The CATCH Recovery Team
The CATCH team of experienced professionals are available to help patients assess their needs, facilitate the appropriate treatment and get them on the road to recovery. Addiction has often caused serious consequences in patients’ lives, possibly affecting their health and the dynamics in their families, at work, or in the community.
The treatment programme addresses the needs of the whole individual for the recovery process to be successful. Our rehab therapists tailor a treatment programme that meets the mental, social, medical, occupational, family, and legal needs of patients to help them in their recovery journey.
Specialist Network
The McCann family behind CATCH Recovery and Castle Craig has spent the last 40 years building up a strong network of addiction and mental health specialists across the UK and Europe. This means we can ensure you receive the best quality care and expertise in your treatment.
Senior Management
Dominic McCann is the founding director of CATCH Recovery. He previously ran an aftercare service in central London between 2014 and 2020. He aspires to make CATCH a hub of recovery support and ongoing treatment for patients and family members following their discharge from intensive treatment services.
Over the past 12 years, Dominic has been involved in managing and launching a number of addiction treatment services, both inpatient and outpatient.
Elisabeth is responsible for the day-to-day management of CATCH Recovery.
She has worked in healthcare for the last 5 years, where she has worked in project management roles in the fields of post-operative rehabilitation and addiction rehabilitation.
Elisabeth is originally from Austria and has been living in London since 2016. She has a BA in International Management, and an MSc in Global Health and Social Justice from King’s College London, where she researched residential alcohol dependency treatment. Elisabeth is currently working on an MSc in Psychotherapy.
Eva is responsible for making sure operations run smoothly at CATCH Recovery. She oversees all outpatient programmes as well as continuing care for patients discharged from Castle Craig.
Eva has previously worked in the charity sector with a focus on social welfare and anti-homelessness campaigns. She has also worked in Barcelona carrying out anti-corruption due diligence research. Eva did her BA in Sociology with Social Psychology which included research into patient-centred healthcare, and her MA in International Relations.
José is a Counsellor and Psychotherapist holding an MSc in
Counselling and several qualifications in Addiction Counselling. He
has been working in the field of addiction and associated disorders
since 2003 gaining extensive experience working with compulsive
behaviours, mental health and substance addictions.
Over the years José has worked primarily in leading residential
treatment facilities as Counsellor, Senior Counsellor, Head
Therapist and Clinical Manager overseeing teams of
multidisciplinary clinicians. He has worked individually with clients
over extended periods of time affording the opportunity for long
term and sustainable recovery and change.
As an integrative therapist with long experience working in the
addiction and compulsive behaviours’ field, José provides a range of
different models and concepts of therapy, such as CBT, CAT, MI,
Relapse Prevention, Psychodynamic, Systemic and Gestalt. He
facilitates psycho-educational workshops and interpersonal
psychotherapy groups as well as individual therapy, supervision,
training, and clinical management.
José is fluent in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish. He is also
involved in Communitarian work, Politics and Sports
Therapeutic Team
Andrew is an accredited psychotherapeutic counsellor working with clients both in person and online. He has worked both in acute mental health settings and addiction services.
Andrew is passionate about helping people achieve recovery from problematic substances, behaviours and relationships.
His life, professional experience and training have led Andrew to a pluralistic approach to my therapy, very much seeking to support clients in a way that best works for them.
Anita Chellamah is a counsellor specialising in Addiction and Developmental
Trauma.
After an active career in the arts, Anita hit rock bottom due to her drug and
alcohol addiction. After changing her life, becoming clean and sober she re-learned to live again in recovery. This is what sparked her passion for the
work she does, in the knowledge that confronting and recovering from illness
of addiction and childhood trauma is possible.
She qualified as a counsellor in 1998 and has worked with addicts and families
affected by addiction in many different treatment settings delivering 1-1
sessions as well as groups working with DBT, trauma-focused tools and the 12
Step framework.
Throughout her work she has explored addictive patterns, processes and how
they present in various addictions such as alcohol, drugs, love addiction and
co-dependency.
The Book Alcoholics Anonymous was going to be initially called “ A Way Out”
and she believes strongly that there is a way out, to be able to live a life filled
with purpose, hope, and choice, whilst also living in the reality of life on life’s
terms.
Austin has been qualified as an integrative therapist for 10 years. During his training, he worked at various treatment centres as a peer support, trainee therapist, client liaison, and sober transportation manager.
