• A licensed addictions counsellor and EMDR trauma therapist.

• Trained and interned as an addictions counsellor at the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies, Center City, Minnesota, USA.

• A Master of Science in counselling psychology from Keele University, Newcastle, UK.

• Trained as an advanced (Part 3 Level 2) EMDR therapist by Alexandra Richman, London.

• A member of the UK and Ireland EMDR Association.

• Trained as an addictions interventionist by the Addiction Recovery Foundation/UKESAD, London, UK.

• Certified in addiction counselling by the Minnesota Alcohol and Addictions Certifications Board and internationally by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium.

• Clinician in inpatient and outpatient clinics including the Priory Farm Place, Charter Day Care and Promises as well as private practice. 

Dr Steven Chernus, MD, JD – Medical Director and Addictions Counsellor

  • Supervises the medical needs of our clients including withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs when necessary.

  • Active in educating clients on a broad range of issues necessary to live clean and sober lives and facilitating their involvement in self help groups.

  • Studied medicine in Switzerland and the United States and obtained his medical degree from Rutgers Medical School.

  • Doctorate degree in law from the Dickens School of Law.

  • Has long term experience using the 12-Steps to help people recover from addiction.

Dr. Claudia Elsig, FMH, Consulting Psychiatrist

 

  • Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist educated at the University of Zurich.

  • Specializes in the use of hypnosis and cognitive behavioural therapy

  • Completes psychiatric assessments

  • Is responsible for diagnosing and treatment planning co-occurring psychiatric disorders with addicted clients.

  • Works with individuals as well as couples and has experience treating eating disorders, chronic pain, smoking cessation, compulsive shopping, trauma, depression, anxiety, personality disorders and teaches clients self hypnosis as a therapeutic tool. 

Christine Monkhouse Merzeder, MBA, MSc – Nursing Director

 
  • Responsible for managing 24 hour nursing care of our clients when necessary.

  • Liason with other medical providers.

  • Is a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

  • Long term experience developing and managing medical facilities in the psychiatric, geriatric and general medicine fields.

  • Trained as a nurse in Switzerland, executive masters degree in business from the University of Zurich; and master of science degree in nursing from the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, where she is currently a doctoral candidate in nursing.

Erik Skarstrom, MA, BCC - Senior Therapist

  • A licensed alcohol and drug counsellor.

  • Previously consultant to World Health Organisation.

  • Board certified counsellor; IC&RC, AODA.

  • Lecturer at Brown University, Providence, RI.

  • Has consulted to SITA SA, Becom SA, Petroconsultants SA in Geneva.

  • Has worked as a Consultant and Business Writer.

  • Successful private counselling practice serving the international communtiy in Geneva.

  • Employed as an addictions counsellor at Hazelden in US and Eric Clapton's Crossroads Clinic in Antigua.

Shelby McDermott-Yoga Therapist

 
  • Works for 1.5 hours daily with each of our clients.

  • Focuses on balance, healing and relaxation using Yoga and Pranayama breathing techniques.

  • One to one work provides other members of the clinical team with unique insights into our clients therapeutic needs.

  • Professional yoga training, study of Ayurvedic medicine and degree in Anatomy and Physiology give her a unique base to work in the addictions treatment field.

 

Dr Yuhua Wang – Traditional Chinese Medicine

  • Provides clients with 2 or 3 – 1.5 to 2.0 hour acupuncture sessions.

  • In addition to reducing cravings using auricular acupuncture she brings balance and harmony to the body.

  • Provides traditional massage and herbal medicines when necessary.

  • Completed her professional training at  Bejing University.