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{{short description|British hypnotist and TV personality (born 1963)}}
{{about|the English self-improvement author and television broadcaster}}
{{about|the British self-improvement author and television broadcaster}}{{EngvarB|date=November 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}


{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Paul McKenna | name = Paul McKenna
| image = Paul McKenna portrait.jpg | image = Paul McKenna at The Best You Expo 2018.png
| image_size = 200px | image_size =
| caption = | caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1963|11|8}}
| birth_name = Paul William McKenna
| birth_place = ], England
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1963|11|8|mf=y}}
| death_date =
| birth_place = ], ], ]
| death_date = | death_place =
| occupation = Hypnotist, writer, television & radio broadcaster
| death_place =
| known_for = Hypnosis
| occupation = Hypnotist, writer, television & radio presenter
| known_for = | spouse =
| spouse = | website = {{URL|paulmckenna.com/}}
|website = {{URL|http://www.paulmckenna.com/}}
}} }}

'''Paul William McKenna'''<ref>http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp68921/paul-william-mckenna</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://companycheck.co.uk/director/903815880/MR-PAUL-WILLIAM-MCKENNA/summary|title=MR PAUL WILLIAM MCKENNA director information. Free director information. Director id 903815880|first=company check|last=ltd|publisher=}}</ref> (born 8 November 1963 in ], ])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/results/world-records/england-and-wales-births-1837-2006?firstname=paul&lastname=mckenna&eventyear=1963&eventyear_offset=0&county=london|title=findmypast.co.uk|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hypnosisunlocked.com/who-is-paul-mckenna/|title=Who is Paul McKenna? The Self-Help Hypnosis Guru|date=11 November 2012|publisher=}}</ref> is an ] ], television broadcaster and an author of ] books.

McKenna has written and produced books and multimedia products, hosted self-improvement television shows and presents seminars in ], ], weight loss, motivation and the Zen meditation ] and Amygdala Depotentiation Therapy (ADT).

==Career==

McKenna started off in radio aged 16 at Radio Topshop, and went on to present for stations including ], ], ], ], ] and TV channel ].

He became interested in hypnotism as a result of a guest who appeared on his show. His interest stemmed initially for reasons of self-development, although entertainment was later to play a big part. Whilst still working at Capital Radio, McKenna began experimenting with small hypnotic shows, first for the amusement of friends, then for audiences in pubs and clubs. From there he starred in a regular Sunday night show at the ], which was owned at the time by Capital Radio. The success of those shows led to his playing other theatres across the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, the US, Australia and Hong Kong.<ref name="Observer2004" />
{{Neuro-linguistic programming|expanded=practitioners}} {{Neuro-linguistic programming|expanded=practitioners}}
After a brief spell at ] in the early 1990s, McKenna decided to quit radio. In 1993, ] broadcast ''The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna'', which featured audience members volunteering to be hypnotised to act in comedic ways, the show subsequently being broadcast in 42 countries. During this time, he continued to study hypnosis, and ] with ], the co-creator of NLP.


'''Paul McKenna''' (born 8 November 1963)<ref>{{cite book |title=] |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/contemporaryauth0000unse_s0m6/page/240/mode/2up |chapter=Paul McKenna|volume=338|date=2013 |publisher=Gale |location=Detroit |isbn=978-1-4144-9727-3 |pages=240–242 }}</ref> is a British ], ], television and radio broadcaster and author of ] books.
Many of McKenna's one-to-one ] clients are celebrities<ref name="Observer2004">{{cite web| url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,1370145,00.html |accessdate=4 February 2014| date=12 December 2012|last=Vernon|first=Polly|publisher=''The Observer'' (London)|title='Look in to my eyes'| type=Interview with Paul McKenna}}</ref> including ]<ref></ref> and ], who used McKenna to help with his swim across the English Channel.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/paul-mckenna-the-eyes-have-it-408119.html| type=profile| title=Paul McKenna: The eyes have it| publisher=''The Independent'' (London)| date= 16 July 2006| accessdate=4 February 2014| last=Norman| first=Neil}}</ref>


McKenna has hosted self-improvement television shows and presents seminars in ], ], weight loss, motivation, the Zen meditation ], Amygdala Depotentiation Therapy (ADT) and the ] techniques.
McKenna hypnotised the '']'' presenter ] on series 4, episode 2 of the motor show in 2004. In October 2009 he was a guest on '']'', the biographical music discussion programme on ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n6ths |title=Private Passions: Paul McKenna| type=programme listing| publisher=BBC Radio 3| date=11 October 2009| accessdate=4 February 2014}}</ref>


