Meet The Team

Practitioners

Ian Young – Founder of Sober Services Ltd

Ian Young has successfully touched the lives of thousands of addicted people and their families, showing them a new way to live and encouraging them to rebuild their lives without their destructive patterns or influences once and for all.

Ian is the founder of two large rehabilitation facilities still operating within the European Treatment Industry and continues to offer Sober Consultancy to many others.

But it wasn’t always like that… Early 2001, aged 29, after 13 years of chronic drug addiction, alcoholism, homelessness and unemployment, he discovered a permanent way out of his debilitating lifestyle and through hard work built himself a world filled with the riches and royalties life has to offer – addiction free! In fact, Ian is often heard talking about his quality of life being beyond anything he could possibly have dreamed off previously. Ian is supremely qualified at delivering all of his Sober Services programmes (participating at all levels of the business) both on a Coach / Client basis and also presenting to large audiences (Ian trained under Blair Singer, passing his Certification in Train the Trainers – presenting and solving problems from the stage, using accelerated learning as the data delivery tool). It is this skill of presenting to such enormous audiences that has taught Ian to exploit his natural talent of being a positive influence over individuals, for whom any encounter is both up lifting and thought shifting.
Ian’s style is dynamic, inspiring and enthusiastic.

Ian is now a multiple business owner, a homeowner and living with his wife and dogs in a quiet part of Northern Hertfordshire. He touches the lives of all those who come into contact with him.
Beware, his energy is infectious, his dedication is profound and his passion to serve his clients shines through.
Ian’s personal mission is to create harmony through laughter and love.

John McCann – Senior Sober Interventionist.

John McCann has had a positive effect on not just alcoholic and addicted people, but also a lasting effect on the families of those afflicted. Showing them that it is possible to rebuild their lives and to be happy with themselves and those around them.

John has successfully run major international business’s and lived in various countries around the world. He has worked as a business repair consultant in Australia Spain and Thailand. His experience of working with and in different cultures has given him a unique empathy and understanding of the rehabilitation treatment industry. A few years ago after 20 years of alcohol abuse and cocaine addiction culminating in homelessness and desperation John was offered help by a stranger who promised him he would never have to feel that way again. He hasn’t. Now having discovered a new way of life he is living it to he full, happiness, for him, is not just a forlorn dream it is a way of life. He has an inner peace that is contagious, be warned! John is trained and qualified in conflict and crisis intervention, and has begun working with Ken Seeley (Intervention 911) and John Southwood (Southwood Associates) based in Los Angeles, training as a Board Registered Interventionist, he also is a board member of the Association of intervention Specialists and has life coaching skills as well as the ability to speak in front of large audiences presenting solution based programmes in dynamic and inspiring way that is simple to understand and follow. He lives on the edge of Epping Forest with his partner in a quiet part of Essex. His mission in life is to bring families back together and individuals back to happiness.

Julian Xuereb – Senior Interventionist.

Julian Xuereb is an energetic solution-driven individual who has touched the lives of many people who, in turn, have helped others recover. His ever growing network of success stories has filtered into the lives of the families and friends, creating an ever-growing army of recovered individuals who enjoy a drug and alcohol free life, allowing them to realise their full potential

Julian is a skilled worker accredited by the BCAP and has worked in treatments centres in and around the country, employing the Carl Rogers person-centred approach . His technique is dynamic, influential, and compassionate and his ability to move the addict or alcoholic from a place of suffering into the light is legendary. He has worked with a leading charity for mental health as an outreach worker delivering services to other organisations and companies including prisons and drug programmes and has combined these sought after skills to become a leading Interventionist that is known for achieving results.

