Our Addiction Specialists Team

Dr. Margaret McCann, MB BCh BAO

CEO & Co-Founder

Dr McCann completed a degree in medicine at University College Dublin and worked in hospitals in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Dr McCann co-founded with her husband Peter McCann Clouds House, an addiction centre in Wiltshire, where she established the detoxification and treatment programme. She was responsible for directing all treatment services including medical, nursing and therapeutic; she pioneered the use of Clonidine for detoxification from opiates in the UK.

In 1988 Dr McCann moved with her husband to Scotland where they founded Castle Craig Hospital in Peeblesshire.

There she established the treatment programme and continues to focus on the development of the therapies for the treatment of addiction and the direction and governance of the hospital.

Dr McCann also acted for a period as Medical Director for the Castle Craig’s clinics in the Netherlands – which provide assessment, continuing care and other outpatient services.

Dr McCann has presented at a number of medical conferences in the UK. She is committed to promoting and sharing best practice in the addiction field.

Personal Interests: As well as finding time to raise four children Dr McCann has volunteered for the Order of Malta for the last 15 years at the annual pilgrimage of sick and disabled people to Lourdes. She is a keen (albeit occasional) bridge player, a dog lover and enjoys walking in the hills surrounding Castle Craig.

Peter McCann

Chairman & Co-Founder

After studying economics and psychology at Trinity College Dublin, and a career in the City of London, Peter McCann established the Life Anew Trust in 1981 alongside his wife, Dr Margaret Ann McCann. Life Anew was a charity that promoted Minnesota Model addiction treatment in the UK at a time when this treatment approach was virtually non-existent.

In 1982 Peter and Margaret Ann founded Clouds House, a drug and alcohol treatment centre in Wiltshire. After successfully running Clouds for five years when it gained an international reputation, they moved to Peeblesshire in Scotland where they in turn opened Castle Craig in 1988. Clouds, in partnership with its associated charities, has recently received the royal patronage of HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

Peter has presented at many conferences in the field of addiction, written papers on addiction and belongs to a number of professional organisations. In the early 1990s Peter founded EATA (European Addiction Treatment Agency) and five years ago Peter was elected on to the Board of the International Council of Alcohol and Addictions.

He is an expert on cross-border EU Healthcare and is currently pioneering the use of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in addiction care.

Dominic McCann

Chief Executive Officer

Dominic is interim CEO of Castle Craig Hospital and a Director of Stockholms beroendeklinik and CATCH Recovery, London. 

A member of the McCann family who founded Castle Craig, Dominic joined Castle Craig in 2009 as Development Manager and Direcor. In this role Dominic has overseen the enhancement of Castle Craig's services, and the launch of new clinics in Ireland, Sweden and London. In 2018 he led a successful campaign to highlight abuses of the Google Ads platform, and other unethical business practices in the sector.  Dominic was also the Chief Executive of Smarmore Castle from 2017 to 2019.

Dominic previously spent several years working with charities in the UK, Eastern Europe and in Africa. This work encompassed child-care, learning disabilities, disaster relief and development, NGO resource building and primary healthcare services.  

Prof. Jonathan Chick, MA (Cantab), MPhil, MBChB, DSc, FRCPsych, FRCPE

Medical Director

Prof. Jonathan Chick

Medical Director, MA (Cantab), MPhil, MBChB, DSc, FRCPsych, FRCPE

Professor Jonathan Chick joined Castle Craig in 2014 as the new medical director. Professor Chick is an eminent consultant psychiatrist with a distinguished career in the National Health Service.

Professor Chick was a leading researcher in the addiction field for a number of years and has been published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He is currently the chief editor of Alcohol and Alcoholism, which is the official journal of the Medical Council on Alcohol.

Professor Chick is an elected member of the scientific council of the Societe Francaise d'Alcoologie and is a member of the board of trustees of the General Services Office of Alcoholics Anonymous in the UK. Professor Chick is also the author of Understanding Alcohol and Drinking Problems, in association with the British Medical Association.

