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Our Team

we are ready to help you write the next chapter...
Experience the transformative power of recovery in the beautiful surroundings of Phuket, Thailand. Our dedicated team of professionals provide compassionate, effective addiction treatment that's tailored to the unique needs of each guest.

Restoring Lives, One Step at a Time

Your Recovery Dream Team
The founders and several team members at Miracles Asia have personally faced and triumphed over addiction, forming the backbone of our organization. We are committed to delivering effective treatment that ensures each guest has a safe recovery, and is equipped with the necessary tools to live a life free from addiction.

Founder & Managing Director

Mark Heather
Master of Sciences
Mark has been a hotelier in Southeast Asia for the last 30 years, and he has been in recovery for 28 years. Together with Bill O’Leary, Mark is dedicated to bringing hospitality and long lasting recovery together for all guests at Miracles Asia.

The dream Mark and Bill have is to have a small bespoke private property with professional qualified teams, delivering counselling and care from people in recovery themselves, using the latest evidence-based therapy.

Mark is passionate about supporting his guests, and he manages Miracles on a day-to-day basis. Mark is always available to guests and actively takes part the day-to-day running of program.
“IF YOU WANT TO FIND A WAY OUT, FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS”
"We can do together what we cannot do alone, that’s why we need each other to live happy, joyous and free."
"We can do together what we cannot do alone, that’s why we need each other to live happy, joyous and free."

Founder

Bill O'Leary
Bill is an Australian Professional Mariner, Maritime Tourism Development Adviser and co-author of Southeast Asia’s Super Yacht Cruising Guide – “Southeast Asia Pilot”. He has three decades in planning, design, construction, project development, maintenance and operations of luxury resorts.

Bill has been in recovery himself for over two decades and created Miracles Asia to provide a dedicated space that's free of judgement for addicts and those they effect to be able to get the support they need, and transition into a healthy and happy life.

Clinical Director

John Jacobs
Ph.D
Dr. John Jacobs is an experienced therapist from the U.S., with an extensive background in addiction and primary mental health settings across the U.S. and Thailand. His approach is eclectic and inter-disciplinary, drawing upon the Minnesota Model of addiction recovery, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and a person-centered approach.

John is trained in EMDR therapy for treating trauma. In addition to providing therapeutic services, John has also served as an Assistant Professor or an Adjunct Faculty at three universities in the United States: New Mexico State University, the University of New Mexico, and Arizona State University.

John’s background also includes years of daily meditation practice, as well as—in his academic studies—investigating the physical and mental health benefits of meditation and mindfulness practice.
"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
rehab thailand therapist
"The magic really happens when people can see and realise the possibilities for change.”
rehab thailand therapist
"THE MAGIC REALLY HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE CAN SEE AND REALISE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR CHANGE.”

Therapist

Paula Shields
MBPsS, AssocMISCP, AP APM
Paula has worked in the addiction treatment and behavioural health field for over 20 years in a variety of roles, focusing on client facing therapeutic work as well as programme
development as her career progressed.

She was Programme Director of The Cabin in Thailand, creating the first gender-responsive trauma informed addiction treatment program in S. E. Asia. On returning to the UK, Paula
joined Abbeycare as Head of Therapeutic Services for 2 years before launching her own clinical consultancy and coaching business.

Paula holds a Masters degree in Psychology of Mental Health and Wellbeing and is currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology. She has a BSc degree in
Psychology, a diploma in Women’s Studies and several qualifications in teaching and training within the Lifelong Learning Sector. 

She holds certifications in Clinical Supervision,
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Her experiences working in the field drew her to further study in more specialised therapeutic
approaches in trauma treatment (EMDR, Advanced Training for Trauma Treatment and Complex PTSD and Neuroscience of Attachment).

Therapist

Catherine O'Leary
RN. BN. MA. PGD Adv Psych. Dip Couns.
Catherine is a trained mental health and addiction professional, with over 35 years’ experience in health care and addiction recovery. 

She has successfully completed a Certificate of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Arts (health), Graduate Diploma of Advanced Psychiatric Nursing, Certificate of Drug and Alcohol Nursing, Mental Health First Aid Instructor Certification and a Diploma of Counselling. She is also currently completing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Psychology. Catherine now specializes in addiction and trauma counselling.

She has a wealth of personal and professional experience with addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief & loss and relationship difficulties. She is committed to being part of the professional solution for suffering alcoholics and addicts and their loved ones.
“Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional”
recovery coach
“The point is not to survive addiction. The point is to thrive in recovery, and live a life second to none.”
recovery coach
"Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness, to pull another hand into the light'"

Psychoeducation & Aftercare Facilitator

Kirstin Gourlay
MA Hon.s Social Anthropology
Kirstin is an Addiction Recovery Coach, Wellness Consultant, Life Coach, Yoga Therapist and Healing Touch Practitioner. She has experienced the negative impact of addiction, and the power of recovery in her own life and the lives of many others.

What she has learned over the years is that there is no one size fits all. We are dynamic human beings and we require a multitude of modalities to move from the disease of addiction to a path of sustainable recovery.

Kirstin is passionate about supporting people to recover physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Her mission is to empower people to bring increased balance, vitality and freedom into their lives. Her style is warm, down-to-earth, direct, knowledgeable and humorous.