==Early life==
McKenna is a non-fiction author, with self-help titles including 'I Can Make You Thin', 'Stop Smoking Without Gaining Weight', 'I Can Make You Happy' and 'Hypnotic Gastric Band'.
McKenna was born in ] to a builder and a home economics teacher. He attended ].<ref name="norman">{{cite news |last=Norman|first=Neil|title=Paul McKenna: The eyes have it |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/paul-mckenna-the-eyes-have-it-6095218.html |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=The Independent |date=15 July 2006 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wignall |first=Alice |title=The hypnotist |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2004/nov/02/myfavouritelesson.schools |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=2 November 2004}}</ref> He was routinely bullied by his teachers for his ].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Day |first1=Elizabeth |title=How I healed my inner nerd |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3641487/How-I-healed-my-inner-nerd.html |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=www.telegraph.co.uk |date=4 May 2005}}</ref>


==Career==
McKenna hypnotised ] presenter ] to believe that he was ] during which time he created several impressionist pieces of art, which were shown on air while the footage was played back during McKenna's appearance on 9 January 2013.

McKenna has also presented several live events including ''Get The Life You Want with Paul McKenna and Richard Bandler'' and ''Get Thin''.

From February 2014 to September 2015, McKenna hosted a talk show called 'McKenna' that was browdcast on ] featuring "non-journalistic" interviews with ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11364836/McKennas-spreadsheet-of-destiny.html|title=Paul McKenna's spreadsheet of destiny|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2014/apr/20/bbc-tony-gallagher-ipso-zai-bennett|title=Media Monkey's Diary: BBC, Tony Gallagher, Ipso and Zai Bennett|first=|last=Monkey|date=20 April 2014|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hayhouse.co.uk/authorbio/paul-mckenna-ph-d|title=Paul McKenna, Ph.D. - Author Biography|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/paul-mckenna-on-what-makes-a-great-interviewer/221820|title=Paul McKenna on What Makes a Great Interviewer|publisher=}}</ref>

Recently McKenna has been involved in the research and development of the Psychosensory therapy of Amygdala Depotentiation Therapy (ADT), otherwise known as Havening <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.havening.org|title=Home|author=Super User|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/paul-mckenna-can-make-you-1883169|title=Paul McKenna: I can make you lose your fears with my 10 easy steps|author=Francesca Cookney|date=11 May 2013|work=mirror}}</ref> with Ronald Ruden and Stephen Ruden, presenting seminars to health care professionals in the UK and USA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2081517/PAUL-McKENNA-shares-formula-super-charging-memory-boosting-intelligence.html|title=PAUL McKENNA shares his formula for super-charging your memory and boosting your intelligence|date=3 January 2012|work=Mail Online}}</ref> He specialises in working with ], severe trauma, pain control and emotional overwhelm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9010562/Paul-McKenna-Im-not-built-for-relationships.html|title=Paul McKenna: 'I’m not built for relationships'|date=15 January 2012|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/paul-mckenna-i-can-make-you-better-8614417.html|title=Paul McKenna: I can make you better|author=James Moore|date=13 May 2013|work=The Independent}}</ref>

==Controversy with former manager==
Paul fired his former manager and once fiancee Claire Staples in 2013.<ref name="dm020216">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3567649/Paul-McKenna-addicted-prostitutes-porn-thought-hear-Jesus-claims-ex-fiancee-suing-TV-hypnotist-share-65m.html|title=Paul McKenna was 'addicted to prostitutes, porn and heard Jesus'|publisher=Daily Mail}}</ref>


===Radio and television===
Staples subsequently initiated a legal action to sue McKenna for part of his £65 million fortune. She claimed McKenna had severe hallucinations in which he believed he heard Jesus Christ and other imaginary voices, and was addicted to drugs, alcohol, porn, prostitutes and prescription pills.
McKenna started working in Radio Top Shop aged 16, and went on to present for stations including ] and ].<ref name="norman" />


After two years presenting at ] in the early 1990s, McKenna hosted a number of TV programmes, including ''The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna'' (1993–97), ''The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna'' (1996–97) and ''Hyp the Streets'' (1999). He won the ] Award for Best TV Newcomer in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2003-10-10 |title=From small-time radio DJ to TV star attracting millions of viewers around the world |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/small-time-radio-dj-tv-star-2464537 |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}</ref> During this time, he continued his studies of hypnosis and ] (NLP) with Richard Bandler, the co-creator of NLP.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}
Paul vehemently denied the allegations, dismissed Staples as 'a greedy woman', and filed a counter-claim in London.


