A FORMER management accountant from Brockhill has set up a training academy to teach people cutting-edge psychology that can change lives.

Founder of The Birmingham NLP Training Academy Matt Caulfield, 27, of Cornhampton Close, is a master practitioner of neuro linguistic programming (NLP), magician and stage hypnotist who has studied meditation for more than 10 years and has been involved in personal development for more than five.

The Advertiser reported last week Chris Jones, 28, of Bromsgrove Road, was setting up his own NLP practice after completing two courses run by world-famous hypnotist Paul McKenna, Richard Bandler, a well-known doctor who created NLP and leading NLP trainer Michael Breen.

NLP is based on the belief all behaviour has a structure which can be modelled, learned and changed.

Mr Caulfield, who also runs a private practice, said: "I am a trainer in NLP so I certify people in practitioner and master practitioner training.

"I trained with Dr Richard Bandler and Paul McKenna myself and the next step from master practitioner is master trainer, which I hope to achieve.

"I also do Derren Brown- type stuff which shows the fun side of the skills I use and can teach other people to use."

He added: "The academy is pretty new. We thought it was a shame everyone had to go to London to access quality NLP training and that there was a definite market for it in the Midlands.

"We teach how to take life and take change and everything that goes with it. It's about personal power and freedom - people don't think they can change but change is inevitable if we look at the world around us.

"It's about taking control of that change and taking it wherever you want to and about responsibility and control of your own life."

The next course in NLP practitioner training runs from November 1-7.

"We limit our numbers to 20 at a time because this offers more personal tuition in a shorter space of time," said Mr Caulfield, who runs the Academy with ex-military man Bob Spour, of Stirchley.

Mr Spour is a licensed NLP training specialist who has worked with people in sales, military training, drama workshops, the London comedy circuit, as well as martial arts and self-protection training.

He also runs Mind Works Technologies, a training company specialising in therapy, team building and survival training.

For details, visit www.nlpbirmingham.co.uk, email info@nlpbirmingham.co.uk or call Mr Caulfield on 07711 204013.