About Us

With so many people out there who say that they're coaches, counsellors and hypnotherapists, it's difficult to know who the right person to help you is.

Learn about us and our stories. 

Hi. I'm Matthew Dooley-Wain 
BSc MA PGCE PCC 

I'm a coach and hypnotherapist with hundreds of hours of working with clients. I've worked with people from all walks of life, from CEOs and lawyers to students and retail workers. They came to me with challenges from addictions to leadership issues, to help improve their singing and to help find a partner. They span the globe, with clients fro Shanghai in China to Los Angeles in the USA. 

I run my own business, so I'm well placed to help people who are entrepreneurs and business owners.

Before working in this field, I worked in education. Starting as a teacher (Science, 11-18 years old), I moved into the world of assessment. I was Head of A-level Sciences for the biggest exam board in the UK. I then moved to become Head of Education for a software company, and Director for South East Asia for an international exam board. 

Education wise, I've got a BSc in Physics from Imperial College, a PGCE in Secondary Science from the University of Sussex and an MA in Educational Leadership from the Open University.

My experience covers multi national companies to schools, small companies, private and public sector work. I've been a leader, a manager, a trainer and a salesperson. 

My coaching is ICF (International Coaching Federation) Accredited at PCC level, and my hypnotherapy work is registered with the British Society of Clinical Hypnotherapy. I have also got training in trauma-aware coaching and advanced coaching skills. 

I've trained people in 13 countries across the world, from China and Malaysia to the UAE and Qatar, all the way to Belgium and the USA. I've led courses in as wide a range of subjects as developing your persona to basic hypnosis, boundaries to shame. 

At home, my husband, who's a counsellor, and I travel extensively and I'm a surprisingly good cook. I've got a wicked sense of humour and a wide range of interests and hobbies that I sometimes combine with my work. I'd have a dog or a cat if I could, but sadly my schedule means I can't devote enough time to looking after a pet at the moment. 

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I'm very aware of the way that society treats people who are a little bit different. So I am passionate about helping people no matter what your background, without judgement or shame. 

For the record, I use he/him pronouns and try to respect yours, whatever they are. I pride myself in working with people whatever their identity, and whatever their journey through life is. 

Hi. I'm Paul Dooley-Wain 

Hi, I'm Paul (he/him). I'm a gay man, and I am a fully accredited counsellor, with hundreds of hours of client experience.

Anyone can say they are a counsellor. I am a member of the only counsellor accreditation body in the UK (BACP). This means that I have undertaken studies, training and assessments and meet the specific membership criteria which ensures quality. I have a degree in counselling and therapy and am currently undertaking further study at BA level. Before going further, I would like to stress the importance of knowledge and training, and that whoever you work with, please ensure you get the support you deserve by working with an accredited and trained counsellor.

I used to work in the corporate world and decided to leave that behind me when I decided life was too short, and I wanted to follow my passion of helping people, following the death of my son.

Fast forward several years (and several years of intense study and assignment writing!) and here I am!

I frequently present at community events around the world about my own experiences with shame, judgement, introvertedness, troublesome thoughts and feelings, etc and how I came through the other side. I do this to help others and offer insight into myself.  I also think that offering real-life examples can be powerful and impactful for those who are taking their first steps into therapy.  Put simply, I believe that therapy is more than a text book, experience matters, and it has just as much (if not more relevance), and helps me to help you better.

So, I have the training, skills and experience, but I also know that it is important that we get on and you trust me. I am very aware that if you contact me, it will be because you have decided that you need help and support. This is something that is very important to me, and I like to have an initial discussion to discuss your challenges, and for you to get to know me. I will also ensure that I feel qualified to assist. This is nothing to worry about. Having had counselling myself in the past, I know how important it is to get the correct support, so in the event that I feel that I have insufficient skills/training, I will be up front and tell you. In this event, I undertake to help you find someone who may be better placed than me to assist you.

Non-judgemental, confidential

Help that is just that. 
What does non-judgmental mean to me?

We understand shame all too well. 

When society, or your parents, or your religion, or your job, tell you that you're wrong, you feel something deep inside that never quite goes away. 

Your inner critic grows in power and is always watching for further judgment from people.

We don't judge. 

Whatever you bring to us, we understand that you're in the place you are because of a complex set of factors that only you know (or sometimes, even outside your awareness). 

So we don't let shame or judgement in the room. 

Believe us, we've heard stories that would make most people's toes curl. But we allowed the clients to explore their feelings and their truth and to overcome the challenges they have without adding to the self-criticism they were already so good at. 

After all, when your inner critic is so strong, why do you need us to add to that? 
Confidentiality means that anything said in the room (or on the Zoom call), stays there. 

Your secrets are safe with us.

There's a couple of riders on this one. 

If someone is in very serious danger, or if a serious crime such as drug trafficking, money laundering or terrorism is taking place, then we have a legal obligation to report it. 

But otherwise, unless we've discussed otherwise, you know that what you say to me is kept between you and me, allowing you to grow and change in safety.