels

Tips:

  • Book your flight in advance it will be cheaper.
  • If you not an EU resident, have the name and address of the place you stay in Brighton handy. It will be asked for in passport check in the airport.

Vilnius (Lithuania) to Falmer

Dagne

Buying e-tickets from Vilnius to London Gatwick is easy. I get them on-line from home and just need to arrive at the airport with my identity card. There are two direct flights leaving from Vilnius early afternoon. I cannot make my return flight on Sunday, so I have to stay in England for three nights arriving on Friday and leaving on Monday.

The flight takes about three hours. I can buy a train tickets before getting back my luggage so afterwards I do not need to queue when coming to the train station. I then travel from North to South terminal and I get a train that goes to Brighton. After watching lovely English countryside for about half an hour I find myself in Brighton.

I have my room reserved in the Imperial Hotel on the First Avenue. On my first visit I got some directions of where it was from the railway station information centre and I popped into a book shop for getting a guide on Brighton. The hotel is almost on the sea front and only costs £35 per night! The rooms are not large but clean and with a bath tub. Nice large white buildings around, a sound of seagulls, people walking dogs in the morning hear the sea. It suits me well- a feel of holiday and anticipation of something new…

The next morning I began my journey to Falmer at about . The hotel staff explained where the nearest bus stop is which is Palmeira Square. There are two busses to Falmer each hour. (make sure you go on the right side of the road!) The bus ride takes about 45 minutes.

After the classes, I get a lift to my hotel. It turns out that there are several of us staying in the same hotel. How good, we can spend our time together in evening! Also there are always people who can give you a lift when going to training in the morning. Now we always arrange with others so we can stay together in Brighton :-).

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Travelling to Brighton

With its proximity to London, airports and other major transport links, the Uncommon Knowledge Hypnotherapy Course is easy to get to. Every year many delegates travel from London by car or train, northern England or Scotland by train or plane and from various places around the globe, including Israel, Amsterdam, Lithuania and other exotic locations. And if you would like some personal help with your travel plans, just give us a call on +44 (0)1631 569895.

Travelling Locally

To the University of Brighton

Falmer Campus
Village Way
Falmer
BN1 9PH

If you are travelling by car here are some simple directions to get to the Falmer Campus…

By Car

From the A23

  • As you approach Brighton and get to the Mill Road roundabout, take the left-hand lane signposted Newhaven, Lewes (A27).
  • At the mini roundabout take the 2nd exit (straight over).
  • At the next mini roundabout take the 2nd exit (right) onto the A27 eastbound.
  • Take the next exit signposted Falmer Rottingdean and Universities (B2123) (passing the University of Sussex on the left) and turn right at the roundabout.
  • Go over the flyover, straight on at the next roundabout
  • Take the next right in to Village Way.
  • This will take you down a long drive way – at the end you will see the main car park on the left.
  • MAYFIELD HOUSE is opposite the car park.

From the A27 (eastbound)

  • Just follow the directions above from point 2, bearing mind you are already on the A27 heading towards Lewes.

From the A27 (westbound)

  • From the A27 turn off on to the slip road which is signposted Falmer Rottingdean and Universities (B2123) and at the roundabout, turn left.
  • Take the next right down Village Way.
  • This will take you down a long drive way – at the end you will see the main car park on the left.
  • MAYFIELD HOUSE is opposite the car park.

By Train

Falmer railway station is the closest station to the Campus. It’s just a short 10 minute walk and there is a footpath from the station to the Campus.

Brighton mainline station is approximately 10 minutes away from Falmer.

Click on the link below to get a timetable.
www.nationalrail.co.uk

By Bus

From Brighton

There is a regular bus service that takes you from central Brighton right in to the campus.

Here is the Bus timetable for buses from Brighton to Falmer.

Below are the bus numbers you can catch which go from Brighton city centre to the campus.

25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 55, 84

From Eastbourne

Buses are fairly frequent from Eastbourne to Falmer too.

Here you find details of times/routes and fares:
www.eastbournebuses.co.uk

If you need further information on the local bus services please click on the link below for timetables, routes and special ticket deals for students. www.buses.co.uk

Travelling Nationally

Many of our students travel from all over the country and either stay with a friend for the weekend locally or in a local B&B or hotel.

By Train

Brighton is just under an hour from London Victoria station and frequent services run even at weekends. There are also regular services to Brighton from Bedford, London Kings Cross & London Bridge, as well as direct services from Scotland, the North West, the Midlands, the West country and South Wales.

To look into this further click on the link below or call this number:
National Rail enquiries: 08457 484950
www.nationalrail.co.uk

The nearest station to get to the University is Falmer station.

Trains from Brighton station run frequently to Falmer and Falmer is also on the same line as Lewes.

By Coach

Travelling by coach is another option that can also be slightly cheaper too.

Coaches from London to Brighton take about 2 hours.

Regular National Express services also depart from Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

Brighton is only 30 minutes by road or rail from Gatwick and about 90 minutes by road from Heathrow Airport.

Here is a link to the national express website
www.nationalexpress.com

Travelling Internationally

Some of our past and current Diploma students travel every weekend by plane and from other countries to join us in Brighton.

Read some of our past and present Diploma students International Travel Experiences.

Believe it or not often their journeys can be better and quicker than those just travelling from London or other counties in the UK.

Here are some websites that may help you plan your route if you are also travelling from abroad or need to look in to flights.

You may also like to consider using the Eurostar or Eurotunnel for those of you travelling from France & Belgium.

www.eurostar.com
Fares, timetables and booking.

www.eurotunnel.com
Eurotunnel passenger services and more

Once you arrive in the UK you may like to hire a car for the weekend rather than relying on public transport. Here are some details if you want to look in to this option further.

Europcar Brighton
Cannon Place
East Sussex
Brighton
BN1 2FB

Telephone: +44 01273 329332

Europcar Gatwick
International Arrivals
West Sussex
London Gatwick Airport
RH6 0NP

Telephone: +44 01293 531062
Fax: +44 01293 867509

Driving from Brighton Station

Takes approximately 15 minutes

Driving from Gatwick

Takes approx 40 mins

Hotels and B&B’s

For those of you that don’t live in the Brighton area and need somewhere to stay during the weekend, here are a few Hotels & B&B’s that our past students have recommended.

The Claremont House Hotel, Hove – 01273 735161

Imperial Hotel, Hove – 01273 777320

White Horse Hotel, Rottingdean- 01273 300301 (nearest to the Uni)

Premiere Travel Lodge North Street, Brighton 01273 746833

Sussex University Accommodation 01273 606261 / 01273 678268

Other useful websites –

www.brightonlife.com/venues/search.php?type=hotels

www.information-britain.co.uk/hoteltowns.cfm?town=Brighton&county=4

www.visitbrighton.com/home/accommodation/default.asp

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

Find out more about travel in the city from Brighton and Hove city council.

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