New: Building Personal Agency, an 8-week online programme · Starts 31 August 2026 · Ten places →

Confidential counselling · addiction and mental health

You don’t have to have it worked out before you get in touch.

Send a short message. No detail needed, no obligation, no cost to ask. John reads every enquiry himself and usually replies within two working days.

Send a message
John A Smith

John A Smith · Counsellor, Addiction Specialist and Coach
Specialising in co-occurring disorders
Phuket, Thailand · and online, wherever you are

  • ICAP-certified (GCCC / NAADAC)
  • 14+ years in treatment settings
  • Clinical lead and trainer of trainers
  • Individuals, families and groups
  • In person in Phuket, Thailand
  • Online worldwide

Is this you?

Reasons people get in touch

Most people who write to John are not sure they qualify as having a problem. That is usually the point at which help works best.

None of these quite fit? Write anyway. A short message costs you nothing and John will tell you honestly whether he’s the right person.

Who you would be talking to

About John

John Alfred Smith began as an educator, with a Masters in Education and Psychology from the University of Johannesburg. It still shows in how he works: patient, plain-spoken, and more interested in what is actually happening in your life than in labels.

He moved into addiction treatment in South Africa, then into residential rehab in Thailand: Siam Rehab in Chiang Rai, The Dawn Wellness Centre in Chiang Mai, and most recently Clinical Lead at Phuket Island Rehab. He now practises independently. His focus is co-occurring disorders, where addiction and a mental health condition feed each other, and neither improves while the other is ignored.

Qualifications and certifications
  • Internationally Certified Addiction Professional, ICAP I (GCCC / NAADAC, 2021)
  • Trainer of Trainers, Universal Treatment Curriculum (Colombo Plan / Ecolink Institute, 2023)
  • Trainer of Trainers, Recovery Support Services ALLIES (Colombo Plan, 2022)
  • Adolescent Treatment and Recovery (NAADAC, 2023) · Advanced Clinical Skills (ISSUP, current)
  • SMART Recovery Facilitator (2021) · CBT Practitioner (2020)
  • Certified Recovery Coach (2013) · Life Coach and NLP Practitioner (2012)
  • Masters in Education and Psychology, University of Johannesburg

Sessions are in English, in person in Phuket or online by secure video, arranged around your time zone. He also works with families supporting someone from a distance.

John works as a counsellor, addiction specialist and coach. He does not diagnose medical conditions or prescribe medication, and will refer you on where that is what you need.

The process

What happens after you send the form

The reason people hesitate is rarely the problem itself. It is not knowing what they’re setting in motion. So, in order:

  1. You send the form

    Your name and one way to reach you. Every other field is optional. You can leave the message box completely blank.

  2. John replies, usually within two working days

    By whichever method you asked for. Nothing identifying goes in the subject line, and he is the only person who reads it.

  3. A free 20 minute call

    A conversation about what is going on and whether he is the right fit, in person or by video and arranged around your time zone. No commitment on either side, and nothing you have to prepare.

  4. You decide

    If it works, the two of you agree a plan and a schedule. If it doesn’t, he will point you towards someone or something that suits you better.

How the work happens

The practical details

People who have worked with John speak highly of him. The free 20 minute call exists so you can judge that for yourself before committing to anything.

Which kind of help?

Two ways to work with John

One-to-one counselling

Private, ongoing work, online by secure video. Weekly 45 minute sessions shaped entirely around you. For addiction, co-occurring difficulties, or anything best worked through privately.

Send a message

Building Personal Agency

A structured 8-week small-group coaching programme: practical tools from NLP, CBT, DBT and ACT, capped at ten people. Starts Monday 31 August 2026.

Explore the programme

Not sure? If addiction or a crisis is part of the picture, start with one-to-one counselling. The programme builds skills; it is not treatment.

Get in touch

Send a message

The only things you have to fill in are your name and one way to reach you.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please don’t use this form. In Thailand, call 1669 for medical emergencies or 191 for police. For mental health support, the Department of Mental Health hotline is 1323, free and open 24 hours. Samaritans Thailand offer support on 02 113 6789, with an English-language option, though English availability can vary. Outside Thailand, contact your local emergency number. This page is not monitored around the clock.

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Confidential. Seen only by John. No newsletters, ever.

Message sent.

John will usually reply within two working days.