McKenna appeared on series 4, episode 2 of '']'' to hypnotise presenter ] in 2004. In October 2009 he was a guest on '']'', a music discussion programme on ].<ref>{{cite web |date=11 October 2009 |title=Private Passions: Paul McKenna |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n6ths |access-date=4 February 2014 |publisher=BBC Radio 3 |type=programme listing}}</ref>
A spokesman for McKenna said the allegations were absurd, stating "Staples threatened to make these spurious claims against McKenna if he did not give her half of everything he has ever earned or will earn" <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/7119696/Paul-McKenna-was-addicted-to-prostitutes-and-porn-and-thought-he-could-hear-Jesus-Ex-fiances-who-is-suing-TV-hypnotist-for-share-of-65m-fortune.html|title=Look into my demise: Paul McKenna ‘hooked on prostitutes, porn and drugs and thought he could hear Jesus’, ex-fiancee’s lawsuit claims|date=1 May 2016|publisher=The Sun}}</ref> adding "If Mr McKenna is unable to function because he is an alcoholic, drug addict and has psychotic episodes, he would hardly have been able to, in the last decade, to treat many war veterans for PTSD, write 16 bestselling books, do hundreds of seminars, appear on radio and TV all over the world, run a global company and speak at the United Nations.’ <ref name="dm020216" />


From February 2014 to September 2015, McKenna hosted a talk show called ''McKenna'', broadcast on ] and featuring "non-journalistic" interviews with ], ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |last=Stadlen |first=Matthew |date=2015-01-26 |title=Paul McKenna's spreadsheet of destiny |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11364836/McKennas-spreadsheet-of-destiny.html |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=20 April 2014 |title=Media Monkey's Diary: BBC, Tony Gallagher, Ipso and Zai Bennett |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/mediamonkeyblog/2014/apr/20/bbc-tony-gallagher-ipso-zai-bennett |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Paul McKenna, Ph.D. |url=https://www.hayhouse.co.uk/authorbio/paul-mckenna-ph-d |website=Hay House Publishing}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fernando |first1=Aneya |date=24 July 2014 |title=Paul McKenna on What Makes a Great Interviewer |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/paul-mckenna-on-what-makes-a-great-interviewer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803173339/http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/paul-mckenna-on-what-makes-a-great-interviewer/221820 |archive-date=3 August 2016 |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=] |publisher=}}</ref>
In the legal discovery process that followed, documents and transcripts were found that showed Claire Staples was never Paul's business partner, as she had claimed, and was only a business manager who worked for Paul. The investigation also uncovered that Claire had an undeclared income from selling confidential information to tabloid newspapers about AA members and celebrities such as such as ] and ]. Further documents were found in Claire's handwriting wherein she described sleeping with numerous A-List celebrities. The presentation of this information led to a series of pleas by her lawyers for mediation in which she abandoned her partnership claim. Claire came out of the mediation with significant losses and legal costs.<ref name="huffPoLegal">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jonathan-coad/paul-mckenna-and-clare-staples_b_11659648.html|title=Victory For Good Guy Paul McKenna In His Legal Battle With Clare Staples|date=30 August 2016|publisher=Huffington Post}}</ref><ref name="DMRecordArticle">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3750971/The-torment-McKenna-legendary-self-help-guru-puts-record-straight-accused-ex-drug-fuelled-spiral-porn-prostitutes.html|title=The torment of Paul McKenna: The legendary self-help guru puts the record straight after being accused by his ex of a drug-fuelled spiral into porn and prostitutes|date=20 August 2016|publisher=Daily Mail}}</ref>


==Education== === Hypnosis ===
He became interested in hypnotism as a result of a guest who appeared on his show.<ref name="The Independent">{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Alice |date=7 January 2016 |title=Paul McKenna is launching a new book on the psychology of influence |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/paul-mckenna-interview-the-celebrity-hypnotist-is-launching-a-new-book-on-the-psychology-of-a6801446.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/paul-mckenna-interview-the-celebrity-hypnotist-is-launching-a-new-book-on-the-psychology-of-a6801446.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |access-date=12 January 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was taught hypnosis by ], with whom he continued to work closely for many years. While working at Capital Radio, McKenna began experimenting with small hypnosis shows in pubs and clubs, UK military bases and university events. He then starred in a regular Sunday night show at the ], which was owned at the time by Capital Radio. The success of those shows led to his playing other theatres across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, the US, Australia and Hong Kong.<ref name="Observer2004">{{cite web |last=Vernon |first=Polly |date=12 December 2004 |title=Look in to my eyes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2004/dec/12/features.magazine67 |access-date=12 January 2024 |website=The Observer |publisher=The Guardian |type=Interview with Paul McKenna}}</ref>
McKenna attended St Ignatius College in London and East Hertfordshire College and holds two ]s; the first from ] and the second from the ].


