Our Team

Facilitator

Susan Armstrong M.Ed. R.C.C.- A.C.S. 

• Over 33 years providing trauma and grief specific counselling

• Registered Clinical Counsellor and Approved Clinical Supervisor

• Clinical supervisor to counsellors and support workers

• Facilitator of trainings, groups and wellness activities in indigenous communities

https://bcacc.ca/counsellors/susan-armstrong/

Co-Facilitator  

Wade R. Alexander MN, MA, RCC-ACS, CCC, RMFT 

• Registered Clinical Counsellor/Canadian Certified Counsellor/Registered Marriage and Family Therapist 

• 24 years providing mental health interventions and nursing care to federally incarcerated clientele institutionally and those clients on parole in the community – retired 2024

• 7 years private practice; trauma-informed virtual tele-therapy for individuals, couples+, and groups including families across British Columbia and other Canadian Provinces

• Clinical Supervisor for counselling therapists

https://wadealexandercounselling.ca/

Retreat Coordinator 

Tessa Ridley, RMT

• Registered Massage Therapist 

• 15 years in Clinical Practice 

• Online Self Care Educator  @selfcareissacred @boundariesarebeautiful

• 20+ years in  Catering Industry 

https://selfcareissacred.com/

Practitioners

Jess Spohr RCST, RCRT

• Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist

• Registered Reflexologist

• 5 years of clinical experience

•  Pilates Instructor

https://idlewildhealth.ca/about

Shauna McGowan RMT, RCST 

• Registered Massage Therapist

•  Registered Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist

•  15 years of clinical practice

•  Teacher Assistant for Biodynamic Craniosacral Trainings 

 https://embodied.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/1/bio

Megan DeSimone BSW, MSW, RSW, MTC

• Registered Social Worker (in BC) & Counsellor (in Canada)

• Over 24 years providing Mental Health services in a variety of settings

• Former instructor at UBCO School of Social Work Interdisciplinary clinic

• Currently a Psychotherapist in private practice

https://thelifebalance.ca/megan

Sara Magner M.Ed, RCC 

• Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC)

• Holds a Master of Education in Counselling from Sul Ross State University & has a double-major in Psychology and Family & Child Sciences from Florida State University.

• Supporting individuals, children, and families through crisis intervention, trauma work, and therapy in both clinical and community settings since 2012

 https://thelifebalance.ca/sara