Client Support

ANOUK AERDTS
BSc Occupational Therapy
Anouk is an enthusiastic Occupational Therapist from The Netherlands with over 12 years experience in the psychiatric field. She also has an extensive background in Art Therapy.

She is passionate about supporting people dealing with addiction or coping with mental health problems. She brings with her many skills and experiences to Miracles Asia, and offers an individual approach to each client.

Anouk provides a diverse range of modalities including DBT, Mindfulness, Meditation and Art Therapy to individuals as well as groups. She is dedicated to her work and passionate about guiding people in their treatment at Miracles Asia.
“TODAY IS TODAY”
“Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash on hand. Live in the now.”
“YESTERDAY IS A CANCELLED CHECK. TOMORROW IS A PROMISSORY NOTE. TODAY IS CASH ON HAND. LIVE IN THE NOW.”

Client Support

Danny Woody
School Of Life
With over 40 years of experience as a sober coach, Danny brings a wealth of knowledge from the Alcoholics Anonymous program literature and its way of life to Miracles Asia. He has worked through the big book and the 12 and 12 for several years helping thousands of people through their addiction treatment and teaching them how to approach a new successful life without drug use and alcohol addiction.

Danny comes from a musical family and he was featured on 60 Minutes news network in the USA, interviewed by Bob Simon, when he was the musical director of The Portman Ritz Carlton in Shanghai.

Danny has been around the music industry since the 1960’s and he is an accomplished singer, songwriter and entertainer. He also opened the very first Beijing jazz club in 1999 call The Big Easy as well as playing along side a vast number of famous artists from all around the world.

Client Support

Roland Jacobs

Roland is an experienced support staff member with a passion to contribute to the recovery society. He has been supporting those who are struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders along his personal recovery journey of more than 6 years.

Being in recovery himself, Roland has the ability to connect with clients and make them feel heard and understood. He is patient, non-judgmental, and committed to providing a safe and empowering environment where clients can work towards their recovery goals.

Roland has completed a certificate program in Counseling skills, which gives him an in-depth understanding of different mental health diagnoses, substance abuse treatment approaches, and crisis management strategies.
roland jacobs support staff at miracles asia
"The world would be a better place if we would all help each other!"
amanda counsell therapist at miracles asia
“EVERY MOMENT IN LIFE IS ANOTHER CHANCE TO TURN IT ALL AROUND.”
augustine thant
“EVERY MOMENT IN LIFE IS ANOTHER CHANCE TO TURN IT
ALL AROUND.”

Adjunct Therapist

Amanda Counsell
BA (Hons). MoC.
Amanda is qualifying as a professional counsellor through the Master of Counselling (MoC) from Monash University, where she studied mental health, advanced counselling skills and techniques, along with various therapeutic modalities used in psychotherapy. 

She works as an Adjunct Therapist at Miracles Asia where she specialises in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Amanda uses ACT in conjunction with Person Centred Therapy (PCT) and Compassionate Mind Training (CMT).

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Fine Art, BA (Hons), from Oxford Brookes University, and enjoys incorporating art as therapy to compliment her therapeutic practice. 

She incorporates the art of self-compassion as a powerful healing tool, and teaches valuable day to day therapeutic skills required to successfully treat an array of disorders, including addiction, post traumatic stress, anxiety and depression.

Sales Director

John Munro
School Of Life
John will most likely be your initial contact at Miracles Asia & he will help you with all aspects of your admission to the program. His background includes being a radio announcer in New Zealand before moving to The Gold Coast in Australia, where he ran his own TV business for several years.

Now based in Phuket, John enjoys ocean swimming on a regular basis, and continues to be active in national swim competitions back home in Australia. He is passionate about helping people from all areas of the world build a better life & achieve their goals.

John believes in a whatever it takes attitude with empathy, desire and commitment.
"If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree"

FACILITY SUPPORT & Hospitality TEAM

Your Allies in Addiction Recovery
At Miracles Asia, our Support and Hospitality Team members bring together compassion and expertise. With their dedication to providing a warm, nurturing environment, you'll feel supported and cared for every step of the way.
KATEKAEW HEATHER
(K. Boo)
Hospitality Director
Chaisongkhram Kuntiyoo
(K. POM)
Executive Chef
PATHU SAKULTAN
(K. BONUS)
Coordinator
TIMOTHY O'LEARY
(Tim)
Owner
NUTTASIT ARAYAWANGSO
(K. NATEE)
Head Nurse
KETLAWAN SAE-ANG
(K. Kate)
Sous Chef
Ian Campbell
Head of Sales & Marketing
AMANDA COUNSELL
Adjunct Therapist
JATUPIT VIMOLKUL
(K. Ing)
CHIEF ACCOUNTANT
ARUNPORN AUTSAHA
(K. YING)
Asstistant Manager
POROAMATS KODSAB
(K. NOOM)
Driver
SURATVADEE THODTHING
(K. NUI)
Housekeeping
WANNA KHANUENGKAN
(K. BA)
Housekeeping
SUPATRA PANTIP
(K. MA)
Housekeeping
Cha
Emotional Support Canine
Silver
(Ngein)
Psychological Support Pup

Start Your Recovery in Phuket, Thailand

Ready to Experience the Miracles Asia Difference?

Our team of addiction experts will make getting the help you need as seamless as possible. Call us today, or enter your details below to begin your path to a long-lasting and successful recovery.

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