03.25 / “Chula JG and the Attune gang launch the Urgent Response Guide as a free resource!”
03.25 / “The Back Lounge TV: EMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL”
03.25 / “Chula JG does a Step 8 share at a 12-Step meeting’ 28.02.25”
03.25 / “Chula J Goonewardene MBACP on Si5 Improvement Podcast”
“Chula turned to smoking cigarettes at just 9 years old, and went on to form ADDICTIONS with alcohol, weed, ecstasy, speed, acid and finally HEROIN. He openly talks about how the susceptibility to his addiction first formed, how it developed and, more importantly to anyone wishing to live a life free from addiction, how he overcame them ALL! Chula went on to study therapy and is now a qualified therapist, specialised in addiction, and helping many to live a clean and happy life through his therapy business, ATTUNE, and private therapy work.”
11.24 / “Chula J Goonewardene MBACP on JD Dilks podcast”
“Chula was born and raised in the UK the oldest of 3 boys. He started rebelling against the rules as a teenager. He has always loved metal and rock in general as a kid. When he discovered heroin in the 90s its all he thought about. We talk about how he got sober and how he stays sober today. Hes been sober for over 21 years now!”
07.24 / “Chula J Goonewardene MBACP shares his journey on Beacon Recovery.”
Chula shares his recovery journey from heroin addiction to becoming a highly regarded Harley St. practitioner. He speaks to past trauma and how this shaped his early journey, and how the lessons of recovery inform his present. He also speaks to how the experience guides his practice. Chula provides specialist addictions support to the music industry and manages a variety of enteprises all dedicated to helping others to overcome their addiction and recover.
07.24 / ‘Empathy for the Devil’ 6-episode podcast launches, featuring Chula, Sam and Matt from Attune (episode links on publications page)
Empathy For The Devil is a brand new podcast from Attune and Message Heard that discusses music and mental health by delving into the lives of artists and performers who, despite their unique talents, left us far too soon??. Each episode is a journey into one iconic musician, using their life story as a lens to understand them as individuals beyond societal judgments, unravelling their personal stories with empathy and understanding??.
From George Michael to Whitney Houston, we’ll tell you what happened, but more importantly, why it happened. Our three co-hosts Samantha Parker, Matt Thomas and Chula Gudawardener explore their lives from varied angles – family trauma, addiction, societal expectations, the influence of fame? – to discover more about the underlying factors that shaped them, and the universality of mental health struggles.
Join us every week from Thursday July 11th as we bring empathy to the misunderstood, the misjudged, or even the demonised?. Empathy for the devil…
Follow Attune on https://linktr.ee/weareattune
05.24 / “Championing the Wellbeing of the Next Generation”
Chula J Goonewardene MBACP speaks at Music Support: Championing the Wellbeing of the Next Generation on 18th May in Brighton.
11.23 / “Let’s Talk About Addiction”
On November 2nd (7:00pm – 8:45pm), Taking Action on Addiction and partners presented an unforgettable evening titled “Let’s Talk About Addiction”
Hosted live from The Brink, Liverpool, this fantastic evening captivated audiences across the country with honest, open and frank conversations about addiction and recovery.
This absorbing evening, hosted by our wonderful ambassador, Bryony Gordon, included conversations with our esteemed panel:
Ali Gill – chef and journalist/writer
Chula J Goonewardene – counsellor, therapist, musician and clinical director of Attune
Nicky Hamilton – acclaimed photographer of film, tv and commercial
Harriet Strange – recovery coach
with music by Dave McCabe and James “Jay” Lewis
10.23 / Chula speaks as part of a panel discussion for I, Lord (Response Ability Theatre)
Chula J Goonewardene MBACP will be speaking on a panel discussion following the play, I Lord by Response Ability Theatre on Monday 30 October at 4.30pm
07.23 / BAPAM Resilience Workshop
07.23 / Chula J Goonewardene MBACP is this week’s guest on The Journey Home podcast
05.23 / An intro to Addiction work: Chula J Goonewardene MBACP interviewed by Tom Relevitch MBACP Counsellor & Supervisor advising trainee counsellors.
05.23 / Chula J Goonewardene MBACP – Life Story Interview with Mak Pate
Chula J Goonewardene describes the early experiences that led to addiction, and his journey through the 12-step programme into sobriety and a professional life as a clinical psychotherapist.
02.23 / Chula J Goonewardene MBACP interviewed by May Edwards MBACP on working with childhood trauma & addiction in Psychotherapy.
11.22 / Chula J Goonewardene attends the House of Lords w/Steps2Recovery to promote 12-Step treatment in the UK.
10.22 / Chula J Goonewardene on the panel at Abbey Road for Music Minds Matter – Mental health in music: leading positive change
10.22 / Chula J Goonewardene filmed by Beguiled Productions for up-coming documentary on Addiction in the Music Industry
01.22 / Chula J Goonewardene MBACP interviewed by Serena Paese on performance anxiety in musicians
Discussing addiction, trauma, spirituality, meditation and how they relate to performance anxiety for musicians.