Austin works using a combination of approaches to talk therapy which include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Transactional Analysis to help with new perspectives. Austin is passionate about a holistic and spiritual approach. He uses Mindfulness practices and Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) to help regulate emotional distress and anxiety.
Since entering into recovery in 2004, Austin has gained a deeper understanding of spiritual living and enjoys a more altruistic lifestyle. Enjoying his 19th year of continual recovery Austin is active in the fellowship. His true happiness comes from working with others to improve and achieve inner peace.
Feeling alone or powerless in this world is something a lot of people go through. He believes making sense of complicated emotional situations and learning new ways to cope with practical struggles becomes easier when shared with someone who is not involved with the situation directly and can support you to find your own solution.
Christophe uses a combination of 12-step, coaching and therapeutic approaches in his Recovery Coaching practice, so he can tailor his work to support your needs and your goals.
While happily abstinent from all substances since 2013, Christophe is pragmatic above all else about your aims and your abilities so approaches each of you with an open and practical mind.
Christophe started gaining direct experience in the fields of addiction and behavioural change in 2018 by working in two leading London treatment centres; at the time, a side activity to his marketing career. He is currently completing a BACP- Accredited three-year course in Integrative Psychotherapy.
Graham Freeman is a certified drug and alcohol addiction family Intervention
Specialist and Recovery Coach.
Having worked voluntarily and professionally in this field for over 24 years, he
has assisted countless individuals into recovery from drug and alcohol
addiction.
He says: “Witnessing families regain their lives and recover from the
devastating effects of these addictions is my passion in life.”
Jennifer is a multilingual and multicultural corporate communications specialist, bilingual in Spanish and speaks excellent French. She has a BA degree in English Language and Literature from King’s College London and a Foundation Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling, which contribute to deeper communication with clients. Her previous professional career was in luxury Fashion and Beauty.
Several years ago, Jennifer’s own recovery journey provided a keen insight into the emotional complexities involved in addiction and mental health and thus inspired a vocational and meaningful career change. She understands first-hand the level of empathy and care required when working with clients (who have ranged from 12 to 75 years of age) and offers tangible guidance using her own experiences whilst supporting them throughout their journey.
As a professional with over 5 years of expertise in Recovery Coaching, both in group and individual settings, Jennifer has gained extensive experience having worked at a young persons’ Outpatient Treatment facility in London (ages 12-19). She has gained invaluable insight into the challenges and complexities involved with various mental health disorders; ranging from substance use disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, and self-harming disorders and behaviours. She has done various charity outreach works and offers program assistance through mentoring and counselling. Jennifer believes in building self-esteem and autonomy within her clients and implements all her skills by empowering clients so they may realise their own potential. During her career, she has also developed and delivered a series of varied and unique recovery-based workshops with the aim of inspiring and encouraging clients.
B.A. (Hons). GRAD I PD. P.G.C.E. Adv Cert Counselling
Although retired from full-time employment, Kevin has remained involved in the field of Drugs / Alcohol to utilise his skills and vast experience in Recovery. To that end, he has been working at Castle Craig Hospital Scotland as a locum addiction therapist for the past 5 years as well as doing freelance consultancy work.
Kevin has worked in the field of addiction since 2000 and has been clean and sober since 1999. Initially, he worked as a therapist in a 12 Step rehab. He later moved into criminal justice and was instrumental in the implementation of Arrest Referral, and then onto leading the set-up of the Drug Intervention Programme in Middlesbrough. In 2005 he was seconded to the Home Office as part of the “Tough Choices” National Implementation team.
Following successful secondment, he took up the post of Manager of services in the SouthWest area, and upon returning North he was involved in setting up one of the National Alcohol Arrest Referral pilot schemes. Subsequently, He went into prison consultancy work until Sept 2011 when he took up the post of Lead Therapist responsible for the Setting and implementation of the abstinence-based quasi-residential Recovery Academy Durham and HMP Durham 12-step recovery center.
Kevin has been privileged to be asked to speak about recovery at various conferences and conventions throughout England, Wales, and Europe. He recently spoke at the 75th Year celebration of AA in Britain to an audience of 3,000.
Kim coordinates continuing care for patients discharged from Castle Craig Hospital, working as a patient liaison on-site three days a week. She meets with patients to discuss their therapeutic needs and to outline CATCH Recovery’s treatment programme.