===Research===
===PhD from LaSalle University===
In 1996, McKenna was granted a ] This university was legally licensed by the state, but it falsely claimed to be an accredited university. After the principal of LaSalle pleaded guilty to fraud, thousands of students, including McKenna, were awarded compensation from the U.S. government. LaSalle is now discredited as a ].{{cn|date=September 2016}} In 1996, McKenna was granted a PhD from ] in Louisiana. It was legally licensed by the state, but it falsely claimed to be an accredited institution.<ref name="Scotsman" /> The school exempted McKenna from coursework based on his prior work, and his dissertation was producing a series of self-help tapes that eventually became a book, ''Change Your Life in Seven Days''.<ref name="addley">{{Cite news |last=Addley |first=Esther |date=2006-07-11 |title=McKenna sues journalist over 'bogus' PhD claim |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/jul/12/estheraddley.uknews2 |access-date=2023-02-10 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


Discovery of this lack of accreditation prompted McKenna to obtain another PhD from ] in 2003.<ref name="addley" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Blau |first1=Rosie |date=16 November 2007 |title=I'm not a guru, I'm not a Svengali |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ac785c90-93f9-11dc-acd0-0000779fd2ac |access-date=20 February 2023 |work=Financial Times}}</ref> The title of his thesis was "The Effects of Fixed Action Patterns and Neuro-Linguistic Programming in Determining Outcomes in Human Behaviour".<ref name="Times">{{cite web |last1=Flintoff |first1=John-Paul |date=30 July 2006 |title=Repeat after me . . . I am not dodgy |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/repeat-after-me-i-am-not-dodgy-tdx5frcth07 |access-date=24 April 2024 |website=The Times |language=en}}</ref>{{efn|The IMCA was accredited at the time of McKenna’s study through the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and British Accreditation Council. As of 2005 it no longer has either status, affecting degrees awarded from 2005 onwards.<ref name="TES">{{cite web |title=Cyber university's credibility in question - News - TES |url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6003546 |website=tes.co.uk |access-date=24 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202190634/http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6003546 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |date=10 October 2008}}</ref>}}
In 2006, McKenna successfully sued and won his case against the ']' for ] over claims made by Mirror TV critic ] that McKenna's degree from ] was merely a purchased "bogus degree", bought with the intention of deliberately defrauding the public which was found be totally false. Damages and verdict against The Daily Mirror were the sum of £20,000, but The Mirror's costs possibly totaled over £1 million, which were awarded to him and the judge ordered the Daily Mirror to pay interim costs of £75,000.<ref name="Scotsman">{{cite web|url=http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1008282006|title=Hypnotist McKenna sues over degree claim|publisher=''The Scotsman'' (Edinburgh)|date=11 July 2006|accessdate=4 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="Mail_28Jul2006">{{cite web| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-398025/Paul-McKenna-wins-court-battle-fraud-claims--price.html| title=Paul McKenna wins court battle over fraud claims - at a price| publisher=''The Daily Mail'' (London)| date=28 July 2006| accessdate=4 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=28 July 2006|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk/5223454.stm |title=McKenna wins 'fake degree' case| publisher=BBC News|accessdate=4 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last=Bhattacharyya |first=Gargi |date=3 August 2006| accessdate=4 February 2014| publisher=''The Guardian'' (London)|url=http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/comment/story/0,,1835596,00.html| title=McKenna the brave |type=editorial}}</ref> McKenna's thesis, which later became the basis of his best selling book 'Change Your Life In 7 Days', was not the focus of the trial.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}


McKenna specialises in ], severe trauma, pain control and emotional overwhelm.<ref>{{cite web |last=Iley |first=Chrissy |date=15 January 2012 |title=Paul McKenna: 'I'm not built for relationships' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9010562/Paul-McKenna-Im-not-built-for-relationships.html |work=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Moore |first=James |date=13 May 2013 |title=Paul McKenna: I can make you better |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/paul-mckenna-i-can-make-you-better-8614417.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/paul-mckenna-i-can-make-you-better-8614417.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |work=The Independent}}</ref>
===Accredited DPhil from IMCA===
In 2003,<ref name="Scotsman" /> McKenna gained an acredited degree through Oxford Brooks University of ] from the ].<ref name="IMCA">{{cite web|url=http://www.g-a-r-c.org/garc/contentprev.asp?pg=111138|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013160925/http://www.g-a-r-c.org/garc/contentprev.asp?pg=111138|year=2003|last=McKenna|first=Paul|archivedate=13 October 2007|accessdate=4 February 2014|title=The Effects of Fixed Action Patterns and Neuro-Linguistic Programming in Determining Outcomes in Human Behaviour|publisher=International Management Centres Association|type=Abstract of DPhil explication}}</ref> The title of his thesis was "The Effects of Fixed Action Patterns and ] in Determining Outcomes in Human Behaviour".<ref name="IMCA" />


