Hope Rehab Team
The Team who is going to care for you is the single most important component of any Rehab program, including their reasons for doing so, their training and education, their ability and talent for inspiring clients and much more – At Hope this is what we look for in all our team members and we belive we have found everything needed.
“Addiction professionals and recovering people know the importance of ‘HOPE’. Recovery is available even to people who may not at first be able to perceive this HOPE themselves.” – Quote from American Society of Addiction Medicine
Dedicated Multidisciplinary Team
Hope Rehab is supported by a large, multidisciplinary team of more than 40 dedicated staff members. Our team includes addiction counsellors, recovery coaches, nurses, massage therapists, fitness professionals, yoga instructors, boxing trainers, meditation coaches, chefs, housekeeping and maintenance staff, as well as dedicated admissions, administration and marketing teams.
Investing in People
Maintaining such a large and highly skilled team represents one of our biggest ongoing investments and where most of the fees go. We believe that providing clients with access to a wide range of professional and recovery-focused support is an essential part of creating the best possible environment for long-term recovery.
The People Behind Hope
The Hope Rehab community is built around the commitment, compassion and hard work of our staff. Many members of our team have personal experience of addiction and recovery, giving them a unique understanding of the challenges involved in making lasting changes. Their lived experience, combined with professional training and expertise, allows them to support clients with empathy, understanding and practical knowledge.
Every member of the Hope team plays an important role in creating a safe, supportive and welcoming recovery community. From the counsellors working directly with clients to the staff who keep the centre running smoothly each day, our shared goal is to help every person who comes to Hope make meaningful progress towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Meet the Hope team below
Say Hello to our wonderful domestic staff, the girls are all from the same remote village up in the hills on the boarder of Burma. They cook all your tasty food, make sure your room is clean and fresh and are generally very gentle and kind people.
Say Hello to our dedicated Clinical Psychology and Social-Work Interns from all over the world – The Hope team and Hope’s clients all work together with Universities helping to train badly needed staff for all sorts of related diciplins. For more information go to our Intern page.
“Every team member can make a positive difference to a client’s experience at Hope Rehab”
Simon Mott – Addiction Counsellor & Founder of Hope Rehab
Simon Mott is the founder and creator of the Hope Rehab Thailand program. With more than two decades of personal recovery, extensive professional experience in addiction treatment, and a background in managing residential rehabilitation services and substance misuse programs in the UK, Simon brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his work.
Simon’s career has included managing residential rehabilitation services, criminal justice substance misuse programs, and public services for local government in London. His own experience of addiction and treatment has also given him a unique perspective. Having been a client in residential rehabilitation himself, Simon understands recovery not only from a professional standpoint, but also from the perspective of someone who has experienced the challenges of addiction and recovery firsthand.
Throughout his career, Simon has remained actively involved in the development of addiction treatment and recovery services. He has trained addiction counsellors, contributed to professional discussions around substance misuse, and advised government bodies on approaches to tackling addiction and substance-related harm. During his time working in London, Simon participated in the “All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Misuse”, which met regularly at the Houses of Parliament. He became a member of the “Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals (FDAP)” and is registered with the “Asia Pacific Certification Board (APCB)” as a qualified addiction counsellor.
Simon is a qualified counsellor has completed specialist substance misuse training through the University of Hertfordshire and the Royal College of General Practitioners, including a Certificate in the Management of Drug Misuse. His areas of professional expertise include addiction treatment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), brief solution-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, dual diagnosis, LGBTQ+ and cultural awareness, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and the Minnesota Model approach to recovery.
Simon has also developed and published multiple recovery workbooks to complement the Hope Rehab program. These resources combine CBT, mindfulness, therapeutic interventions, fitness, sober coaching and practical recovery exercises, giving clients structured tools they can continue using throughout their treatment and beyond.
At the heart of Simon’s approach is the belief that successful recovery involves much more than simply stopping drugs or alcohol. The Hope program he created is designed to help clients understand the underlying causes of addiction, develop practical coping strategies, rebuild relationships, improve emotional wellbeing, and develop the skills needed to create a healthier and more sustainable life in recovery.
