Meet the iQ Therapies team

iQ Therapies highly skilled team of professional therapists includes physiotherapists, sports masseurs and fitness experts, all of which are passionate about their clients’ health and wellbeing.

Sally Allbrighton our Clincial Director and Owner at IQ Therapies Alsager
Clinical Director & Owner

Sally Allbrighton

With over 20 years experience in physiotherapy, Sally has a broad range of knowledge and clinical expertise.

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Sally Allbrighton

Clinical Director & Owner

Sally is Clinical Director and Owner of iQ Therapies Ltd. With over 20 years experience in Physiotherapy she has a broad range of knowledge and clinical expertise.


Sally worked in the NHS for 7 years, transferring to Private Practice in 2007. She prides herself on really listening to each client and fully understanding what each person wants to achieve, believing that this understanding is the key to successful rehabilitation. Sally works from a whole person perspective - realising that the experience of pain and success of rehabilitation is not just about the injury but also about the impact that this injury has on every aspect of life.


Having taught for the Neuro Othopaedic Institute for a number of years across Europe, she tries to bridge the gap between science and recovery. By helping people to understand the body and the process of healing and recovery, there is less fear and worry and people get better faster.


Sally is proud to be an active part of the Physiotherapy team at iQ Therapies and is skilled in assessment, diagnosis and treatment of all muscle and joint problems. She uses acupuncture regularly within her practice and also treats those struggling with persistent pain and Women’s Health concerns.


If you have any concerns about your health and wellbeing, no matter how small, Sally will be delighted to see how she can help.

Sarah our Lead Receptionist at IQ Therapies Alsager
Lead Receptionist

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah is the first person you will meet when you enter the building and is on hand to help deal with any queries you have.

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Sarah Mitchell

Lead Receptionist

Sarah has been with iQ for a number of years and is our Head Receptionist. She works Monday to Friday 9-3 and is the first person you will meet when you enter the building.


We deal with all major Insurance and Private Medical Schemes at iQ and it will be Sarah that can help you register your details with us and help with any queries you may have.


Basically, what Sarah doesn’t know about the running of iQ Therapies isn’t worth knowing!

Serena, on of our Physiotherapists at IQ Therapies Alsager
Physiotherapist

Serena

Serena is a Musculoskeletal therapist with over 10 years experience in clinical practice across all areas of Physiotherapy.

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Serena

Physiotherapist

Serena is a Musculoskeletal therapist with over 10 years experience in clinical practice across all areas of Physiotherapy. She also runs the Mummy MOT programme at iQ Therapies, which is a detailed postnatal physiotherapy assessment of the abdominal and pelvic area, recommended for all women following delivery - whether six weeks or many years after.

Kerry, Our sports massage therapist at IQ Therapies Alsager
Sports Massage Therapist

Kerry

Kerry qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist in 2013 and specialises in a range of massage techniques.

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Kerry

Sports Massage Therapist

Kerry qualified as a Sports Massage Therapist in 2013. Over the course of her career she has worked with professional athletes of all backgrounds as well as those suffering with pain due to desk-based working and everyone in between.


Kerry specialises in sports massage, Swedish massage and hot stones massage. So whatever your level of sport, or if you’re just in need of some relaxation, Kerry is more than happy to see how she can help achieve your personal goals.

Independent Practitioners

These practitioners are self-employed and operate independently of iQ Therapies. Please contact the practitioner directly if you require any further information.

Catherine, our Complementary Practitioner at IQ Therapies Alsager
Complementary Practitioner

Catherine Jaroszek

Catherine has been practicing complementary medicine for 20 years, working in different settings.

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Catherine Jaroszek

Complementary Practitioner

Catherine has been practicing complementary medicine for 20 years, working in different settings. During her years working in the NHS as a support worker she became interested in how preventative and supportive intervention such as CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) could be beneficial alongside conventional medicine. This led her to undertake training in CAM at Stoke-on-Trent College and Staffordshire University.


Catherine is passionate about promoting CAM and self care. As a therapist she acknowledges the importance of receiving ongoing complementary therapies, supervision and body work herself. She believes that with the right modality, guidance and willingness to accept change, our bodies with the innate knowing can allow mental, physical and spiritual healing to take place. Catherine looks forward to offering new and existing clients a holistic, confidential and tailor-made treatment plan that is unique to their needs.


