Founders & Principal Consultants
Dr Leila Edwards
Founder & Principal of Transformations Institute
Dr Leila Edwards is the Leader of our International Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling and is renowned for her success as a consultant psychotherapist, counsellor, supervisor and trainer with a broad range of experience, academic and professional qualifications in the field of human development. Dr Leila has an eclectic approach, combining effective interventions using evidence-based therapeutic and psychological modalities, including clinical hypnotherapy, CBT, NLP, EFT, biofeedback, etc.. She is also a Lead Trainer for Dr Paul Ekman’s courses in Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and Evaluating Truthfulness & Credibility, using internationally-recognised techniques developed over more than 40 years of research into applied behavioural psychology.
A practice partner in Harley Street, London, Dr Leila has also established a unique range of internationally accredited courses and a very successful private practice in the Middle East and North Africa. She provides professional development and supervision programmes for therapists, health and caring professionals, with input from distinguished international Associates. She founded the Middle East Branch of the international Association for Professional Hypnosis & Psychotherapy (APHP) and is also a Fellow and accredited Supervisor of the National Council of Integrative Psychotherapists (NCIP) and its international division (ICP).
Dr Leila has been actively involved in promoting holistic approaches to personal development, health and well-being for over 40 years. As a Dean and Director in several prestigious universities and colleges in the UK and Middle East, Leila’s research and professional experience in the field of education and health care has led her to play key roles in setting up innovative provision both in mainstream and alternative settings. She has also supervised and trained many counsellors, therapists, health and medical professionals and has established a network of links and referrals with health professionals and therapists in the Middle East.
Dr Leila was honoured with a “Women of the West” award for her work in promoting lifelong learning and, amongst her many professional memberships and distinctions, she is a lifelong Diplomate of the Association for Professional Hypnosis & Psychotherapy (APHP), the highest level of membership that can be conferred by the Association. Under her leadership, Transformations Institute has twice been awarded the honour of “School of the Year” from the global network of APHP accredited training providers and is now also an NCP/ICP accredited training centre.
Dr Leila is the Course Leader on the Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling.
Phil Edwards
Founder & Course Tutor of Transformations Institute
Phil is a senior consultant with a wide range of professional experience, having achieved successful outcomes in education, training and management roles in the UK and Middle East. As a Director and Head of Department in further and higher education, charities, and training organisations in the UK and Gulf, Phil has extensive experience in the field of teaching and learning, specialising in learning skills development, accelerated learning and maximising human potential, including the implementation of effective systems and structures for the assessment and support of people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Phil has set up and managed innovative learning support provision and led a UK government-funded project to promote access to higher education, described as a ‘model of good practice’ by the Director of the National Disability Team. His specialist knowledge in the field of learning support needs and assistive technology includes remediating difficulties with English Language, access to text, dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, and other specific learning difficulties, as well as physical disabilities/sensory impairment. Phil served as an accredited Assessor of learning support needs for local education authorities in the UK, with knowledge of the legal and educational framework for disability issues. His background in the construction industry and environmental design has informed his work in conducting organisational Access Audits, facilitating the integration of able-bodied and disabled people and promoting equity and lifelong learning.
Phil is also a qualified psychotherapist, clinical hypnotherapist, coach and trainer and leads our NLP and Licensed Coach programme, as a Licensed Trainer for the international Society of NLP™, trained personally by Dr Richard Bandler, the original creator and co-founder of NLP. Phil has longstanding experience and research interests in the field of human potential and particularly the application of holistic approaches to health care and well-being, drawing on traditional and contemporary approaches. He has undertaken training in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hatha Yoga and the Martial Arts. As a Level 2 Instructor in Tai Chi Chuan (with Martial endorsement), Phil has taught Tai Chi in the UK and Bahrain. He also trained as an instructor in the International Healing Tao with Master Mantak Chia, received Second Degree Reiki, and trained in ‘Brain Gym’ and ‘Touch for Health’ Kinesiology.
Phil is the Course Tutor on the Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy & Counselling.