The people behind SAS
Sensory Activation Solutions (SAS) is the 'brainwave' of Steven Michaëlis and Kaśka Gozdek-Michaëlis and is the culmination of over 30 years of study and work relating to how we learn and how we can be more effective in life. The methodology and programmes were developed and researched in the U.K. and Turkey and are being used by individuals, families and schools throughout the world and are available to private clients at SAS Centres in England, Australia and Turkey.
An international team of knowledgeable, experienced and creative people form the backbone of the SAS organisation. Their commitment to finding the right solutions and to providing the very best service is matched to a holistic and caring attitude where the client always comes first.
International
The international team is headed by Steven Michaëlis and Kaśka Gozdek-Michaëlis, but all staff members throughout the world contribute to the further development of the SAS methodology and expansion of the organisation.
U.K.
The SAS UK Head Office is based in Watford and is staffed by Steven Michaëlis, Kaśka Gozdek-Michaëlis and Nicole Zimbler. A select team of SAS Practitioners has been trained to provided services in other parts of the country.
- SAS Centre - Milton Keynes - Janet Maude
- SAS Centre - Shrewsbury (opening March 2012)
- SAS Accredited Practitioner - Norfolk - Judy Rawlings
- SAS Accredited Practitioner - Essex - Sally Veater
- SAS Accredited Master Practitioner - Hertfordshire and London - Nicole Zimbler
Australia
Mother and daughter Nina and Anneke Woodcock recently opened the SAS Centre - Brisbane after being trained in the SAS methodology in both the U.K. and Turkey. They both have extensive experience with children with special needs. Nina has been a Special Needs support teacher for over 15 years. Services are also available in Toowoomba, Queensland.
Turkey
Ergun Karabulut is the General Manager of SAS Turkey – he looks after all business aspects of all Turkish Centres. Helena Karabulut is a Director of SAS Turkey.
SAS Centre - Ankara
Çiğdem Doğan is the SAS Centre - Ankara Manager and resident full-time psychologist, while Miray Eykay is the Language and Communications Coordinator in Ankara. Elif Bayar looks after administrative tasks and public relations.
SAS Centre - Istanbul
Okan Karka is the SAS Centre - Istanbul Manager and is also in charge of Research and Development for SAS Turkey. Hande Okçuoğlu is the SAS Centre - Istanbul Family & Child Communications Manager. Tuğçe Uzgören is the Language and Communications Coordinator. Yurdagül (Gül) Teker looks after administrative tasks at the Istanbul Centre.
Steven Michaëlis (SAS International / U.K.)
Steven Michaëlis is the originator of the SAS methodology and founder of SAS Organisation, currently with centres in the U.K., Turkey and Australia. He is a highly experienced counsellor, conference presenter and expert in acoustics and human auditory perception. He specialises in sensory activation techniques that help the brain to processes information more effectively and that stimulate inter-hemispheric synchronisation.
Steven got interested in sound recording when he received a reel-to-reel tape recorder for his 15th birthday. As he was already involved in the organisation of a local youth club, he used the equipment to record live bands, including an early Pink Floyd performance. He designed his own little mixing desk and made microphones out of dictating machines spares. Not surprisingly Steven went on to study electronics and at the same time founded an electronic equipment import and distribution company in Holland. Having completed a studio engineering course in the USA, he expanded into studio design and record production.
At the age of 25 Steven moved to England to pursue a career with a leading British sound equipment design organisation. This brought him into contact with leading acoustics companies in Europe, the USA and Far East and expanded his knowledge of human auditory perception and formal testing procedures. In his early thirties he joined the Japanese consumer electronics giant JVC and travelled extensively throughout the world, networking with innovators and researchers working in the field of sound processing and early computer technologies.
In the eighties Steven embarked on a parallel career in counselling and parenting skills and was involved in the establishment of the first national parenting organisation in the UK. He ran many parenting and relationship classes for parents and for couples expecting their first baby, guiding them through this life-changing period. He was trained by leading child-development experts from Europe, the USA and Australasia and he eventually became a certified group counsellor and master-trainer.