===Self-help===
Prior to 2005, IMCA were accredited by the US ], but this accreditation was later removed by DETC in 2005, after McKenna's doctorate. The degree-awarding body for IMCA is ]. Their registered address is in ], though it has also been associated with ]. It has no physical campus, like so ma and all its activities take place online, like ]. Revans University's UK partner organization IMCA was based in ]<ref name="DETC">{{cite journal| journal=DETC News |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612214226/http://detc.org/publications/DETCNews/DETC%20News%20-%20Spring%202005.pdf |url=http://www.detc.org/publications/DETCNews/DETC%20News%20-%20Spring%202005.pdf |deadurl=yes |title=Report from the Accrediting Commission |page=26 |archivedate=June 12, 2010 |accessdate=February 2, 2014 |location=Washington, DC |date=Spring 2005}}</ref> but neither Revans University nor IMCA is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body or course provider during McKenna's time according to ''The Times Educational Supplement''.<ref name="tes">{{cite web |url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6003546 |date=October 10, 2008 |title=Cyber university's credibility in question |publisher=''Times Educational Supplement'' (London) |accessdate=February 1, 2014}}</ref> British universities do not accept qualifications accredited by Revans University.<ref name="Milne1">{{cite news| url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6003545|title=Teachers' wasted study on popular emotional literacy course|newspaper=Times Educational Supplement |location=London |date=October 10, 2008|accessdate=February 2, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Milne2">{{cite web|url=http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6003528|date=October 12, 2008|accessdate=February 2, 2014|publisher=''Times Educational Supplement'' (London)|title=Emotional literacy course proves 'worthless'}}</ref> This has led to complaints from former students.<ref name="Milne1" /><ref name="Milne2" /> However, unlike most doctorate theses the material in both McKenna's doctorates have been published as international best selling books.
McKenna is the author of self-help and personal development books.


He has practiced one-to-one ] on celebrity clients.<ref name="Observer2004" /> He helped ] cope with stage fright when she starred in ''The Seven Year Itch''.<ref>{{cite web |date=2000-10-09 |title=Daryl makes stage splash |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/963670.stm |access-date=2024-01-12 |website=BBC News}}</ref> According to one of McKenna's books, Rob Brydon claimed that McKenna helped alleviate his fear of flying, ] advocated for McKenna's weight loss strategies and ] used McKenna to help with his swim across the English Channel.<ref name="The Independent"/>
==Publishing career==
McKenna has produced self-help books, CDs and DVDs as well as several audio books that provide the information from the books in audible form. His latest book is ''Hypnotic Gastric Band''.<ref></ref>


McKenna focuses on teaching people how to "deprogramme" their sugar cravings, claiming "sugar is the most dangerous drug in the world".<ref>{{cite web |last=Dunbar |first=Polly |date=22 January 2017 |title=Can Paul McKenna Fix YOUR Sugar Addiction? |url=https://www.womanandhome.com/health-and-wellbeing/can-paul-mckenna-fix-your-sugar-addiction-88676/ |work=Woman & Home}}</ref>
McKenna's full list of published titles include:
:* ''Hypnotic Gastric Band'' ] 2013 ISBN 978-0-593-07074-1
:* ''I Can Make You Smarter'' ] 2012 ISBN 978-0-593-06405-4
:* ''I Can Make You Happy'' ]: 2011 ISBN 978-0-593-06404-7
:* ''Change Your Life in Seven Days - Updated version'' ]: 2010 ISBN 978-0-593-06661-4
:* ''I Can Make You Confident'', ]: 2010. ISBN 1-4027-6922-9
:* ''I Can Make You Sleep'', ]: 2009. ISBN 1-4027-6574-6
:* ''I Can Make You Rich'', ]: 2007. ISBN 0-593-05537-3
:* ''Quit Smoking Today Without Gaining Weight'', Bantam Press: 2007. ISBN 0-593-05536-5
:* ''Instant Confidence'', Bantam Press: 2006. ISBN 0-593-05535-7
:* ''I Can Make You Thin'', Bantam Press: 2005. ISBN 0-593-05054-1
:* ''Change Your Life in Seven Days'', 2005.ISBN 0-593-05053-3
:* ''How to Mend Your Broken Heart'', (with Hugh Willbourn) Bantam Press: 2003. ISBN 0-593-05055-X
:* ''The Power to Influence'', Nightingale-Conant: 1998. ISBN 1-905453-56-6 (audiobook with ])
:* ''The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna'', ]: 1997. ISBN 0-571-19245-9
:* ''Paul McKenna's Hypnotic Secrets'', ]: 1995. ISBN 0-7522-0192-1 (with Peter Willis and Clare Staples)
:* ''The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna'', Faber and Faber: 1994. ISBN 0-571-16802-7


