Dr. Safia Debar
Bsc MBBS DCH DRCOG nMRCGP
DipOccMed MPH
Dr Safia Debar graduated from St George’s University of London with distinction in 2004. Prior to this she gained a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. She completed her General Practice vocational training in 2007 having worked at Chelsea and Westminster and Charing Cross Hospitals. She completed posts in paediatrics, general medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology and emergency medicine. She gained a number of postgraduate qualifications in these fields. During her time as a trainee, she participated in the “Prepare to Lead” scheme and spent some time at the Department of Health.
She subsequently spent a year in the academic department at St George’s hospital teaching and conducting research on cardiovascular risk and bioinformatics. She was awarded one of eight National Institute for Health Research fellowship in 2009 and has undertaken a Master’s in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She has published numerous research papers and presented at both national and international conferences.
Dr Debar is now a private GP (www.portobelloclinic.com) with a passion in neuroscience, neuroplasticity, stress management and resiliency training. She runs the Harvard stress management and resiliency training courses in her practice. She is also a SAM neuropractitioner (www.superablemind.com) which has taken this a step further to really adopt a holistic approach to wellness.
SCHEDULE A CALLRQ is the stepping stone into increasing awareness, mindfulness and starting to understand how our thoughts influence everything. Understanding the interplay between thoughts, emotions, behaviours and actions with the backdrop of our personal history, genetics and environment can clear the path to reduce suffering. The neuroscience will show you what your are capable of, why you feel stuck and how distorted thinking holds us back.
Your life is as good as your mindset."
“Safia was very knowledgeable and inspiring. She is passionate about the topic and ahead of her times! Well done.”
RQ was inspired by the concept ReQuiescence, as true wellness is often overlooked in the medical model of care. We deliver this through our courses, workshops and wellness retreats.
RQ wellness provide stress management workshops based on the Harvard Stress Resiliency Training programs based on the latest evidence based research. These are 2 hour weekly London-based workshops. Each program runs for 6 consecutive weeks. Weekend intensives are also available for those unable to attend weekly.
RQ Wellness retreats take place annually in locations such as Portugal, Ibiza and Morocco. These unique retreats combine yoga, optimum nutrition, life coaching and doctor or psychologist led workshops set in idyllic surroundings. They are ideal to reset, press pause and reconnect.
Our aim is to empower, inspire and equip our clients with the tools, framework, knowledge and strategies to optimise all facets of their wellbeing to promote longevity, happiness and fulfilment. The end result? Embarking on a journey of growth, self awareness and true living of life. This in turn will promote physical and psychological wellbeing.
Our vision is freedom. Freedom from limiting beliefs, distorted thinking and our own imposed suffering. So, whatever your personal challenges, our intention is to help bring about a sense of peace, contentment and clarity.
SCHEDULE A CALLThe Story Behind RQ
Having undergone traditional medical training, working in various hospitals and specialities, academia and research, I found my niche as a general practitioner.
It combined all medical specialties and I loved the continuity of care I could provide by really getting to know my patients. However, as traditional general practice became more stretched, clinics got busier, targets and paperwork increased and time spent with patients reduced.
Doctors stress levels increased, being pulled in all directions meant that patient care was not what is used to be. Continuity of care was no longer paramount and patients just saw the doctor who was available.
I transitioned into private practice where I had more autonomy and time with patients.
I have always enjoyed my job but I was tired, overwhelmed and slowly started to recognise the signs of burnout. I also felt I was practicing in a reactive fashion with no time available for preventative care. I no longer felt I was useful as a doctor, although I was told otherwise, I often thought..is this it? I knew something drastic was needed so I took a sabbatical really just to reset and re-align my priorities and re-familiarise myself with my core values and drivers. It was during this year that I attended Harvard’s Mind-Body medicine conference and subsequently worked towards a certification in stress management and resiliency training.
I have always enjoyed my job but I was tired, overwhelmed and slowly started to recognise the signs of burnout.
I also felt I was practicing in a reactive fashion with no time available for preventative care. I no longer felt I was useful as a doctor, although I was told otherwise, I often thought..is this it? I knew something drastic was needed so I took a sabbatical really just to reset and re-align my priorities and re-familiarise myself with my core values and drivers. It was during this year that I attended Harvard’s Mind-Body medicine conference and subsequently worked towards a certification in stress management and resiliency training.
This has transformed the way I practice but also consolidated what I knew instinctively. The research overwhelmingly proves the huge impact of stress on disease and how relatively simple steps can be taken to reverse its effects. In my opinion, education around the neuroscience of stress, neuroplasticity and resiliency training has had a far greater impact on my patients’ wellbeing than the traditional medical model. My patients and clients now feel empowered, equipped and take ownership of their health. The aim is not just the absence of disease but wellness and thriving.
I now run Harvard SMART courses in stress management and resiliency training and am also a SAM Neuropractitioner (www.superablemind.com)
My intention is to be able to incorporate this wisdom and strategies firstly in my own life and then be able to help others incorporate it into theirs. My vision is to practice holistically and help my patients overcome any limiting beliefs, fears or misconceptions that prevent them from accessing their inner power to thrive and feel well. It all starts with the mind, with our thoughts and by understanding the neuroscience we can leverage our brains to achieve wellness and live with purpose, meaning and authenticity.
RQ was therefore created, inspired by the theme of ReQuiescence. Our courses and retreats are designed to unleash potential.
We aim to help cultivate the ingredients to create moments of flow and insight.
Our Team
Dr Leah Austin
MBBS MRCGP NT Dip AFMCP
Dr Leah Austin is a private general practitioner and nutritional therapist. She runs London Nutrition Doctor which specialises in supporting chronic health problems, digestive health, hormonal health/bio-identical hormones, women’s health, nutrigenomics and anti-ageing.
Shirlee Kay
Shirlee is a London-based therapist specialising in couple’s, individual, sex therapy and fertility therapy. She works with couples and individuals to help them understand the wealth of emotional intelligence and strengths they already possess and use them to make the best choices.
Anastasia Hatzivasilou
Anastasia is the founder of Superablemind (SAM), a method for training the mind and brain that teaches us how to better shape and regulate our thoughts, emotions, events and human conditions. It re-wires the brain and mind to seven behaviours, forty-three ideologies and three incantations that empower us to access a more functional, rational and creative level of mind.
Dr Ulrike Nau-Debor
MDPsych, BSc in Psychology, Dipl Ing (Architecture), AFBPsS
Ulrike holds a doctorate in Psychotherapeutic and Counselling Psychology. Ulrike specialises in working with people who experience anxiety problems, eating disorders and body image dissatisfaction, depression, low self-esteem, bereavement and coping with health issues.
Fontaine Wright
Fontaine is a Level 3 qualified Personal Trainer and former Team GB and England International Badminton Player.
Sharing her knowledge and experience of elite level sport, Fontaine is also an Athlete Mentor for the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust where she delivers programmes, workshops and talks on nutrition, building resilience, confidence and self-belief.
