At The Cabin Chiang Mai’s rehab treatment centre, we have assembled a team of Western trained and licensed professional alcohol and drug counseling specialists. Our professional rehab counseling team has many decades combined experience in treating drug and alcohol addictions.

As Asia’s leading rehab centre, you can expect the same high level of care you would get anywhere else in the world. But you enjoy the renowned care and compassion of local Thai staff, too.

Dr. Suttipan Takkapaijit, Clinical Psychiatrist and Medical Detox Specialist

Dr. Suttipan Takkapaijit is a licensed, board certified psychiatrist and Thailand’s foremost expert on addiction. Dr. Takkapaijit’s distinguished 20 year career includes running a private detoxification clinic, serving as Chiang Mai Ram Hospital’s full time psychiatrist, and holding leadership positions within the Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University.

Dr. Suttipan studied psychiatry at Maudsley hospital institute of health in London. He is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists of Thailand, the Psychiatric Association of Thailand, and the Medical Association of Thailand

Alastair Mordey, Programme Director

Alastair is a certified and accredited addiction Counsellor with over 10 years experience working in treatment services. Over the years Alastair has worked in detox units, residential rehabs, frontline drug services and supported aftercare projects at a management level. He has also initiated the therapeutic groupwork programmes in 4 residential rehabs in the South of England.

Alastair has served as an advisor to the National Treatment Agency in the UK concerning drug and alcohol treatment provision. He also founded and ran a sports charity “Wheels of Recovery” for Haringey Council in London which was used as a national model for health in long-term addiction recovery. He regularly authors artricles for addiction journals and is widely known as an innovator in both the application of Cognitive Psychology techniques and physical activity in addiction treatment.

Alastair, in addition to being licensed and accredited by the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Professionals in the UK, also has specialist training and experience in : working with opiate users, advanced clinical alcohol treatment, Dual Diagnosis, groupwork modalities, CBT for addiction groupwork, Motivational Interviewing and 12 Step facilitation.

Alastair holds the philosophy: “Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction requires us to undergo a profound attitudinal shift. If we continue to expand our personal limitations and develop along personal and spiritual lines, we cannot fail”.

Peter Maplethorpe, Admissions and Centre Director

Peter is The Cabin Chiang Mai’s Rehab centre Director and a British national who first came to Asia 15 years ago. Peter moved to Thailand because he was touched by its serenity and beauty and by the warm and friendly people that inhabit it. Peter remained in Asia where he earned a B.A in Thai language from Chiang Mai University. He worked as a volunteer for Project Trust, a charity organization that teaches English at rural government schools. For the last 12 years, Peter has continued his work with Project Trust. He is the Thailand country representative and looks after 24 volunteers. Over the years, Peter has witnessed the destructive effects of alcohol and drug addiction throughout Asia. Combining his ability to supervise retreats and his passion for helping people, Peter joined The Cabin Chiang Mai and now leads the day to day operations of our drug and alcohol addiction treatment centre. Peter is our rehab centre Director and available at anytime to handle any requests, answer questions and alleviate any concerns you may have.

Simon Mott, Team Manager and Head Counsellor

Simon is AQA certified in Integrated Humanistic Counselling. He also has a portfolio of DANOS specialist substance misuse training from Hertfordshire University and the Royal College of General Practitioners. His training includes the latest psychosocial interventions: ITEP mapping, Motivational Interviewing and Person Centred Approach. He is also an Auricular Acupuncturist, which is widely acknowledged for easing the detoxification process and reducing stress. Simon combines his expertise with the 12 Steps recovery approach.

Prior to relocating from the UK, Simon has for the past 3 years headed up the Barnet Community Engagement Team in London. He has 8 years experience in the substance misuse sector overall, delivering a wide range of services including residential inpatient treatment, structured group work and co-ordinating detox/rehab referral. In addition to this Simon provided drug and alcohol training to local government workers.

During his time working in London Simon’s experience included advising the ‘All Party Meeting of the Parliamentary Drug Misuse Group’ and his recommendations have been recognised by the Home Office and contributed to the proposed Misuse of Drugs Act changes.

