Our Team

Ruben Bernardo III ICAP 1, CRC – Therapist

January 3, 2015 By Recovery From Addiction Online

I’m Ruben, an internationally certified Substance Misuse Counsellor and Recovery Coach.

I have spent the last 20 years working in premier residential addiction treatment centres in both the Philippines and Thailand.

I have an experience working with a wide range of treatment methods including the Minnesota 12 step model, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Brief Solution Therapy and Relapse Prevention Therapy.

In addition to my extensive professional experience, I also have personal experience of addiction. I overcame a 15 year dependency to methamphetamine using many of the techniques and skills that I now share with my clients to help in their own struggles.

I place a lot of emphasis on helping clients develop and implement new tools and strategies that will help them in their journey to creating a life free from addictive patterns. I do this by allowing clients to formulate a recovery plan that is goal oriented, measurable, realistic and simple.

With life’s complications and difficulties coupled with substance dependence, going back to basics is something that will help the journey of recovery easier to understand. It’s not just about being abstinent from mood altering substances or managing our alcohol, it’s also about addressing important aspects of our lives in areas like social, spiritual, emotional, psychological and biological.

In trying to achieve health by identifying our needs in areas mentioned above, working and exploring ‘with’ client, as opposed to a directive approach is important in creating a toolbox that is personalised, realistically usable and unique to client’s needs and life circumstances.

Talking is not enough. What’s needed is a focus on behavioural change through practical exercises no matter how simple or difficult the exercises may seem as it is equally important as the cognitive aspect of the therapy process.

A lot to say, to explore, to understand and do… Questions? Let’s start with a Complimentary Consult.

Christine Askew BA, MA, MSc – Therapist

January 3, 2015 By Recovery From Addiction Online

Christine is the Director of Recovery From Addiction and is from Wales, UK . She has spent the last 23 years working around the world, first as a teacher then as a therapist.

She has a BA in psychology and two master’s degrees – an MSc. in Applied Forensic Psychology and an MA in Counselling.

Christine has presented at conferences for the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and also for the ASEAN conference on Addiction Treatment.

Christine is passionate about neuroscience and attachment theory and how they can help us to understand why we find ourselves repeating unhelpful patterns that keep us stuck in life. She helps clients explore and identify why they are stuck, then practice techniques and develop the skills that they need to move forward and transform their lives.

Jennetta Carter BSc, LCDC, COPSD, QCC Therapist

January 15, 2015 By Recovery From Addiction Online

Jennetta has been in the field of addiction science since 2002 and is a licensed chemical dependency counsellor and clinical supervisor.

She uses her degree in Human Services and Health Care Management to gain understanding of the social aspect of addiction and the complex role it plays in the family unit and in the clients social structure.

Her studies in co-occurring emotional disorders and addiction have given her an in-depth understanding of the complexity of addiction.“Addiction just does not happen in a bubble” is her outlook when working with an individual or with a family unit.

In 2003, she worked with specialized females in low-income areas of Houston, Texas (USA) to address the problems of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and its relationship to the continual patterns of substance use and addiction.

Since that time, she has devoted her career to addressing the origins of behaviors that lead to disorders such as eating disorders, gambling, sex-addiction and substance addiction.

Jennetta is based in Houston, Texas

Nerine Strachan BAppSocSc Counselling

May 3, 2015 By Recovery From Addiction Online

Nerine is from Sydney, Australia and has 6 years of experience in the counselling and humanitarian fields.

She has a specific passion for working with addictions and trauma and has worked at leading addiction and trauma treatment centres in both Asia and Australia. She continues to expand her qualifications studying a Masters of Science in Medicine (Psychotherapy) at the University of Sydney.

Nerine is also a trained and registered yoga teacher, and uses the ancient wisdom of yoga in her clinical practice to help clients achieve clarity and psychological well-being.

She uses a trauma informed integrative therapeutic approach that is influenced by Schema therapy, Cognitive Behavioural therapy and Mindfulness.

Nerine is committed to ensuring clients experience a safe and transformative therapeutic experience that will facilitate their long-term recovery goals. Apart from her online work, she also runs a thriving yoga and counselling practice in Sydney Australia.

Jane Zoega, BSc, MSc, PG Dip Therapist

July 9, 2015 By Recovery From Addiction Online

Jane has an MSc in psychotherapy and counselling from Middlesex University in England and a BSc (hons.) in psychology.

Her training is in existential psychotherapy, which is person-centered and focuses on the therapeutic relationship as a catalyst for change.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness as a way of helping clients to manage psychological and emotional challenges in life.

She is a member of the BACP (British Association of Psychotherapy and Counseling) and the BPS (British Psychological Society).

Jane is currently based in Dorset, UK, where she regularly conducts yoga and mindfulness courses.

Her main area of work has been within drug and alcohol services and with adult survivors of childhood abuse.

Before joining Recovery From Addiction Online as Jane worked at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Thailand.

She has also worked in private practice in London, working with adult survivors, Substance Use Disorders and other co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and relationship counseling.

Sheena Connelly Counsellor -In-Training

August 4, 2017 By Recovery From Addiction Online

Sheena has recently joined Recovery From Addiction as our trainee counsellor.

She is currently studying for a Masters in Counselling through Monash University, Australia, and aims to have completed her studies by early 2018.

Sheena’s interests lie in attachment theory and how early childhood experiences create vulnerabilities for addiction, anxiety and depression. Her own experience with anxiety and depression allows her to bring a deep non-judgmental understanding and empathy to her client work . She helps to empower clients by addressing the limiting beliefs and emotional difficulties that prevent them moving forward to a better life.

Sheena is currently based in Ottawa, Canada, where she lives with her husband and two children.

As part of her on-going training, Sheena is available to provide sessions at a reduced rate. Please contact us if you would like more information.

The Team

May 27, 2015 By Recovery From Addiction Online

We are a team of addiction specialists that have extensive experience in both residential and out-patient treatment facilities. We use evidenced-based approaches to help you address the issues that are keeping you stuck in unhelpful patterns of behaviour. Our mission is to provide affordable treatment, which can be integrated into your daily life, and to support you through the changes that need to be made to restore balance and break the cycle of addictive behaviour.