However, it was not always this way for Julian, who has had first-hand experience of the terrifying illness of addiction. As a fully recovered addict, Julian has himself moved from the depths of despair into a life filled with happiness and light. He has also experienced the recovery of his family which, he adds, is ‘an experience not to be missed’

Doctors

Dr Dominique Dock – Medical Director

Dr Dominique Dock, who is a GP partner in an NHS surgery in London, since October 2000, was previously in France, as a single-handed GP in a skiresort for 7 years, and in Hong Kong as a civilian practitioner for the MOD for 3 years.
He has also studied and worked in an Institute for Alternative Medicine in Germany for 8 years (Naturheilverfahren). His french back-ground has given him plenty opportunities to observe what alcohol can do to people and their loved ones. His experience of working with and in different cultures has given him the ease needed to understand people who have suffered from ignorance about addictions of all kinds.
In his practice he is treating patients with prescription medication addictions, alcohol abuse, smoking addiction, and works in partnership with psychiatrists for all other addictions.
Dominique is experienced in using Hypnosis (learned with Carol Erickson) and Mental Imagery and Stress Management (with Marge Reddington) in his medical practice, he is a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic-Programming. He has run retreats in the Jura Mountains, combining his skills as a Health Practitioner with those of a Mountain-Guide and Cross-Country Skiing champion, to bring clients to the top of their potential.
He now runs trekking adventures for city people in need of nature, and exercise and stress busting techniques. Most of the trips take place in Europe, but some groups aim for further shores.

Dr Robert Lefever – Senior Consultant and Addiction Specialist

Dr Robert Lefever, who now runs the Doctor Robert treatment programmes, was the founder of The PROMIS Recovery Centre and The PROMIS Counselling Centre.

He has had twenty three years of experience in running residential and non-residential treatment programmes for people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, process addictions, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression. Over the years he has been responsible for, and actively involved in, the care of over five thousand in-patients. He has travelled throughout the world, gaining experience and sharing his own. He is the author of twenty three books on depression and addictive or compulsive behaviour. He has had significant experience in training counselling staff in practical therapeutic skills. He is a widely experienced broadcaster on radio and television. Robert is experienced in using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Transactional Analysis, and Choice Theory. He is an established Trainer in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy. Trained at Level 1 and Level 2 in EMDR for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. In-depth experience of psychodrama practice. Committed to Implementing the Twelve Step programme, Creative Coaching for individuals and families and the training of future Creative Coaches.

Therapists

Jackie Schickler – Sober Services Senior Therapist

Jackie Schickler has spent the past eighteen years helping and touching the lives of men and women on a journey of change from addiction into freedom.

Jackie has lived in New York and London for most of her life, and is now settled in Cambridge, UK. She is well travelled and is comfortable in a full range of social settings. Whether it is attending Court to support clients through a difficult case, or travelling around Europe, to care and support clients through their first family reunion, Jackie’s skill and wide expertise is adaptable to cover all situations. Jackie’s professional background has been working in residential treatment and she is adept at helping clients to manage situations, feelings and challenges. She was Senior Counsellor for many years at a renowned London rehab. Jackie now runs the successful private therapy practice “Cambridge Counselling Centre” which offers a bespoke service to individuals and couples. However, Jackie’s biggest strength comes from her own personal experiences… In 1992 Jackie found herself in a financial, spiritual and emotional rock bottom in New York City. Overwhelmed and bewildered at how this state of affairs had happened to her. Cocaine and other substances had roared through her life and the future looked bleak. On her return to the UK she discovered a way of life that offered freedom, hope and a new direction. She embraced the change that led her to success in all areas of her life. An honors’ degree in law, professional post-grad counsellor training at WPF and the Tavistock, rewarding work with hundreds of men and women in treatment, and other altruistic endeavours have turned Jackie into a role model and mentor to many men and women worldwide. Jackie is loved and respected by her large family in the UK and USA. She has built on her experience as a family member to work with couples, family issues, and has strong life skills in negotiating broken and damaged relationships. She is now available to offer her considerable services to Sober Services.