Read Simon’s history here and personal story in The Independent or The Telegraph
“The qualities we look for in our staff are not only experience and certification but also that they can inspire and reach our clients. They have been where you have been and have gone where you are going”
Alon Kumsawad – Co-Founder of Hope Rehab & Meditation Yoga Teacher
Alon is the co-founder of Hope Rehab and a qualified Yoga, Tai Chi, and Pilates teacher and meditation coach. She brings a deep passion and personal dedication to helping people overcome addiction and find a meaningful path to recovery. Her compassion, commitment, and belief in the potential for change have been an important part of the Hope community from the beginning. As a yoga and meditation teacher, fitness trainer, and singing bowl practitioner, Alon brings together a unique combination of physical, emotional, and spiritual practices. Her approach encourages clients to reconnect with themselves, develop greater awareness, reduce stress, and discover healthier ways of living.
As a Thai Buddhist, Alon also draws from her own personal spiritual practice. She shares aspects of this practice with clients who are interested, offering opportunities to explore mindfulness, meditation, inner awareness, and personal growth as part of their recovery journey. Alon’s unique blend of professional skills, cultural heritage, spiritual practice, and genuine care for others brings a distinctive and nurturing quality to the Hope Rehab experience. Alon is a graduate of the Chiang Mai Rajamangala University in Liberal Arts and Administration and is a qualified fitness instructor. She also has qualifications in Yoga and Pilates.
Singing Bowl Therapy & Meditation Teacher
Alon introduced Singing Bowl Therapy to Hope Rehab, bringing this increasingly popular form of sound and vibration therapy into the recovery program. Drawing on her experience with guided meditation, she has developed a unique approach that combines sound, vibration, mindfulness, and relaxation.
Singing Bowl Therapy is a natural complement to mindfulness and massage, while also offering a gentle spiritual dimension. The soothing sounds and vibrations can help clients slow down, release tension, quiet the mind, and enter a deeply relaxed state. For many clients, these sessions provide a peaceful opportunity to step away from the pressures of recovery and reconnect with a sense of calm and inner stillness.
“Being part of Hope is something beyond my wildest dreams! I feel like I am part of something special. Every morning, I am so excited to get up early and show everyone how wonderful life is.”
Specialist Addiction Nurse - Aoy
Nurse Aoy is a specialist addiction nurse trained at the Thanyarak Institute, Thailand’s leading specialist centre for drug and alcohol dependence treatment and rehabilitation. Her specialist training provides her with valuable knowledge and experience in supporting people affected by substance use and addiction.
The Thanyarak Institute is part of Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and operates under the supervision of the Department of Medical Services. Established as Thailand’s first specialist treatment centre for drug dependence, Thanyarak has grown into the country’s largest network of addiction treatment services, with seven branches located throughout Thailand.
The “Big Five” – Daily Obs by Nurse Aoy
Daily observations are carried out for selected clients, particularly those who are new to Hope or going through detox. Nurse Aoy monitors the five key indicators of physical wellbeing: blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, pain levels when appropriate, and general physical condition. These regular checks help our nursing team monitor each client’s wellbeing, identify any concerns early, and ensure they are settling into treatment safely and comfortably.
At Hope Rehab, Nurse Aoy plays an important role in supporting clients throughout their recovery journey. She provides guidance and practical support around physical health, helping clients understand and address health concerns that may arise during addiction treatment and recovery. Her specialist addiction knowledge, combined with her nursing experience, allows her to provide compassionate, informed support as clients work towards improved physical health and sustainable long-term recovery.
Dr Samporn Samitivej Hospital
Hope works in partnership with one of Thailand private hospitals which is located five minutes away from the Hope Center. Dr Samporn at Samitivej hospital Sriracha has worked with Hope for many years and takes care of all our clients health needs including detox medications.