Dr. Maria Kelly, MBChB, DipPsych, MRCPsych

Associate Medical Director

Dr. Maria Kelly

Associate Medical Director, MBChB, DipPsych, MRCPsych

Dr Maria Kelly joined Castle Craig in 2014 as the new associate medical director.

Dr. Kelly is a distinguished consultant psychiatrist with a background in the NHS of general and forensic psychiatry and the psychiatry of learning disability.

Her specialist interests include psychotherapy and family therapy.

Daniel Gouws, MBA, CIMA, Dip.Bus.Man

Chief Financial Officer

Daniel Gouws

Chief Financial Officer

MBA, CIMA, Dip.Bus.Man

Victoria McCann

Senior Communications Manager

Victoria McCann is Senior Communications Manager at Castle Craig and Smarmore Castle Private Clinic, Ireland and responsible for overseeing the communications and marketing department. Victoria is also a Director of Stockholms beroendeklinik and CATCH Recovery London. 

Since 2007 Victoria has managed marketing and communications projects and website development for Castle Craig. Victoria has also been instrumental in establishing the Executive Programme at Castle Craig, and the Family Recovery Workshop.

Victoria studied English Literature at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and has an MSc in Public Relations from Stirling University. Victoria started her career in PR agencies in London and has lived and worked in London, Spain and Switzerland.

"As a member of the McCann family who founded Castle Craig, it gives me such great pleasure to remain a part of this wonderful establishment that has turned so many lives around. I see so much positivity among the patient community and among the staff and I want to spread the word far and wide about the amazing transformations that take place at Castle Craig."

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Rachel Palethorpe

Hospital Manager

Rachel has worked in the addictions field for over 15 years. She has extensive management qualifications and experience both in secure settings and within the community in London. She has managed large multi-disciplinary teams as a CQC registered manager, and is experienced in offering supportive supervisions, reflective practice, clinical supervisions and coaching.

"I am delighted to be joining the Castle Craig team and to be part of the amazing work you do. Having worked in addictions for many years, Castle Craig was of course known to me and working within the leadership team at a hospital with the excellent reputation that precedes Castle Craig is an exciting opportunity.

I am passionate about working in the field of addictions, having fallen in love with addictions work at the age of 18 upon starting my first job in an addictions service and meeting the committed people who work in the sector. It never ceases to be humbling and a privilege to be able to support people in their recovery journey and to see people get well and go on to have the healthy, meaningful and fulfilling lives they deserve."

Dr Felicity Sasada

Resident Medical Officer

Dr Giedre Putelyte

Resident Medical Officer

Dr Putelyte is a Resident Medical Officer at Castle Craig, providing 24/7 onsite medical care for our patients. 

Dr Putelyte has a wealth of experience in treating those with mental health problems, having previously worked as a ward doctor at the Nightingale Hospital in London and a resident physician at Vilnius University, Lithuania's leading academic institution.

Mark Abrami

Senior Therapy Manager

Mark Abrami is Castle Craig's Senior Therapy Manager who is responsible for overseeing service provision at our Admissions Unit, Castle Unit and Recovery Gardens Unit. He is an experienced therapist and therapy team manager with a special interest in the treatment of addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief. He is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about helping others in their recovery journey.

Mark utilises the 12 Step approach, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy and self-care approaches when treating patients for addiction.

Mark has a broad range of experience at Castle Craig, formerly working in the Extended Treatment Unit as a Senior Therapist and also as Lead Therapist at the Kirkurd Unit for Dutch males. Mark is also Therapeutic Coordinator of the Executive Programme.

Qualifications

Mark is COSCA accredited and is an IC&RC Board Member. He completed postgraduate training in psychotherapy and achieved an MSc in Alcohol and Drug Studies at The University of Glasgow. Mark began training and working at Castle Craig Hospital in 2008 and gained the Diploma in Addictions Counselling from Castle Craig Hospital in 2009. Mark also has experienced working as a Counsellor at a private counselling service in Edinburgh.

