Helen Raphael, BSc, MSc

Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Helen is a 1st generation UK National whose parents originated from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.

Whilst completing a Higher National Diploma in Professional Broadcasting at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication (London, 2000), Helen wrote a documentary documenting the life of a female drug smuggler. Her curiosity to understanding this behaviour led her to complete a Bachelor of Science honours degree in Psychology (2002) with The Open University (London). This subsequently unlocked the mystery of her private and personal experience of addiction which further led to completing a Master of Science degree in Addiction Psychology and Counselling (2008) at Southbank University/PROMIS (London). She also has a Certificate in Systemic Practice (family therapy)(London, 2011), is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and has attended numerous training programmes and workshops in addiction, criminal justice & mental health.

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.

Her amazing experience on an academic and spiritual journey, which she says truly empowered and transformed her life, led her to a desire to empower others who struggle with similar or distressing issues. She believes the solution to each individual’s recovery is located within and that exploration in therapy aids in ‘unlocking’ the answers to a healthier, holistic existence. She considers it a privilege to walk alongside an individual’s life journey and is dedicated to supporting their healing. “You can either make yourself miserable or make yourself stronger…the effort you put into either is the same” (Carlos Castaneda) is a quote she says underlies her philosophic approach to therapy.

Helen is an accredited Drug & Alcohol Professional through the Federation of Drug & Alcohol Professionals (FDAP).