Natalie - Admissions Manager/Counsellor
Natalie is Hope Rehab’s Admissions Manager and, together with Parice and Alice, is often the first point of contact for people reaching out for help. Having worked with Hope for more than 10 years, Natalie brings extensive experience, compassion, and a deep personal understanding of addiction and recovery to her role.
Natalie began her journey at Hope as a Addiction Counsellor and later became Hope’s Assistant Manager. After returning to Europe on maternity leave, she continued working with Hope while raising her family. Her commitment to the organization reflects her strong belief in the work Hope does and her desire to help others find freedom from the pain and disruption caused by addiction.
Natalie is also in recovery herself, giving her a unique perspective when speaking with individuals and families who may be facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives. She understands the fear, uncertainty, and hope that can come with reaching out for treatment, and she is passionate about helping people take that first step.
“I love the approach at Hope, it’s very open minded which I feel is necessary. We really work on building self esteem and self worth, while also providing the tools necessary to stay clean & sober no matter what.”
Paul G - Nurse & Mindfulness Coach
Paul Garrigan is originally from Ireland and has lived in Thailand since 2002. He is a registered nurse with a Higher National Diploma in Nursing Studies from St Bartholomew’s Training Hospital in London and a Nursing Degree from Dublin City University. He is also a member of the International Nurses Society on Addictions. Alongside his nursing qualifications, Paul is a qualified teacher and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), combining clinical experience with a strong background in education and personal development.
Paul has a deeply personal understanding of addiction and recovery. In 2006, after an 18-year addiction to alcohol, he found a path to recovery through an approach centred primarily on meditation and developing mindfulness in everyday life. His experience ultimately led him to write about his journey in his 2010 memoir, *Dead Drunk – Saving Myself from Alcoholism in a Thai Monastery*, published by Maverick House. Paul also blogs about mindfulness and addiction recovery and has a significant global following at paulgarrigan.com.
Mindfulness Counsellor & Coach
Paul manages the mindfulness program at Hope, helping clients develop practical mindfulness and meditation skills to support emotional awareness, stress management, self-reflection, and long-term recovery. Every client at Hope receives individual mindfulness therapy with Paul, where they learn how to apply mindfulness techniques to the everyday challenges of life in recovery. His approach helps clients become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while developing greater calm, clarity, and resilience.
Paul brings together professional healthcare experience, teaching expertise, and his own lived experience of addiction and recovery. This combination gives him a unique understanding of how mindfulness can be used as a practical and powerful tool for lasting recovery.
“Somatic mindfulness practices made it possible for me to develop a level of mental freedom unimaginable to me during my years of addiction. I have lost my obsession with fixing myself, and the fear of rejection no longer keeps me disconnected from the world. I share the practices that have worked for me with the clients at Hope. When I’m trying to be helpful to someone, I have found it is better if I tell them what ‘I do’ rather than what ‘I know’.”
Parice - Admissions Co-ordinator/Counsellor
Parice Co-ordinates admissions from the UK and is an important member of Hope Rehab’s international admissions team. Her own experience of recovery, combined with her professional training and extensive experience supporting people affected by addiction, gives her a genuine understanding of the challenges involved in taking the first steps towards recovery. She is also an active member of 12-Step fellowships.
Parice initially joined Hope as an intern, then Support Worker before moving into the admissions team, where she worked alongside Natalie and Alice. After returning to the UK to study counselling, she continued working with Hope’s admissions team while developing her professional experience. She currently also works as a team Manager with CGL, supporting people affected by substance use and related challenges.
Parice has completed a wide range of addiction and counselling training in the UK, including NCFE Levels 1–3 in counselling and theory, a Diploma in Drug, Solvent and Alcohol Abuse, Level 2 in Adult Social Care, and Level 2 in Mental Health Awareness. She has also undertaken specialist workshops and training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), bodywork, motivational interviewing, and anxiety management. She is currently working towards a degree in psychodynamic therapy.
Parice is passionate about helping people overcome addiction and believes that entering treatment can be the beginning of a positive and transformative journey. She enjoys supporting individuals as they take those first important steps, helping them identify their goals, understand their options, and begin building a foundation for lasting recovery. Her personal experience, professional knowledge, and compassionate approach make her a valued member of the Hope Rehab team. Parice is enthusiastic about her work and is committed to helping people access the support they need to move forward in recovery.
