Meet the Team
Meet the team behind The Voyage®.
Each of us brings a unique combination of lived experience and professional training in trauma recovery. Trained in The Voyage® methodology, we’re here to support, guide, and hold space for meaningful growth and healing.
Lou Lebentz
Founder of The Voyage®, Award-Winning Global Therapist, Trauma Clinician & Renowned Public Speaker
Dr. Debra FinklesteinÂ
Consultant Psychiatrist (USA), Clinical Advisor & Trauma Specialist
Lou Lebentz
Founder of The Voyage®, Award-Winning Global Therapist, Trauma Clinician & Renowned Public Speaker
Lou Lebentz is a globally recognized trauma therapist, speaker, and thought leader dedicated to transforming how we understand and heal from trauma. With over two decades of experience, she has worked extensively in private practice, clinical settings, and international training platforms, helping individuals, professionals, and organizations foster deep healing and resilience.
As the creator of The Voyage®, an innovative 12-wave framework for trauma recovery, Lou bridges neuroscience, somatic healing, and therapeutic wisdom to empower people on their healing journey. Her holistic approach integrates the mind, body, and soul, ensuring a deeply transformative experience.
She has trained countless therapists, clinicians, and coaches, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to work with trauma in a more informed, effective, and compassionate way.
Beyond clinical settings, Lou is a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering keynote talks, masterclasses, and retreats worldwide. Her work in trauma-informed leadership and personal transformation resonates with people from all walks of life—whether they seek to heal, grow, or lead with greater awareness.
Her lived experience of overcoming trauma, addiction, and illness fuels her work with authenticity and deep compassion. Lou speaks candidly about her personal journey, using it as a beacon of hope to show others that healing is not only possible—it is our birthright.
Now focused on expanding The Voyage®, Lou is on a mission to make trauma-informed knowledge accessible to all. Through online programs, live events, books, and coaching, she continues to challenge outdated narratives and inspire a new, empowered approach to trauma recovery.
When she’s not working, Lou finds joy in nature, spirituality, and the company of her beloved dog, Alfie. She is deeply committed to fostering a world where trauma is understood, addressed, and no longer passed down through generations.
Dr. Deborah Finklestein
Consultant Psychiatrist (USA), Clinical Advisor & Trauma Specialist
Dr. Deborah Finklestein is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience, specialising in both general and addiction psychiatry. She is deeply committed to helping adolescents and adults navigate a range of mental health challenges, including chronic and terminal medical conditions, chemical dependence, eating disorders, and co-occurring illnesses.
Her integrative approach to mental health not only addresses psychiatric symptoms, but also explores the underlying trauma that contributes to emotional distress, enabling her to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed care.
Dr. Finklestein began her educational journey with an undergraduate degree from UCLA, followed by a Master of Education. She went on to earn her medical degree from Tel Aviv University, completed her psychiatry residency at Albert Einstein’s Beth Israel Medical Center, and pursued a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at New York University’s Bellevue Hospital.
Early in her career, she recognised that trauma is often a root cause of psychiatric challenges. This led her to deepen her expertise with advanced training in Integrative Body Psychotherapy (with Beverly Kitaen Morse, PhD) and Havening Techniques (with Dr. Kate Truitt, PhD). These somatic-based modalities complement her clinical work, allowing her to offer holistic and effective support to her patients.
A firm believer in collaborative care, Dr. Finklestein works closely with a diverse network of healthcare professionals to ensure her patients receive well-rounded, multi-faceted support. She is also dedicated to mentoring future generations of psychiatrists, serving as an associate supervising physician at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Finklestein is a co-founder of Project ReFind, a women’s support programme, and serves as an expert speaker for Campowerment, where she educates women on mental health, self-advocacy, and personal growth.
With a strong commitment to integrative, evidence-based practice, Dr. Finklestein creates a collaborative environment that empowers her patients to meet life’s challenges with clarity, resilience, and confidence.
Andrea Taylor, MSc MBACP, FDAP
Psychotherapist, Co-Facilitator & Trainer at The Voyage®
Andrea Taylor is an experienced psychotherapist specializing in addiction, trauma, and couples therapy. With over 25 years in the field, she has worked across leading organizations, including The Priory, Blenheim Project, Turning Point, and APN, in roles ranging from therapist to clinical director.
She currently serves as a consultant for Camino Recovery, a renowned rehabilitation center in Spain, where she supports individuals and families on their recovery journey. She is also a sessional therapist for Portobello Behavioural Health.
Andrea’s expertise spans both harm minimization and abstinence-based approaches, integrating neuroscience, relational therapy, and trauma-informed care. She holds an MSc in Addiction Psychology and Counselling and has advanced training in:
✔ Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy
âś” Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
âś” EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
âś” Sex Addiction Therapy (Paula Hall method)
âś” Transpersonal Couples Therapy
Passionate about the complexities of human relationships, Andrea works with individuals and couples to heal trauma, navigate addiction, and cultivate deeper connections. Her own lived experience with addiction brings authenticity to her work, allowing her to engage clients with empathy and a profound understanding of recovery.
Beyond her clinical work, Andrea is a sought-after speaker and educator, delivering training and workshops on addiction, trauma recovery, and relational dynamics. She is dedicated to helping clients move beyond survival and step into a life of greater fulfillment and balance.
Heather Moon Vogels
Psychotherapist, Co-Facilitator & Trainer at The Voyage®
Heather Moon Vogels is a highly experienced therapist with over 20 years in the UK and US healthcare systems, specializing in trauma, self-harm, dependencies, and relationship dynamics. She is extensively trained in Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Therapy and EMDR therapy, offering compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to teens, young adults, and families.
Her career spans private practice, forensic mental health, and academic institutions, integrating neuroscience, trauma healing, and motivational therapies. As an experienced educator, she has taught at institutions including:
âś” University of Oxford
âś” Columbia University Medical School
âś” Webster Private University in Vienna
Heather also brings a creative dimension to therapy, incorporating artistic expression when beneficial. Having lived in multiple countries, she deeply understands the challenges of cultural transitions and has extensive experience supporting expatriates through identity shifts and adjustment.
Now based in Austria, Heather enjoys rowing, exploring nature, and spending time with her husband, three children, and three cats. She remains dedicated to empowering clients towards healing, self-discovery, and a more balanced life.
At The Voyage®, we are passionate about helping individuals, professionals, and organisations navigate trauma recovery and personal growth.
Whether you're looking for expert guidance, professional training, or support tailored to your needs, Lou and her team are here to help.
Get in Touch with Lou and Her Team!