


Life Works has recruited its staff from both the US and the UK to provide its clients with one of the most experienced and highly qualified addiction teams in Europe.

Don Serratt is the founder and CEO of Life Works and has over 20 years business, finance and management experience combined with 25 of years of continuous sobriety. Don has decided to use his personal experience and passion for recovery to help others face their addictions, trauma and self-destructive behaviours by bringing together the best possible staffing and therapeutic techniques in a comfortable and safe environment. Don holds a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas and a Masters in International Relations from Cambridge University. Read Don's story

Dr. Anton Valmana is the Medical Director at Life Works. With over 14 years experience in the mental health field, Dr. Valmana has a special interest in addiction psychiatry and dual diagnosis. He is a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and he holds a MSc degree in Addictive Behaviour from the University of London. Dr. Valmana works both within the NHS and the independent sector. He has extensive psychotherapy, teaching, and audit experience and he has had a number of research articles published in peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Tom Guilder M.B. ChB DRCOG MRCGP FP Cert - is the Medical Doctor at Life Works. He conducts the initial medical health assessments and works alongside the clinical team to ensure that all clients receive excellent medical care. Dr Guilder has been practising medicine since 1978, working within the private sector since 1998. During his career he has worked with the police and been a Medical Advisor for Adoption and Fostering for National Children’s Home in England. Dr Guilder works extensively within the addiction treatment field. A member of the GMC, MDU, BMA and IDF Dr Guilder holds a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Aberdeen and a Diploma from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Alison has 13 years post-qualification experience in the mental health and addiction fields obtained in New York City and London. Prior to joining Life Works, Alison was the Clinical Director at CiC, an EAP providing counselling, training, organisational consultancy and specialist trauma services. Before this, Alison was Treatment Manager of the Max Glatt Unit at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, a 31-bed therapeutic community for the treatment of personality disordered offenders with substance addictions. She went on to develop and set up the same programme in the Women’s Estate, the first such unit for women in the prison system. Alison was also Treatment Manager at St. Luke’s residential addiction treatment programme for 4 years, and researched, designed, set up and ran the St. Luke’s Aftercare programme. She has worked as a clinician at a New York City addiction treatment programme, where she developed specialist provision for dual diagnosis clients, and in the Mental Health Center at Riker’s Island jail. Alison holds a Master’s degree in clinical social work from New York University, and has completed further training in supervision & consultancy and group analysis.

Alan Bore is the Clinical Manager at Life Works with 11 years experience in the Drug and Alcohol field. He has a BA in Psychosocial Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Transpersonal Psychotherapy and Clinical Supervision. He has just completed an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy. Alan's most recent position was at The Drug & Alcohol Foundation. DAF offered help and support to people with substance misuse problem and other addictive disorders. He was the Project Coordinator and later the Clinical Services Manager managing the clinical team, Dual Diagnosis Programme and a non-residential Day Programme. Alan's current role encompasses clinical management tasks and supervision.

Adrian Lee is the Clinical Coordinator at Life Works and has over 22 years experience in the treatment of addictive disease within the United Kingdom. Following his Hazelden training as a 12 step group counselor he developed a successful private practice during which he was involved in the commissioning and operation of 6 treatment facilities. Until joining Life Works, he worked for 12 years as the Treatment Director of The PROMIS Recovery Centre. Adrian has a diploma in counseling and is a certificated Treatment Director. He was also instrumental in the foundation of the United Kingdom division of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors. Adrian has also been a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous since 1978.

Phil is a Senior Counsellor at Life Works with 14 years experience in the Drug and Alcohol field. Most recently at Turning Point, Newbury, he developed and managed the drug and alcohol counselling service. Specialising in abused and traumatised clients, he worked for almost a decade doing missionary work in London, Ireland and East Africa with addicts, sex industry workers, HIV positive clients and other marginalised groups. With a BA in Theology and an MA in Counselling, he is currently completing a certificate in supervision with the Society of Analytical Psychology.

Win is Married, with two children and has extensive experience of expatriate life in countries such Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Far East, Yemen and India. Interests include collecting rare books on India and Burma along with travel and singing.

Philippe comes to Life Works with expertise in addiction therapy, eating disorders and spiritual counselling. He received his training as a 12-step addiction counsellor at Hazleden and practiced as a therapist at Hope-one Recovery Centre in Brussels and as a Senior Counsellor and EMDR practitioner at the Promis Recovery Centre in Kent. Philippe is an instructor in Non-Violence Crisis Intervention and is currently working toward an MA in Art Therapy. He began his career in addiction therapy as a team leader working with adolescent offenders in Belgium

Victoria is a Primary Counsellor based at the Duke Street site of Life Works. She works on the Intensive Evening Programme, conducts assessments and sees clients for individual counselling. She has ten years experience of working in the addictions field. Victoria has a BSc Hons Degree in health studies, a Post Graduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and a Diploma in Clinical Supervision.
Prior to working for Life Works Victoria worked for six years at St Lukes Centre, a 12 step residential treatment centre which also specialized in the treatment of dually diagnosed clients. She then worked for the Drug and Alcohol Foundation, initially researching, designing, setting up and running the Day programme there and then moving into a management position as Project Coordinator.

Sally has worked as a nurse in acute medical settings for over twenty five years. She has a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling and Pschosynthesis Counselling and Therapy. She is also a Licensed Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming. She worked for several years as a private practitioner, specializing in eating disorders, and has considerable expertise in the treatment of bulimia.

Shannon Yates is a Nutritionist at Life Works and brings 25 years of in- depth knowledge and experience in nutritional counselling, that she has gained working in various capacities including universities, hospitals and corporations. For 11 years Shannon worked as the Senior Dietician at Surrey Oaklands. Her responsibilities included providing nutritional counselling for adolescents, initiating and co-chairing groups on self-esteem and mind and body and co-chairing the day patient group. More recently, Shannon has worked as a Nutritional Consultant for various treatment centres across the UK. Shannon has an MSc in Institutional Administration, Texas Women’s University; and a BSc in Home Economics majoring in Food Nutrition and Insitutional Management, University of Alabama. She is also a member of the British Dietetic Association, the American Dietetic Association and the American-European Dietetic Association.

Barny has been involved in the management and development of treatment centres since 2002. Prior to starting at Life Works he was working at The Ripple Project in Bradford, working both as a counsellor and assisting in the development of their criminal justice system program. Barny helped set up the new Life Works Duke Street day program, before moving to become general manager at The Grange. He has five years experience as an army officer, a Masters degree in business administration from Bradford University, and a Certificate in Counselling from Leeds University. In April 2001 Barny ran the 155-mile Marathon des Sables across the Sahara desert to raise money for RAPT.

Emmy is the Senior Care Coordinator at Life Works. Emmy manages the admissions, enquiries, aftercare and alumni departments at Life Works. She does many of the assessments with clients and does a great deal of work supporting and advising families. Emmy also holds a caseload of one to one clients.
Prior to coming to Life Works Emmy taught a drug and alcohol program to young people and counselled the familes of people struggling with addiction. Emmy has received extensive training on working with adolescents and has a post-graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic therapy. She is currently working towards her Masters in Psychodynamic Counselling.



Eddy has been at the Grange since its opening. He has varied experience in the land based industry, building and has run his own business in property maintenance. He also has a background in pastoral care having worked with a church organisation for six years and shares the experience of recovery and its aims. Eddy has qualifications in Animal Care, Conservation, Estate Management and a Diploma of Theological Studies.

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