Meet Our Team of Full-Time Professionals

Our Treatment Team

Please note: All of our treatment staff are legally entitled to work in Thailand and have work permits through DARA Thailand. We only employ full-time Therapists.

Martin Peters, BA (Hons), Dip HE, RN -
Treatment Programme Director

Martin is a UK national who has worked in a variety of settings within the Healthcare sector over the past 16 years. After receiving his BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Administration from the University of Plymouth (UK), his studies and passion for working with people led on to a Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing Studies with Registered Nurse status from the University of the West of England (UK). Read more about Martin Peters.

Tim Armstrong, BA (Hons), CQSW, ASW -
Clinical Director / Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Tim is Australian. With over 35 years working in four countries, he has been involved in drug and alcohol and mental health services in clinical, teaching, management, training, research and international development roles. Tim has worked in both public and private sectors and for local and national NGO’s. Read more about Tim Armstrong.

DRUG & ALCOHOL COUNSELLORS:

Ruben (Robie) F. Bernardo – Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Ruben (Robie) F. Bernardo, was born in Pasay City but was raised in Parañaque, a city in Metro Manila, Philippines. Robie studied Psychology at De La Salle University in Manila and has worked in the drug and alcohol field for over 15 years. In recovery himself, after getting clean and sober, Robie decided to devote his energies to assisting others in living a clean and sober life. His career as a counsellor began at a highly respected and prestigious rehabilitation center in the Philippines. Read more about Robie Bernardo.

Carol Gordon, BSc, MSc – Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Carol is a UK national. Prior to coming to DARA, Carol worked for 13 years in a small, specialized, independent residential therapeutic community in Birmingham as a community manager and clinician. Carol has extensive experience in working with clients with drug & alcohol issues, Personality Disorder, Bi-Polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Psychoses and Dual Diagnosis. She is an experienced group psychotherapist who is particularly interested in using creative approaches to psychotherapy such as art, story telling and role playing. Read more about Carol Gordon.

Z. Nejib Varan, MSc, PG Dip – Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Nejib is originally from Istanbul, Turkey, but resided in the U.K. for 20 years before coming to DARA. He has a Master’s of Science in Therapeutic Counselling (with Distinction) from the University of Greenwich (U.K.), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy from Southbank University/Whittington Hospital (U.K.), as well as an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic İntegrative Counselling from Southbank University. Read more about Nejib Varan.

Raymond Guddah, BSc, Dip HE – Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Raymond Guddah is originally from Ghana on the west coast of Africa where he spent most of his early years. He has a BSc ( Hons) degree from Thames Valley University (London); a Certificate in Basic Counselling Skills from Lambeth College (London); and an Advanced Professional Certificate in Psychodynamic Counselling and a Psychodynamic Counsellor Diploma—both from North East Surrey College of Technology (London). Read more about Raymond Guddah.

David Stanton, PG Dip, Dip HE – Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

David is a UK national. He has a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling from Bristol University (UK) and a Diploma in Addictions Counselling from London University (UK). As well as being a generic mental health counsellor, David specializes in treating all obsessive compulsive disorders including all addictions, co-dependency, gambling and eating disorders. He has also worked extensively with victims of sexual abuse & domestic violence, and his experience includes family therapy and bereavement counselling as well. He’s an integrative counsellor using various theoretical approaches including Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Rogerian, and Attachment & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Read more about David Stanton.

Maureen Linda (Helen) Raphael, BSc, MSc –
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Helen is a 1st generation UK National whose parents originated from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Helen practices first and foremost through a Person-Centred approach utilising favourably CBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Solution-Focused Therapy. After spending several years in the addiction and criminal justice field in clinical and managerial positions, she spent the last three years prior to coming to DARA working as a Dual Diagnosis Practitioner in the UK within a National Health Service hospital offering therapy to those presenting with substance/alcohol misuse and co-existing mental health disorders, as well as delivering MI training to clinicians of all disciplines who treat, care coordinate and support them. Read more about Helen Raphael.

Konstantin N. Blokhin, M.D., Ph.D – Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Konstantin is a Russian national, born and raised in northern Russia. He has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Moscow State University (Russia); an M.D. in Psychiatry from the Archangelsk Medical University (Archangelsk, Russia) and in Psychotherapy from the St. Petersburg Medical Academy of the Postgraduate Education. As grantee of Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program, Konstantin had the opportunity to study at George Washington University and do research at the Free Clinic (a harm reduction program) in Antwerp, Belgium. Read more about Konstantin Blokhin.

