Meet The Team

PGCert, BSc, CertEd, Level 5 in Leadership and Management

Memberships: BAAT (associate), Addiction Professionals

Raffa is responsible for the day-to-day safe and caring service at Cassiobury Court, in accordance with CQC fundamental standards and regulations.

Alongside a dedicated team, Raffa has been committed to improving the standard of treatment care in the service since her appointment in 2021, when she established and registered Asana Lodge, a sister service in Towcester. She has worked hard with the team to improve the service at Cassiobury Court in all areas and is looking forward to the next CQC inspection.

Raffa is passionate about supporting all your recovery goals and helping you achieve them. Raffa has a natural ability to listen deeply and connect on an individual level with the utmost compassion and respect, encouraging our clients at each step of their journey. Qualified at the Institute of Art in Therapy and Education (IATE) in Post Graduate Certificate Counselling using the Arts and training in Integrative Art Psychotherapy. Registered with the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT) and has a QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.

Raffa is dedicated and passionate about recovery, personally focusing on the areas of addiction with over a decade of rehab experience as well as lived experience. With wide-ranging experience in therapeutic interventions, we have helped our clients to continue to develop their well-being. When delivering Therapeutic Creative Groups – Raffa uses a broad range of client-centred approaches such as psycho-educational, mindfulness and mentalisation-based treatments, compassion-focused and cognitive analytic therapies, and socially engaged practices.

Dr Mosun is a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych) with a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and is listed on the GMC Specialist Register in the Specialty of General Adult Psychiatry and Substance Misuse Psychiatry.

Dr Mosun is competent in the assessment and management of patients with drug and alcohol problems. She is highly experienced in the following areas:

• Psychosocial interventions used in addiction, including individual and group therapies
• Hospital in-patient detoxification of patients with alcohol dependence, benzodiazepine dependence and opioid dependence syndrome
• Substitute prescribing of methadone/Subutex, stabilisation, harm reduction and detoxification: within an outpatient community setting and residential rehabilitation settings.
• Management of the mental health complications of addictions and patients presenting with a dual diagnosis of mental health and addiction problems.

Dr Mosun has been a doctor since 2000 and has over a decade of experience at the consultant level, providing clinical supervision and training to other doctors and multidisciplinary professional teams.

MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, MFMLM, FRSPH, MBA (Cambridge)

Dr Otulana is a highly experienced GP and addiction specialist physician. He has a Specialist Interest in Substance Misuse Management, and he has a wide range of experience in the assessment, management (including detoxification) and residential rehabilitation of patients with various drug and substance addiction problems.

Dr Otulana’s main aim is to comprehensively assess patients with addiction problems and determine their treatment needs for medical detoxification treatments and psychological interventions. He is also experienced in managing patients who require dual drug and alcohol detoxification treatments.

Dr Otulana started practising as a doctor in 2000 and has been in the field of addiction for over a decade. He is an Advanced Practitioner Member of Addiction Professionals and also holds a Part 1 Certificate in Clinical Psychopharmacology from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. He is additionally a strong healthcare service professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.

Alison has been in recovery and sober for 6 years. She began working in the field of addiction when she was given the role of a volunteer in the rehab, where she started the most important journey of her life. She has progressed with the role of Deputy Manager at Cassiobury Court. She is passionate and committed to helping clients with her understanding of the pain and struggles clients are going through.

Alison is hands-on, working with the catering team, fielding client queries and community meetings, supervising the night staff team, working with external agencies and contractors, as well as the Health and Safety aspects of the service. Alison also provides acupuncture treatment for stress management/ sleep issues to support client well-being.

Alison is currently studying QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.

DipHE, Nurse Associate, Level 5 in Leadership and Management

As Deputy Manager/Nurse Support, Jane coordinates the nurse team, working closely with the Specialist on-site doctor and both service Doctors. Providing safe care for all our clients is fundamental and in accordance with CQC regulations for our setting as a rehab for substance misuse/alcohol addiction. Jane will also monitor any other pre-existing conditions. Jane will coordinate with our Therapy Lead on your care planning journey.

She has worked in a variety of caring, nursing, and management positions. She is hands-on and will go the extra mile to help clients. She also delivers groups on relapse prevention, drawing on her substantial life experience.

Seth Bolton is a skilled Counsellor specialising in Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for individuals undergoing drug and alcohol rehabilitation at Cassiobury Court.

CBT is a type of talking treatment which focuses on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and behaviour, and teaches you coping skills for dealing with different problems.

It combines cognitive therapy (examining the things you think) and behaviour therapy (examining the things you do). CBT is one of the most common treatments for a range of mental health problems, from anxiety, depression, bipolar, OCD or schizophrenia. CBT is based on the idea that the way we think about situations can affect the way we feel and behave. For example, if you interpret a situation negatively, then you might experience negative emotions as a result, and those bad feelings might then lead you to behave in a certain way.

(MBACP, MNCPS Accr, Dip Hyp)

Laura is a National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society Accredited counsellor and Member of the British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists who specialises in the treatment of substance abuse and addictions.

