About Khiron Clinics

About

Rooted in a Story of Trauma Recovery

Founded by psychotherapist and author Benjamin Fry in 2012, Khiron Clinics was created to offer other people the groundbreaking trauma therapies that once saved his life. Since then, Khiron Clinics has become globally recognised as a leading centre in the treatment of trauma.

“It's a unique place that is really able to offer people something that will put them on the path towards healing and isn't available anywhere else.”

Deb Dana

A Global Leader in Trauma Recovery

Delivering Specialised Trauma Care in Both Residential and Outpatient Settings, We Guide Individuals from Crisis to Cure

From Breakdown to Breakthrough

How Uncovering a New Understanding of Trauma Allowed Our Founder to Rebuild His Life and Wellbeing, Igniting a Newfound Purpose to Provide Others With the Same Chance of Recovery

Note From Our Founder:

It was in 2009 that I finally had a breakdown, after what I later realised was an entire life spent running from what I call ‘the invisible lion’. Because of various incidents of childhood trauma I had experienced such as the death of my mother as a baby, I had a nervous system which was constantly reacting as if I was in great danger, as if I was being chased by a lion.

Ultimately, everything caught up with me, and after many failed attempts at recovery with a variety of treatments, including stays in famous residential treatment settings, I had the good fortune to meet a therapist who totally changed the narrative of what I was experiencing, and therefore paved the way for me to find true, lasting healing.

She explained how my reactions, thoughts and feelings were actually an entirely normal response to the perceived threat I was experiencing due to unresolved trauma in my life. This transformed everything for me, and the subsequent nervous system based treatment based on this understanding saved my life.

As my own life recovered, I knew very simply that I not only had to let others know about this groundbreaking approach to trauma treatment, but create a safe space where it could be experienced too. Something that didn’t exist then, and which I have yet to find to this day.

Today, Khiron Clinics stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking lasting recovery from mental health challenges who, like me, once felt hopeless.

Download the Brochure

Discover Our Innovative Trauma Recovery Pathway

Find out more about how we treat, what we treat, our clinics, pricing and more.

Meet the Team

“Unlike previous experiences, the therapists at Khiron honestly saved my life. They were there to hold my hand and help me to help myself. All of the members of the therapeutic team have a genuine understanding of trauma and how to treat it.” - Andrea

The clinical team at Khiron Clinics comprises world-class mental health and trauma treatment specialists. They have been informed, trained and supervised by some of the world’s top trauma experts, including Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk, Dr Janina Fisher, Dr Stephen Porges, Deb Dana, Dr Dick Schwartz, Licia Sky, Linda Thai and others.

Aside from the incredible therapists, we ensure that every member of our team from the board to the gardener speaks the ‘language of trauma’, creating a safe and supportive environment at all our clinics.

The Leadership Team

Romana Akram

Managing Director

Romana Akram is the Managing Director of Khiron Clinics. She is based at the residential clinic. Prior to joining the Khiron Clinics team, she worked in a residential setting, caring for the elderly, and then she joined a publishing firm as a business systems coordinator. Romana has a special interest in implementing new procedures to maximise efficiency. Romana has an MBA and is a member of the Board of Directors.

Benjamin Fry

Founder and Chair

Benjamin is a psychotherapist, accredited by the BACP, who contributes to the media in the UK and is politically active in lobbying for better access to better treatment for all sections of society, working with the Centre for Social Justice and through Khiron House’s social enterprise Get Stable. He set up Khiron House after experiencing serious mental illness in 2009 and not receiving effective treatment for it in the UK. He is the Founder of Khiron Clinics and the non-executive Chair of the Board of Directors. He is the Treasurer of Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Research Foundation.

Claire Ewart Smith

Clinical Director - Outpatients

Claire is the Clinical Director of our Outpatient service (in person, Children and Adolescent service and international online) and our London Day Clinic programme. She trained at Regent’s University on a master’s programme in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology and is BACP Accredited. Her core practice draws together Attachment and Relational Dynamics, Gestalt and Humanistic therapy. From a trauma perspective she is trained in MBSR Mindfulness, Internal Family Systems, Safe and Sound Protocol, Sensorimotor Level 1, Trauma Informed Stabilisation Treatment, Structural Dissociation, EMDR Levels 1,2,3 and ILF Neurofeedback. She has worked for 13 years in the NHS, charity sector and private practice, focusing on Complex PTSD, Dissociative disorders, grief, addiction and disordered eating. Her next step is to train with the BACP as a supervisor.

Angela Bent

Intake Director

Angela Bent is the Intake Manager at Khiron Clinics. Angela has worked for Khiron Clinics since 2013, beginning as a support worker and then moving on to become House Manager at the residential clinic. Angela now works as the Intake Manager managing initial enquiries, referring clients on for assessment appointments and admission. Angela is a qualified paralegal, having worked in the legal field for over twenty years.

Amber Knights

Clinical Director - Residential

Amber is a psychotherapist at Khiron residential clinics and our outpatient service, She specialises in trauma, suicide prevention and sexual abuse. She also works with addiction, gender issues and depression. Amber has a Masters Degree in Gestalt Psychotherapy, a modality that is person-centred and has a strong focus on the therapist-client relationship, awareness and the body. Amber uses a combination of her skills in Gestalt therapy, the polyvagal theory, and her own creativity to facilitate supporting individuals in their journey towards healing. Whilst living in Malta, she was a casual lecturer in victimology at the University of Malta and managed a therapeutic service for victims of crimes. She is a member of GPTI. Amber has a great love for animals and began her career working with them alongside people. Whilst in the USA she worked at the Human-Dolphin Institute providing dolphin assisted therapy to vulnerable people.

The Clinical Team

Tracey-Lee Austin

Service Supervisor

Tracey has a Masters degree and a Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology and is HCPC registered. She has a diploma in Schema Therapy and has completed Sensorimotor Training Level 1, Brainspotting Levels 1 and 2, Bodynamic Foundation Level, and BWRT level 1. She is a qualified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and has also complted training in wrking with trauma and the breath. Her background is in working with Complex PTSD, Dissociative Disorders, Mood and Anxiety disorders, Attachment disorders, Personality disorders, and Psychosis, drawing from a variety of approaches including Polyvagal Theory, Schema Therapy, IFS, Sensorimotor and Somatic therapies, Mindfulness, and Structural Dissociation. Tracey is the Service Supervisor at Khiron Clinics.

Amber Knights

Clinical Director - Residential

Claire Ewart Smith

Clinical Director - Outpatients

Lucy Allen

Psychotherapist

Lucy is a psychotherapist at Khiron residential clinics and our outpatients service As an Integrative Therapist, she strives for a pluralistic and holistic approach to therapy. She is passionate about using the body to integrate experiences and has a special interest in neuroscience, stress, and trauma. She has a special interest working with PTSD, complex PTSD and DID. Lucy holds the importance of the therapist-client relationship and its role in healing. She is currently in the competition phase of the Sensorimotor level 2 training. Alongside this she is trained to level 2 in IFS and Bodynamics. In addition, Lucy brings the outdoors to her therapy, including working with animals, as she holds that connections to and containment within nature, are full of healing potential.

Tracy Ellis

Psychotherapist

Tracy is a psychotherapist at Khiron residential clinics. Her training includes, Foundation in Counselling & Psychotherapy, Diploma in Attachment Theory, SSP, Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal theory, Neuro Affective Touch & Janina Fishers Structural Dissociation training and Neurofeedback. She also integrates somatic attachment EMDR interventions into her practice. Tracy started mentoring teenagers in 2008, a role she found particularly fulfilling and has since worked in secondary education settings, providing counselling to vulnerable students. Tracy’s training allows her to work with the client’s mind in a verbal capacity and with their body in a nonverbal capacity. Through Somatic Experience work Tracy can help the body tell its own story, looking at the wisdom of the body as it clearly reflects our implicit memory from our past experiences.

Sasha Watson

Psychotherapist

Sasha is a psychotherapist at Khiron Day Clinic and our Outpatient Service. She is a registered Somatic Movement Psychotherapist with an MA in Dance Movement Psychotherapy from Roehampton University and is currently training to be a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Her trauma sensitive, body orientated approach is compassionate and deeply relational, meeting each unique being where they are. She has additional trainings in Sensorimotor (level one), Internal Family Systems, Polyvagal Theory, Janina Fisher’s Structural Dissociation model and has also completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Sivananda style. She is fascinated by the stories we carry in our bodies and about how an embodied creative approach can be used to create internal safety and gently uncover and liberate personal and trans-generational trauma. Her intention is to create spaces where all aspects of you feel welcomed and held.

Luciana Fondaras

Psychotherapist

Luciana is a Somatic Experiencing practitioner and a psychotherapist. She has a Masters Degree in Jungian Psychodynamic Psychology and training in Parent-Infant Psychotherapy. She specialises in developmental trauma and its impact in adult life, and aims to integrate the recent neurobiological research regarding trauma and emotions in her work. She draws on a variety of approaches and is passionate about integrating mindfulness and body based therapy to further our healing process. As well as her practice with adults she also works with parents and infants, some of the time in this field spent working at Northwick Park Hospital and at Kids Company.

Anja Frykegaard

Psychotherapist

Anja is a psychotherapist at Khiron Day Clinic. She holds a BSC in Psychology with Addiction and a MA in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy focusing on developmental trauma, attachments, and a relational approach. She developed an interest in the mind-body relationship through her own yoga and meditation practice. She has extensive experience working with groups and individuals in a creative and attentive way, with a passion for using neuroscience to support healing in the aftermath of trauma. She has completed Level 1 and 2 of the Complex Trauma Certification Training by Janina Fisher. Through continued professional development courses, she is accustomed to combining therapeutic methods, including Gestalt, Body Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems and Mindfulness, for the purpose of facilitating a reconnection with the body and self. She is committed to deliver such interventions in a way that is compassionate, collaborative, and inclusive.

Lorena Balbinot

Psychotherapist

Lorena is a psychotherapist at Khiron Residential Clinics and Khiron Outpatient service. She is a trauma therapist with an MA in Integrative Arts Psychotherapy, a diploma in Humanistic Body-Centred Counselling, and she is a qualified Bioenergetics teacher.

Her work is informed by Psychodynamic & Humanistic psychotherapy, Attachment Theory, Object Relations, Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, Integrative Arts, Janina Fisher’s Structural Dissociation model, and Reichian Character Analysis.

She continues her professional development in cutting-edge approaches for trauma healing, including Somatic Experiencing (Level 2), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Level 1), Relational Trauma Therapy (Level 2), and Integral Somatic Psychology.

Practising in a relational, compassionate, and present-oriented way, she is committed to empowering clients by helping them understand the role of the nervous system in their global experience and offering tools to help them take charge of their wellbeing.

Lorena has worked in inpatient and community mental health settings within the NHS, addiction and family services in charitable organizations, and her own private practice.

Her experience includes working with PTSD & CPTSD, addiction, co-dependence, narcissistic abuse, stress, anxiety, depression, anger management, OCD, bereavement, grief, the LGBTQ+ community, low self-esteem, shame, racial trauma, attachment issues and disorders, dissociation, BPD, psychosis, self-harm and suicidality.

Lillie Perree

Psychotherapist

Lillie is a Therapist at Khiron Day Clinic. She has a background is in theatre which is where she first noted the impact creativity has on mental health and well-being, meaning she greatly values incorporating this into her practice. Lillie has experience working in the NHS as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor where she supported people presenting with anxiety, depression, body image issues and eating disorders. She also worked as a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor for a trans and non-binary health and wellbeing service. Lillie has copious experience supporting clients with suicidal ideation within a residential respite centre, supporting vulnerable women and people with addiction, and has worked with a diverse range of clients who worked within the sex industry. Her training in this regard includes working with clients with HIV, Relationship issues, Sexual and Gender Diversity.

Sarah Paton Briggs

Psychotherapist

Sarah has practised as a counsellor and psychotherapist for over 20 years. She has trained in the two evidence-based trauma treatment protocols which are recommended by NICE: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) and T- CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

She is also trained in other approaches to treating trauma because different methods suit different client needs. These include BEPP (Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy for Psych traumatology). Her hypnotherapy and NLP qualifications equip her with imagery-based approaches to treating trauma, including IRRT (Imagery Rescripting Reprocessing Therapy) and Matrix Reimprinting. Sarah is recognised by ITTI (International Trauma Training Institute, formerly IATP) as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional at the higher level (CCTP Level 2) for working with Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). Sarah supports Khiron residents with equine therapy with her horses.

Dr Haneyeh Belyani

Therapist

Dr Haneyeh Belyani is a Counselling Psychologist with an integrative background and a particular interest and expertise in working with trauma across the lifespan.

Since qualifying over a decade ago, Haney has worked extensively with trauma with children, adolescents and adults across various settings. Her commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments and knowledge in the field of trauma has led her towards further training in trauma focused approaches such as eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), mentalization-based therapy and attachment style interviewing (ASI) which in addition to her integrative counselling psychology training inform her clinical work and thinking. Currently, Haneyeh is undertaking a second doctorate in psychological trauma, focusing specifically on childhood trauma and parenting.

Previous roles have included head of the service of a secondary school-based psychology service with a specialist trauma after-school service and senior lecturer on the professional doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the University of East London, where she still works as a guest lecturer.

Janie Rymaszewska

Psychotherapist

Janie qualified in 1990 as a creative arts therapist (MCAT) at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. She has 25 years of experience as a therapist with children and young people with relational trauma and was clinical lead for seven years with children in therapeutic residential care. Her approach is supported by modern attachment theory, neuroscience, and trauma-sensitive interventions.

Janie is a proficient Story Stem Assessment Profiles (SSAP) assessor and trained at the Anna Freud Centre for Children & Families.

The storytelling technique explores the workings of a child’s mind to understand how they perceive grown-ups. The approach permits an assessment of a child’s expectations and perceptions of family roles and relationships without asking direct questions about family, which could cause conflict or anxiety.

In 2005, Janie was commissioned to set up specialist play provisions for a children’s hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. She was a course tutor for a Master’s programme in play therapy at Liverpool Hope University. In 2006, Janie published Reaching the Vulnerable Child. Therapy with Traumatized Children. (Jessica Kingsley) and has published articles in Young Minds.

Rachel James

Yoga Teacher

Rachel is the Yoga teacher at Khiron Clinics. Rachel has been practicing Yoga for over 30 years and teaching since 2006. Rachel trained to become a Hatha Yoga teacher with the British Wheel of Yoga, graduating in 2009. Rachel has extensive training in Anatomy and Physiology, with a special interest in the Nervous System, the Brain and the Vagus Nerve. She follows a trauma-informed approach to working with the body and is highly skilled in adapting her yoga classes to clients with mobility issues. She has worked in many fitness centres, corporate businesses, educational settings, community classes and private practice. She holds regular workshops based on Longevity, Posture and the Chakras and has held yearly Yoga retreats in Tuscany since 2016. She held the role as Oxfordshire County Representative for the British Wheel of Yoga for 3 years (2013-16).

Steph Bent

Trainer and Life Coach

Steph is a Lifestyle Transformation Coach. She is a qualified Personal Trainer and Life Coach. She has extensive knowledge and experience. She specializes in working with clients to build confidence, training sustainably through teaching to work towards healthy habits, working with all physical abilities to achieve set goals and prioritizing physical health and longevity. Steph also offers nutritional advice and personalized training programs.

Her interest in fitness and sport stems from playing football at a semi-professional level. Steph enjoys engaging with clients who are ready to change and improve their lifestyle day by day.

Tom Gold-Blyth

Tai Chi Teacher

Tom teaches Tai Chi, and, with 25 years of practice, was an ‘inner circle’ student of Master San Gee Tam and a leader in the Golden Flower School. The deep knowledge passing to him is the synthesis of lineage Tai Chi from renown Masters. He adapts classical Tai Chi into a therapeutic method drawing on 10 years experience of working with clients at Khiron Clinics and his own ongoing study of how to apply Polyvagal Theory to the ancient ‘science of Qi’. Tom’s work is resourced by his own commitment to daily practice and by ongoing study with his teacher Master Annukka.

Emily Andrews

Therapist

Emily is a dedicated Transpersonal Psychotherapist, Somatic-Hypnotherapist, and Energy Therapist. She has completed her training in Clinical Hypnotherapy & Counselling, Poly Vagal Theory & Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy and is currently finishing her MA in Psychospiritual Psychotherapy at the Institute of Psychosynthesis.
Emily’s approach is deeply rooted in her passion for integrating the body, emotions, and mind to create a comprehensive support system for her clients as they navigate their healing process. She specialises in addressing the impacts of birth and developmental trauma on adult life, along with PTSD, complex PTSD, and dissociative disorders.
Emily strongly believes in the power of visualisation and the cognitive integration of body experiences to help clients achieve transformative growth and wellbeing. Her empathetic and holistic approach ensures that clients receive personalised care tailored to their unique needs.