“I am passionate about recovery. Hope is my second home and when asked to join Natalie to help with admissions, I jumped at the opportunity. I enjoy seeing the twinkle come back into clients eyes which addiction has dulled and love that I can be a part of their journey into recovery. Since being in recovery I have found counselling to be my passion and hope to continue to learn , expand my knowledge and help other’s”
Simon – Fitness & Aftercare Recovery-Coach
Simon manages the fitness program and the Online Aftercare program at Hope Rehab. He graduated with B.A. from Northumbria University. Simon plays an important role in encouraging and motivating clients to participate in a wide range of physical activities. His flexible approach helps clients discover the benefits of exercise while developing greater confidence, discipline, and resilience throughout their recovery journey.
Fitness Activities Facilitator & Coach
Simon is an experienced, energetic, and Hope’s highly popular fitness instructor who brings enthusiasm, motivation, and plenty of fun to the fitness program at Hope. He leads a variety of challenging and engaging daily exercise classes, helping clients stay active while developing healthier habits and greater confidence.
Simon encourages clients to participate at their own level, providing guidance on correct exercise techniques, alternative movements, and adjustments where needed. He creates a positive and supportive environment that helps clients feel comfortable, motivated, and connected through group fitness activities.
Each session is carefully structured to include appropriate warm-up and cool-down exercises, with a focus on safe, enjoyable, and effective movement. Through his passion for fitness and his positive relationships with clients, Simon helps make physical activity a rewarding and enjoyable part of the recovery journey.
As both a fitness and recovery coach, Simon combines physical training with principles from sports psychology to help clients understand the connection between physical activity, mindset, motivation, and emotional wellbeing. He encourages clients to challenge themselves, set achievable goals, and develop a positive relationship with exercise. Through regular fitness activities, Simon helps clients build healthy routines, improve their physical wellbeing, and develop the mental strength and self-belief that can support long-term recovery.
“Your mindset is the sky. Thoughts and feelings are merely weather”
Alice - Admissions Co-ordinator/Psychologist
Alice is French and German and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, giving her a strong foundation in psychological theory, addiction, cognitive processes, and the complexities of human behaviour. As an Admissions Co-ordinator at Hope Rehab, Alice supports clients and their families throughout the assessment and admissions process. She provides understanding, reassurance, and compassionate guidance during what can be an emotional and challenging time, helping clients take the important first steps towards treatment and recovery.
Alice understands that deciding to enter treatment can be a brave and life-changing decision. Her caring and supportive approach helps clients and families feel informed, understood, and supported as they prepare for their journey to Hope Rehab.
Matt – Behavioral Psychologist
Matt is a psychologist who graduated from the University of Nottingham with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, specializing in ADHD, addictive behaviors, and evolutionary psychology. He combines evolutionary perspectives with evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and SMART Recovery, alongside training in life coaching and positive psychology. He has a particular interest in sports psychology and behavioral addictions, including social media, smartphone, and technology use.
Bilingual in English and French and fluent in Portuguese, Matt brings a broad international and multicultural perspective to his work. His years of travelling and living internationally have given him a strong appreciation of the different cultural and personal factors that can influence behavior, wellbeing, and recovery.
Lead ADHD Coach
Matt is Hope’s ADHD specialist, helping clients better understand how ADHD can affect their emotions, addiction, behaviors, relationships, and recovery. He combines psychological knowledge with practical, goal-oriented strategies to help clients develop effective coping mechanisms and sustainable behavioral changes. Matt focuses on individual needs, treatment planning, and personalized strategies designed to improve focus, emotional regulation, organization, and daily functioning. His approach is action-oriented and practical, helping clients identify challenges, set achievable goals, and take meaningful steps towards positive change.
