Our People

Dale Smith - Clinical Director

Aston Smith - Administrator

Aston is personal proof the programme works. He was initially trained by the International Institute of Addiction Studies after his own successful recovery. Beginning with Capri in the role of Personal Recovery Coach, he continued his training in the United States with an internship at the world-renowned Willingway Hospital. Aston has attended a Southeast Conference on Addictive Disease (SECAD) in Atlanta, USA. He is Administrator at Capri, in charge of all non-clinical staff and activities. “I’m hands-on with the clients because I know if I can do it, anyone can.”

Tom Claunch - Co Founder & Clinical Consultant

A Certified Addiction Counsellor and Hospital administrator with over thirty years in the addictive disease field, Tom is an international consultant, lecturer and speaker. A past president of the 22,000 member National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors - USA, Director of the International Institute of Addiction Studies and Founder/Chairman of the New Zealand ~ Australia Conference of Addictive Diseases.

Dr Greig McCormick FRANZCP - Medical Consultant

Greig qualified in medicine at university of Otago and has been a specialist psychiatrist since 1991. He has established a private practice in Auckland and has a long standing interest in drug, alcohol, and dual diagnosis problems. Dr McCormick currently serves as consultant to several community organizations in both the public and private sectors.

Dr Charles - Resident Doctor

Dr Charles is our resident doctor who lives on site. He is in recovery himself and bring personal experience to helping our client into solid recovery. He also assists Dr Greig Mc McCormick with the medical detox and other client ailments.

Guy Smith - Volunteer and Founder

A highly successful and effective businessman, Guy is able to share his recovery experience, strength and hope with other professional and accomplished Capri clients and their families. Trained with the International Instititue of Addiction Studies, he serves as a personal Recovery Coach. "Addiction is not just a skid-row problem, often the best and the brightest are affected."

Sue Smith - House Mother

Sue is one of the original founders of Capri Trust. She is a great support to our client's family members, and is part of the GAS relapse recovery programme.

Ted Wotherspoon - Psychologist

Ted is a registered psychologist who qualified at the University of Auckland. He has extensive experience in child, young adult, family and education interventions. Since 1985 Ted has been Managing Director of Vital Services Limited and since 1996, Healthy Families - Triple P Limited, his own businesses.  Ted works with children, young adults and families on a daily basis, assisting them to lead normal lives. His strong background and specialised knowledge in these areas make Ted highly suited to support the Capri programmes, particularly those involving young adults and their families.

Michelle Smith - Family & Children Counsellor

Sylvia Holliday - A & D Counsellor

Sylvia has a BA and Post graduate Diploma in Education and a Dip Counselling; she is a full member of New Zealand Association of Counsellors.
Sylvia has over 20 years experience in counselling and education in both Africa and New Zealand. She was a Lecturer at Bethlehem Institute in the Bay of Plenty where she also ran in Drug and Alcohol programs along side work in her private practice. She has worked in communities in voluntary roles as well as having been a community Counsellor, Chaplain and Educator. At Capri Sylvia is a A & D Counsellor and Steps Coach

Sue Jacobi - Special Issues Counsellor

Sue received the NZACAD Counsellor of the Year Award for 2003, her B.A. Auckland University, B.D. Otago University, Hons. Diploma in Theology - Theological Hall, Knox College, Dunedin Cerifcat d'etudes oecumeniques (Geneva) and is a Certified Addiction Counsellor (C.A.C.). Sue had a long and sucessful career as a Parish Minister and as a Hospital Chaplain - at Middlemore Hospital. Sue provides daily individual counselling to all Capri clients, and facilitates groups and family counselling.

Dr Rob Nash - Weekend Volunteer

Dr Rob Nash is in recovery, and brings both professional and personal experience to his volunteer work here at Capri.

Dee - Chef

Dee has a vast amount of experience in the entertainment area.  His meals are simply outstanding. He can assist clients with any specific dietary needs.

Vicky Brown - Night Care Giver / Cultural Advisor

Vicky, more commonly called aunty by our clients provides a listening ear when sleeping patterns are being reestablished.

Rhys - Maintenance and Outings

Rhys role is to maintain the large Capri complex. He also facilitates the weekly client outings.

Lance Manns - Client Advocate

Lance is a Capri graduate who volunteers and liaises for our clients needs.

Trever Grice - Consultant / Advisor

• Founder/director Life Education NZ (40 community funded mobiles on the road covering most of the country with health-based programs for primary school children).

• Co-author THE GREAT BRAIN ROBBERY - best seller describing the negative impact of drugs on the maturing brain. Second edition now released. Translated into German and Spanish.

• Lecturer at the NZ Police College, secondary schools and tertiary institutions throughout the country, government and private agencies, hospitals and businesses.

• Private counsellor for youth at risk and their families.

• Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (1997)

• USA – Presidential Citation (1977)

• UNESCO Peace Builder Award (2000)

Adam - Dog

Adam loves going for walks around the basin.