Meet the Staff

Dr R Keith Gaskell Consultant Psychiatrist

Dr Gaskell is a Consultant Psychiatrist who has worked as the Clinical Director of the Covenant Dependency Centre since 1993. He completed his medical training in Edinburgh in 1978 and continued with his Psychiatric training in York and Manchester. Dr Gaskell has a special interest in addiction. He has worked in Lancaster since 1988 and is responsible for a residential alcohol treatment unit and a detoxification unit. He offers a weekly review for all in-patients and also has a weekly out patient clinic.

Dr J Chang - M.A., M.B., BCh., M.Sc. Addictions - Consultant in Addiction Counselling and Psychology

Dr Chang has over 30 year of experience of treating addictions from the perspective of a General Practitioner. In addition to her medical expertise, she holds a diploma in general counselling and has completed a masters degree in addiction counselling. She has travelled widely in pursuit of knowledge about addiction and has written many articles and pamphlets on the subject. We are delighted to have her as a member of our treatment team. Dr Chang is able to offer both individual and group therapy sessions to patients with alcohol and other drug problems and also to their family members.

Addiction Programme Staff Team

All the staff team udergo an annual training programme for CPR, child Protection, Health and Saftey, fire saftey and continuing personal and professional development.

Susan Giles - CDC Co-ordinator

Susan has worked in the Addiction Unit at Abbey Gisburne Park since 1994. Her managerial role involves dealing with all enquiries to the unit, assessments, staff issues, general administration and as a point of information. She has undertaken the 12 Core Functions of a Counsellor training, Level III Counselling Skills and Professional Diploma in Management.

John Dawson - Addiction Counsellor

John works as an addiction counsellor within the addiction unit. He has a Diploma in Counselling and had worked in the addiction field for the past six years. John is a qualified CBT therapist and has a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. He has also attended Rational Emotive Therapy and Transactional Analysis courses. John is a member of the British Association of Behavioral Counselling and Psychotherapy.

James Hodgeon - Addiction Counsellor

James had worked in the Learning Disability Service for 17 years. During this time he has attended several counseling courses encompassing Personal Relationships, Abuse and Bereavement. He then gained Counselling Concepts and Level III Counselling skills certificates. James has worked in another of Covenant's hospitals until joining the team earlier this year. He holds a HND Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. James has attended training on Transactional Analysis and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is currently stuying for a MSc in Counselling Studies

Sandra Dawson - Addiction Counsellor

Sandra started her counselling studies in 1995. She attained a Diploma in Counselling in 1999. Sandra also completed Diploma training in the Art and Science of Neuro Linguistic Programming in 1999. Sandra has completed both 1st and 2nd degree Reiki courses. Sandra has worked in the voluntary sector with the Samaritans, a Women´s Refuge and a women´s centre. She has six years experience of working as an Addiction Counsellor and Group Facilitator in both detoxification and residential rehabilitation settings. Sandra has an interest in alternative therapies, especially Art Therapy.