Outside of his professional practice, Matt has a long-standing passion for combat sports. He has more than a decade of experience in Thai Boxing, MMA, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, both as a competitor and coach. His experience in sport gives him a particular insight into motivation, discipline, performance, resilience, and behavioral change.
Henk – Embrace Sober House Director
Henk brings vast extensive experience in addiction treatment and recovery, having managed Hope Rehab for ten years. Today, he is the Director of Embrace Sober House in Chiang Mai, where he continues to support clients in taking the next important steps in their recovery journey.
CBT & Relapse Prevention Workshops
Henk remains closely connected with Hope Rehab, delivering monthly CBT and relapse prevention workshops. These sessions provide clients with an opportunity to meet Henk, learn more about life at Embrace Sober House, and begin planning their transition into supported sober living as part of their ongoing treatment.
A talented and engaging group facilitator, Henk is skilled at helping clients understand the changes needed to build a healthier and more sustainable life in recovery. He encourages clients to commit to long-term recovery, develop practical coping strategies, and take responsibility for the changes needed to maintain sobriety beyond residential treatment.
With many years of experience supporting people through a wide range of personal and lifestyle challenges, Henk has particular expertise in addiction, emotional difficulties, stress, depression, anxiety, low self-confidence, and the everyday challenges of rebuilding a fulfilling life in recovery.
Vinny – Senior Addiction Therapist
Vinny is a qualified addiction therapist with experience in both Thailand and the United States. Originally from Thailand, Vinny left his home country at the age of seven and went on to graduate from Victoria University in New Zealand. He subsequently spent 24 years living and working in the United States.
Vinny has been in recovery from addiction for many years, giving him both professional knowledge and valuable personal insight into the recovery process. In 2015, he completed his addiction recovery treatment certification in Australia, shortly afterwards joining the Hope team as a manager.
Alongside his professional experience, Vinny has been involved in informal recovery support within the Thai community for many years. His knowledge and experience led to an invitation to train Thai professionals as addiction treatment specialists at the highly respected W.H.O.S. Rehab Education facility in Sydney, Australia, completing the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Professional Certification programme. Vinny is also actively involved with addiction self-help fellowships throughout Thailand, where he continues to support individuals and communities affected by addiction.
With his combination of professional training, experience and personal understanding of recovery, Vinny brings a unique perspective to his work as a Senior Therapist and is a valued and popular member of the Hope team.
“When we stop blaming and take responsibility for ourselves everything changes.”
Nic – Head Counsellor & Program Manager
Nic is Hope’s Head Counsellor and a qualified addiction therapist from the UK, bringing almost 20 years of professional experience in the drug and alcohol treatment field. Before joining the Hope team, she worked within community-based Drug and Alcohol Services, including Dependent Alcohol and Substitute Prescribing teams across several locations.
Her professional experience also includes working with criminal justice services, probation, families, women and young offenders’ services, giving her a broad understanding of the complex challenges that can accompany addiction and recovery. Nic has a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from Salford University, specialising in Addiction, Pharmacology and Health Science. She also studied Psychology at Bury College as an adult learner and is a qualified teacher. In addition to her professional expertise, Nic has personal experience and knowledge of eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive behaviours.
Nic is also in long-term recovery. Following detox and the completion of a six-month therapeutic community programme, she has maintained her recovery through a daily 12-step programme and has remained substance-free since. Her lived experience gives her a valuable understanding of the challenges, fears and opportunities involved in building a fulfilling life in recovery. A proud mother, Nic remains closely connected with her family overseas. She brings warmth, experience and a deep personal commitment to recovery to her work with Hope’s clients.
Senior Female Therapist – Women’s Program
As a woman in recovery, Nic brings a unique combination of lived experience, clinical expertise, and a deep understanding of the challenges women can face in addiction and recovery. She plays an important role in Hope’s Women’s Recovery Program, helping clients explore the emotional, psychological, and relational issues that can contribute to addictive behaviours.Her work is tailored to the individual needs of each client and may address issues such as relational stress, body image, self-esteem, emotional regulation, boundaries, and difficult life experiences.