At the same time Steven also got interested in methods that stimulate faster and better learning. This included the use of baroque music, breathing techniques and suggestive language. He was actively involved in organising a number of international conferences on the subject and met many of the leading innovators in the field.
The development of the SAS methodology can be traced back to the wide ranging knowledge and experience Steven acquired during the last 40 years. Combining his knowledge of human auditory perception with the latest findings in neuro-plasticity and using the latest computer technology to alter music and speech in ways that were not possible until recently, has resulted in the extraordinarily effective SAS methodology that helps children and adults to perform more effectively.
Kaska Gozdek-Michaëlis (SAS International / U.K.)
Kaśka Gozdek-Michaëlis is an inter-faith, cross-cultural lecturer, writer, psychotherapist and life-coach with over 25 years experience. She gained a Master Degree in Oriental Studies at the prestigious University of Warsaw, Poland. Her passion has always been education in the widest sense of the word and she is a life-long student and seeker of knowledge and truth herself.
For many years Kaśka Michaëlis has lectured and given workshops at colleges and universities in the U.K. on subjects ranging from counselling and communication skills to accelerated learning techniques, assertiveness training and courses for women returners. She also has facilitated parenting and parents-to-be courses for both parents and educational professionals.
Kaśka Michaëlis is the author of two books in Polish, 'Develop your genius mind' and 'Super-possibilities of your mind' in which she presents a picture of a new style of education that encourages the learner to understand his or her own thought processes and emotional make up. This leads to greater control over the mind, body and spirit and allows the student to be much more effective and a happier person.
Kaśka Michaëlis offers her counselling, psychotherapy and coaching services to clients throughout the world in either English or Polish.
Nicole Zimbler (SAS U.K. / SAS Master Practitioner - Hertfordshire and London)
Nicole Zimbler heads up the SAS organisation in the U.K. and is an accredited SAS Neuro Sensory Master Practitioner. She completed her training in the SAS methodology in the U.K. and at the SAS Centres in Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey. She is a Remedial and Learning Support Specialist, Yoga Therapist for Children, Reflexologist, Doula, Baby Massage Instructor and Healer based in South Hertfordshire. Nicole has worked in diverse environments offering her services to the elderly, to the new borns and to all that come in between.
In addition to her yoga teaching and holistic treatments, she works with mental health patients and troubled adolescents, mothers and their new babies, children and their families. Over the last six years Nicole has directed her training and area of specialisation towards child development, remedial learning and therapeutic care for children and their families.
She works with the sensory systems to strengthen the ability of children and adults to process information more effectively, enhancing their learning, stabilising their emotions and helping to re-balance their physical systems. This promotes language development, sensory motor-coordination, emotional stability, de-sensitivity and processing skills ... more info.
Janet Maude (SAS Centre - Milton Keynes)
Janet Maude manages the SAS Centre Milton Keynes which covers Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire. She completed her training in the SAS methodology in the U.K. and at the SAS Centres in Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey. Janet is a qualified teacher, a Kip McGrath and private tutor, and is TEFL trained.
She has worked with youngsters with varying abilities from a diversity of backgrounds and has an interest in special needs. During her class teaching years she came across many children suffering from a whole range of learning difficulties and has worked closely with parents and learning support assistants to help make their lives in school a little easier.
Janet's passion is to make a lasting difference to the lives of those suffering with many types of learning issues, which the education system is often unable to do ... more info.
Judy Rawlings (SAS Practitioner - Norfolk)
Judy Rawlings is a SAS Accredited Neuro Sensory Practitioner based in Norfolk. She completed her training in the SAS methodology in the U.K. and at the SAS Centres in Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey. Judy is a qualified teacher – PGCE, has a diploma in educational studies, a certificate in parent education and is a private tutor.
She has always been fascinated by the process of learning and finding ways to help students, whether child or adult, reach their full potential. Janet has a wealth of experience working with pupils of varying abilities, including those with special needs, gained from 30 years in education.
