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Maureen Edwards
Maureen has spent the past two decades working with and helping individuals and their families with mental health, trauma and addiction issues. She is a passionate agent for helping others transform their lives into a more meaningful and purposeful representation of ‘self’. Maureen has been able to combine her education in nursing with her counselling skills to provide a holistic approach to care. Maureen has exceptional skill in working with clients who have experienced traumatic childhoods and may be dealing with the aftermaths of abandonment, neglect, physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse. She is known for her ability to develop compassionate and empathetic therapeutic relationship with her clients – something that is essential in counselling individuals with traumatic childhoods. Maureen’s experience and intuitive ability helps to identify the underlying causes of mental health, trauma and addiction. Treatment can then be focused on the root issues, as she views mental health, trauma and addiction as a symptom of something much deeper. Maureen enters into therapeutic relationship with her clients as a ‘fellow journeyman’, one who will stand and walk beside her client as they heal and discover their authentic selves.
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Chris Weekes
For over 30 years, Chris has developed and facilitated group workshops for emotional, psychological and spiritual health. His experience includes working with people throughout the lifespan including those with disabilities, mental health and addictions, trauma, at risk population, unemployed and homeless. Chris immigrated to Canada from Barbados at the age of 14 years and is the father of 3 children. He started working in Human Services at the age of 30. He has education and experience in Case Planning and Management, Behaviour and Emotional Regulation Skills, Substance Use and Addictions Counselling, Trauma Informed Practice, Ethics, and Sound Practice. He says he finds humans fascinating!
Chris is a musician and uses Ancient Shamanic Drum and Rhythm Healing practices. He is currently facilitating Therapeutic Drum Circles for those in Addiction and Recovery programs as well as Community Drum Circles for all ages.
“Having worked through my own addiction many years ago, I get so much joy reflecting on the beautiful complexities of addiction and witnessing the transformation process in others. When someone learns a little more about their inner and outer world - I learn something more too!”
Dr. Tatiana Tsarouk PhD, Hypnotherapist.
Dr. Tsarouk PhD, is a Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist, Trauma Specialist and Research Scientist with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and a Member in Good Standing with Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. Dr. Tsarouk specializes in addiction, mental health, and regulating mood including PTSD, anxiety, panic and other stress conditions. She is an EMDR practitioner and has over three decades of expertise in treating trauma.
Dr. Tsarouk expresses interest and readiness in participation in any project directed on treatment of addictions as a researcher, collaborator, or as an addiction therapist using knowledge about addiction treatment and research. Before coming to Canada Dr. Tsarouk was involved in post-doctoral research with NIDA and in fellowship at the University of Washington, USA as a Co-Investigator of International research project on the development and implementation of a drug use prevention program. She received Distinguished International Scientist Collaboration Award for this research.
Dr. Tsarouk has also conducted research studies on Sunshine Coast Health Centre treatment outcomes which realized that there is a great need in development, evaluation, and implementation evidence-based interventions and services in addictions.
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Lola Amundsen
Lola has spent over 4 decades working as a Medical Office Assistant in a managerial role. Born and raised in Powell River, BC, she is known for her empathy and huge heart. She has worked in addiction treatment and recovery centres, ensuring care and compassion. All clients are treated like family, someone they can trust, respect, and learn from. Lola’s innate ability to connect with people is evident in every interaction she makes. She is an avid volunteer and recent winner of the 2022 Women in Business Awards ‘Outstanding Employee of the Year’. Lola is happiest when she can positively impact and be part of an individual's healing journey.
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Nikita Mokeev
Nikita completed a Master’s degree in Social and Cultural Services in Moscow, Russia. He also has Social Service Worker Certification from Thompson River University, British Columbia. He has worked with Special Needs and Autistic children as a Behavioral Interventionist providing support and designing individual learning methods which are appropriate for each child. Nikita has also done a lot of volunteer work with children and youth in both Russia and Canada. He loves to travel, learning, and interacting with people from different cultures.
Nikita was a Program Development Assistant in an International project funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. This project focused on drug use prevention among youth and Nikita assisted with program development, information collection, and filming of youth and group sessions.