Kendrick Mews STAFF

Robin Lefever has a BSc in Psychology from the University of Kent and is the Managing Director of PROMIS Clinics. Having been a part of the PROMIS Research Group, Robin has been published in articles and papers in international scientific journals and presented research at international addiction conferences. Robin is also a skilled therapist, and his clinical interests include a wide range of therapies, including EMDR, EAP, Psychodrama, Group Therapy, Family Therapy and Early Interventions.

I’m Lucy Britton, and I head up the admissions team here at PROMIS. We are the first point of contact for people phoning to enquire about treatment at our clinics. We are here to listen to an individual’s story, assess their situation and requirements and then advise how best we can help with their recovery.

As well as being a trained therapist with an Advanced Diploma in Humanistic Integrative Counselling.

I am also part of the management team, managing ‘behind-the-scenes” aspects as well as developing
nurturing relationships with professionals in our field.

For me, it’s a privilege to work for an organisation like PROMIS with its family history, open-minded and
ethical ethos, and diversity of therapies and treatment programmes. I’ve visited other clinics in this country, and as far as I know, nobody is delivering the same service, especially with regard to offering 1:1 therapy every single day. I love that! 18 years into my own recovery, and it is incredibly meaningful to use my experiences to help other people going through similar struggles.

I have been working at PROMIS since 2016, and I am trained at a master’s level in psychology and therapeutic interventions. I have also completed further training in management, compliance, and auditing.

My role at PROMIS is to manage our services day-to-day across both clinics. I work closely with our dedicated teams, overseeing the delivery of high-quality clinical care and ensuring the safest and most effective treatment possible for our clients.

My role within the management team focuses on ensuring good governance, auditing, policy implementation, and compliance with regulatory CQC requirements.

The most rewarding aspect of my role at PROMIS is developing our services to provide a range of evidence-based therapeutic interventions, including more specialised trauma therapies. What sets PROMIS apart from other services is the truly bespoke and individually tailored treatment our clients receive.

PAULINA ROMANIMy journey as a therapist began in Mexico, where I completed my degree in Clinical Psychology with a specialisation in addiction. This personal and academic background fuelled my desire to help families navigate the challenges posed by substance use, especially given my own experience with a close relative struggling with addiction.

After moving to the UK, I pursued a Master’s degree in Addiction Studies at King’s College London. I am currently working on my PhD at Kings College London, focusing on services that support family members affected by substance use. I have a strong interest in fostering understanding and communication among family members, helping them to change negative behaviours and resolve conflicts.

At my clinic, I engage with families through phone consultations and conjoint sessions, often bringing relatives together for face-to-face interactions to improve their dynamics. Additionally, we offer group therapy sessions that allow multiple families to come together, share experiences, and discuss often-taboo topics. I believe that supporting families as a whole is a key strength of PROMIS.

I thrive in the stimulating and international environment at Kendrick Mews, and I enjoy exploring London’s vibrant art, food, and nature scenes, which enrich my perspective and practice.

Influenced by my own personal experiences with addiction and recovery, I moved from the advertising industry six years ago to an entirely new career as a therapist. I am particularly interested in how addiction relates to creativity and creative people, something I can readily relate to and empathise with. Harnessing creativity often necessitates going deep, looking inwards, allowing oneself to be vulnerable, which in turn can lead to deep feelings coming to the surface. When these are dysregulated, or when they trigger long-held traumas, they can lead to addictive behaviour.

Whilst I have pursued this career as a therapist relatively late in life, it’s this life experience which enables me to meet its multiple and fulfilling challenges.

Whilst there are certain characteristics which are common to people with addiction issues, every individual I meet at the clinic is different and has their own unique story and struggles. I see the recovery process as a rich and stimulating collaboration between therapist and client – characterised by deep compassion, empathy and, yes, humour.

Outside of work, it’s fair to say that I’m “obsessed” with popular culture. London is an amazing place in which to experience music, theatre, movies, dance, art and literature and my therapy is very much influenced by my experience and immersion in this. I’m also passionate about continuous ongoing exploration into new developments in psychotherapy, meditation and techniques of self-discovery to help find new and effective paths to recovery.

I am a Somatic Body Psychotherapist with over ten years of experience in the mental health field.

Originally from Hungary, as a former athlete, dancer and aerial artist, I developed a deep interest in how movement and emotion are connected, and in how we can use our bodies to aid in the recovery from psychological issues.

After earning a PhD in Psycholinguistics from Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest in 2010, where my research focused on learning difficulties and human comprehension, I moved to London to pursue an MA in Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) at Goldsmiths, University of London. In
2017-2018, I participated in a postgraduate mentorship program, during which I learned about Somatic Body Mapping from Annette Schwalbe. Additionally, I studied Somatic Experiencing through an introductory workshop in 2023.

Since 2013, I have worked with a diverse range of client groups, including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly. My areas of focus include trauma—specifically prenatal and childhood trauma—post-traumatic stress disorder, body image issues, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and recovery after a suicide attempt.
For those struggling with severe trauma, words are often insufficient to break through the barriers of pain.

