Meet the team

Dr Matthew Liveras

Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Lead

Matt is a consultant psychiatrist and group analytic psychotherapist with many years of experience as a clinician across a range of inpatient and community settings. He studied medicine and medical anthropology at University College London and trained in Psychiatry at UCL.  His last role in the NHS was as a consultant psychiatrist to a specialist psychotherapy service, where he conducted analytic and mentalisation-based therapy groups and taught and supervised other doctors and psychotherapists.

He is now the medical lead at Klearwell, where he is excited to be so closely involved in caring for our clients and developing the therapies we offer.

“I firmly believe that many of the problems we experience, as well as the resources to improve these, can be found in our relationships with others.”

Dr Mia Debidin

Lead Clinical Psychologist

Dr Mia Debidin has worked in the field of psychological therapies for over 30 years, studying in Toronto, Canada, Cambridge and Goldsmith Universities. She worked in HM Prison Service as a forensic psychologist and then in the NHS as a clinical psychologist, with a focus on both common mental illness and complex emotional needs in adult mental health.

She has trained in the use of multiple therapeutic models, including Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), schema therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Traumatic Incident Reduction, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy, Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy (PSIP), Psychedelic Practitioner with psilocybin, and Transformational Breathwork.

Her personal practice is based on the Buddhist psychological model, Vipassana meditation, humour and hugs.

Dr Laurie Higbed

Lead Psychologist

Laurie is an experienced clinical psychologist. Laurie has worked as a lead therapist on clinical trials using MDMA and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. She has a special interest in working with complex trauma, addictions and the use of psychedelic therapy to treat a range of mental health difficulties.

Laurie is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a member of the Association of Clinical Psychologists (ACPUK).

Fardijah Treacher-Morley

Psychotherapist

Fardijah is an Integrative Art Psychotherapist with over 20 years in the therapeutic field. She is experienced in several areas, including trauma, addiction and domestic violence.

She has a certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies and Research from the California Institute of Integral Studies, which includes the MAPS MDMA Therapy Training. Her passion was sparked after being invited to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony in the Amazon jungle in Brazil. After witnessing the transformative effects, she wanted to bring these medicines into her therapeutic practice.

Fardijah is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and holds a master's in Medical Anthropology, Psychoanalytic and Observational Studies and Integrative Art Psychotherapy.

"Fueled by my dedication to the transformative potential of psychedelics in mental health, my passion extends beyond healing the mind to nurturing our connection with the environment. As a qualified Environmental Arts Therapist, I believe in the profound impact of nature on therapeutic intervention."

Carol Lawrence

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist

Carol is both a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist and an Interpersonal Psychotherapist.  She began her career in the UK as a mental health social worker working with more severe and enduring mental health conditions. She has experience working for the NHS in both Primary and Secondary Care Settings.

Carol is passionate about exploring alternative therapy models, such as Somatic Experiencing & Processing.  She has received training in MDMA Assisted Therapy via the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). She is an accredited therapist with BABCP & IPT UK.

“One of my main aims is to bring more inclusion and diversity within the field of psychedelic psychotherapy and psychedelic studies.”

Dominic Riches

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist

Dominic is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and mindfulness teacher with many years’ experience working in the NHS and privately, supporting clients with common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress.

He primarily uses third-wave CBT approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion-Focussed Therapy and other Mindfulness-based approaches. He has seen how helpful they can be in integrating psychedelic experiences. He is an accredited member of the BABCP and has post-graduate training in Interpersonal Therapy. He has had a meditation practice for over 20 years.

“My personal experience of how psychedelics can loosen rigid repertoires of thinking and behaving has inspired me to work with my clients in this way.”

Rebecca Samuels

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist

Rebecca is a BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist who has worked for the NHS in trauma settings, forensics, and adult mental health. Rebecca places great value on third-wave approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy.

Further, Rebecca has experience in providing harm reduction and psychedelic support at music festivals and has been trained as a guide in the psilocybin trials in London.

Rebecca is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT) who recognises the duality between mind and body in mental health and an accredited couples therapist who recognises the reciprocal impact relationships have upon our mental health.

“I have been doing therapy for years and continue to find everyone fascinating and unique - even if you do not think that of yourself.”

Karon Abrahams

Registered Mental Health Nurse

Karon started nursing later in life and has been qualified for 15 years. Her role here at Klearwell is Clinic Lead Nurse and Quality Nurse. During her career, she has had the opportunity to work in many areas of mental health, including as a ward manager for eating disorders and addictions. She then went on to work in forensics as a Clinical Team Leader, working mainly with acute and personality disorder service users.

Alex Pernjek

Clinic Administrator

With a passion for mental health and a diverse background in administration, Alex is a warm-hearted and conscientious individual who brings various skills to the table. Through his excellent coordination and communication, he will ensure the clinic runs smoothly while providing quality patient support and service.

“My aim is to provide a warm and supportive experience for everyone who walks through our doors.”

Dr Arun Dhandayudham

Executive Medical Director

MBBS, MRCPsych, CCT (Addictions Psychiatry), PgDip (Mental Health Law), PgCert (Med Ed), MBA (Henley Business School), MFMLM

Arun has been a Consultant in Addictions Psychiatry since 2005 and trained in Oxford and Cambridge. He currently works part-time as Executive Medical Director of VIA, a large third-sector organisation. He was previously clinical director of the NHS Addictions services across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire and was the clinical lead within CRI. Arun has extensive experience in setting up community drug and alcohol services, prison services and dual diagnosis services. He has an interest in online shopping addiction, PTSD and chronic arousal states such as pain and anxiety. Previous roles included being part of the Royal College of Psychiatry Addictions Faculty, serving as Coordinator for the Regional Representatives network, and Chair of the Addictions Faculty Patients and Carers group. Arun also has a keen interest in supporting addiction research and patient advocacy.

Dr Rachel Britton

Clinical and Operational Lead and CQC Registered Manager

Rachel is a pharmacist with over 15 years of experience in clinical governance and commissioning in the NHS and third sector. She is passionate about ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines at Klearwell through the development of robust medication policies and procedures.

Rachel was awarded a PhD for her research into the pharmaceutical care of people who misuse drugs and has a particular interest in the use of psychedelic compounds to treat addictions and mental health disorders.

Rachel’s role is to ensure that Klearwell fulfils its responsibilities and requirements as the provider of CQC-regulated activity and holder of Home Office Controlled Drug Licences. She ensures that the clinic staff have knowledge, skills and procedures to safely prepare and administer medication to clients. She is responsible for auditing services to ensure they comply with Klearwell’s Medicines Policy. Additionally, Rachel ensures that the clinics are supplied with medication according to legal requirements.

In her spare time, Rachel is a senior member of ‘The Loop’, an organisation committed to establishing ‘drug checking’ services to reduce the harm posed by the illicit use of drugs.

Dr Qasim Ali

Clinic Business Manager