This breadth of experience has not only given her insight into the many difficulties faced by learners, allowing her to tailor her teaching to the pupil’s individual needs, but it has also highlighted the many difficulties faced by parents and carers in supporting their children’s learning and development ... more info.
Sally Veater (SAS Practitioner - Essex)
Sally Veater is a SAS Accredited Neuro Sensory Practitioner based in North Essex. She completed her training in the SAS methodology in the U.K. and at the SAS Centres in Istanbul and Ankara in Turkey. Sally has a first class honours degree in Language Studies and also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. She is a remedial and learning support specialist using neuro-cognitive educational strategies, including the use of the Raviv method and Move to Learn retained reflexes remediation.
As a former secondary school teacher and the mother of a dyslexic son, Sally is keen to demonstrate how neuro sensory and cognitive learning methods can help those with learning difficulties to realise their full potential. She offers individually tailored programmes which are focused, provide a new base for learning, use methods that are simple and fun and that can be adapted to all ages. Results are often rapid with unexpected benefits in other areas of life.
Sally combines aspects of a variety of remedial approaches and up-to-date theories in phonics and reading together with the SAS methodology. Remediation is achieved through neuro sensory therapy and movement exercises with appropriate games, in a relaxed and positive learning environment ... more info.
Nina Woodcock (SAS Australia & New Zealand)
Born in the North Island of New Zealand, Nina migrated to Australia in her early 20s and for the past 11 years has been a Teacher Aide to children with very high needs at the Mt. Ommaney Special School. In the past Nina has also worked as a swimming coach with Special Olympics, mentoring people from ages 8-60 who have an intellectual disability.
In 2011, Nina completed her Diploma in Education Support with the Gold Coast TAFE and is looking forward to using her new skills to help further the development of children and adults with intellectual and learning disabilities. She has a special interest in Asperger's Syndrome and Autism and hopes that through SAS she can broaden her knowledge of intellectual disabilities so as to better help those who are affected by it.
Nina joined the SAS team in 2011 after spending 4 months in the U.K., Turkey and The Netherlands learning more about the innovative methods developed by Sensory Activation Solutions with the aim of establishing centres in Australia and New Zealand.
Anneke Woodcock (SAS Australia & New Zealand)
Born in Australia with dual citizenship in New Zealand, Anneke has recently completed her three year degree in Theatre and Arts Business at The University of Southern Queensland. Anneke has had experience working with both children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities through voluntary work with Special Olympics and also at the Mt. Ommaney Special School in the Music Program. She hopes to one day bring a new educational parameter to schools in Australia using ‘clown’ as a tool for learning.
In the meantime Anneke is ecstatic to be on board with Sensory Activation Solution and in June/July 2011 she spent some time in the U.K. and Turkey learning the advanced methods and theories offered by SAS.
Nina and Anneke will be working as a team to get SAS up and running in Australia and later New Zealand quickly and efficiently so as to successfully bring this program to the many who will benefit from it.
Ergun Karabulut (SAS Turkey)
Ergun heads the SAS Centre Ankara and is an Economics graduate from Gazi University, Ankara. He grew up in a family steeped in education and at a young age learned how the right education forms the individual, builds character and prepares a young person for a successful adult life. He grew up supporting several relatives with learning difficulties and finds it easy to open his heart towards those that are less fortunate. Ergun is Turkish and speaks excellent English.
Helena Karabulut (SAS Turkey)
Born in England, Helena is one of the founders of the SAS Centre Ankara. With both her parents deeply involved in Parenting Skills training programmes, she was a willing 'guinea pig' as a child and now puts this experience into practise herself, being the mother of a two-year old. She studied History and Politics of the Middle East and Turkish language at Durham University in the U.K. and is an accomplished and inspiring TEFL teacher. She worked in Warsaw, Poland and at the Turco-British Association (TBA) and Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) in Ankara. Helena is British and speaks fluent Turkish.