Laura is a Gestalt Counselor trained at the Gestalt Centre in London, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), a Dialectical Behaviour Therapist (DBT), and a Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapist (REBT), and holds a diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy. She has over a decade of clinical experience and believes each person’s story and recovery journey is unique.

Laura applies emphasis on Mindfulness practices and Inner Child Therapy to identify, heal and release old developmental wounds, attachment wounds, and traumas resulting in ineffective and unhelpful patterns of behaviours. She believes these behaviours and coping mechanisms accompany cognitive distortions, unhealthy core beliefs, dissociation and emotional dysregulation that is affecting their lives, relationships and innate happiness.

She is passionate about helping people work through these blocks and painful experiences to have a life worth living and reclaim and champion the inner child. As well as her private practice and consultancy work, Laura facilitates addiction workshops and an evidence-based DBT Skills Training group in residential treatment centres for alcohol and substance addiction, as well as an online Aftercare DBT group for those overcoming addictions and other unhealthy, impulsive conditions and ineffective behaviours.

She is familiar with both SMART Recovery and 12-step theory and adapts and tailors a therapeutic treatment plan and approach unique to you.

DR Misbah Sadiq, MBBS

Dr. Misbah Sadiq is a highly dedicated medical professional registered with the General Medical Council (GMC), MBBS, renowned for her exceptional expertise and commitment to healthcare. With four years of experience as a medical doctor, she has consistently demonstrated her proficiency in providing high-quality medical care.

In addition to her clinical prowess, Dr Sadiq possesses a profound passion for education and has a proven track record of teaching undergraduate medical students where she imparted her knowledge and expertise, inspiring the next generation of medical practitioners.

Currently, Dr Sadiq has redirected her medical journey towards the field of psychiatry, where she has found her niche, specialising in alcohol and drug addiction. She is dedicated to understanding and addressing the complex challenges of addiction.

Dr Sadiq’s commitment to the well-being of her patients and her continuous pursuit of excellence in the field of psychiatry underscore her unwavering dedication to the medical profession.

Keshia is an Integrative psychotherapist trained and influenced by several modalities, including Attachment, Person-centred theory, Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression, CBT and Gestalt, with experience of working within the NHS IAPT service. Keshia is currently researching how the BAME community approaches mental health and access to psychotherapy.

Keshia has a BSC in Education and Psychology. She has extensive experience working with young people in leaving care, schools, the community, and with young people with mental health issues.

Keshia has a passion for mental health and well-being and how that affects people with addictions and connecting how to maintain sobriety by maintaining a healthy approach to mental health and well-being.

Martin has a background in science and investment banking.  His own recovery journey began in a rehab similar to Cassiobury Court. He understands that he needed to know what was going on in his brain and that he had learnt that a drink/drug/activity was needed for survival when that was what was killing him.

During his treatment, he studied addiction, the mind, body and emotions of the addicted person; he explored the key stages of development and the adverse experiences that may have made him susceptible to addictive behaviour and choices. He sees Addiction as a learnt behaviour, behaviour reinforced and magnified over time.

Martin was introduced to intensive recovery programs, primarily “12 step” (AA, CA, NA, EDA). He engaged in regular meetings, and contact with fellows in recovery helps him to maintain his daily program. Helping others has become the highlight of his day. He also works with a sponsor to ensure his well-being and sustained recovery.

Martin has worked at various treatment centres over the years as an addiction and recovery professional. He wholeheartedly feels that Cassiobury Court provides a service that gives the clients the best chance of remaining sober when they return home.

Martin is also passionate about helping families understand addiction and how best to provide this education/information for them to support clients when they leave Cassiobury Court.

“So Welcome! Come to one of my groups, you will see me about the centre, and we will be working together. I know you’re new and feeling afraid; I’ve felt how you felt; I’ve been through what you’ve been through and recovered, and you can recover too”.

Rebecca has been in recovery since 2017, where she had been struggling with alcoholism and an addiction to painkillers. Since embarking on this journey, she has rebuilt her life – going to college to study counselling and completing levels 2 and 3. She bases her life around the 12-step programme.

She focuses on the 12-step model approach with clients, offering recovery-based groups based on this approach and 1-1 works, which are fundamental for the client’s journey working with clients to prepare and plan for their aftercare. She also provides client shares, coordinating with ex-clients to come into the service weekly to inspire clients with hope and motivation. Rebecca is undergoing training to be a certified Recovery Coach.

Rebecca states: “This is not a job for me. I treat everyone as an individual and go on a journey with them to show them that living a life without a substance IS possible, and this is just the beginning of a life beyond their wildest of dreams”.

Gerard has been in recovery for over 16 years and is very compassionate and understanding of the devastation, despair and hopelessness of addiction, having been a heroin addict for 23 years. His life was filled with prison, shame and guilt.

Through recovery, Gerard ventured to Romania to build orphanages and to Africa to work with children. Most recently, Gerard became a foster carer for his grandchildren. He has been building positive relationships, which when in active addiction, had been seriously damaged.