01.22 / Trauma, Addiction and Recovery Livestream
with Chula J Goonewardene
In this online course, Chula will take you on a journey to explore the causal factors of addictive disorders, what they really are, and how to treat them.
3 x 90 minute sessions, all at 7pm GMT over three Mondays:
Livestream and replay access: £65 early bird until 17th January (£85 thereafter)
09.21 / TPG – Mental Welfare – September Session
Chula J Goonewardene takes part in a music industry panel on mental health and well-being as we return to live shows.
01.21 / Music Support webinar 28th January 2021
Chula will be taking part in a discussion hosted by Music Support on how to spot and take care of addiction and substance misuse in the music industry, demystifying the 12 step programme and supporting those who lead sober / sober-curious lifestyles.
01.21 / Codependency in Artist and Talent Management with Parker Consulting
As December comes to a close there’s just enough time for me to shoe-horn in my final post about codependency. And it’s a goodun. Big thanks to Chula J Goonewardene for his insight and brutal honesty about life as a musician addict in recovery and now one of the most down to earth and humble therapists out there.
01.21 / Expert talk given at thislifedivine.com online event 2-4 Jan
This Life Divine is a new 3-day online event for anyone looking for transformation and freedom from anxious and addictive behaviours. Join us for a lovingly curated line-up of yoga classes, pranayama (breathwork), workshops and talks from expert, compassionate teachers.
12.20 / Trauma, Addiction & Recovery talk on alternatives.org.uk
Chula talks for Alternatives about the links between Trauma, Addiction and Recovery within the framework of his own personal journey.
12.20 / Boudica Music Conference 2020: Mental Health and Well-Being
Boudica Music Conference 2020 streamed from the Freemasons Hall
How Covid and this year events have affected the overall well-being of people working in the music industry and how musicians, especially those belonging to minorities, can face challenges that leave them particularly vulnerable.
Hosted by The Musicians Union
05.20 / Mental Wellness in Music with SK Shlomo & Chula J Goonewardene (BACP)
As an extension of Mental Health Awareness Week, Focusrite hosted a live webinar presented by performer and producer SK Shlomo, and BACP registered psychotherapist Chula J Goonewardene.
11.19 / Addiction: Chula J Goonewardene and Adrianna Irvine featured in Elevate Music podcast
In this episode we hear from musician and psychotherapist Chula J Goonewardene about his experiences with addiction whilst working as a drummer. We then hear from therapist Adrianna Irvine about her work, substance use in the music industry and where musicians can go for support.
10.19 / Why do music and addiction go hand in hand? Part three: heroin
An NME x Change Incorporated documentary about why heroin has been prevalent in the music industry since the 1940s, and what can be done about it. The film features the incisive wisdom of Harry Shapiro (author of numerous books about drugs and alcohol, including 2007’s The Essential Guide to Drugs and Alcohol). Also interviewed are Dan Gillespie Sells (lead singer of The Feeling), Chula J Goonewardene (former band member and heroin addict who is now a psychotherapist), Adam Ficek (former member of Pete Doherty’s Babyshambles, who is also now a psychotherapist), unsigned band The Levis, and more.
02.19 / Chula J Goonewardene gives a presentation at HQ Therapy’s Addiction afternoon
HQ Therapy held an addiction and trauma afternoon for their Therapists Collective. Chula J Goonewardene presented the Steps2Recovery treatment model to illustrate an effective approach to treating the underlying trauma of those suffering with addictive disorders and how to best support individuals into long-term recovery.
02.19 / Chula J Goonewardene speaking as clinical consultant for Music Support at ‘IPM 12: THE SHOW MUST GO ON, BUT AT WHAT COST?’
The first session of this year’s ILMC Production Meeting tackled the toll that touring takes on the physical and mental well-being of production crews. Read more
11.18 / Chula J Goonewardene speaks at Voices of Fashion on Mental Health
08.18 / Chula J Goonewardene is Guest Speaker at Murdostoun Castle for Abbeycare’s Recovery Month celebrations
Chula J Goonewardene delivers addiction training to Universal staff at Abbey Rd Studios (2018)
Chula J Goonewardene (Steps2Recovery) speaking at Abbeycare’s first professional event, at Lanwades Hall (2018).
Click here for more information on the event.
Steps2Recovery sponsor iCAAD 2017/18
https://www.icaadevents.com/about-icaad
Chula J Goonewardene represents Steps2Recovery at the CSJ Awards 2017.
Chula J Goonewardene featured in a short film about Voluntary Sector Treatment – 2013.
Chula J Goonewardene appears in a promotional film for the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, UK – November 2015.
Chula J Goonewardene appears in David Charkham’s presentation at UKESAD 2016, the UK and European Symposium for Addictive Disorders.
PRESENTERS announced at UKESAD 2016