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your frears” Nelson Madnela
Michael – Addiction Counsellor/Group Program Manager
Michael is a qualified counsellor and experienced groupwork facilitator from the UK, with more than two decades of personal recovery and extensive professional experience in addiction treatment and recovery services.
For over 20 years, Michael has worked within residential detoxification centres, abstinence-based housing, and community residential rehabilitation services. He has been responsible for developing and delivering daily recovery programmes, supporting residents as they build the skills, confidence, and foundations needed for long-term recovery. Michael also brings valuable experience having worked within the criminal justice system and adult community drug services. Earlier in his career, he worked as a youth worker, supporting young people who required additional educational and personal support.
Groupwork Program Manager
As Group-Work Program Manager at Hope, Michael plays an important role in delivering and developing the group program. He also provides training and mentoring to interns, teaching practical groupwork techniques and supporting university students and visiting professionals in developing their understanding of effective group facilitation. Michael’s combination of professional expertise, extensive experience, passion and personal understanding of recovery brings depth and authenticity to his work with clients at Hope.
“How free do you want to be?”
Gunn – Psychologist & Trauma Practitioner - Intern Manager
Gunn is a qualified Psychologist, trauma practitioner and mindfulness facilitator with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Otago in New Zealand. She has also completed a Diploma in Mental Health and Addiction Counselling and training in SMART Recovery.
Gunn lived and studied in New Zealand after high school, where she developed both her academic and professional experience. She also worked as a Thai-English translator in the New Zealand court system, giving her valuable experience working across different cultures and environments.
At Hope Rehab Thailand, Gunn brings her psychology background and experience in rehabilitation to her work with clients. She is fluent in both Thai and English and is able to support clients across both language programs. Her friendly, cheerful and approachable personality makes her a natural people-person, and she is passionate about helping others through their recovery journey.
Gunn has a varied role at Hope, supporting clients with therapeutic work and other recovery-related tasks. She also facilitates mindfulness and meditation sessions, helping clients develop practical tools for managing stress, increasing self-awareness and developing a greater sense of calm.
As a TRE (Trauma and Tension Releasing Exercises) practitioner, Gunn also incorporates body-based approaches into her work, supporting clients in reconnecting with the relationship between mind and body as part of their recovery.
Intern Manager & Supervisor
Gunn coordinates Hope Rehab’s internship program, supporting interns throughout their placement and helping them develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to work effectively in a clinical environment. Gunn facilitates weekly group supervision, creating a structured and supportive environment where interns can process their experiences, discuss clinical challenges, reflect on their practice, and develop their understanding through psychoeducation.
Pum – Yoga & Meditation Coach
Pum is Hope’s yoga coach and meditation facilitator, with a strong interest in the connection between physical and emotional wellbeing. Her personal and professional journey has led her to explore transformative practices such as meditation, while deepening her understanding of holistic healing and mind-body approaches to wellbeing and recovery. Pum focuses on helping clients develop a stronger connection between mind and body, recognising that physical health, emotional wellbeing, and recovery are closely interconnected.
At Hope, Pum combines her knowledge of movement, meditation, trauma-informed practices, and holistic wellness to support clients in developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and healthier ways of managing stress and the challenges of everyday life.
Jimmy - Addiction Counsellor & Group Facilitator
Jimmy is a qualified addiction counsellor from Australia and is himself in recovery, with more than four years of continuous sobriety. He brings valuable personal and professional experience to his role, with a strong understanding of the challenges faced by people beginning their recovery journey.
Jimmy has experience across all aspects of residential rehabilitation, including detox support, group facilitation, one-to-one counselling, admissions, and providing practical and emotional support to vulnerable clients. His personal experience of addiction and recovery allows him to connect with clients with empathy, understanding, and compassion.
Adam – Opperations Manager
Adam is our Operations Manager from Australia and is in recovery from addiction for over a decade. He brings a wide range of practical, transferable skills to his role at Hope Rehab, along with a genuine passion for supporting people through the recovery process. Adam also oversees the day-to-day operations at Hope, helping to ensure that the facility, team and daily schedules run smoothly. His responsibilities include team coordination, work schedules, intern supervision, facility security and maintenance, and overseeing the busy support office and hub. He also assists with medication supervision and works closely with the therapeutic team to ensure clients’ practical needs are met.
