Meet Our Founder
With over 20 years of experience in addiction counselling and therapeutic practice, John has dedicated his career to supporting individuals in recovery and helping them build lasting, meaningful change.
His professional background is both diverse and grounded in care and leadership. Earlier in his career, he worked as a residential social worker supporting young people with disabilities in further education, before moving into a management role within the airline industry. He later brought this breadth of experience into the addiction field, where he has since focused his work on supporting recovery and therapeutic development.
Through his work, he has consistently seen the value of combining evidence-based therapeutic approaches with holistic practices. This understanding led him to establish Beyond Addiction Retreats, creating a safe, structured, and supportive environment where individuals can deepen and strengthen their recovery.
John, alongside a team of experienced facilitators, brings a shared commitment to an integrative approach that combines clinical expertise with psychoeducational and holistic practices. This work is grounded in the belief that sustainable recovery involves not only the mind, but also the body, emotional wellbeing, and a sense of connection.
This integrated philosophy underpins the work of Beyond Addiction Retreats, ensuring a professional, carefully held experience that supports long-term wellbeing.
Our Mission
We are dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where people in recovery can explore their healing journey with compassion, expertise, and genuine care. Our mission is to empower individuals to break free from the patterns of addiction and discover lasting transformation.
“Recovery is not just about stopping harmful behaviors - it's about building a life so meaningful that addiction no longer has a place in it. We're here to support every step of that journey.”
Through our weekend retreats, we combine clinical excellence with holistic wellness, creating an experience that addresses the whole person - mind, body, and spirit.
Our Therapeutic Philosophy
We believe that effective recovery requires an integrated approach - one that combines evidence-based therapeutic practices with holistic healing modalities. Our philosophy is built on three core pillars:
Holistic Wellness
True healing extends beyond talk therapy. We incorporate yoga, mindfulness meditation, breathwork, somatic education and therapeutic bodywork to help you reconnect with your body and cultivate inner peace.
Community & Connection
Recovery happens in relationship. Through facilitated group process and peer support, you'll discover the power of shared experience and authentic connection with others who understand your journey.
Evidence-Based Practice
We ground our work in proven therapeutic approaches including psycho-education, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and trauma-focused interventions. Our clinical team brings extensive training and experience in addiction treatment.