Our Treatment Team

Our Treatment Team

Desmond Hill, Clinical and Therapeutic Manager

Desmond was the obvious choice for the re-launch of The Clifton Clinic having worked at TTP in Luton for three and a half years and having gained substantial experience in the addiction counselling field. His chosen career has been to practice in the field of addiction due to his personal experience.

He trained in Person Centred and Psychodynamic Counselling at The University of London (Birbeck College). The early part of his training was done at Addaction in Farringdon, London which is the UK’s largest drug and alcohol treatment charity.

Desmond’s main aim is to assist the clients to fulfil their life’s potential of abstinence, while ensuring that their stay at The Clifton Clinic is comfortable, secure and rewarding.

Dale Conlon, Senior Admissions Counsellor

Dale joined The Clifton Clinic, part of the TTP Group, in September 2008. His role is to work directly with families and individuals from entering detox and during their stay in rehab.

Due to his own experiences, Dale embarked on a vocation in the drug and alcohol field seven years ago. He has worked in the UK, Europe and North America in both 12 step and non 12 step holistic and therapeutic based residential rehab units and medical detox units.

Dale is always available to answer any questions that you may have about our detox, rehab and counselling programmes.

Chris Simonite, Senior Admissions Counsellor

Chris embarked on a career in the Drug and Alcohol field owing to personal experiences of Drug and Alcohol related trauma. Having completed a CertHE at Sheffield Hallam University in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Drug and Alcohol Substance Misuse, Chris joined TTP to work in the admissions department, supporting individuals and families through the sometimes challenging task of entering into treatment.

Michael Whiteley, Focal Counsellor

Michael holds a diploma in Counselling (Gestalt) along with a facilitator’s Certificate in Anger Management from B.A.A.M. and has trained through The University of Southampton in Interpersonal Group Therapy in Addiction Counselling. He has experience delivering a 12 step programme to clients in a prison setting, worked in the community in both stabilization and a abstinent day programme and has run men’s groups for over 12 years teaching life skills. He has run anger management groups, and done one to one counseling with “Mind” and at a GP surgery. On a personal level Michael has battled with his own addiction, but has been clean now for over 20 years. He joined The Clifton Clinic as focal counsellor in 2011.

Vanda Carvalho, Group Counsellor

Vanda was inspired to become a counsellor due to her own experience. She started her training at Redlands Poole and Bournemouth College. Then she went on to further training with Bedford College where she achieved an advance diploma in therapeutic person centred counselling.

Vanda has worked in the field of addiction since 2008 with clients of all ages and backgrounds. Her first had knowledge of addiction has given her a great insight in working with clients suffering from alcohol and drug addiction. Vanda is passionate about working with clients suffering from addiction and uses her own experience to promote recovery and wellbeing.

Glenys Collings, Consultant Naturopath

Glenys 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.

Registered Nurse
Diploma in Naturopathy
Diploma in Acupuncture

Helena Bayfield, Counsellor and Therapeutic Support

Helena joined TTP in October 2010 as a volunteer facilitating art groups. In January 2011 she took over Secondary. She has now moved to The Clifton Clinic in a role of therapeutic support. Helena has a diploma in Drug and Alcohol Counselling, is currently studying for an NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care and starts year 2 of an MSc in Addiction Psychology and Counselling at London South Bank in September 2011.

Paul Smith, Support Worker and Recovery Coach

Paul joined The Clifton Clinic in 2009 after working for Trust the Process in Luton. He has a Level 3 qualification in counselling skills (CPCAB). Paul is also holds a Emergency First Aid Certificate and a Medication Administration Certificate.

He also looks after our Apartments, as our Sober Housing Manager, takes big book studies groups and other creative work shops. Paul supports the clients though there stay with us. "I listen to them, and offer any support I’m able to give. I have been in treatment myself, so I know how the clients feel during their stay."

Samantha Bruce, Administrator

Samantha joined Trust the Process in 2010 after working within the NHS for a number of years. She has studied medical terminology to intermediate level, has experience of drug dispensing and has an NVQ 2 in customer services. Samantha’s role at The Clifton Clinic is to ensure the day to day running of the office and to assist the clients with all their needs. Due to her own personal experience of addiction, Samantha is pleased to be working within the addiction field. Samantha holds a diploma in hypnotherapy, a medication administration certificate and is currently studying level 2 (cpcab) in counselling skills at Bedford college.