A strong advocate for clients and their families, Adam specializes in conflict resolution and family liaison, supporting loved ones through what can often be an extremely difficult and emotional time. He is also responsible for coordinating new arrivals and departures, admissions and intakes, bag searches and other aspects of the client journey. Adam plays an important role in client care and wellbeing, helping to organise everything from shopping trips and haircuts to hospital visits, dental appointments and other general healthcare needs. His approachable nature and willingness to go above and beyond mean that clients know they can turn to him when they need practical support.
Having experienced addiction himself and now living in recovery, Adam understands the challenges of the recovery journey from both sides. His personal experience, combined with his professional and practical skills, gives him a unique perspective within the Hope team. Adam is committed to supporting clients, families and the therapeutic team, and to doing whatever he can to help those who are ready to make positive changes in their lives.
Paul C — Addiction Counsellor & Men’s Program Lead
Paul is a qualified addiction counsellor from the UK with qualifications in Psychology, SMART Recovery and Life Coaching. He has experience working in residential rehabilitation and addiction treatment services, supporting people as they navigate the challenges of early recovery and long-term change.
At Hope, Paul also leads and develops the Men’s Group Program, creating a supportive space where men can explore the issues that often influence addiction and recovery. His groups cover topics including relationships, identity, emotional awareness, responsibility, sexuality, early recovery, and the challenges of building a meaningful and fulfilling life after treatment.
Paul is in long-term recovery himself. His personal experience of addiction, treatment and recovery gives him a genuine understanding of the challenges involved in changing deeply established patterns of behavior and building a different way of life. Paul believes recovery is about much more than simply stopping substance use. It is about developing the skills, healthy relationships, self-awareness and sense of purpose needed to create a life that makes long-term recovery worthwhile.
George – Senior Support Staff & Navy Medic
George is Hope’s longest-serving member of staff and a proud U.S. Navy veteran who served his country before coming to Asia, where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
With more than three decades in recovery, George has dedicated much of his life to helping others find and maintain their own path to recovery. His extensive personal experience gives him a unique understanding of the challenges clients can face when entering treatment.
As a senior member of Hope’s support team and a trained medic, George plays an important role in helping new clients through detox, supporting their physical and emotional wellbeing, and assisting them as they settle into the Hope program. His calm, compassionate approach and wealth of experience make him a trusted and reassuring presence within the Hope community.
Danny - Weekend Manager
Danny holds a degree in Psychology from Goldsmiths, University of London, and has worked in addiction recovery for over ten years. His professional training includes Health and Social Care, trauma-informed care, and addiction recovery. Before joining Hope Rehab, Danny worked in residential rehabilitation centres in London, gaining extensive experience supporting people through the challenges of addiction and early recovery.
As Weekend Manager and a senior member of the support team, Danny plays an important role in the day-to-day running of Hope. He supports clients through difficult challenges, provides practical guidance, and helps create a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.
Danny is often the first member of the Hope team that new clients meet. He collects clients from the airport and helps them settle into the programme, ensuring they feel comfortable and welcomed from the moment they arrive. He also coordinates Hope’s regular outings and excursions, helping clients stay active, engaged and connected with the wider community.
Alongside his support role, Danny works with clients on a one-to-one basis as a Recovery Coach. He helps them develop practical recovery plans and the skills they need to maintain their sobriety and successfully transition back into life at home. Danny’s passion is introducing people to recovery and helping them build the confidence, knowledge and practical skills necessary for long-term sobriety.
