Ibiza Calm mental health treatment – our clinical and therapeutic team

Ibiza Calm is a residential rehabilitation clinic, specialising in the treatment of addiction and mental health disorders; including alcoholism, drug addiction and prescription medicine dependency, behavioural and process addiction, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, OCD, codependency, eating disorders, and burnout.

Our programmes include detoxification (if required), and are a blend of counselling, group psychotherapy, mindfulness, and complementary practices, such as yoga and meditation.

We have a team of highly qualified international staff, from varied and diverse backgrounds, with a wealth of experience in a range of methodologies. We can offer therapy in English, Spanish, Italian and French.

The clinical and therapeutic team provide around-the-clock care; on-site at the clinic, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Here is an introduction to just a few of our amazing staff members.

Dr Manuel Rodriguez – Medical Director

Overseeing all treatment at the rehabilitation clinic is our Medical Director, Dr Manuel Rodriguez. Manuel trained as a physician in Malaga, completing his psychiatric residency at the José Germain Psychiatric Institute in Madrid, before carrying out a rotation at the New York Psychiatric Institute.

He is qualified in several models of psychotherapy including relational psychoanalysis, strategic therapy, psychodrama and EMDR, and is highly specialised in caring for patients with addiction and other mental health disorders.

Lluc Acero Martínez – Clinical Manager, psychologist, and therapist.

Clinical Manager and psychologist, Lluc Acero Martínez got his BSc in psychology; then a masters in drug addiction from the University of Barcelona; before gaining a further degree in logotherapy and existential analysis from ALEA.

Logotherapy, is a form of counselling which focuses on finding meaning, recognising a positive life purpose, life values, and clear goals. It is based on the existential analysis approach to psychotherapy and was developed in the 1930s by the neurologist and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl. It is founded on the principle that the primary motivation for human beings is to find meaning in their life. A person without meaning can experience negative feelings such as emptiness, worthlessness, and futility; in some this causes frustration, which can then lead to anger, addiction, and depression.

Ilaria Lenti – Assistant Manager, psychologist.

Our Assistant Manager Ilaria Lenti graduated as a clinical psychologist at the University of Rome, and as a sexologist from the University of L’Aquila, Italy. Ilaria is also a trained group analyst and a mindfulness psychosomatic teacher.

Alongside her private practice work in Rome, she previously worked in an anti-violence centre. Ilaria loves being in nature, and follows a holistic path, where meditation is a central part of her life.

Mindfulness therapy includes a type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that encourages an individual to be more aware of thoughts, feelings, surroundings, and circumstances; empowering them to let go of previously learned automatic negative responses to situations they find difficult or uncomfortable.

It is a highly successful treatment for many mental health conditions and can significantly improve a person’s daily functioning and quality of life.

Kate Stillman – Psychologist, equine therapy, and aftercare.

Kate works with individuals and couples, is a member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) as well as BICA (British Infertility Counselling Association) and is a graduate of LEAP, the only organisation that offers an accredited diploma in equine facilitated psychotherapy.

Kate has travelled extensively and has a diverse background in a variety of therapeutic practices. She has worked on a needle exchange programme; as a counsellor on a business scheme for young entrepreneurs; with individuals who are HIV positive; and has extensive knowledge and experience of working in the entertainment/music business.

Kate not only manages our aftercare programme, as a certified equine psychotherapist she runs Ibiza Counselling, who we work in partnership with, for our equine-facilitated therapy.

Looking after the horses encourages growth. It helps build trust, confidence, and self-control and individuals learn about responsibility, boundaries and how to focus. At the same time, an equine psychotherapist can assess a client’s state of mind and wellbeing, through their interaction with the animal and how the horse responds.

Our aftercare programme is run weekly on zoom, and clients are encouraged to attend (for free) for up to 12 months after they leave treatment. Facilitated by Kate, clients are introduced to the group before they leave the clinic, giving them a sense of belonging and confidence that they will continue to be supported.

Sarah Drewer – Counsellor and family support lead.

The rehab centre’s in-house counsellor, Sarah Drewer, has a BA (Hons) degree in Science and Society from Bristol UWE. Following this Sarah achieved a certificate in therapeutic skills and studies from the Metanoia Institute in London; she is now completing a BACP accredited person-centred counselling degree.

Person-centred therapy, also known as client-centred counselling, is a humanistic method that focuses on how individuals knowingly perceive themselves, rather than how a counsellor interprets their unconscious thoughts and actions. It focuses on the individual’s natural self-healing process.

In person-centred therapy, the client acts as an equal partner in the process, the therapist remains non-directive—they don’t pass judgments on feelings or offer suggestions or solutions. Within the correct client/counsellor relationship the individual drives the sessions and establishes what they want to do with their lives.

Sarah oversees and supervises our family support group. The weekly online group is available for the family members of all our clients, from the moment their loved one enters treatment.

Dr. Juanjo De Frutos – Psychiatrist.

Juanjo De Frutos studied medicine at the University of Madrid, moving into a speciality in psychiatry at Hospital La Paz. Following a stint working in Madrid, in the community, caring for sufferers of serious mental illness, he moved to Ibiza, where he works with adolescents and adults in community psychiatric care, within the public health system.

Juanjo is one of the few accredited trainers, in Spain, for the clinical approach Motivational Interviewing and he is clinically certified in the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), by the University of Maastricht.

We offer transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on-site at the clinic as part of our treatment programme. TMS is a non-invasive form of brain stimulation therapy that has proved effective in the treatment of neurological and mental health conditions, particularly in treatment-resistant depression.

TMS uses a magnetic field to deliver a short-lasting electrical pulse into the brain, where it stimulates neurons (nerve cells). This has been shown to improve communication between different areas of the brain, particularly in the superficial regions of the cerebral cortex.

Serge Souque – Therapist.

Serge Souque specialises in gestalt therapy and is a somatic experiencing practitioner. One of the key features of gestalt therapy is focussing on the present. It allows individuals to uncover what thoughts, feelings, or actions make them feel anxious. It increases self-awareness and confidence. It has proved effective in the treatment of anxiety, depression, bipolar and low self-esteem.

A somatic experiencing therapist uses mind-body techniques (such as breathing, meditation, and movement) to release tension that is affecting emotional and physical well-being. It is a form of alternative therapy, aimed at treating trauma and stress-related disorders, such as PTSD.

In addition to his work with Ibiza Calm, Serge teaches an addiction counselling training course and has his own private therapeutic practice on the island. He has been involved with the clinic since the very beginning, originally through peer support work, now as an in-house therapist.

Serge speaks fluent French, Spanish and English and has been an active member of the recovery community since 2012.

Additional team members

In addition to our doctor, psychiatrist, psychologists, therapists, and counsellors we have several registered general nurses on staff. Our nurses play a vital role at the clinic, from day one they are there to ensure patients are safe, comfortable, and supported, throughout the day and night.

This year we have also taken the step of employing a full-time mental health nurse. With the increase we have seen in all psychological health-related problems, we wanted to fully support our clients in all their needs.

Psychiatric nurses work in the mental health nursing field, to care for and support patients with mental illnesses. They understand the psychological issues that contribute to dependency, addiction, mood disorders (including anxiety and depression), and other related conditions.

Our team, all experts in their field, are just one reason why Ibiza Calm is one of the leading treatment centres in Europe. For further information regarding any of our programmes, and details on admissions, please contact [email protected]