Don Paolo F. Veneracion, BA – Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Paolo was born and raised in General Santos City, Philippines. He finished his BA in Psychology at Ateneo de Davao University (Philippines) and is in his final year to finish his MA in Counselling at Ateneo de Davao- Graduate School (Philippines). Paolo has over 9 years of experience in the field of drug and alcohol treatment. He began as a volunteer rehab worker in a private drug and alcohol treatment facility in Davao City (Philippines) and eventually became the Head Addiction Counsellor. Read more about Paolo Veneracion.

PHYSICAL TRAINERS:

Paul Reynolds, BSc (Hons) – Fitness Coordinator

Over the past 9 years Paul has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in health and fitness – for physical development, overall well-being, performance, maintenance and rehabilitation. His passion began 11 years ago when Paul became involved in full contact sports at competition level. This became the foundation for his career and pursuit of excellence in the fitness industry. Read more about Paul Reynolds.

Supawadee (Dai) Sukchai, BSc (Hons) – Personal Trainer

Dai has been an enthusiastic gym and recreation participant since an early age playing in sports which include volleyball, basketball, football, takraw and badminton. Her passion for sport led her to study at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok, where she graduated in 2009 with a degree in Physical Education. Following Dai’s successful studies in university, she went on to achieve her Personal Trainer certificate, which was proceeded by a 2 year career in a busy Bangkok gym, working with an array of clients. Read more about Dai Sukchai.

Yuttachai (Yute) Phumseankate – Personal Trainer

At just 17 years old, Yute signed up as a semi-pro soccer player, starting a career that lasted 11 years playing for various teams in Thailand. A graduate from Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok with a diploma in Physical Education, Yute qualified as a Personal Trainer to further his passion in sports and fitness. At 28, his soccer career ended giving him the opportunity to focus on his profession as a personal trainer where he worked in various fitness chains and studios in Bangkok, training clients of various abilities and with a diverse range of fitness goals. Read more about Yute Phumseankate.

Taratip (Tony) Chantawat – Personal Trainer

Tony has led an active lifestyle since an early age, participating in a variety of sports such as rugby, swimming, golf, snowboarding and shooting to name a few. It was his love for physical activity that led him to study sports science at the prestigious Mahidol University in Bangkok where he graduated with honors. During Toney’s time at University, he was a member of the rugby team, competing with other university teams nationally. Tony’s greatest achievement during his time with the team was when he was made president of the rugby club in his final year of study. Read more about Tony Chantawat.

MASSEUSES:

Yuwadee – Masseuse / Coordinator

Yuwadee has 12 years massage experience, and is widely regarded by her peers and customers as one of the best masseuses in Thailand. She received initial training to certificate level in 2002 at Pattaya Thai Massage School, (Ministry of Education Certified) and 150hours advanced training at the Thai Traditional Medicine Centre Isaraparb, Bangkok, in 2008. Yuwadee is trained in Thai traditional massage, relaxation massage, and Lanna massage. Her speciality is a form of Chinese acupressure which she uses to treat-long term neck, lower back and sciatic pain. Clients, at DARA, thoroughly enjoy and appreciate Yuwadee’s's sessions with them, as her massages provide relaxation, enhanced blood and energy flow, pain relief, and rejuvenation of mind and body. Yuwadee also teaches massage for interested clients.

Nari – Masseuse

Nari has a Thai Ministry of Education Certificate as a masseuse. Her specialties include: Thai traditional massage, aroma oil massage, and foot massage. Besides providing great relaxation, Nari’s massages help Dara’s clients experience enhanced blood and energy flow, pain relief, and rejuvenation of mind and body.

Jay – Masseuse

Jay has a Thai Ministry of Education Certificate as a masseuse, and over 4 years massage experience. Jay’s specialties include: Thai traditional massage, aroma oil massage, foot massage, body scrub massage, and pressure massage. Besides providing great relaxation, Jay’s massages help Dara’s clients experience enhanced blood and energy flow, pain relief, and rejuvenation of mind and body.

Alex – Masseuse

Alex has a Thai Ministry of Education Certificate as a masseuse, and over 15 years massage experience. Alex’s specialties include: Thai traditional massage, aroma oil massage, foot massage, and relaxation massage. Alex’s massages are great for relaxation and help Dara’s clients experience enhanced blood and energy flow, pain relief, and rejuvenation of mind and body.

Resort Operations

Adul Wareecharoen, B.A. – Resort Manager

Adul is a Thai national, born in Ayutthaya Province and raised in Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. He has a B.A. in Political Governance from the Ramkhamhaeng University of Bangkok (Thailand). Adul has over 30 years experience in the hospitality industry. Read more about Adul Wareecharoen.