Public Speaking

Mark is a regular speaker at Castle Craig reunions and is featured in many of our online educational videos. He has also given talks about aftercare on podcasts and blogged for ICAAD.

Engagements

Mark regularly meets with visiting Consultant Psychiatrists and therapists who come to see Castle Craig when they intend to refer a patient. He also meets MPs, MSPs, the media and other public figures who come to visit.

Phillip Baron

Unit Lead

Phillip Baron

Senior Therapist & Lead Therapist for the Extended Care Men's Unit

Phillip leads the Extended Treatment Men's Unit, and plays a key role in maintaining standards and implementing therapeutic procedures within the Castle Craig Extended Treatment facility.

Phillip joined Castle Craig in May 2013, with 20 years’ professional experience in addiction treatment as therapist, service manager and director of services with various organisations.

Phillip is fully accredited with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counsellors (NAADAC), and holds an Advanced Certificate in Counselling, an NLP Certificate, an NVQ4 in Leadership and Management in Social Care, and a registered manager qualification. He is trained in both clinical and management supervision, dual diagnosis/complex needs, presentations and media, serious incidents and risk assessment, and advanced leadership. Phillip specialises in pathological gambling, compulsive sexual addiction, service development, training and regulatory compliance.

Roseanne Boyle

Admissions Unit Lead

Roseanne Boyle

Senior Therapist & Lead Therapist for the Serenity Unit

Roseanne leads the women's Serenity Unit, and plays a key role in maintaining standards and implementing therapeutic procedures within the Castle Craig Extended Treatment facility.

Roseanne joined Castle Craig as a Trainee Therapist in 2004 and gained a Diploma in Addictions Counselling from Castle Craig in August 2005. Roseanne is a certified Reality Therapy practitioner and has obtained the IC&RC qualification. She facilitates the Eating Disorder group and she is also a practitioner member of COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland).

Before joining Castle Craig Roseanne obtained an HNC in counselling and worked in the Financial Services Industry for 11 years.

Teri Lyn Fairnie

Lead Therapist, Family Programme

Lead Therapist, Family Programme

MS in Mental Health Counselling

Teri is the Lead Therapist of the Family Programme and also runs our Family Recovery Workshop, a two day workshop for families coming to terms with addiction. Teri also facilitates groups for Eating Disorders and Grief.

Teri joined the staff team at Castle Craig Hospital in November 2017 as a Senior Specialist Therapist. Teri previously worked in the United States for over 15 years as a Licensed Mental Health Counsellor with children and their families who were impacted by substance abuse, domestic violence and mental health issues.
Teri earned her Masters of Science degree in Mental Health Counselling from Nova Southeastern University. She moved to Scotland in 2014 and is a registered member with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). 

Tony Marini

Senior Specialist Therapist

Tony Marini

Specialist Therapist

Tony began training and working at Castle Craig Hospital in 2013 and gained the Diploma in integrated Counselling from Edinburgh College in 2010. Tony currently works in the Intensive Treatment unit as a therapist and is a BACP practitioner member.

He attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Person Centred psychotherapy in 2014 at The University of Strathclyde under the tuition of the renowned lecturer and author Robert Elliot. Tony is a member of our specialist therapy team working with gambling, gaming and internet disorders.

Victoria Greenshields

Senior Therapist / Continuing Care Coordinator

Senior Therapist and Continuing Care Coordinator

Victoria began training and working at Castle Craig Hospital in 2016 and is currently a therapist in the women's Serenity Unit at Extended Care.

She achieved an undergraduate degree with honours in Psychology and a Masters in Forensic Psychology before working as an assistant clinical psychologist for 18 months.

She is trained in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and previously delivered group and individual therapy before coming to Castle Craig.

Jessica Tomlinson Hill

Senior Specialist Therapist

"What I love most about being a therapist is the privilege of being right alongside my patients as they make fundamental realisations, break cycles and have the courage to become who they were created to be."