==Libel lawsuits==
McKenna has also released a number of audio recordings.<ref>Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd.: 2006. ISBN 0-283-07038-2</ref>
===''Daily Star'' & ''National Enquirer''===
In 1999, McKenna successfully sued both the '']'' and '']'' for ] after they published articles that alleged he had damaged the mental health of a man whom he hypnotised in one of his shows.<ref name="bbc1999">{{cite news |date=1999-05-21 |title=McKenna wins six-figure libel |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/349627.stm |work=BBC News}}</ref> Both lawsuits resulted in six-figure settlements.<ref name="bbc1999" /> The man involved had sued McKenna in a previous trial, but the judge dismissed the suit after concluding that there was no evidence that McKenna's stage hypnosis posed any risk to those taking part.<ref name="bbc1999" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Finn |first=Gary |date=14 August 1998 |title=Hypnotist cleared over schizophrenia |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/hypnotist-cleared-over-schizophrenia-1171659.html |access-date=12 January 2024 |work=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>


===''Daily Mirror''===
== Professional influences ==
In 2006, McKenna successfully sued the '']'' for libel over claims made by former TV critic ] that McKenna's qualification from LaSalle was a purchased "bogus degree" bought with the intention of deliberately defrauding the public.<ref name="Scotsman">{{cite web |date=11 July 2006 |title=Hypnotist McKenna sues over degree claim |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/hypnotist-mckenna-sues-over-degree-claim-2510484 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719205508/http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1008282006 |archive-date=19 July 2012 |access-date=12 January 2024 |website=The Scotsman |publisher=}}</ref> McKenna won the case, and the newspaper was ordered to pay £75,000 in costs. The judge, Justice Eady, said that while the scholarly characterisation of the degree was "another matter", McKenna did not believe the degree was "bogus or that he misled anyone in allowing himself to be referred to as a PhD."<ref>{{cite news |date=28 July 2006 |title=McKenna wins 'fake degree' case |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5223454.stm |access-date=12 January 2024 |work=BBC News}}</ref>


==Published works==
McKenna learned NLP from ], co-creator of ]. He uses ] in many of his television demonstrations and studied under ], the creator of TFT.
{{div col|colwidth=48em}}
* ''Success for Life: The Secret to Achieving Your True Potential'', Headline Publishing Group: 2024 {{ISBN|9781802797886}}
* ''Freedom from Anxiety'', Welbeck: 2023 {{ISBN|978-1-80279-550-9}}
* ''Control Stress'', ] 2017 {{ISBN|978-1-401-94913-6}}
* ''Supercharge Your Intelligence Today!'', Hay House 2017 {{ISBN|978-1-401-94897-9}}
* ''Get Control of Sugar Now!'', Hay House 2017 {{ISBN|978-0-593-07568-5}}
* ''The 3 Things That Will Change Your Destiny Today!'', Hay House 2016 {{ISBN|978-1-401-94909-9}}
* ''Freedom from Emotional Eating'', Hay House 2015 {{ISBN|978-1-401-94895-5}}
* ''Instant Influence and Charisma'', ] 2015 {{ISBN|978-0-593-07566-1}}
* ''Hypnotic Gastric Band'', ] 2013 {{ISBN|978-0-593-07074-1}}
* ''I Can Make You Smarter'', Bantam Press 2012 {{ISBN|978-0-593-06405-4}}
* ''I Can Make You Happy'', Bantam Press: 2011 {{ISBN|978-0-593-06404-7}}
* ''Change Your Life in Seven Days'' updated version, Bantam Press: 2010 {{ISBN|978-0-593-06661-4}}
* ''I Can Make You Confident'', ]: 2010. {{ISBN|1-4027-6922-9}}
* ''I Can Make You Sleep'', Bantam Press: 2009 {{ISBN|1-4027-6574-6}}
* ''Control Stress Stop Worrying and Feel Good Now!'', Bantam Press: 2009 {{ISBN|978-0-593-05629-5}}
* ''I Can Make You Rich'', Bantam Press: 2007 {{ISBN|0-593-05537-3}}
* ''Quit Smoking Today Without Gaining Weight'', Bantam Press: 2007 {{ISBN|0-593-05536-5}}
* ''Instant Confidence'', Bantam Press: 2006 {{ISBN|0-593-05535-7}}
* ''I Can Make You Thin 90-Day Success Journal'', Bantam Press: 2006 {{ISBN|978-0-593-05056-9}}
* ''I Can Make You Thin'', Bantam Press: 2005 {{ISBN|0-593-05054-1}}
* ''Change Your Life in Seven Days'', 2005 {{ISBN|0-593-05053-3}}
* ''How to Mend Your Broken Heart'', (with Hugh Willbourn) Bantam Press: 2003 {{ISBN|0-593-05055-X}}
* ''The Power to Influence'', Nightingale-Conant: 1998 {{ISBN|1-905453-56-6}} (audiobook with ])
* ''The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna'', ]: 1997 {{ISBN|0-571-19245-9}}
* ''Paul McKenna's Hypnotic Secrets'', ]: 1995 {{ISBN|0-7522-0192-1}} (with Peter Willis and Clare Staples)
* ''Hypno Slim'', Sunday Books: 1994 {{ISBN|978-1-898-88501-6}}
* ''The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna'', Faber and Faber: 1994 {{ISBN|0-571-16802-7}}
{{div col end}}


