Sean Heneghan - Professional Qualifications | Therapy and Acupuncture in Berkhamsted
My Professional Qualifications and Training
After twenty years of practice in Berkhamsted, people occasionally ask me about my background and training. While letters after a name might not mean much without context, I think it's important that you understand the depth of training behind the work I do.
Here's what those qualifications represent and why they matter for the support I can offer you.
Acupuncture Training and Registration:
BSc (Hons) Traditional Acupuncture
My foundation in acupuncture comes from a comprehensive 3.5-year degree-level program at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in Reading. This wasn't just learning where to put needles, it was an intensive study of traditional Chinese medicine theory, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and diagnosis, combined with extensive supervised clinical practice.
The training covered both traditional approaches passed down through centuries of practice and modern scientific understanding of how acupuncture works in the body. This dual perspective informs how I work with clients today.
LicAc (Licentiate in Acupuncture)
This is my professional license to practice acupuncture, which requires meeting rigorous standards for training, competency, and ongoing professional development.
MBAcC (Member of the British Acupuncture Council)
The British Acupuncture Council is the main regulatory body for traditional acupuncture in the UK. Membership requires extensive degree-level training and adherence to strict codes of conduct and safe practice standards.
As an MBAcC member, I'm committed to:
- Continuing professional development each year
- Maintaining professional insurance
- Following strict ethical guidelines
- Staying current with developments in acupuncture research and practice
Counselling and Psychotherapy Training:
MBACP (Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the UK's leading professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists. BACP membership requires extensive training to degree level or equivalent, ongoing professional development, regular supervision, and adherence to strict ethical frameworks.
As an MBACP member, I'm committed to:
- Regular professional supervision to ensure quality of practice
- Continuous professional development each year
- Following the BACP Ethical Framework for the Counselling Professions
- Maintaining professional boundaries and client confidentiality
- Staying current with developments in counselling and psychotherapy research
This membership ensures that my counselling practice meets the highest professional standards and that clients can access me through professional complaints procedures if needed.
Hypnotherapy and Psychological Training
HPD (Hypnotherapy Practitioners Diploma)
The HPD is widely considered one of the most rigorous examinations for hypnotherapy in the UK. This qualification demonstrates competency in both the theoretical understanding and practical application of hypnotherapy techniques.
DipCHyp (Diploma in Cognitive Hypnotherapy)
This specialized training from The Quest Institute focuses on cognitive hypnotherapy, an approach that integrates insights from neuroscience, evolutionary psychology with traditional hypnotherapy methods. I also hold a Diploma in Clinical Hypnosis from The Institute of Clinical Hypnosis in London, which provided additional depth in clinical applications.
What This Training Means for Your Care
These qualifications represent thousands of hours of study, supervised practice, and ongoing professional development. But more importantly, they reflect my commitment to providing you with care that's both safe and effective.
Integrative Approach
My training in both traditional acupuncture and modern psychological approaches allows me to work with you as a whole person. I understand how physical and emotional wellbeing interconnect, and how addressing one often supports the other.
Evidence-Based Practice
While I deeply respect traditional knowledge, I also stay current with modern research. This means I can explain how treatments might work from both traditional and scientific perspectives, helping you make informed decisions about your care.
Professional Standards
Membership in these professional bodies means I'm held to high standards of practice, ethics, and ongoing learning. You can be confident that I'm committed to maintaining professional competency and following best practices.
Continuing Development
Healthcare is constantly evolving, and my professional obligations ensure I stay current with new developments, research, and techniques that might benefit the people I work with.
Beyond Qualifications: Experience and Approach
While qualifications provide the foundation, what matters most is how this training translates into the work we do together. Over twenty years of practice in Berkhamsted, I've learned that healing happens in relationship through careful listening, genuine understanding, and creating space for each person's unique path to wellbeing.
My training provides the framework, but each person brings their own complexity, wisdom, and capacity for healing. My role is to support that natural capacity with skill, experience, and professional care.
Regulatory and Safety Information
All my qualifications are with recognized professional bodies that:
- Require ongoing professional development
- Maintain professional standards and codes of conduct
- Provide professional indemnity insurance requirements
- Handle complaints and maintain public safety standards
- I'm committed to practicing within these professional frameworks because they exist to protect both practitioners and the people we serve.
Questions About My Background?
If you have questions about my training, approach, or how my qualifications relate to your specific needs, please feel free to ask. I'm happy to discuss how my experience might be relevant to what you're seeking.
Understanding your practitioner's qualifications is part of making informed decisions about your healthcare, and you have every right to know about the training and experience of the people you trust with your wellbeing.
Article updated August 2025
Contact Information:
Phone: 07717 515 013
Email: sean@seanheneghan.com
Located at: Berkhamsted Chiropractic Clinic, 69 High Street, Berkhamsted, HP4 2DE
Available Monday to Friday with both daytime and evening appointments.
For more information about any of these professional bodies or to verify my membership status, please visit their websites or contact them directly.