About

The Matrix Program® is a non residential addiction program, run by Ashcliffe Psychology a private clinical psychology practice, in Perth Western Australia.

The Matrix Program® in Perth is directed by Kerryn Ashford Hatherly and Michael Tunnecliffe

Kerryn Ashford- Hatherly

Clinical Psychologist

BA (Hons), MPsych (Clinical), Dip Clinical Hyp., Dip Trans Personal Counselling.

Kerryn has an extensive background of over 30 years in the mental health field. Her expertise in addiction dates back to late 1990s where she worked in alcohol and drug addiction treatment agencies for several years. Since then, Kerryn has developed significant experience in working with addiction, trauma and PTSD.

She has worked in Domestic Violence with both perpetrators and victims, children in protective custody, provided critical incident and post incident support within the Mining and Resources sector and psychological support and treatment for emergency workers, law enforcement officers and first responders.

Kerryn became interested in the Matrix Model intensive outpatient addiction treatment several years ago when she recognised a gap in services in Western Australia for an alternative to residential addiction treatment. It had become apparent clients were wanting to continue working and living with their family as well as enter addiction treatment. However, they required more support than that which individual psychological treatment could offer. After researching treatment options, in particular for stimulant use, Kerryn came across the Matrix Model which had over 30 years of encouraging research documenting the treatment outcomes with an intensive long term intervention program. In 2016, Kerryn went to the USA to the Matrix Institute, and became trained to Supervisor level in the Matrix Model. In 2017, Kerryn joined with her colleague and co-director Michael Tunnecliffe to start Ashcliffe Psychology and provide the Matrix Program®, which is an adapted version of the Matrix Model.

Michael Tunnecliffe

Clinical Psychologist

BA (Hons), MAppPsych (Clinical), MA (Philosophy) Grad Dip Phil, Dip Teaching, Dip Crisis Intervention.

Michael has over 35 years experience as a Clinical Psychologist. His expertise in addiction started with the Matrix Program®. Prior to this Michael held senior management roles in both the public and private sector, working mainly with law enforcement and the emergency services. He has significant experience in the areas of Critical Incident Stress and Crisis intervention.

Michael was an adjunct lecturer in Trauma Counselling at the University of Notre Dame Australia for 10 years. He has provided consulting services to the resource sector and aviation.

His books include How to Understand and Manage Stress, A life in Crisis and Risky Practices.

Michael has been an invited speaker to Conferences around Australia and New Zealand and in the USA.

Michael became interested in addiction treatment while working with clients who disclosed addiction problems along with mental health issues. Through Kerryn’s work, Michael became interested in the Matrix Program®. After training with the Matrix Institute in 2017, Michael joined with his colleague, Kerryn, to set up the Matrix Program® in WA. He has become a strong advocate of the Matrix Program® as an effective addiction treatment because it is an intensive program which requires participants to commit to multiple sessions each week. He sees the program a great alternative to residential treatments for many people, as there are individuals seeking addiction recovery, but due to family or work commitments, they are unable to enter a full-time residential program. Michael strongly endorses the idea that rehabilitation is more effective when people people learn how to stay drug-free or sober in a more “normal” environment, than the artificial environment provided by many residential facilities. Finally, as a Clinical Psychologist, Michael appreciates the evidence-based approach, responsiveness to client feedback and long-term client objectives that are fundamental to the Matrix Program®.

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