Paul Johnson, Awarded Fellowship of the British Acupuncture Council (FBAcC)

We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Paul Johnson has been awarded a Fellowship of the British Acupuncture Council (FBAcC) — a prestigious recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of acupuncture and acupuncture education.

Paul has been a deeply valued teacher, mentor, and colleague here at The City College of Acupuncture, and his passion, dedication, and wisdom have shaped the journeys of so many of our students.

In honour of this achievement, we are proud to share the nomination letter written by our team at CCA in support of his Fellowship.

Read the nomination letter in full below.

Nomination for BAcC Fellowship – Paul Johnson (LicAc, MBAcC, MBMAS, LicOHM, MRCHM, BA (Hons), PGCertLTHE, AHEA, AFN)

We are delighted to nominate Paul Johnson for a Fellowship of the British Acupuncture Council in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the acupuncture profession over the past 25 years. As a longstanding BAcC member since 2000, Paul has played a key role not only in clinical practice but in shaping the education, regulation, and international standing of acupuncture in the UK.

Paul’s career spans more than two decades of teaching, mentoring, and curriculum development. He has been central to acupuncture education across several institutions, including the London College of Traditional Acupuncture, the College of Naturopathic Medicine, and most recently as the Course Leader at the City College of Acupuncture in London. His leadership has shaped the educational journeys of hundreds of students, with particular strength in Point Location, Chinese medicine theory, and clinical supervision. He is a deeply respected mentor, known for his clarity, professionalism, and enduring support of both students and staff.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Paul demonstrated extraordinary leadership in a time of deep uncertainty. With the sudden closure of in-person teaching, he swiftly transitioned the entire City College of Acupuncture curriculum to an online format. He created safe learning bubbles, ensured PPE compliance, and enabled final-year students to continue patient care and clinical work — all while offering unwavering support to staff and students, seven days a week. Thanks to Paul’s tireless work, students graduated on time and fully prepared to begin their acupuncture careers.

In his own practice, Fertility Surrey Acupuncture, he demonstrates how acupuncture can be delivered with both clinical excellence and humanity. His specialism in fertility and reproductive health has had a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and couples, and his work has helped position acupuncture as a credible and compassionate option within fertility care. 

In addition to his acupuncture credentials, Paul is a qualified practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine (LicOHM, MRCHM). His integrated understanding of acupuncture and herbal traditions further enriches the breadth of his professional insight, contributing to both curriculum design and clinical education.

A true advocate for the profession, Paul has been involved in regulatory and accreditation work, including with the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) and the EHTPA Clinical Hours and Outcomes Panel. His thoughtful contributions have helped refine national standards in both acupuncture and herbal education.

Internationally, Paul’s contribution as a peer reviewer for the World Health Organization’s Standard Terminology in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2019 reflects the high regard in which he is held. His work ensures that acupuncture maintains credibility and coherence at a global level.

What sets Paul apart is the consistency and depth of his contribution—spanning practice, education, regulation, and global collaboration. He is a quiet leader, generous with his time and knowledge, and his impact is felt across generations of practitioners.

We believe Paul Johnson is a truly deserving candidate for Fellowship. His 25 years of service to the profession, combined with his deep integrity and tireless efforts to raise standards, merit formal recognition by the BAcC.

We wholeheartedly commend this nomination to the Nominations Committee.

Vanessa Menendez Covelo, Anne-Sophie Morel, Anand Marshall, James Woodward, Ilze Black, CCA Staff and Students (current and past)

Testimonials from a few of his ex-students:

“Paul isn't just a wealth of knowledge, he's an incredibly gifted teacher, remarkably humble and kind-hearted. My final decision to pursue acupuncture was largely inspired by him. During my interview at CCA, I shared my experience with dyslexia. Paul responded with such understanding, reassuring me that it wouldn't be an obstacle and that they would provide the support I needed. His encouragement was pivotal, had he reacted differently, I might never have joined.

When I faced a family bereavement and struggled to prepare for an upcoming exam, I reached out to Paul. True to form, his response was prompt and incredibly supportive. He reminded me of how hard I had worked over the past two years and reassured me that the knowledge I needed was there. His belief in me came at precisely the right moment. Paul has a gift for saying exactly what you didn't realise you needed to hear.

Paul's dedication, compassion, and unwavering support have left a lasting impact on so many of us previous students. His ability to inspire confidence and share his vast experience makes him an exceptional teacher. In my eyes, there is no one more deserving of a BAcC Fellowship, a recognition that would only begin to reflect the profound difference he has made in the Acupuncture community.”

Jules Simonneau (2024 graduate), www.pique.me

“I had the absolute pleasure of being taught by Paul Johnson (or Points Paul as we used to call him) for three years at the City College of Acupuncture. His knowledge, experience and expertise are second to none and he had a wonderfully kind and calm presence, whether in the classroom or the clinic.  His passion for acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine shone through and he was incredibly generous at sharing both his knowledge and time.

I feel incredibly privileged to have been taught by him and often refer back to some of the gems of wisdom he taught us when I’m now treating in clinic myself. I can’t think of more deserved person for this fellowship.’

Eloise Coulson (2022 graduate), www.eloiseacupuncture.com 

“I began my journey at the City College of Acupuncture with a background as an artist. I never intended to become a practitioner—I simply wanted to deepen my understanding of something that had always intrigued me.

Paul’s dedication to the college and to Chinese Medicine is truly inspiring. It was so necessary that Paul founded the City College in London, creating a vital hub for students of TCM—both beginners and experts. His enthusiasm for TCM and his deep knowledge fostered an environment where I felt supported, challenged, and encouraged. Whether it was nurturing my artistic perspective or guiding me through the complexities of acupuncture, Paul believed in me and helped me grow far beyond my original expectations.

Thanks to his guidance and the high standards to which TCM is taught at CCA, I now run a successful clinic. I’ll always be grateful for the support, insight, and passion he brought to my learning experience.”

Jasmin Reif (2022 graduate) https://jasminreif.com/ 

“Paul is an exceptional teacher—precise, systematic, and always to the point. His deep knowledge and structured approach make complex concepts clear and practical. Learning from him has been a deeply rewarding experience.” 

Fiona Y. Sung, (2021 graduate) www.yiacupuncture.co.uk

"I am incredibly grateful to have been taught acupuncture by Paul Johnson. His passion for acupuncture is infectious, and he has a unique ability to help students remember with ease. He made me remember the action of BL 57 forever from the first time, just by gesturing with his hands. Beyond his teaching skills, Paul Johnson creates an environment that encourages curiosity, fosters confidence, and inspires students to do their best. I feel fortunate to have learned from such a dedicated and inspiring acupuncturist."

Galina Paskaleva (2017 graduate)