Meet the Team

Christopher Yiannakou – C.E.O

Christopher is the founder of Sensatori Retreat and a number of other organisations in the field of addiction.

He has worked in the field of addiction for 10 years and has vast experience of both the private and charitable sector, working in most of the prominent treatment centres in and around the UK and worldwide. He has extensive knowledge through his work experience of primary, secondary and third stage treatment and the sector as a whole.

Chris has himself been in recovery for a number of years. He is passionate about his work and the different models of treatment and total abstinence. He believes that every addict and alcoholic has the potential to overcome their addiction and become a happy and productive member of society by working a programme. Chris is totally dedicated and committed to helping alcoholics and addicts to find a new way of life. He has a successful record of patient recovery and is a compassionate and caring person whose mission is to alleviate suffering from addiction.

He is one of only a few interventionist in Europe and travels worldwide working with family’s and clients to get the help they deserve. often is on radio and TV including Jeremy Kyle show specials and has worked on a vast number of documentaries regarding addiction.

Rachael Ball – Managing Director

Rachael is co founder of the Sensatori Retreat.

Through her own personal experience with addictions Rachael has first-hand knowledge of rehabilitation clinics and appropriate treatment programmes. Also Knowledge and understanding of the affect addiction and depressive illness can have on family members and other close relationships.

Rachael gained qualifications in the leisure industry as a fitness professional. Following this she worked in Adult Social Care and Health supporting vulnerable adults with disabilities and complex needs. She has experience of working within voluntary organisations, statutory and the private sector. She is a qualified Rehabilitation officer and has worked closely with many individuals providing support and solutions for maximising independent living and lifestyle changes. Rachael is passionate about helping alcoholics and addicts on the right road to recovery. “A big believer that with the right support anyone can enjoy a fulfilled life in recovery”

Rachael has a keen interest in health and overall well-being.

Antonio Pancadas – Senior Counsellor, Ba Hons Humanistic Counselling

I have worked with people with addictions for a number of years and I believe recovery from addiction to be much more than just the learning of a set of rules to be followed, or tools to be acquired and used. Recovery can be a wonderful journey of exploration, exciting, rewarding and full of possibilities for learning.

As a counsellor I strive for an integrative and holistic approach informed by humanistic and existential principles.

Personal responsibility, personal growth and the development of self-awareness are some of the ideas crucial to therapy. On a personal level I am very enthusiastic about the various forms of creative expression and their benefits to our wellbeing. Art therapy and Lifemusic are two of the creative avenues I would very much like to explore, as I wholeheartedly believe in the experiential and insightful value that both these activities have to offer.

The way we see ourselves and our relationship with the world we live in, seems to be of fundamental importance in life and especially in recovery, and we should not be discouraged to explore our own personal existential quests and uncertainties. I am convinced this to be an important factor both in the therapeutic process as well as in rediscovering a meaning for our lives.

We are relational beings and I trust in the importance of positive and authentic person-to-person relationships.

At Sensatori Retreat, we can all make a real effort to be open and honest to each other in a place of safety, acceptance and respect.

Camilla Simpson – Senior Support FDAP

Camilla joins us as a Healthcare Assistant bringing with her a wealth of experience taken from other resources, including mental health hospitals, rehab clinics and the prison service.

She says “I am absolutely committed to helping people heal from addiction and mental illnesses. Not only can it be so debilitating for the individual, but also the families and friends of their loved ones. So often I see people with an addiction as well as an underlying presentation of anxiety and depression, but firmly believe that with the right support networks in place, people can be transformed. Transformation doesn’t have to come from one practise – there are so many ways that people can start to live better lives, and this starts with an affiliation with people who are committed to supporting an individual. What is exciting about Sensatori is that it offers the core values of standard rehabilitation services, but brings with it a creative and flexible approach to recovery. This means that we can meet people where they are at, and aim to help them in a way that is healthy, but also realistic.”

Camilla is currently studying an MSc in Addiction Psychology and Counselling (FDAP accredited) and is looking forward to working with the team at Sensatori.