Inspired and committed to working with addicts and alcoholics, he draws on his personal knowledge, insight and understanding to help others achieve abstinence and recovery.

Simon is fluent in English and German.

Cameron Brown, Psychologist

Cameron is a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Psychologist’s Board and an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society. He has worked in residential rehabilitation on the Gold Coast, Queensland providing one-on-one counselling and facilitating group sessions for people struggling with addiction, especially those with a dual diagnosis. His experience involves social skills training, group therapy and case management.

Cameron also has experience working as a private practice psychologist providing services to people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness in the community. Cameron believes that addiction is a whole person problem involving psychological, biological and social components. Cameron primarily utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques and has a strong interest in existential and acceptance-based approaches.

Cait Saul, Senior Counsellor

Cait is a qualified professional counsellor with over 8 years experience in alcohol and drug rehabilitation counseling. Cait’s previous experience includes establishing and managing residential alcohol and drug rehab treatment programmes including facilitating group and individual therapy, conflict resolution, recovery planning, aftercare treatment planning and ongoing support. Cait professional in-depth training includes EMDR, Motivational Interviewing, Addictions and Trauma Recovery, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Art Therapy. Cait has facilitated groups on the power of Mindfulness and Meditation, 16 steps to recovery, and Healing from Trauma Through Empowerment. Cait’s professional experience includes being a family services advocate, serving as chairperson on numerous recovery committees as well as annual women’s retreats, and providing educational workshops for local law enforcement on responding to victims of violence and drug and alcohol abuse addicts. Cait holds certifications in Critical Incident Stress Management, Substance Use and Counseling Youth. Currently, Cait serves as a drug and alcohol Counsellor at The Cabin Chiang Mai’s rehab centre. Her unique background and caring approach to drug and alcohol treatment brings tremendous value in serving the diverse range of clients that recover at The Cabin’s rehab centre.

Tony Tan, Counsellor

Tony is an addiction therapist and an associate member of the Association of Professionals Specializing in Addiction Counseling (APSAC). Tony has been an instrumental figure in the development and implementation of drug and behavioral addiction treatment in Singapore and has vast experience working in addiction treatment facilities such as The Raffles Hospital in Singapore. He specializes in process group facilitation and relapse prevention, adopting the 12 Steps and CBT model and also has an interest in the treatment of gambling addiction.

Rory Magee, Counsellor

Rory is a BACP registered Gestalt Psychotherapist and Counsellor who has trained to Degree, Advanced Diploma and Masters level at University College, London and the Metanoia Institute. He is passionate about supporting people who are seeking recovery from addiction. He has extensive managerial and clinical experience working with addiction in residential settings in the UK and Thailand. In the past, he has specialised in the treatment of co-occurring disorders. He has also worked as an interventionist with families affected by addiction. He developed a private practice in Devon treating the full spectrum of psychological issues. He believes that an approach integrating Contemporary Relational Gestalt Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a 12 step Philosophy offers a highly effective treatment for addiction.

An additional resource is his own recovery from addiction, Rory has remained continuously abstinent from all drugs and alcohol since 1988 and this remains the foundation of his life.

Stuart Elmes, Counsellor

Stu is a Certified Addictions Worker who has been working actively in the recovery field since 2003 as a Counsellor and Group Facilitator, including 5 years as a frontline worker in a Government of Canada-funded CARF accredited residential addictions treatment facility.

Stu has extensive experience working with dually diagnosed and mentally ill patients, as well as group facilitation and one-on-one counseling with at-risk youth. Stu has facilitated programmes on drug and alcohol education, 12-Step recovery processes, conflict resolution, men’s empowerment, aftercare planning, career counseling, and anger management. Stu holds certificates in residential support care work, non-violent crisis intervention, first aid, basic counseling, Satir’s Systemic Brief Therapy Training, and conflict resolution.

