About Us

The Life Change People combine expertise and training with many years experience helping people change. Between us we have worked in a huge variety of settings, helping people overcome all kinds of difficulties and make all kinds of changes.

With over 100 years combined experience we are proud to have turned our life’s work into ”Change Holidays”.

Full Time Members:

Alex Gunn

B.A. Hons, PGCert, PGDip, MSc

Alex specialises in Motivational Psychology and has recently written both a Degree and Diploma in Counseling and Behaviour Change for the University of Plymouth where he worked as an associate lecturer.

As well as working over the past 20 years with numerous people seeking to establish life changes, he has spent many years training groups of professionals, both in the private and public sector, in Motivational Enhancement and Life Change Behaviour. He is a long-standing member of the International Network of Motivational Trainers. He also works as a moderator for the Open College Network. His main professional interest is in the continuing understanding of why and how we make changes in our lives.

He holds a private pilots license, enjoys flying and had a brief but memorable career as a circus performer.

Chrissy Richman

Chrissy has helped many people make amazing changes to their lives. She has over 30 years experience and is well known within this sector.

Most recently she was the Chief Executive and Head of Therapy of a large charity in the UK, helping over 6,000 people overcome complex life difficulties. She has advised on UK Government Policy, participating in think tank forums at The House of Lords on a variety of social issues, including womens welfare, drug and alcohol policy and young peoples welfare.
She has a special interest in Relationship Counselling. Chrissy has changed her life many times, living and working in London, Devon, Amsterdam and is now enjoying living in Thailand.

Tony Hazzard

BA Hons, PG Dip

Tony read Latin, English and Philosophy at Durham University, has a diploma in Humanistic Psychology, and is trained in Transpersonal Psychology. He has over 30 years experience helping people overcome a huge range of difficulties and making life changes. Tony is responsible for teaching on Degree and Diploma programs specialising in Group Psychotherapy and Counselling Skills.

He has lead dual professional lives;: as a successful, song writer and solo artist, with major tours of the UK, USA and Europe, and also as a manager and consultant to residential health care clinics, whilst all the time maintaining his own private practice helping people overcome problems and establish life change.
His first three solo albums have recently been re-released and he is currently recording his fifth.

Tony works with us in a supervisory capacity and we are pleased that he is able to bring his creativity, wisdom, energy and experience to the team.

Sonthaya Suriyakam   

Son was born in the province of Chiang Rai moving to Chiang Mai in childhood. He is a qualified and licensed Chiang Mai tour guide and an authority on local customs, culture and history. He has an extensive knowledge and love of his home country reflected in his abundant enthusiasm and energy.

His knowledge of local foods and food markets are second to none. Son speaks fluent Thai and English having spent 15 years living and working in America and Hawaii. We are proud to have Son as part of the team.

Associate Members:

Derek Buchanan

Dip Couns. MBACP                                                                                            

Born and educated in Ireland where he read medical science at university, Derek had a successful business career in London and Switzerland.

A mid-life crisis provoked the desire to follow his passion and turn to clinical training in his chosen field. For more than a decade he has worked with the complexities of his clients’ needs in settings as varied as private practice and a residential therapeutic community. His current work is focused on social justice and self empowerment.

Derek is a trained EMDR therapist, integrating humanistic and cognitive approaches to offer a rapid and effective treatment for stress related anxiety disorders and trauma. He also supervises undergraduate counselling students.

He is also qualified as a Life Coach, Relationship Counsellor and a Clinical Supervisor.

Luke Chester-Master.

MSc.

Luke has over 25 years experience as a practitioner, counsellor, trainer, supervisor and private consultant. He holds many qualifications in counselling,  group therapy, relationship counselling and clinical supervision.

He has worked with many hundreds of individuals whose lives led them to needing and wanting to change. He takes great pleasure in supporting and guiding people during their change process.

Most recently he has worked as a consultant supervisor to both the private and public health care sector in the UK, supporting and developing teams of professionals to fulfil their full potential.

He is also a keen adventurer and authority on fly fishing, venturing off the beaten track through Russia, South America, Australia, New Zealand and Asia .He brings his great spirit, love of life and sense of excitement to the Life Change People.

(He also hates having his photo taken!)