Kim liaises with therapists to ensure a smooth transition and step down from residential to outpatient treatment. She joined the team at Castle Craig in 2021 as a Recovery Advocate and has lived the experience of recovery. She brings her experience and passion into the team who helped change her life and the lives of many who suffer from with addiction.
Before joining CATCH Recovery, Patrick worked at the North London Priory from 2003 to 2011. During this time, he obtained an FDSC in Addiction Counselling from Bath University, whilst
working with addictions and the various mental health problems
there unto pertaining.
These include co-dependency, eating disorders and process addictions such as sex, shopping and exercise. I n the early part of 2014, he became lead therapist at Sanctuary Lodge, until 2019, when he returned to work at North London Priory working as a senior and bank therapist.
Patrick has considerable experience in family therapy and ancillary mental disorders that arise in conjunction with addictive problems. He has liaised with the local authority mental health teams and has engaged with referring people on to other services.
Paul has a wealth of experience in psychological intervention, having worked
in various multi-disciplinary work settings, including NHS IAPT services
(Improving Access to Psychological Therapies), alcohol and drug misuse
services, renowned private residential rehabs and prisons. He has also had a
successful private practice in Harley Street and the Home Counties, and now
works from Guildford in Surrey, Horsham in West Sussex, and online.
He is experienced in working with a variety of different issues, including but not
limited to substance misuse, gambling, sex addiction, porn addiction, internet
addiction and eating disorders. He has worked with problems relating to
anxiety, depression, stress, abuse, relationships, work, self-harm, and OCD.
Paul applies various contemporary research and evidence-based therapeutic
models, including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), MET (Motivational
Enhancement Therapy) and Humanistic Person Centred Therapy to help
facilitate change and help people with various issues to live more balanced
lives.
Paul is a BACP accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist who draws on his
experience and knowledge to provide therapy in a safe, supportive and
confidential manner. Paul believes in the therapeutic relationship between the
counsellor and client to be key, built on trust so that a shared open alliance
can form.
Purva is a Counselling Psychologist with over 20 years experience. She has worked in Drugs & Alcohol for the NHS in Primary Care in various GP surgeries, as well as in an University Counselling Service.
Besides having a private practice for 15 years now, Purva is also a Clinical Supervisor for the past 5 years at a well-known charity, and supervises Counselling Psychologists in Training.
For Purva the client is bigger than the model, and she works accordingly to the client’s needs, as opposed to trying to fit a model to the client. She believes that everybody has the ability to change and develop. Purva is passionate about working with people, and sees it as a vocation as opposed to a job.
Nicci Petch is a therapist working in the field of addiction and specialises in sex and porn addiction.
She has a diploma in sex addiction counselling CPCAB accredited Level 5, a diploma in practitioner to substance misuse in addiction counselling, and a Level 4 diploma in therapeutic counselling.
She has been working in residential treatment centres for addiction since 2015, working in both the private sector and government-funded centres over the years. Her experience covers a range of addiction presentations.
Over the years she noticed when working with addicts or those who struggle with compulsive behaviours, that there was an underlying condition that was not being treated – sex addiction. Nicci started working with sex addiction after noticing it being acted out underneath the substance addictions, causing immense pain and destruction for the individuals and those close to them.
She believes deeply that those who enter into recovery from sex addiction deserve the opportunity to experience intimacy with self and others coming from high esteem not shame, expressing their sexuality with great freedom and pride.
BSc, MB, BS, MRCGP, FDSc CSAT3 (Asia Pacific)
Seamus works online for Catch Recovery London and Castle Craig as an aftercare teletherapist.
Seamus trained as a doctor at the University of London and then became a GP in the Royal Air Force for 22 years, running his own medical centres on a variety of flying stations both in the UK and abroad in conflict zones.
He developed an interest in addiction and trauma with many of his patients predominantly suffering from addictions to alcohol, prescription drugs and other compulsive behaviours around food, work, control, and co-dependence.
On retiring from the RAF in 2006 he completed a degree in Addiction Counselling at Bath University, and worked in a prison setting, delivering a 12 Step daycare programme. He has also worked with addicted health professionals in a therapeutic community, developing a 12 Step recovery programme with a CBT-based mindfulness and acceptance approach.