Jess has worked for many years in the mental health arena, both in South Africa and Scotland, with a specific focus on addiction. In 2015 she completed her training as an EMDR therapist. Jess also has a special interest in sensory modulation. In 2017 she became a sensory intelligence practitioner, allowing her to help patients understand their unique sensory systems and use this knowledge to optimise their function in day to day life. 

Jess graduated as an Occupational Therapist in 2005 from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. In 2011 she obtained her masters degree in occupational therapy in psychiatry. Her thesis was about the role that occupational therapy plays in the treatment of addiction. In researching for her masters degree, she became interested in the intersection between OT and coaching and contributed a chapter to the book “Enabling positive change, coaching conversations in occupational therapy,” published by Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. The chapter was based on a group coaching program she had created called “Living Life Well.” 

When she is not at Castle Craig, Jess runs an online program for moms called Mastermind your Motherhood.

Frank O’Hare

Specialist Therapist

Angela Thomson

Specialist Therapist

Angela Thomson

Therapist

Angela joined Castle Craig in 2017 and currently works in the Serenity Unit at extended care.
She graduated in 2017 with a level 5 diploma in Integrative Psychotherapuetic counselling. Before working at Castle Craig Hospital, she had previous experience in working in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre and delivering group therapy/individual sessions.
Since working at Castle Craig, she has achieved an IC&RC accreditation as a certified drug and alcohol counsellor. She is a registered member of the BACP and has a special interest in working with trauma.

Kane Duffy

Specialist Therapist

Kane Duffy, MSc

Specialist Therapist

Kane has been working in the addiction field for 10 years. Kane holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and an M.Sc. Applied Psychology with particular interest in co-morbidity between neurodevelopmental disorders and addiction.

He is a founding member of the Serenity Café (Recovery Cafe) in Edinburgh and was part of the project's development from conception to becoming a UK recovery café pioneer, with a focus on empowering people to become self-directed better versions of themselves. He has a coaching certificate and is passionate about working with people to manage their illness, to broaden the boundary of their potential, to overcome their barriers preventing them maximising their potential, and to build an internal state of resilience.

Sander Tubbergen

Senior Therapist

Sander has extensive experience of working in residential and outpatient treatment settings in the UK, South-Africa and the Netherlands where he worked with a range of issues including substance/alcohol misuse, behavioural addictions, mild to severe depression, anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, trauma, personality disorders, grief/bereavement, relationship problems, attachment disorders, sexual orientation, gender identity complexities and sexual abuse. He has extensive experience of working with relationship issues and family problems.

He specialises in working with male clients who have suffered developmental/attachment trauma and/or sexual abuse and as a result experience psychological distress and complex interpersonal issues. In addition, he has particular experience of working with people with addictive disorders and related psychological health issues such as negative self-image, internalised shame, repressed anger and/or personality disorders.

Sander has completed a Master’s Degree in Counselling & Psychotherapy with Merit at The University of Edinburgh, School of Health in Social Science where he conducted comprehensive empirical research on the psychological effects of, and the recovery process from, childhood trauma and chemical dependency.

Dawn Dixon

Head Nurse

Dawn Dixon

Head Nurse

Duncan Dewar

Deputy Head Nurse

Deputy Head Nurse

Duncan joined Castle Craig as a Senior Staff Nurse in September 2017. He qualified as an enrolled nurse back in 1989 while working with the Scottish Prison service, where he was awarded the Butler Trust UK Award for his work with vulnerable inmates including addictions.

He later became involved in the first addiction services within the Scottish Prisons and helped introduce courses on reasoning and rehabilitation. In 1999 he attended the University of Dundee to gain his certificate as a Registered General Nurse and in 2004 he moved into the social care management and gained his qualifications in Health and Social Care. He has managed services for young people, learning disabilities and elderly nursing. Laterally he worked as a peripatetic manager supporting care homes over the Lothian and Fife regions.