Çiğdem Doğan (SAS Centre - Ankara Manager)
In 2011 Çiğdem Doğan obtained a degree in psychology from Atılım University in Ankara. She completed a number of internships at medical and social-services institutions in Ankara before joining the SAS organisation in March 2011. Çiğdem's knowledge of clinical- and neuro-psychology, combined with her keen interest in childhood development, learning processes and the emotional well-being of adults, assist her to be a very effective member of the SAS team in Ankara. In addition to supervising the SAS programmes with clients, she provides counselling services to parents. Çiğdem speaks good English in addition to her Turkish mother-tongue.
Miray Eykay (SAS Centre - Ankara Language and Communications Coordinator)
Miray Eykay graduated in 2011 from the Department of Linguistics at Ankara University. She also completed internships at Show TV and TÖMER in Ankara, dealing with linguistics and pragmatics. In August 2010 Miray joined the SAS organisation, initially on a part-time basis. She is continuing to study, specialising in concept acquisition and language development of children and adults with special educational needs. Miray speaks good English in addition to her Turkish mother-tongue.
Elif Bayar (SAS Centre - Ankara Executive Assistant)
Elif was born in Ankara and has studied at the Radio and Television Technology Department of Gazi University in Ankara. After her studies she made good use of her media expertise at TRT, the Turkish National Broadcaster.
Elif has a passion for working with children and makes instant rapport with them. At the SAS Centre - Ankara she is responsible for administrative tasks and public relations, in addition to assisting children taking the programmes.
Okan Karka (SAS Centre - Istanbul Manager)
Born in Istanbul in 1983, Okan graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University in 2007 with an honours degree in psychology. He currently is completing a post-graduate Master of Science course at the same university, specialising in early childhood education. Okan is also involved in the Early Child Development Training Program organised by the Netherlands Institute for Higher Education and has an active interest in learning and abstract thinking skills for children and adolescents. He likes to use art as a learning tool, and offers psychological and social support to children, young people and parents. Okan speaks excellent English in addition to his Turkish mother-tongue.
Hande Okçuoğlu (SAS Centre - Istanbul Family & Child Communications Manager)
Born in Bursa, Hande graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University in 2009 with an honours degree in psychology. Two years later she obtained her Master of Science degree in Psychological Therapies from Queen Mary, University of London, one of the UK's leading research-focused institutions. She has also completed a number of certification programmes relating to developmental disorders during childhood, substance abuse, Gestalt Therapy, Art Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.
During her studies in Turkey, she worked as a trainee at Istanbul Medicine Faculty CAPA. After graduation from Bilgi University she worked for one year with autistic children at a private counselling centre and during her masters studies in the U.K., she worked as a psychologist with immigrant women.
Hande has a special interest in the relationship between mother and child and speaks excellent English in addition to her Turkish mother-tongue.
Tuğçe Uzgören (SAS Centre - Istanbul Language and Communications Coordinator)
Born in 1989 in Istanbul, Tuğçe graduated from Ankara University, Department of Linguistics. During her studies she was part of a project team at the School of Health Sciences, Department of Neuroscience, investigating linguistics and EEG data-linking related to Developmental Dyslexia. For her thesis Tuğçe researched linguistic elements within the reading and writing patterns of people suffering with Dyslexia.
Tuğçe joined SAS Ankara in July 2010 on a part-time basis and is now a full-time member of staff at the SAS Centre - Istanbul. She speaks good English in addition to her Turkish mother-tongue.
Yurdagül (Gül) Teker (SAS Centre - Istanbul Administration Assistant)
Born in Istanbul, Yurdagül Teker is a graduate from the Bağcılar Anatolian Technical and Industrial Vocational High School. She has previously worked as a sales consultant in some of the biggest brand name stores.
She has excellent communication skills and a warm personality. Gül enjoys helping people to progress further in life.
At the SAS Centre - Istanbul she is responsible for administrative tasks and public relations, in addition to assisting children taking the programmes.
