Eventually these interests and skills would lead him into the advertising industry as a graphic designer and Alan worked for some of the most renowned and respected graphic design houses.  He art-directed feature films, directed documentaries and built up a substantial graphic design company employing many staff.  He became the youngest ever president of the “Art Directors Club of Melbourne” and held the position of Art Director in several major, International Advertising Agencies.

Alan gave all this away at an instant when one day he woke up to the fact that he was working 18 hour days and although his family was always around him, he realized he needed to get closer to those he loved and to put his professional energy into something that really mattered.  Alan studied Hypnotherapy when it was still illegal in Victoria, often having to go to small NSW towns on the border to escape the ever watchful eyes of Victoria’s Police Detectives who were only too happy to arrest persons involved in the “criminal” activity of Hypnotherapy.  One can only imagine the pressures that students and lecturers were under in those days.

Alan qualified and set up practice in Melbourne.  Never advertising, never being raided, arrested or having a complaint lodged against him although Hypnotherapy was illegal.  Alan never shied away from what he was doing nor did he make a secret of his activities.  One can only imagine the stress that these practitioners were under during these times.  

As I finished the interview Alan’s partner Suzannah asked if she could say a few words about the fellow in her life: ”Alan is passionate about his profession, totally committed to bringing about full professional recognition for clinical hypnotherapists and absolutely unswerving in his belief in the need for true equality of opportunity for alternative health professionals. “

My summary of the President of CCH is that he is a person of impeccable integrity, honesty, personal drive and energy who has a real love of humanity and will always look to the inherent good in a person. Alan displays exceptional dedication, is capable of working non-stop 18 hour days and is held in the highest esteem by hundreds of colleagues and thousands of clients.  

What a pleasure trip this “chore” turned out to be as I took a short journey into the very interesting and diverse life of a talented Clinical Hypnotherapist and a wonderful friend and colleague.