Tracey White – Senior Therapist & Specialist in Abuse, Trauma & PTSD

Tracey is an outstanding and dynamic therapist who is dedicated to helping others to be free from negative thinking, feelings and behaviour.
After many years of working as a traditional therapist and specialising in dealing with issues such as addiction, trauma and depression, Tracey came across some revolutionary techniques and was so impressed by these cutting edge therapies that she felt compelled to incorporate them into her work.
Tracey came to realise that these therapeutic methods had astounding results with clients who may have been in counselling or psychotherapy for significant periods without resolution, and became eager to use this methodology to find the quickest and most effective solutions for patients to gain a lasting freedom and a renewed quality of life.
She has a successful London practice where she continues to help many to conquer their suffering and the debilitating and devastating effects of issues such as abuse, trauma, PTSD, addictions, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.
Tracey is Cpcab accredited. A Master NLP practitioner. A fully qualified Hypnotherapist and Thought Field Therapist.
Tracey has personally trained with Paul McKenna and Dr Richard Bandler, the co-creator and founder of NLP.
Tracey is a dynamic and motivational speaker and runs workshops inspiring spiritual health.
Tracey is passionate about her work and dedicated to making a difference.

Amanda Gray MA, FGA – Senior Therapist and Codependency Specialist.

Amanda is a Therapist and Holistic Healing Practitioner. Amanda uses a combination of Energy and Psychology techniques to access the root cause of problems which, if not addressed, could lead to physical disease. She also uses Life Coaching to create a structured approach to enable lasting change in peoples’ lives. Amanda has been teaching meditation, and facilitating groups, for the past fifteen years.

Her treatments include 12 Step Recovery, Trauma reduction, Codependency, Cutting the Ties that Bind, Emotional Freedom technique, Stress Reduction, Reiki and Meditation

Amanda has an MA from London University, Diplomas as a Holistic Healing Practitioner, Spiritual counsellor, and Life Coach. She also has a Diploma from the Meadows , Arizona in trauma therapy and from Wales university for Eastern and Western Approaches to the body. She has been trained by Phyllis Krystal to do her ‘Cutting the Ties’ technique to establish healthy boundaries

Transporters

Sandra Salmons – Female Sober Transporter and Body-Guide

Sandra Salmons always makes a massive impact on any females suffering with addiction and alcoholism that she works with, by showing them a new way to live their lives drug and alcohol free.

Sandra is very well respected in the recovery community and in the industry alike. Her reputation as someone who ‘get’s the job done’ coupled with her attention to detail and her own personal strong sobriety identity inspires and motivates the women she works with

Sandra’s professional life has included running a very successful family business, before going on to dedicate herself to the health care industry, becoming a clinical co-ordinator for a large group of Surgeons.

Sandra is a testament to the services that we provide, having remained clean and sober ever since she came into recovery. Her addiction had taken everything from her and in a place of complete desperation, She finally got the help she needed. Sandra went to a treatment centre overseas where she began her journey towards becoming the person she is today.

Sandra understands more than anyone the anxiety and the stressful situation, which can arise around travelling into treatment and the fear of the unknown.

Sandra is currently in the middle of her training as a Counsellor and Interventionist, which she is very passionate about as this subject lays very close to her heart.

She has lived overseas and travelled the world extensively, which is why we are so proud to use her for our female clients transportation requirements and Sober Body-guiding.

Kelley Colvin – North American Sober Transporter, Sober Body-Guide & Sober Coach

Kelley is a 50 year old woman and has been in recovery since 1998.
Kelley Colvin has worked and lived in recovery for the past 12+ years. She is an experienced sober companion and possesses a wide variety of personal and professional experience. Kelley graduated from the University of Utah Graduate School of Social Work Alcohol and Drug program in 2000. She has worked in several treatment centers and been involved with two sober living facilities. Kelley is very passionate about her recovery and helping others into a new way of living. Kelley’s last job in a treatment center was Aftercare Coordinator at Cirque Lodge, Sundance, Utah.

Performance Coach

Kirsty MacAndrew – Holistic Health & Peak Performance Coach.

Kirsty combines great skill and passion to help our clients make and sustain lifestyle changes to transform both their health and quality of life.