Yuth – Muay Thai Boxing Coach
Prayuth Nawachahad is a Muay Thai fighter who has competed in more than 220 fights. Yuth started fighting at the tender age of 11. He has won the Muay Thai Championship of the Eastern Seaboard Thailand, the Lumpinee Championship, and multiple belts from different stadiums in Thailand. Yuth has worked at Hope since we started. He is one of our most popular team members. own successes allowed him to become a coach and build up a new generation of fighters who are now competing in fights at Thailand’s most prestigious championships in stadiums like Lumpini and Rachadumneun. Yuth joined Hope Rehab as Muay Thai Coach in 2016. He is training and coaching our clients in one-on-one sessions in the impressive art of Muay Thai style fighting on. “I am very pround that I was able to become a Muay Thai instructor and teacher (Kroo Muay) as this is a very important part of Thai Culture and the skills gets passed down on from one generation to the next. I am happy and feel honored to be teaching the basics of traditional Muay Thai to the clients at Hope.”
Toa - Hope Driver
Getting to our location is very easy. You book a flight and our driver will collect you from the airport. From there, it is just 50 minutes in one of our air conditioned Jeeps to the Hope facility. Long-haul flights are still surprisingly inexpensive and we suggest taking a direct flight whenever possible. Fly to Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi BKK) and send us the flight itinerary. At the airport go to, ‘Meeting-Point-One’ in the arrivals hall, and our logistics team will collect you.
Kitchen & Domestic Team
It’s thanks to Auntie Nuan, Debbie, Na, Wa and Ga that everyone is raving about the food at Hope. These lovely ladies are not only skilled cooks, but also passionate about what they do – and you can definitely taste the love that goes into their meals. Apart from breakfast where you can choose between boiled, scrambled and fried eggs, bread, jams, a variety of fresh fruit, yogurt, muesli, cornflakes, etc. our cooks conjure up a feast for our famous lunch and dinner buffets. The dishes they serve are a perfect mix of popular Thai and Western food.
You’ll find local cuisine as well as sausages & mash, pork ribs, french fries, lasagna & other pasta dishes. Our cooks pride themselves in serving nutritous food made from scratch and usually includes several bowls of different salads and steamed or baked vegetables. If necessary (and communicated in advance) Auntie Nuan & her team can accommedate to different dietary needs. Click the following link to learn more about the benefits of keeping a healthy diet in recovery.
The Maintenance Team
Lung Juk, Auntie Pew, Jiap, Nag, Uncle Bamblung, Teung & Keng take care of the extensive gardens at Hope Rehab as well as all the maintenance issues. Whenever there is a leaking tap to be fixed, a lightbulb to be changed or a handyman needed for miscellanious repairs they’re on the scene. Hope is so grateful to our building team who keep us functional and have helped build Hope into the wonderful facility we have today.
Traditional Thai Massage Team
Believed to be over 2000 years old, traditional Thai massage is an authentic healing art and unique form of body therapy developed by people who used massage not only as a therapeutic method of healing to treat illnesses, but to maintain health and well-being. It was influenced by the traditional medicine systems of India, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as by yoga.
Our massage therapists Ma and Mon used to work at Somdej Sriracha Hospital. They treated patients there – among others an old man with paralysis – with traditional Thai massage. Glory and Warin specialised in a style of Thai massage that is called “nerve touch” or Jap – Sen (Jap meaning “to grasp”; Sen meaning “lines”) Many people find that Thai massage has the following benefits: relaxation and reduction of stress.
Thai massage is usually done on a padded mat on the floor. No oil is applied, so you are fully dressed. You are usually asked to bring or wear comfortable clothing to the massage. A typical Thai massage is 60 minutes long. It is the responsibility of the massage therapist to carry out the work, while the individual on the receiving end reaps the benefits. Janice Gagnon, founder of a Thai Massage School in the US, explained Jap Sen in a guest post on asianmedicinezone.com: It “is a deep tissue approach that improves joint function and mobility by restructuring and aligning muscles, tendons and bones, and by stimulating pathways in the nervous system. This unique style of Thai massage works to stimulate the flow of energy or “lom” throughout the body by “twanging” or thumb rolling over the intricate system of sen lines and the ridges of muscles. This creates a deeper release of blockages in energy flow and a resonating affect through dense or tight muscles, tendons and nerves.”
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