Hans Derix, Mindfulness & Meditation Coach

Hans is our Mindfulness and Meditation Coach.
In the spring of 2007 he experienced a transformation that would forever change his life. After this transformation, he committed his life to understanding and integrating this experience. He has studied and practiced Samatha (concentration) and Vipassana (insight) Meditation at various monasteries in Nepal, Thailand and Spain and is also trained in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. He was also involved in the creation of an addiction aftercare program in northern Thailand.
Having over 20 years of experience in the service industry, working for companies such as Disney and United Airlines he is also responsible for our Sunday excursions.

Mindfulness and addiction:
Practicing Mindfulness; ”awareness of present moment experience with acceptance and curiosity”, teaches us to observe and understand our own mind. It teaches us to be with things as they are. This greatly reduces our desire and craving to avoid what we experience as unpleasant, something that is essential for a successful recovery.

Mr. Manit Tamnakthi, Nurse

Graduated from Chiang Mai University in Nursing. Mr Manit has vast experience with treating addictions and especially caring for patients during the withdrawal stage of both drug and alcohol detox.

Past experience:
International SOS Training CenterGlobal Advance Emergency Paramedic Training.
Medical School of Yale University, USA, Counseling Training in Addiction
3 years of experience in researching substance abuse (derivative of opium).

Mr. Nuttasit Arayawangso (Nathee), Nurse

Nathee is a member of our nursing team and received his nursing degree from Propokklaw Nursing College. He has worked in Hospitals in both Thailand and Saudi Arabia and brings his skills, knowledge and empathy to the Cabin Chiang Mai.

Kwan Chariya Smith, Fitness Team Manager

Kwan is one of The Cabin’s professional personal training and fitness instructors. Kwan has spent the last 13 years as a fitness instructor, specializing in aerobics, weight training, fit ball exercise, aqua therapy, Pilates and Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga. At The Cabin Chiang Mai’s rehab centre, as part of our drug and alcohol treatment programme, all of our patients receive a customized fitness programme based on their individual needs. All yoga classes are held each morning around the pool. While other fitness activities, such as personal training, body contact and fit ball exercises will be held in the lush gardens of the centre allowing patients to enjoy the beauty of Asia. Kwan’s unique approach to fitness allows our patients to build strength and create emotional, mental and physical balance in the body.

Tai Amatapreecha, Fitness Instructor

Tai is one of The Cabin Chiang Mai’s professional fitness instructors. Tai’s professional experience includes being a cardio fitness instructor, a Muay Thai self-defense instructor and a swim coach. Tai graduated from Chiang Mai University with a B.A. in Sports Science. Tai specializes in cardio fitness, personal training, weight resistance training, body combat, and self-defense training. Tai has a passion for physical fitness and helping people achieve their personal health goals. Currently Tai serves as one of The Cabin’s professional fitness instructors and leads our personal training programme.

Nay Takamta, Fitness Instructor

Nay is one of The Cabin Chiang Mai’s fitness trainers. He graduated from Chiang Mai University in Sports Science and been working as a personal trainer for the last 6 years..

Nay specializes in weight training, group aerobic and cardio sessions as well as being a specialist in Muay Thai and body combat. His passion is helping people of all levels in improving their fitness and well-being.

Nay speaks English and Thai.

Alon Kamsawad, Fitness Instructor

Alon is the female personal training instructor at The Cabin Chiang Mai and has been working in the fitness industrry for the last 2 years after graduating from Rachamongkol University..

She is a certified yoga and pilates teacher as well as an excellent facilitator of group and personal training sessions.

Khun Aom, Masseuse

Aom is a professional masseuse who has spent the last 15 years healing minds and bodies through massage. Aom specializes in a variety of massage techniques including Traditional Thai, Herbal Thai, Swedish, and Reflexology. At The Cabin Chiang Mai’s rehab centre, as part of our drug and alcohol treatment programme, we offer a number of therapies during your recovery to help release tension in the body and stress in the mind. Every patient who receives drug and alcohol treatment at The Cabin, will receive bi-weekly massages in our luxurious spa treatment sala tailored to their individual needs. Rest assured, you will be pampered by Aom during your stay at The Cabin.