Dance Movement Psychotherapy provides an opportunity for clients to express things through their bodies that cannot be articulated verbally. Since movement mirrors personality and contains deep symbolism, a dance movement psychotherapist can work with the unconscious relational processes in the therapeutic space. Through this nonverbal and creative self-expression, hidden thoughts and feelings can be accessed and processed in my therapeutic space. Clients are encouraged to explore and rebuild their
relationship with their bodies in a compassionate, kind, and accepting atmosphere where fun, humour, and play are also welcome.

My commitment to becoming a therapist was largely inspired by my own successful recovery and this led me to pursue a trainee therapist role here at Kendrick Mews whilst studying for my professional qualification in counselling.

My role here involves facilitating therapeutic groups, engaging with clients on 1-1 basis and supervising the recreational activities around London which are intended to promote health and wellbeing. We are so privileged to be based in the heart of the city and have world-famous attractions on our doorstep such as the Natural History Museum, Kensington Gardens and Palace. I enjoy giving clients the opportunity to take a break from intensive therapy and explore London with their peers.

My introduction to PROMIS was actually as a client. It is where I started my own recovery. This first-hand experience means I can really emphasise with our clients. I understand the nature of substance and alcohol misuse and the challenges of addiction. My primary goal is to ensure our clients feel comfortable and safe in our clinic so they can fully engage in our treatment programme and build a strong foundation for a successful recovery.

I’ve been a nurse for 11 years now, and it’s been an incredible journey. My career has taken me through a wide variety of environments, including police custody, intensive care, and A&E, where I progressed to become a Sister. Each of these experiences has shaped me into the nurse I am today, and I’m proud to now lead our nursing team here in London.

What I truly love about working at PROMIS is the opportunity to provide more individualised care. We have the time to look after patients on a more personal level, tailoring our approach to their specific needs. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey and watch them make incredible progress, even just over a few days. The transformation can be remarkable, and it’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in their recovery.

As the lead nurse, I’m deeply committed to ensuring we provide the best possible care to our clients. It’s not just about managing the physical aspects of treatment; it’s about supporting overall recovery and well-being. I’m an active part of the management group, always striving to improve our services and the patient experience. For me, nursing isn’t just a job – it’s a calling, and I feel incredibly fortunate to lead such a dedicated team of professionals.

While I’m originally a country girl at heart, I’ve fallen in love with city life since moving to London three years ago. You’ll find me exploring the city’s rich culture when I’m not at work, catching a film, or taking my dog for long walks. I’m also an avid traveller, always eager to experience new places and cultures.

I came to Kendrick Mews certain that it would be an interesting place to work, very different to the NHS wards and community roles I had experienced. Here, I’m able to get to know our clients on a deeper level compared to my previous roles which I find very rewarding.

As the first point of contact for clients arriving at Kendrick Mews, it’s important that I make them feel comfortable whilst I assess their immediate clinical needs, especially important for clients who are beginning a detox programme. I will do everything I can to ensure they have a successful experience here and reach a point where they can safely transition back into their lives.

I’ve lived in London all my life, gaining my MAs in Medical Humanities and a degree in Adult Nursing at West London University. On my days off, I enjoy going for brunch in the city with friends. I look forward to warm holidays, in particular Dubai, which is my favourite destination.

Originally from Poland, I trained in London to fulfil my long-term goal of becoming a nurse. Working in the field of mental health is something I wanted to do for quite a while, seeing it as a way of developing my skills and growing as a person. I see first-hand how effective the support and personalised care is here at PROMIS. It’s amazing to see how different our clients are when they leave here after their treatment. They’re almost unrecognisable! It gives me a lot of hope working here. 

Having relocated to the UK from Hungary, I was pleased to join the multicultural team at Kendrick Mews, working with professionals and clients from different countries and backgrounds. The private and calm location of the clinic is a lovely place to come to work and I enjoy the responsibility of making every room spotless and comfortable, creating an environment in which people can relax and feel safe within. I originally trained as a florist and am able to put my creative skills to good use, brightening the place up with colourful flower arrangements. 

MOHAMED My 25-year career as a chef has taken me around the world. I started out in Paris studying International Cuisine before going on to live and work in Vienna, Austria and Kiev, Ukraine. After that, I moved to New York and worked at the Rainforest Cafe. When the company opened a restaurant in London, I relocated once again for the role of Executive Head Chef. During my time in the capital, I have also studied Hotel and Catering Management & Cooking at Westminster College and was very privileged to work in the city during the exciting event of the 2012 Olympics.

When I came to PROMIS in 2014, I saw a wonderful opportunity to apply my knowledge of nutrition to create balanced meals which are associated with improved mental health. We avoid white flour and sugar, steering our guests towards healthier options such as gluten-free/brown rice and pasta. I’m proud to say that we source our ingredients daily and avoid freezing our food to ensure everything is as fresh as possible.

Aside from doing what I love, another rewarding aspect of the role at the clinic is the chance to form connections with our guests and develop an understanding of their situation.