Chris Knight – CEO
Chris BSc (Hons). He set up Panacea UK with the intention of setting out to help other alcoholics and addicts make their first steps to recovery. Through his own personal experience with addiction, he has first-hand knowledge of rehabilitation clinics and the treatment programmes they offer.
Most sufferers are familiar with chemical dependency, drug addiction and / or alcoholism, but are totally unaware of the best way of choosing the right rehabilitation clinic and can often make uninformed choices. It’s so important that for all concerned they are armed with the best help and support available. Chris is able to give them the best free impartial advice, without any pressure, and is on-hand (often 24-7) to talk them through their options.
He has worked with ITV and Sky in a multitude of areas involving documentaries on addictions. But his heart lies with helping people with addictions, depression and anxiety.
Chris is a fanatical fisherman chasing records across the world, and gaining a few.
Nicola Fox – Executive Care Coordinator
Nicola Fox Ma (Hons), manages the team of counsellors manning our 24-hour helpline, and often takes calls herself. She is able to speak to clients with understanding and empathy as she has first-hand knowledge of addictions and rehabilitation clinics.
She is often the first port of call for clients and their friends or families. She is happy to talk to our clients or their family members and guide them through the rehabilitation clinic process. Nicola also coordinates the client referrals and clinic admissions. She prides herself on having great knowledge and understanding of the clinics, the treatment programmes they offer, the accommodation, their success rates and their costs.
James Fox – Clinical Director
James Fox BSc (Hons) Ma Psyc, studied at Regents College, London School of Psychotherapy and completed a two-year diploma course in Counselling. He then went on to obtain an MA in Psychotherapy in 1986 and has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is totally dedicated and committed to helping alcoholics and addicts to find a new way of life, offering 1:1 counselling sessions, therapeutic groups and workshops based on relapse prevention, change and loss, anger management, life skills, trust and motivation, health and well-being etc.
He is renowned as the best in his field as an interventionist, with his training models brought over from the USA.
Laura Makin – Business Development Coordinator
Laura Makin BA (Hons) studied Criminology and Sociology at the University of Central Lancashire, where she wrote a dissertation about addiction which created the foundation of her knowledge in the sector. She manages Panacea’s 24 hour call centre, ensuring that any treatment queries are answered immediately. She is able to speak to clients with understanding and empathy as she has a lot of addiction experience so often conducts treatment assessments with the clients to get them the right help.
She also takes part in the marketing of Panacea Healthcare, creating advertisements promoting their services. These advertisements are mostly shown in hospital waiting rooms. Laura is very passionate about recovery so is always happy to speak to anyone looking to start their recovery, or family members that need advice and guidance.
Glenys Collings – Naturopath
Glenys Collings, Registered Nurse, Diploma in Naturopathy, Diploma in Acupuncture, combines her vast experience as a nurse practitioner in General Practice with naturopathy and acupuncture. This unique and individual holistic approach to health care integrates nutritional and complementary therapies, with western and eastern philosophies. This is especially relevant as your body struggles to recover from the stress and toxicity of addiction. Glenys aims to facilitate recovery by optimum nutrition and to give all clients the knowledge, inspiration and motivation to maintain life- long positive health changes. She is passionate in her holistic support of patients and aims to promote a recovery to vibrant health.
Katie Proctor – Treatment Coordinator
Katie Proctor BA (Hons) Criminology with Sociology, graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in 2010 and is now part of our team at Panacea. Katie is often the first point of contact for clients and their friends or families, and is able to speak to them with understanding and empathy. She is happy to talk to our clients or their family members and guide them through the rehabilitation process and any other queries they may have. She is passionate about rehabilitation and helping people get the help they deserve.
Katie is also involved in Case management and has recently taken part in the team’s new drug test analysis service. In her spare time Katie enjoys socialising with friends and family, music, and anything sport related.
Andrew Olive – Treatment Coordinator
Andrew works for Panacea as a Treatment Coordinator and is one of the first points of contact for addicts and alcoholics and relatives who contact Panacea looking for information or help. He is happy to talk to our clients or their family members and guide them through the rehabilitation clinic process. He has a great knowledge and understanding of the clinics, the treatment programmes they offer, the accommodation, their success rates and their costs. Andrew also counsels clients who are doing their detox at home. Being four years into his own recovery, he can empathise with what they are going through and offer constructive and helpful advice through his own firsthand experience.