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist}}{{Notelist}}


==External links== ==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.paulmckenna.com}} * {{Official website|http://www.paulmckenna.com}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0571408|name=Paul McKenna}} * {{IMDb name|0571408}}


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Latest revision as of 00:44, 17 October 2024

British hypnotist and TV personality (born 1963) This article is about the British self-improvement author and television broadcaster. For other uses, see Paul McKenna (disambiguation).

Paul McKenna
Born (1963-11-08) 8 November 1963 (age 61)
Enfield, London, England
Occupation(s)Hypnotist, writer, television & radio broadcaster
Known forHypnosis
Websitepaulmckenna.com
Neuro-linguistic
programming
Topics
Developers
Practitioners
Organisations

Paul McKenna (born 8 November 1963) is a British hypnotist, behavioural scientist, television and radio broadcaster and author of self-help books.

McKenna has hosted self-improvement television shows and presents seminars in hypnosis, neuro-linguistic programming, weight loss, motivation, the Zen meditation Big Mind, Amygdala Depotentiation Therapy (ADT) and the Havening techniques.

Early life

McKenna was born in Enfield, London to a builder and a home economics teacher. He attended St Ignatius College. He was routinely bullied by his teachers for his dyslexia.

Career

Radio and television

McKenna started working in Radio Top Shop aged 16, and went on to present for stations including Radio Caroline and Capital London.

After two years presenting at BBC Radio 1 in the early 1990s, McKenna hosted a number of TV programmes, including The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna (1993–97), The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna (1996–97) and Hyp the Streets (1999). He won the Television and Radio Industries Club Award for Best TV Newcomer in 1994. During this time, he continued his studies of hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) with Richard Bandler, the co-creator of NLP.

McKenna appeared on series 4, episode 2 of Top Gear to hypnotise presenter Richard Hammond in 2004. In October 2009 he was a guest on Private Passions, a music discussion programme on BBC Radio 3.

From February 2014 to September 2015, McKenna hosted a talk show called McKenna, broadcast on Hulu and featuring "non-journalistic" interviews with Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest, Roger Moore, Rachael Ray, Tony Robbins and Richard Dawkins.

Hypnosis

He became interested in hypnotism as a result of a guest who appeared on his show. He was taught hypnosis by Richard Bandler, with whom he continued to work closely for many years. While working at Capital Radio, McKenna began experimenting with small hypnosis shows in pubs and clubs, UK military bases and university events. He then starred in a regular Sunday night show at the Duke of York's Theatre, which was owned at the time by Capital Radio. The success of those shows led to his playing other theatres across the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, the US, Australia and Hong Kong.

Research

In 1996, McKenna was granted a PhD from LaSalle University in Louisiana. It was legally licensed by the state, but it falsely claimed to be an accredited institution. The school exempted McKenna from coursework based on his prior work, and his dissertation was producing a series of self-help tapes that eventually became a book, Change Your Life in Seven Days.