Rebecca Gates

Senior Staff Nurse

Rebecca Gates was a former member of our nursing team, she departed to join a nursing practice in Dubai and enhance her credentials in the NHS as a Nurse Prescriber. We were delighted to see her return to us at Castle Craig..

Gordon Hogg

Visiting Therapist

Gordon joined Castle Craig in 1993 and was formerly our Head Therapist and played a leading role in developing the Castle Craig treatment programme. Gordon has now retired but continues to visit Castle Craig from time to time to provide valuable sessions for our patients.

As well as being affiliated to COSCA (former board member) Gordon is on the board of the UK Professional Board of Alcohol/Drug Counsellors.

Gordon graduated from Leith Nautical College and was previously an officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary with the Ministry of Defence. After the Navy he worked for Philips Electronics in Cambridge for six years specialising in electron microscopy and often travelled to the main Philips factory in Eindhoven where the microscopes were built and developed.

Audrey Grant

Online Therapist - Continuing Care

Online Teletherapist - Continuing Care

Audrey conducts facilitates our addictions tele-therapy for continung care.

Audrey holds a Diploma in Addictions Counselling from Castle Craig. She is a certified Reality Therapy practitioner and has obtained the IC&RC qualification.

Originally from Malta, Audrey lived in Scotland and worked at Castle Craig from 2001-2016 where she furthered her studies in trauma counselling and eating disorders. Since then she returned to Malta but has continued a role as an online therapist.

Dr Seamus MacAuley

Online Therapist - Continuing Care

Dr Seamus MacAuley, BSc, MB,BS, MRCGP, FDSc (Addiction Counselling) CSAT3 (Asia Pacific)

Seamus works exclusively online in private practice and for Castle Craig and our London clinic as our aftercare tele-therapist. 

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 troubled by alcohol, prescription drugs and other compulsive behaviours around food, work, control and co-dependence.  

On retiring from the RAF in 2006 he completed a Bath University, Degree in Addiction Counselling and then first worked in a prison setting with addicted offenders from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, delivering a 12 Step day care programme and relying heavily on motivational interviewing and interpersonal group therapy as interventions to facilitate engagement and relapse prevention. 

Seamus then worked with addicted health professionals in a therapeutic community, and developed a 12 Step recovery programme which ran in parallel with a second wave CBT based mindfulness and acceptance approach. 

In the last ten years he has worked in residential rehabs in Thailand and Malaysia in a variety of roles. He started initially as an addiction therapist then graduated to being an intake and medical coordinator followed by program director at a new start up treatment centre in Borneo. Prior to returning home to the UK he ran an intensive addiction outpatient programme in Hong Kong.  

Guy Heath

Senior Staff Nurse

Guy Heath

Senior Staff Nurse

In 2003, after 33 years in the National Health Service, nursing in many areas and hospitals throughout both England and Scotland, Guy joined the staff at Castle Craig Hospital.

His role currently includes “Smoking Cessation”, “Health Promotion”, “Equine Therapy” and “Crisis Intervention training” for staff.

As a musician, he also encourages musical programmes and activities.

Guy recently featured in the BBC.

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Karen Watson

Senior Staff Nurse

Donna Campbell

Senior Nurse Assistant

Donna Campbell

Senior Nurse Assistant

Donna started work at Castle Craig in May 2004. She is part of the Intensive Treatment Team and has trained in Motivational Interviewing and also delivers the Auricular Acupuncture to both the Intensive Treatment and the Extended Care units.

Margaret Nelson

Nursing Assistant

Paul Shannon

Recovery Advocate

Paul joined Castle Craig in July 2017 as a Recovery Advocate and helps carry the message of hope to patients and that change is possible. Paul's own experiences have led him to having a sound working knowledge of the 12-step programme, which he says has "humbled me to pass onto our patients that come in to treatment. There is a solution to addiction and I cherish being part of a team who strive to help people change."