Drawing on her professional background as a Life Coach, NLP Practitioner, Personal Fitness Trainer, Reiki and Pranic Healer she helps her clients get to the root cause of their unhealthy patterns, make instant shifts and build new, more empowering habits into their lives.

Whatever their goal, Kirsty’s clients have found they experience positive effects in all areas of their lives as their awareness, confidence and sense of well being grows.

The central principle of Kirsty’s work is balance. And it’s through personal experience that she understood its importance. Following 10 years competing internationally as a member of the Great Britain Synchronised Swimming Team, and being in peak condition, she suffered from years of debilitating chronic fatigue and then cancer.

Numerous unhealthy habits – mental and physical – had robbed her vital energy and depleted her immunity. By learning how to engage her mind, body and spirit to bring herself back into balance – internally and within her life – she made a fully recovery.

Kirsty now uses the same physical, mental, emotional and spiritual approach to help our clients overcome their dis-ease and to learn how to live with vitality.

Other qualifications include: BSc (Hons) Physiology and MSc Exercise and Health Science.

Spiritual Coach

Vineet – Sober Yoga Master & Meditation Coach.

Vineet has positively helped the lives of hundreds of people through her natural ability to teach yoga and bring about wellness through nutrition.

Yoga has been a strong influence in her life ever since childhood in Mumbai, India; so offering her gift professionally just seemed the next right thing to do. She has experienced the benefits of yoga and meditation firstly within her own family homes, in India and England, and then also in parallel through school and college. But it was when she was working in the corporate environment that she experienced first hand just how much stress can affect us physically, mentally and emotionally. She even experienced similar levels of stress once she had settled in London and was working in a more relaxed IT based corporate environment. As she experienced stress related problems both for herself and amongst other members of staff that she began experimenting with her techniques on everyone who cared to try. And the results were terrific. Where she had been feeling very disconnected, she began to feel relaxed and in harmony with her environment. Then as she witnessed those around her who were also suffering turn to various addictions to cope with their stress, she began assisting them back out of their troubled minds and bodies. She even noticed the potential for an addictive personality in many of the people she worked with, even though they may not have even been aware of it themselves.

But it was during a visit to the Yoga community in New Mexico, USA, where she met so many more people who had been severely affected by stress, addiction and depression, and who had then turned their lives around through living a healthy yogic lifestyle, whilst helping thousands along the way, that she knew she had found her real calling. These everyday people that she met now had families, a spiritual lifestyle, were running successful holistic businesses and had a deep meaningful connetion to life. She realised that this was her own healing process in life – to teach kundalini yoga. When she returned home to London she started her professional training as a Kundalini Yoga instructor at the Kriya Centre in North London. Since then she has attended and hosted countless workshops and further trainings like the study of Natural Nutrition at Regents College.

Through the practice of Kundalini Yoga, she utilizes and harnesses the energy we all have to reach our inner potential. She also connects a healthy balanced diet into her programmes, so that people can enjoy a fully balanced lifestyle.

Her experience in teaching in elderly care homes, retreats, NHS health centers and medical centers has strengthened her faith in the teachings. But it is her experience teaching addicts and alcoholics at the ASCA Addiction Centre in Richmond where she has truly learned to use her natural Yoga classes to the benefit of the afflicted. Her yoga class became the core of their programme. Most of them had never heard or tried yoga, while others had attended few classes. She brings the class into equilibrium by tuning in at the start. She explains every exercise and the benefits along the way. The meditations at the end is where the individual revels and basks in their inner peace as their body and spirit relax after their yoga workout.
She teaches with such radiance, vibrancy and connection, that her lessons are both easily communicable and greatly enjoyable, whilst enjoying her clients’ development physically, spiritually and emotionally.

Vineet enjoys the energy she receives from her early morning daily practice of Kundalini Yoga and meditation, and she loves sharing this in her classes to inspire everyone to follow their heart and enjoy whatever they do.