Discovery of this lack of accreditation prompted McKenna to obtain another PhD from Revans University in 2003. The title of his thesis was "The Effects of Fixed Action Patterns and Neuro-Linguistic Programming in Determining Outcomes in Human Behaviour".

McKenna specialises in post-traumatic stress disorder, severe trauma, pain control and emotional overwhelm.

Self-help

McKenna is the author of self-help and personal development books.

He has practiced one-to-one hypnotherapy on celebrity clients. He helped Daryl Hannah cope with stage fright when she starred in The Seven Year Itch. According to one of McKenna's books, Rob Brydon claimed that McKenna helped alleviate his fear of flying, Stephen Fry advocated for McKenna's weight loss strategies and David Walliams used McKenna to help with his swim across the English Channel.

McKenna focuses on teaching people how to "deprogramme" their sugar cravings, claiming "sugar is the most dangerous drug in the world".

Libel lawsuits

Daily Star & National Enquirer

In 1999, McKenna successfully sued both the Daily Star and National Enquirer for libel after they published articles that alleged he had damaged the mental health of a man whom he hypnotised in one of his shows. Both lawsuits resulted in six-figure settlements. The man involved had sued McKenna in a previous trial, but the judge dismissed the suit after concluding that there was no evidence that McKenna's stage hypnosis posed any risk to those taking part.

Daily Mirror

In 2006, McKenna successfully sued the Daily Mirror for libel over claims made by former TV critic Victor Lewis-Smith that McKenna's qualification from LaSalle was a purchased "bogus degree" bought with the intention of deliberately defrauding the public. McKenna won the case, and the newspaper was ordered to pay £75,000 in costs. The judge, Justice Eady, said that while the scholarly characterisation of the degree was "another matter", McKenna did not believe the degree was "bogus or that he misled anyone in allowing himself to be referred to as a PhD."

Published works

References

  1. "Paul McKenna". Contemporary Authors. Vol. 338. Detroit: Gale. 2013. pp. 240–242. ISBN 978-1-4144-9727-3.
  2. ^ Norman, Neil (15 July 2006). "Paul McKenna: The eyes have it". The Independent. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  3. Wignall, Alice (2 November 2004). "The hypnotist". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  4. Day, Elizabeth (4 May 2005). "How I healed my inner nerd". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  5. "From small-time radio DJ to TV star attracting millions of viewers around the world". Wales Online. 10 October 2003. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  6. "Private Passions: Paul McKenna" (programme listing). BBC Radio 3. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
  7. Stadlen, Matthew (26 January 2015). "Paul McKenna's spreadsheet of destiny". The Daily Telegraph.
  8. "Media Monkey's Diary: BBC, Tony Gallagher, Ipso and Zai Bennett". The Guardian. 20 April 2014.
  9. "Paul McKenna, Ph.D." Hay House Publishing.
  10. Fernando, Aneya (24 July 2014). "Paul McKenna on What Makes a Great Interviewer". Adweek. Archived from the original on 3 August 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  11. ^ Jones, Alice (7 January 2016). "Paul McKenna is launching a new book on the psychology of influence". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  12. ^ Vernon, Polly (12 December 2004). "Look in to my eyes". The Observer (Interview with Paul McKenna). The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Hypnotist McKenna sues over degree claim". The Scotsman. 11 July 2006. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  14. ^ Addley, Esther (11 July 2006). "McKenna sues journalist over 'bogus' PhD claim". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  15. Blau, Rosie (16 November 2007). "I'm not a guru, I'm not a Svengali". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  16. Flintoff, John-Paul (30 July 2006). "Repeat after me . . . I am not dodgy". The Times. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  17. "Cyber university's credibility in question - News - TES". tes.co.uk. 10 October 2008. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  18. Iley, Chrissy (15 January 2012). "Paul McKenna: 'I'm not built for relationships'". The Daily Telegraph.
  19. Moore, James (13 May 2013). "Paul McKenna: I can make you better". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022.
  20. "Daryl makes stage splash". BBC News. 9 October 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  21. Dunbar, Polly (22 January 2017). "Can Paul McKenna Fix YOUR Sugar Addiction?". Woman & Home.
  22. ^ "McKenna wins six-figure libel". BBC News. 21 May 1999.
  23. Finn, Gary (14 August 1998). "Hypnotist cleared over schizophrenia". The Independent. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  24. "McKenna wins 'fake degree' case". BBC News. 28 July 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  1. The IMCA was accredited at the time of McKenna’s study through the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and British Accreditation Council. As of 2005 it no longer has either status, affecting degrees awarded from 2005 onwards.

External links

Categories: