Meet the Recovery Lighthouse Addiction Treatment Team

Johnny Beggache
Johnny Beggache
Operations Manager
Johnny joined UKAT as a support worker at Primrose Lodge in the summer of 2015. He has a passion for helping those with alcohol and substance misuse and has experience working with several other organisations such as local councils, churches and support agencies.

Johnny’s a university graduate from the Organisation and Management course at the Institut National of Commerce, Algiers University and has a First Class Honours Degree in Mathematics (BSC in Mathematics from the London Metropolitan University) which he achieved whilst in recovery. His NVQ 3 and his NVQ 5 (QCF Management in Adult Social Care) are from City and Guilds.

His work experience includes years in the Catering and Hospitality field, leadership positions in the Landscaping and Gardening field, as well as volunteer positions in Homeless Action in Barnet. His journey changed because Johnny suffered from addiction. He’s been sober for over 12 years and is now working to help those who are just starting their journey discover the right path to long-term recovery.

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Karen
Karen Lord
Centre Manager - Recovery Lighthouse
Karen is a highly experienced service manager dedicated to supporting individuals to overcome addiction. She has extensive experience managing drug and alcohol services in both community and prison settings, successfully leading clinical and psychosocial teams.
Karen excels in creating therapeutic environments, developing recovery programmes, and managing complex cases, including those involving co-occurring disorders, alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorder. She also has experience working with clients who have experienced extreme trauma. As someone in recovery herself, Karen brings invaluable lived experience to her work. She also serves as a Lived Experience Advisory Partner for Addiction Professionals. A critical thinker and natural problem-solver, Karen is passionate about staff development and fostering a supportive work environment. Her leadership builds trust, motivation and growth within her team, and she continually strives to innovate in the addiction recovery field.
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Erica Burtenshaw
Erica Burtenshaw
Lead Therapist
Erica is an experienced person-centred therapist specialising in supporting adults and young people with mental health challenges. With a background in working at a homeless charity and assisting individuals with addiction and substance misuse, she brings a wealth of practical knowledge and experience to her practice.
Erica's approach is intuitive and empathetic, allowing her to establish a strong rapport with her clients. She incorporates various techniques, including sound, to support emotional healing in her therapeutic sessions. She is skilled at creating a comfortable and supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions and experiences.
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Mark Alderson
Therapist
Mark is an integrative therapist specialising in addiction, substance misuse, and long-term recovery support. He has previously worked at Recovery Lighthouse as lead therapist and centre manager.
Prior to this, Mark worked in the public sector using Motivational Interviewing tools to support individuals desiring to make a healthy lifestyle change. He also volunteered at a local homeless charity. He has a number of years of experience working with individuals and families affected by the illness of addiction. Mark offers compassionate, nonjudgmental care rooted in evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). His work focuses on helping clients understand the underlying causes of addiction, build healthier coping strategies, and create sustainable change - he provides a safe space for healing, growth, and connection.
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Geanina Grecu
Bank Therapist
Geanina is an experienced and clinically skilled psychotherapist, holding a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
She has extensive experience supporting both young people and adults affected by substance misuse, as well as a wide range of addictive and compulsive behaviours, developed through her work within a drug and alcohol charity. She has a strong understanding of the complex relationship between addiction, trauma, emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and relational difficulties. Geanina recognises that addictive behaviours are often coping responses to underlying psychological distress, and she works to address both the presenting behaviours and their root causes using a tailored, evidence-informed approach. Drawing on multiple therapeutic modalities, Geanina combines clinical expertise with evidence-based techniques to create a structured, safe, and supportive therapeutic environment. Her work is grounded in professionalism, insight, and empathy, supporting clients to gain clarity, develop healthier coping strategies, and work towards meaningful, lasting change.
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Sharon
Sharon Flack
Senior Support
With 16 years of experience in health and social care, Sharon brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Recovery Lighthouse. Renowned for her nurturing, compassionate, and attentive nature, she is deeply committed to delivering a person-centred approach that addresses both physical and emotional needs.
Her combination of strong leadership and genuine care has made her an indispensable part of the team at Recovery Lighthouse. In addition to her broader responsibilities, Sharon takes the lead in medication management, ensuring the highest standard of care for clients.
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Jemima
Jemima Adams-Kirkham
Support Worker
Jemima is a dedicated and compassionate Support Worker with a strong academic and professional background in social care and education. Holding a BSc (Hons) in Sociology and Social Work from Brighton University (2023) and a Foundation Degree in Social Science & Social Policy from the University of the West of England (2020), Jemima is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those she supports.
Jemima has also run workshops in secondary schools on healthy relationships as a WiSE Ambassador, and has completed training in various areas, including child protection, safeguarding, positive behaviour support, mental health, and health and safety. Her strong communication skills, adaptability and ability to work effectively in teams have enabled her to excel in her work at Recovery Lighthouse.
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Adeola
Adeola Olla
Support Worker
Adeola is a compassionate and dedicated Support Worker, providing exceptional care and support to individuals on their recovery journey. With over four years of experience in healthcare, she brings valuable experience to the Recovery Lighthouse support team.
Adeola has consistently demonstrated her ability to build trust-based relationships, promote healthy living, and encourage safe, structured boundaries. Known for her empathy, patience and calm approach, Adeola excels in delivering personalised care and emotional support. She is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful environment and works diligently to ensure the progress and safety of those in her care. Adeola is continuously advancing her skills through professional development and holds certifications in safeguarding, health and safety, and mental health.
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Claire Elworthy
Bank Support Worker
Claire joined Recovery Lighthouse in 2025 as a Support Worker. She has an academic background in psychology and holds an MSc in Health Psychology from the University of Chichester. Prior to retraining in psychology, Claire had a long career managing social housing services, including supported and retirement housing.
Claire takes a holistic, person-centred approach to both physical and mental health, placing the individual at the heart of her work with clients. She is committed to ongoing professional development and is a member of the British Psychological Society.
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Curtis
Curtis Stanfield
Head Chef
With nearly 20 years of experience in the culinary world, Curtis has honed his skills from his early training at South Downs College to working in some of the Southeast’s top kitchens, including one of the region's highest-rated seafood restaurants. His career spans a diverse range of settings, and his love and enthusiasm for food knows no boundaries.
With a passion for creating dishes that clients love, Curtis has earned a reputation for excellence at Recovery Lighthouse. He is highly attentive to everyone’s needs, always catering to the individual to ensure a personalised and memorable experience. Curtis believes in the power of food to connect, inspire and heal, and he is eager to share this passion with others.
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