In the last ten years he has worked within Asia; running an intensive Addiction Outpatient Program in Hong Kong and in residential rehabs in Malaysia and Thailand as well as being a programme director at a treatment centre in Borneo.
Audrey is a certified Reality Therapy practitioner and has obtained the IC&RC qualification. She holds a diploma in Youth Studies from the University of Malta.
In 2001, Audrey joined the team at the Intensive Treatment Unit at Castle Craig. While working there, Audrey has specialised further in Trauma Counselling and Eating Disorders.
Based in Malta, she has been working as a tele-therapist for CATCH Recovery since 2021.
South African-born, Toni graduated as a social worker in 1992. Toni
Co-owned two Rehabilitation Centres in Pletten berg Bay.
For the past 25 years, Toni has been working in this field and her expertise has developed through her experience and participation in a variety of roles including that of therapeutic counsellor, group facilitator, lecturer, supervisor, trainer, and programme developer.
Toni is Certified in Mindfulness-Based Interventions and is a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach. She embraces ongoing learning and continues to expand her skills base in order to best assist those dealing with addictive behaviours. Toni offers her work online as well as in person. She works with many clients throughout the world.
Toni has recently begun working as an Independent Service Provider for CATCH Recovery London, where she offers Telehealth Services to their outpatient clients.
With a deep-rooted passion for improving mental health and wellbeing, Paula Shields has worked internationally in the behavioural healthcare field for over 20 years in a variety of roles utilising therapeutic modalities and coaching in her client-facing work.
Paula is trained in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC) approaches, as well as Positive Psychology and Solution-Focused Coaching. She utilizes a range of techniques relevant to the stage of the recovery process a person is at, from initial conceptualization through to recovery goal-clarification, ongoing commitments, and subsequent post-session experiences. 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, the Neuroscience of Attachment and DBT).
She has a humanistic person-centred approach. She understands recovery work as an experiential, dynamic interaction between both her as the professional and you as the client. She approaches her work in a highly experienced relational manner, with directness, clarity, and transparency. Together, she works with people to co-create new possibilities in recovery, through increasing self-awareness and developing a sense of self-efficacy and responsiveness to life.
In addition to being a humanist, she loves being outdoors walking with her two Thai rescue dogs. She also enjoys cooking, curry is a top favourite, and watching old movies. She has very recently begun to play golf, and although still at the novice stage, is managing to get some balls in the air and close to the hole.
George Nicola has always had the natural ability to empower and encourage people to see how valuable their lives are.
Having had 10 years professional experience of working in mental health with vulnerable adults, his proven successful mentoring and coaching programme has enabled him to understand that no two journeys to recovery are alike.
He likes going the extra mile to understand people’s unique struggles, aspirations, and strengths, ensuring that the path forward aligns with their specific needs and circumstances.
Having had his own personal experience with addiction, George has a deep understanding of the challenges that can occur for someone seeking to be in recovery and being in recovery. He will believe in you until you believe in yourself.
With a musical creative background and attention to a healthy lifestyle, George brings a safe, warm and positive energy whilst walking with you into recovery.
Anthony Cummins has over 35 years of personal recovery experience and over 14 years of experience facilitating recovery support.
Reaching out for help at the age of 27 helped him turn his life around. His gratitude for this support led him to undergo training for qualifications, certification and work experience in the field of supporting, mentoring and helping people with drug, alcohol and trauma issues at different stages of their recovery.
He is best known for creating a safe place for clients to access ongoing support to maintain their recovery. He is a compassionate people-oriented individual, dedicated and has empathy, plus the integrity to build positive therapeutic relationships with the people he has supported over the years.
Anthony is an avid collector of vinyl records and creativity has always been high on his agenda in his own recovery. He is a keen football supporter and enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as hiking and travelling. In his spare time, he likes to read therapy and recovery books, attends courses and keeps informed in the field of recovery.
As a professional Recovery Coach, Sarah McGoldrick’s background and motivation stem from personal experiences with addiction and the transformative power of recovery.
Having overcome her own struggles, she is passionate about helping others navigate the challenges of addiction and supporting them in their journey towards sobriety.
Her motivation lies in witnessing the positive impact that recovery coaching can have on individuals’ lives, empowering them to reclaim their health, relationships, and overall well-being.
She aims to provide comprehensive support and guidance to individuals seeking a life free from substance abuse.