Wendy Kinloch

Recovery Advocate

Wendy joined Castle Craig in June 2020 as a Recovery Advocate, helping to oversee the Admissions unit.

She is currently working on my COSCA Counselling Certificate and undertaking a degree in CBT at ACT Counselling Services in Glasgow in September 2021. Wendy is on the way to becoming a CBT therapist at Castle Craig.

"As a former patient of Castle Craig, my role takes on a special meaning to me. To see a patient grow and change throughout their time here in treatment is such a wonderful experience. I believe that I bring an honest feeling of empathy and understanding that give the patients a sense of ease and comfort."

May Riddell

Recovery Advocate

As a Recovery Advocate here at Castle Craig May says "I find this role very inspiring and rewarding. Part of my job is to help inspire the patients but I cannot help feel inspired by them and the other staff here at times, which reminds me we have always something to learn and it's true that every day is a school day.

"I see honesty as the highest principle in life, without it we have nothing and so I promote this with the patients here.  I believe for this job I need to share my positivity with the patients as in early recovery they can be quite negative.  I find it easy to talk to others in recovery and at appropriate times I share my own experiences with them.

May supports the therapists and medical staff, getting to know all the patients as best she can, as a visible presence whenever she is on shift.

"I feel my life's purpose is to help others as I was helped. Working here at Castle Craig makes my heart happy and I have honestly got to say I love my job."

Kim Smith

Recovery Advocate

Kim joined the team at Castle Craig in July 2021 as a Recovery Advocate.   A former patient herself in 2019, she is delighted to bring her experience and passion into the team who helped to change her life and the lives of many who suffer from the disease of addiction.

David Kilgour

Fitness Manager

Fitness Instructor

Christopher Burn

Consultant Therapist - Creative Writing Therapist and Content Editor

Chris Burn joined Castle Craig in 1988 as Financial Director and retrained as a specialist addictions therapist in 1994. Chris formerly trained and worked as a Chartered Accountant in London, Paris and Malta and ran a hotel in the Scottish Borders.

Chris ran the Gambling Addiction Programme at Castle Craig for many years. After retiring in 2016 he remained involved with Castle Craig as a consultant therapist and part of the editorial team. He wrote three books about recovery which are sold in our bookshop and are popular with our patients:

Poetry Changes Lives - a page-a-day book of history, poetry and inspiration 

The Fun We Had

Pulp Verses - examining writing as a therapeutic tool

He now divides his time between London and the Scottish Borders and is married with three children and five grandchildren.

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Liverpool Echo

Lucy Douglas

Assistant Governance Manager

Governance Support Manager

Donald Whitaker

Service Dev. Manager

Donald Whitaker

Service Development Manager

Donald joined Castle Craig in July 2013 as Client Service Manager, having previously held a number of administrative positions within the NHS in London, and then moving to South Africa, where he was Manager of Riverview Manor, a South African addiction treatment centre, from 2011 – 2013.

Donald has a BSocSci (Psych) Degree from the University of Natal.

Jane Roberts

Administration and Governance Officer

Jane supports our governance department as our Administration and Governance Officer.

Alison Mills

Admissions Case Manager

Alison Mills

Senior Admissions Specialist

Alison started working as an Admissions Officer at Castle Craig Hospital in 2009. She is a first point of contact for all enquiries about treatment at Castle Craig and can advise prospective patients, their families, their employers and also referrers (i.e. GPs, social workers) on questions about the admission arrangements.

Andrei Zamfir

Admissions Case Manager

Andrei Zamfir

BChD

Admissions Officer

Andrei has worked at Castle Craig since 2014. He spent a number of years working with charities in South-East Asia after graduating from Medical School as a Dentist. Andrei is committed to promoting the welfare of others and does so through his work in the admissions department as well as communications and marketing and any other tasks as directed by the senior management

Anne Goodall

Admissions Case Manager

Maureen Crosbie

Head Housekeeper

Maureen Crosbie

Head Housekeeper