Qualifications include:

Body massage (VCTC)

Advanced Aromatherapy

Advanced Reflexology

Indian head massage

Reiki master

Foundation degree in Complementary medicine

Infant massage instructor

Certified Advanced Qigong session leader for health and relaxation

Ruth our councellor at IQ Therapies Alsager
Counsellor

Ruth Jackon

Most of us go through times in our life when we need a little, or a lot of, support. That is where Ruth comes in as a person-centred counsellor.

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Ruth Jackon

Counsellor

Most of us go through times in our life when we need a little, or a lot of, support. And during those times it is often good to talk to someone who is not a friend or family member. We can be more honest and don’t feel that we are putting our problems onto those we love. That is where Ruth comes in as a person-centred counsellor.


Ruth went into counselling after a very hands on and practical career in the stage management of theatre and education. Her life has taken a number of different directions over the years and she has experienced personal loss and serious illness. Ruth believes that this life experience combined with her belief in the goodness of human nature enables her to offer a positive and nonjudgmental relationship with those she counsels.


She is available for face-to-face appointments at iQ Therapies, as well as telephone and online counselling, with appointments available throughout the day and evening.


Counselling is there for young and old, men and women, individuals and couples. It is Ruth’s job to help you to find your way through the minefield of life and make the changes you need, or want, to make. She believes that we all have the answers to our own questions within us and can help you recognise those answers and enable you to work with them. You will be offered a confidential, supportive, understanding and non-judgmental environment in which to achieve this.


Yet while counselling is often about change and development it can also be a place to put things into perspective, find alternative ways of looking at life and come to terms with the things we have no power over. This could include bereavement, loss, a relationship breakdown, serious or life changing illness and many more. Counselling is always a challenge, but Ruth hopes that she offers the kind of support which enables you to feel accepted and ultimately leads most people to feeling more positive about themselves and about their lives, empowering them to make whatever changes they wish, or feel they need, to make.


Some people find that one or two sessions of counselling is all they require to help them think through their issues, while others need longer term support. Ruth is more than happy to work in whatever way suits you best and will do regular informal reviews so that you are always kept in touch with how much progress you are making. This ensures you’ll know and be able to make the decision as to when is the right time to stop counselling

Bronwen, our Holistic Therapist at IQ Therapies Alsager
Holistic Therapist

Bronwen Pretorius

With over 24 years' experience as a holistic therapist, and originally training in Zimbabwe, Bronwen has loved every moment helping and learning from clients.

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Bronwen Pretorius

Holistic Therapist

With over 24 years’ experience as a holistic therapist, and originally training in Zimbabwe, Bronwen has loved every moment helping and learning from clients. She is always ready to keep educating herself with natural, restorative methods so that she can continue to pass on these wonderful therapies to help others heal.


Bronwen specialises in Swedish, Pregnancy, Hot Stones, Eastern acupressure Facial, Thai foot and Thai yoga massage, as well as nutrition - to name but a few.


She has even trained as a Feng Shui consultant to help create balance and harmony within ourselves, our environments, our homes and our businesses.

Helen, our Nutritional Therapist at IQ Therapies Alsager
Nutritional Therapist

Helen James

Helen is a BANT Registered Nutritional Therapist specialising in women's health, hormonal conditions, gut health and pain management.

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Helen James

Nutritional Therapist

Helen is a BANT Registered Nutritional Therapist specialising in women's health, hormonal conditions, gut health and pain management. Helen also has experience and training with disordered eating, and in weight loss behavioral therapy.

Lisa Shirley PIlates Instructor at IQ Therapies Alsager
Pilates Instructor

Lisa Shirley

Lisa is a BCP Certified Pilates instructor who teaches a variety of classes, workshops and bespoke personal Pilates programmes in person and online.

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Lisa Shirley

Pilates Instructor

Lisa’s Pilates journey started 16 years ago when she was advised to join a Body Control Pilates class to help to control back pain after the birth of her first son. From then on she was hooked and couldn't live without it.


Pilates quickly became her passion, which led to her retaining and qualifying as a Body Control Pilates teacher in 2013, after completing two years of training. She now teaches a variety of classes, workshops and bespoke personal pilates programmes in person and online.


Lisa has a keen interest in Pilates for bone and spine health and holds a level 3 qualification to teach clients with osteoporosis and create Pilates programmes that help to maintain bone health and density.


In 2017, Lisa also qualified as a Back4Good practitioner and now teaches small Healthy Back Pilates classes designed to help clients to manage and prevent lower back pain.