Gerard focuses on the 12-step approach to recovery, which has helped him in his own recovery. He has also sponsored many people and continues to be very involved with the fellowship. Gerard also facilitates recovery groups and one-on-one key working and takes clients to external fellowship meetings.

Gerard is also a certified Pastor and offers Pastoral Care for staff and clients.

Shipra Dhingra is an accomplished Clinical psychologist whose passion for mental health and well-being has shaped a diverse and impactful career. With licenses from UNESCO-CID, Shipra is an Expressive Arts-based therapist and Clinical Psychologist with a wealth of experience in the field.

Shipra’s journey began with a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Amity University in India. Her insatiable curiosity and dedication to the field led her to participate in a research study focused on understanding the psychological effects of art therapy in young adults diagnosed with anxiety and depression.

Through this work, she witnessed the profound impact of creative expression on healing and emotional growth, sparking a lifelong commitment to integrating the arts into her therapeutic approaches. Her approach extends far beyond traditional therapy.

Her diverse experiences have taught her that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to life. She encourages her clients and those around her to embrace their uniqueness and pave their paths to fulfilment.

An advocate for mental health and a champion of individuality, Shipra Dhingra’s impact extends far beyond the therapy room. Her multidimensional perspective, blending psychology, journalism, and advocacy, continues to inspire and empower others to seek happiness and well-being, even amidst life’s most challenging circumstances.

Shipra also provides daily well-being psychoeducational, body movement sessions and 1 to 1 wellbeing for all clients to ensure they are continuously supported throughout treatment. Shipra coordinates with Deputy Manager/Nurse Support on client Care Coordinating to ensure the journey before arrival and ongoing care planning is effective and responsive to each client’s needs.

Patricia’s journey in psychology began working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder using Applied Behaviour Analysis. She has also worked with children who presented with psychosomatic symptoms due to illness, difficult family background or trauma. Through this experience, she was able to use several therapy methods such as art therapy, psychodrama, relaxational techniques, music and metamorphoses (fairytale) therapy.

Patricia has a BSc in Psychology, with research focusing on international students’ perceptions of resilience, coping skills, and transition back into the ‘new normal’ post-pandemic.

She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Health and Clinical Psychological Sciences, with the main focus on the psychology of trauma and addiction and neurological and clinical assessments. Patricia is passionate about learning various approaches to mental health and exploring the human experience of trauma and addiction.

Ayo is a dedicated recovery support worker whose compassion, empathy, and unwavering commitment to helping others navigate recovery have touched countless lives.

Born and raised in Nigeria, the southwestern part of Africa, Ayo developed a deep sense of empathy and a desire to make a positive impact from a young age. Growing up in a family that valued kindness and community, he was inspired to pursue a career focused on serving others.

Ayo embarked on his journey into the healthcare field, earning a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, a postgraduate diploma in Information Technology from Nigeria, and a master’s degree in MBA Healthcare from the prestigious University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

Drawn to the intersection of mental health and substance misuse, he sought opportunities to deepen his understanding and skills in supporting individuals on their recovery journey by undertaking badging-related training and enrolling in NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care. He has a passion for continuous growth and learning.

On the journey of his own life, Ayo faced his struggles with addiction, experiencing firsthand the pain and turmoil it can bring. However, he found solace and strength in his journey to recovery, emerging with a newfound sense of purpose and a deep empathy for those grappling with similar challenges.

Driven by his personal experiences and a desire to give back, Ayo transitioned into a role as a recovery worker in the substance misuse industry. Here, he found his calling, providing vital support, guidance, and encouragement to individuals on their path to sobriety.

In his role, Ayo works closely with clients, facilitating recovery groups and offering a listening ear, practical assistance, and emotional support as they navigate the ups and downs of recovery. He empowers them to tap into their inner strength, cultivate resilience, and embrace a future free from the grips of addiction.

Ayoyinka Okekunbi is a shining example of the transformative power of empathy, resilience, and compassion. As a recovery support worker, he embodies the spirit of healing and renewal, offering hope and guidance to those embarking on the journey to recovery. His story inspires all who seek to make a difference in the lives of others, one heart at a time.

Alan Thompson has been the Head Chef at Cassiobury Court since October 2021 – and in this short space of time, he has changed the catering at the unit for the better.

Alan has a vast catering background to call on and nearly 20 years of living with addiction, so he is in tune with the client’s needs at Cassiobury Court. Alan believes an understanding of “food in recovery” is a vital part of successful recovery – from budgeting and planning weekly menus to understanding what foods are good for someone in recovery, so much so that Alan is working on a workshop to give more knowledge to the clients about dietary requirements in recovery.

Alan works with a great team: Paula (Chef), Helen (Chef), Steve (KP, trainee Chef), and Nancy KP. All are happy to meet your dietary needs and preferences.

Alan is very interactive with the clients at Cassiobury Court, mainly to ensure they get the food they need or request but also to build up rapport so that the clients feel free to go to the kitchen to chat about their dietary needs.