The Operations Team

Angela Bent

Intake Director

Romana Akram

Managing Director

Jess Lambourne

Registered Manager

Jess is the Registered Manager at Khiron Clinics, holding the CQC registration of the Clinic and Bungalow. Jess first joined Khiron Clinics in 2018 as a support worker and worked as a team leader and administrator in the clinic. Jess has worked in Health and Social Care since 2011. She has previously worked in palliative care and has experience supporting people living with dementia, Huntington’s disease, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and vascular injuries. Jess has been a dignity champion since 2013 and has a strong passion for ensuring that people are cared for as individuals. Jess has recently completed an Advanced Diploma in Child Psychology and is currently studying for a BSc in Psychology with Counselling and has additional qualifications in Health and Social Care, Business Studies, and Multimedia Studies.

Hannah Robinson

Clinical Assistant - Residential

Hannah is the Clinic Administrator at Khiron Clinics and is based at the 24/7 higher needs clinic on the residential site. Hannah first joined Khiron Clinics in 2022 as a support worker. Hannah’s role involves working closely with the Registered Manager to ensure that the clinic clients receive the best level of care. Hannah has a BSc in Psychology and worked as an Assistant Psychologist, working closely with mental health practitioners and nutritionists, and an SEN teaching assistant. Hannah is currently working towards a diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling.

Emilia Haanpaa

Clinical Assistant - Outpatients

Emilia is the Clinical Assistant for the outpatient services, including the Day Clinic, Outpatients, and Child & Adolescents. Emilia joined Khiron Clinics in 2023 after completing her BSc (Hons) in Psychology. She is responsible for managing all bookings for the outpatient services, as well as running and maintaining the Day Clinic daily. Her role includes doing admissions, supporting the therapists, serving as a contact point for all clients, and performing administrative tasks. Emilia works closely with the Clinical Director of the outpatient services and assists her with tasks such as assessments. Emilia has also completed Level 2 in Counselling Skills and an Evidence-Based Therapies course.

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About

Rooted in a Story of Trauma Recovery

“It's a unique place that is really able to offer people something that will put them on the path towards healing and isn't available anywhere else.”

Deb Dana

A Global Leader in Trauma Recovery

Delivering Specialised Trauma Care in Both Residential and Outpatient Settings, We Guide Individuals from Crisis to Cure

From Breakdown to Breakthrough

How Uncovering a New Understanding of Trauma Allowed Our Founder to Rebuild His Life and Wellbeing, Igniting a Newfound Purpose to Provide Others With the Same Chance of Recovery

Note From Our Founder:

Download the Brochure

Discover Our Innovative Trauma Recovery Pathway

Meet the Team

“Unlike previous experiences, the therapists at Khiron honestly saved my life. They were there to hold my hand and help me to help myself. All of the members of the therapeutic team have a genuine understanding of trauma and how to treat it.” - Andrea

The Leadership Team

Romana Akram

Managing Director

Benjamin Fry

Founder and Chair

Claire Ewart Smith

Clinical Director - Outpatients

Angela Bent

Intake Director

Amber Knights

Clinical Director - Residential

The Clinical Team

Tracey-Lee Austin​

Service Supervisor

Amber Knights

Clinical Director - Residential

Claire Ewart Smith

Clinical Director - Outpatients

Lucy Allen

Psychotherapist

Tracy Ellis

Psychotherapist

Sasha Watson

Psychotherapist

Luciana Fondaras

Psychotherapist

Anja Frykegaard

Psychotherapist

Lorena Balbinot

Psychotherapist

Lillie Perree

Psychotherapist

Sarah Paton Briggs

Psychotherapist

Dr Haneyeh Belyani

Therapist

Janie Rymaszewska

Psychotherapist

Rachel James

Yoga Teacher

Steph Bent

Trainer and Life Coach

Tom Gold-Blyth

Tai Chi Teacher

Emily Andrews

Therapist

The Operations Team

Angela Bent

Intake Director

Romana Akram

Managing Director

Jess Lambourne

Registered Manager

Hannah Robinson

Clinical Assistant - Residential

Emilia Haanpaa

Clinical Assistant - Outpatients

Next Steps

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Tracey-Lee Austin