David Coburn – Senior Therapist
David Coburn MA (Hons) Psyc. A qualified psychotherapist and specialises in depression, anxiety and grief. In the past, he has worked extensively with trauma and personal loss of clients, especially those involved in the armed forces. David also runs workshops for clients, friends and families, many of whom have benefited greatly from his extensive knowledge in this field. David’s passion for travelling abroad is second to none.
He loves travelling and learning about local cultures and gaining more understanding for his specialised area back home. Working with Chris Knight on a number of projects and Documentaries.
Tracey Alix- Development Manager
Tracey joined the Panacea Healthcare team as Development Manager in January 2011 and brings with her a strong background in business development, account management and business administration. She has several years experience working for major players within the healthcare industry, most recently as a Business Development/Account Manager for a leading supplier of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs), providing services and solutions for businesses and employees in the public and private sector, offering professional counselling and consulting helpline support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As a valuable addition to our team, Tracey is responsible for developing and adding to the continued success of Panacea Healthcare. An enthusiastic professional, she is passionate and dedicated to delivering excellence in whatever she does. In her spare time Tracey enjoys spending time with her family, keeping fit and is an enthusiastic skier.
Sandra Sham – Senior Therapist
Sandra Sham MBACP is a qualified psychotherapist. She runs specialist workshops and group therapy sessions for people with addictions to drugs and / or alcohol. She also offers workshops for family and friends of the client to help family members cope with affected family members and understand what they can do to help. Sandra is able to teach life-coaching methods for the addict or alcoholic and helps to turn the lives around of those she is counselling. Sandra is enthusiastic in healthy eating options and claims to be a great cook herself, and one who enjoys her food!
Teresa – Group Psychotherapist
Teresa MBACP Senior Accredited Psychotherapist, EMDR Practioner and Diploma qualified Counsellor/Clinical Supervisor. Having been in the clinical arena for well over a decade my specialist areas of work include: Working with organisations/individuals/groups providing support and advice following traumatic or critical incidents, management support, short and long term counseling/psychotherapy andstress management consultancy, amongst others.
My therapeutic approach is eclectic and drawsupon a variety of models, including solution focussed and humanistic.I am passionate about supporting people in using their own skills and initiative to gain/further their knowledge and insight into enhancing their emotional well being and health.
I have a wealth of knowledge and experience in managing and delivering the necessary support in the aftermath of incidents on both an organisational and individual basis. I strongly believe it is critical to provide the appropriate support for those caught up in crisis situations and that organisations acknowledge their duty of care to employees by ensuring this support is managed effectively and professionally. Regular supervision is extremely important to me and I enjoy a good work/life balance that enables me to offer a professional service with the highest of standards at all times
Mark Cheat
Mark has 13 years experience as an addictions treatment planning specialist for residential treatment services working with Local Authority, NHS, Private and Employer referred clients. His career in addictions treatment has taken him from an admissions officer to Admissions Manager of a failing rehab centre that grew to achieve occupancies of up to 110% in a month and then into treatment centre admissions and business management.
Mark has been involved in numerous ground-breaking new and effective services and as well as enjoying working directly with clients, their families and employers, he also has a wide experience working with Local Drug and Alcohol Services as well as with Commissioners and Government Departments and Commercial Organisations.
Treatment programme and systems design has formed a large part of his working experience, helping to connect people needing treatment to those organisations that can provide treatment. Mark joined Panacea Healthcare in October 2010 as Development Director responsible for the development of Panacea’s wide range of services that it offers directly to clients as well as to professionals and state and private organisations across the world.
Mark is passionate about helping treatment providers who deliver excellent quality treatment to connect with the clients that can best benefit from their treatment.
Sue Group Manager
I started my career as a Registered Nurse and ended my career in the NHS as a District Nurse. I spent 6 months working in the Substance Misuse service in Blackpool whilst on the district, which fuelled my interest in the Substance Misuse field. I came to Panacea in 1995 as a Trainee Counsellor and worked my way up to become the Group Manager. Since being at Panacea, I have completed a Diploma in Management and also DANOS Level 3. I facilitate group therapy for Clients on a regular basis and have specific interests in Family Conferences, Lectures and Presentations.
My passion for working in the Substance Misuse Field, Recovery – based Philosophy is as strong today as it has ever been and I enjoy being part of a dedicated team of staff working in a very successful treatment centre for adults who have drug and/or alcohol problems.
