What are all these letters?

Well, let me 'fess up... I'm not OFFICIALLY a Doctor. You see, most people don't realise this but 'Doctor' isn't a qualification - it's a courtesy title (like 'Mr' or "yer 'onna" or whatever.) Anyone can assume the title Doctor so long as they don't use the letters PhD, MD, etc. after their name.

Sure I'm being a little mischievous assuming the title but let's look at where the word comes from:

'Doctor' is a latin word meaning 'teacher'. It first appeared in English (in the 1300s) to denote a man of great learning or knowledge. These days it is almost exclusively used to address someone who has a Doctorate degree. I - who consider myself to be both a teacher and man of learning - have unashamedly hijacked the title (despite huge opposition), but I have done so in order to emphasise a particular semantic point: If a word can be used to mean two different things then, so far as our unconscious mind is concerned, it means not one of those things but both!

In addition to that since there is no Western courtesy title for a Guru I believe that 'Doctor' would perhaps be most appropriate. Sure, I could assume some Eastern title but I feel that would be dishonest since my philosophy is not necessarily based in Eastern culture (although Zen forms a strong influence).

I must admit, it is only my Internet persona that uses the title. I certainly do not use it in connection with my psychology or hypnotherapy work and it would be very misleading to do so. Indeed, it could then be considered that I was 'passing myself off' as a medical doctor which would be very seriously wrong.

The remaining letters are all pukka though:

• RE signifies that I am a member of the Institution of Royal Engineers.
• DHP is a Diploma in Hypnotherapy and Psychology, earned but hard graft from the Hypnotherapy Centre Bournemouth and earning me membership of the International Association of Hypno-Analysts.
• MNCH(Reg) signifies my membership as a Registered Practitioner with the National Council for Hypnotherapy.
• LHRS shows me to be a Licentiate Member of the Hypnotherapy Research Society (UK).