Mia Pal

Before setting up In Cognition UK, my career has been nothing if not varied. Each different role has given me valuable experience and knowledge, which feed into my work as a therapist and counsellor today.

For 10 years, I worked in the business consultancy and fitness sectors. As a personal trainer, I helped my clients to overcome challenges, prepare for competitions, stay motivated and follow nutrition plans.

And it was my role as a business consultant that led to me training as a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) practitioner with the late Michael Bennett. Michael was an inspirational leader, whose training and teaching methods were recommended by Richard Bandler, the co-creator of NLP. This training equipped me with new skills, so I could help my business clients communicate better with their customers and be more successful.

I hold a Level 3 certificate for working within the private security industry, which has given me experience in dealing with complex cases, psychological trauma such as PTSD, and psychological and emotional abuse. The training has also helped me to better understand my clients’ needs, and to work in a sector that has traditionally been lacking in female presence.

I’m registered with the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) as a clinical hypnotherapist practitioner.

I’m also a member of various professional networks, including:

• British Psychological Society (BPS)
• Association for Neuro Linguistic Programming (ANLP)
• British Association of Therapeutic Hypnotists & NLP Practitioners (BAThH)
• UK Confederation of Hypnotherapy Organisations (UKCHO)

Plus, I serve as co-chair elect for:

• North West of England Branch of BPS

I’ve completed online specialist training in Schema Therapy 1 & 2 with Chris Hayes and Dr Rob Brockman, who are accredited supervisors/trainers with the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST). The schema approach draws from CBT, attachment theory and psychodynamic concepts. It’s proven useful in treating chronic depression, anxiety, eating disorders, relationship problems, and complex personality issues such as narcissism.

I’ve also completed Levels 1 and 2 in reiki, a system of energy healing that has been around for thousands of years and is an effective method of relaxing the mind and body.

Initially started as Purple Star Coaching, over the years my private practice has expanded and naturally merged into In Cognition UK.

In today’s world, we’re all becoming more aware of the importance of mental health and wellbeing. In Cognition UK builds on the same values and philosophy that are the foundations of my work, while my new experience puts me in an even better position to bring about positive change for my clients.

I’m often involved in projects in collaboration with my colleagues from various branches of psychology. These include a scheme to introduce the values of psychology to college students and guide them through various careers that can be further explored.

I regularly update my skills through attending professional workshops and conferences.

Plus, my case studies are regularly published on professional websites, for example:

https://anlp.org/case-studies/i-was-connected-but-not-to-myself

https://www.bathh.co.uk/can-hypnotherapy-help-with-past-trauma

https://anlp.org/case-studies/mother-and-self-trauma