Lisa’s passion for Pilates has never wavered, and is stronger than ever. She loves seeing the difference that Body Control Pilates can make to her clients' quality of life and genuinely believes that everyone out there would benefit in some way from the power of Body Control Pilates for both mind and body.


You can see more and follow Lisa by searching for Red Pilates on social media.

Jacquie Karaca our independent Psychotherapist at IQ Therapies Alsager
Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer

Jacquie Karaca

Jacquie Karaca is a Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer who works eclectically with a wide range of client experiences, specialising in trauma, work stress, and GSRD (gender, sexual, and relationship diversity).

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Jacquie Karaca

Psychotherapist, Supervisor and Trainer

Jacquie Karaca is an experienced integrative therapist who draws on a range of approaches depending on what each client wants from therapy and how they express emotion. She offers a therapeutic relationship that is separate from other aspects of life — a dedicated space to explore thoughts and feelings together.


Jacquie has studied Polyvagal Theory and integrates its principles, along with somatic approaches, into her therapeutic practice.


She is an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), adheres to the BACP's code of conduct and ethics, and is a fully insured counsellor.

Mike Oliver Sleep Specialist and Health Psychologist at IQ Therapies Alsager
Sleep Specialist and Health Psychologist

Dr Mike Oliver

Mike was awarded a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology from the University of Staffordshire in 2019. He specialises in helping people who are living with insomnia.

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Dr Mike Oliver

Sleep Specialist and Health Psychologist

Mike was awarded a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology from the University of Staffordshire in 2019. He is passionate about working with people to help them think and behave differently about their health. Mike specialises in helping people who are living with insomnia. Mike is qualified in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBTi). The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends CBTi as the first-line treatment for insomnia for adults of any age, over sleep medication.

He is a registered Health Psychologist and Chartered Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council.


Mike works with individuals, groups, and organisations to help them think and behave differently regarding their sleep. He treats people with insomnia in private practice and collaborates with The Sleep Charity.

Olivia Smith, Sports Therapist at IQ Therapies Alsager
Sports Therapies

Olivia Smith

Olivia is a Sports Massage therapist studying Sports Therapy at Staffordshire University, due to qualify in 2025. She has been working in a clinic since 2023, treating clients of all ages.

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Olivia Smith

Sports Therapist

Olivia is studying Sports Therapy at Staffordshire University, due to qualify in 2025. She qualified in Sports Massage in 2023 and has been working in a clinic setting since then, treating clients from both sporting and non-sporting backgrounds, as well as individuals of all ages. Olivia is also qualified in Chinese Fire Cupping.

Franca, TRX Instructor at IQ Therapies Alsager
TRX Instructor

Franca Licata-Smith

Franca is a fully qualified TRX and TRX for Yoga trainer in Cheshire, well known for injecting a little innovation into her workouts.

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Franca Licata-Smith

TRX Instructor

A former sports footwear and accessory designer who worked with some world-leading brands, Franca Licata-Smith started her professional fitness journey 6 years ago. From a young age, she always participated in groups sports and stayed active.


Today, she is a fully qualified TRX and TRX for Yoga trainer in Cheshire, well known for injecting a little innovation into her workouts. She prides herself on tailoring each experience to the individuals needs, making sure everyone feels as if they have received some one-on-one quality time.


When it comes to fitness she likes to keeps things varied, interesting, and more importantly fun! She believes in practicing what she preaches, ALWAYS! She loves working with people and helping them with various aspects of their fitness and health.


Please don’t be fooled by her exceptionally warm and welcoming personality, though - she runs the most formidable TRX group classes in the area.

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Yoga Instructor

Abi

Abi owns Unplug Yoga and runs the Hatha yoga classes here at iQ Therapies.

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Abi

Yoga Instructor

Abi owns Unplug Yoga and runs the Hatha yoga classes here at iQ Therapies.


So what is Hatha Yoga? Well, in yoga, we often think about the positions and the flexibility we might need to get into those famous positions. However yoga is about much, much more. The positions - or 'Asanas', as they are known - are primarily movements that warm the body up for meditation, because yoga is designed to bring together body and mind.


With Hatha yoga, the ‘Ha’ represents the esoteric sun, while the 'tha' is the moon. Therefore the practice of Hatha aims to join or balance these two energies. Why not give one of her classes a try and see the difference it can bring to your overall health and mindset?