Cirrus9 was set up in July 2003 by a group of therapists and healthcare professionals working in the substance misuse field. The original founder,Val Thomas, worked as a complementary therapist and counsellor in the substance misuse field since 1990, and she has specialised in therapeutic imagery.
Val’s work at City Roads Crisis Intervention Project, Islington became the springboard for developing good practice guidelines for therapists working in the drug and alcohol field.

“Our accredited training seeks to establish a professional entry route for complementary practitioners wishing to enter the drugs field and that it helps set standards for developing competency.”

(Thomas, Druglink, February 2003)

Val recently published her first book “Therapeutic Imagery with Substance Misusers – A practitioners Guide” (2006)

Pip Bateman and Val worked in tandem further developing guidelines and good practice. In November 2006, Val handed over the reins of the ACHPSM to Pip and Angela Page. Val is now working as a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Health and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University but is still involved as a trainer in therapeutic imagery.

The Committee

The committee currently comprises the chair, treasurer and secretary.

The Chair: Nicky Grantham

Nicky’s interest in the drug and alcohol field began while working for the probation service where she eventually specialised in delivering a new home office initiative involving a weekly drug testing programme. Following this Nicky joined Double Impact, a drug and alcohol aftercare service in 2004, which gave her first experience of seeing the impact of complementary therapies as part of a holistic package of care. She feels that complementary therapies make up an important element of drug and alcohol care and that they should also benefit from the same professional support she receives, both through Double Impact and the professional body of substance use workers that she belongs too. This lead to her involvement in Cirrus 9, which she also feels, is a great opportunity as it is a privilege to be part of Cirrus 9’s fledgling steps and to watch it take off.

The Treasurer: Rosie Humphreys: BA(Hons), MICHT, AKC, Healthy Highs (OCN)

Rosie has been an holistic therapist since 2000 specialising in massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, Thai Yoga bodywork, Reiki & Auricular Acupunture. Rosie is also a full time drugs worker with Chill Out Sound Support, a project that works with recreational drug users in Nottingham city and county (NHS Tier 2/3). Rosie established an ‘In House’ complementary therapy service whilst studying for the Healthy Highs qualification in 2004. Rosie then became part of the tutorial team for Healthy Highs in 2006.

Secretary: Dave Wright

Dave is a personal consultant for Working Links, an organisation that supports vulnerable people into training, education and employment. He is on the steering groups for Clean Break and The 2nd National Aftercare Conference and has facilitated both local and national consultation events for these initiatives. He has also been heavily involved with Nottingham's Addiction Forum and other voluntary organisations including Gate Mentoring and Double Impact F.C.