Jeff Thompson, our former Coordinator of Clinical Services at Paradise Valley Healing Center is continuing to supervise our clinical team. Jeff brings over 24 years of experience as a therapist in the treatment of addiction and wellness programming. After extensive training and experience, Jeff became a certified Teacher, Educator and Practitioner of psychodrama and group psychotherapy with the American Board of Examiners in Psychodrama and Group Psychotherapy.

Jully Buckley is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse who loves to be a part of a team that offers loving support to all guests at the Paradise Valley Healing Center. She finds that the integrated approach to mental health and addiction treatment present at the Center aligns with her own personal values. This way of working resonates with her beliefs and professional practice. Jully is currently the Mental Health and Addictions Case Coordinator Nurse for Vancouver Coastal Health –Squamish Mental Health and Addictions where she assists patients from a broad range of vulnerable populations. She has extensive experience in meeting the needs of clients in a recovery process such as intake, assessment, individual counselling, education, and extended community support. Jully understands the importance of providing integration and continuity across the care continuum. In addition to these responsibilities, Jully is also an active community member who volunteers regularly for local organizations such as the Howe Sound Women’s Center and the Squamish Housing Options Committee.

1. Nirmala believes “Life is precious and priceless! We all deserve to live in the present and experience joy and healthy relationships.” With this in mind, she founded Paradise Valley Healing Center (formerly Paradise Valley Wellness Centre) which is offering cutting edge high quality assessment and therapeutic services for individuals and families impacted by destructive compelling behaviours.

With over twenty three years experience as an addiction specialist in programming, protocol and management, her vision is to strive for balance and integration of body, mind and spirit required for healing and wellness. For Nirmala, work is more than just a career. It’s a calling. By combining her business acumen with her inherent sense of compassion she has enabled hundreds of people with addiction and emotional issues to regain control of their lives.

She was a nominee for YWCA women of distinction awards in the business and professions category in 2008 and she was also nominated for 2008 Celebration of Business Excellence Award in the business category. She is a Chopra Center instructor certified in Primordial Sound Meditation and is passionate about sharing timeless wisdom tools for mind-body health, deeper life fulfillment and emotional healing.

Gordon Grant brings a very calming, kind, and compassionate approach to his inter modal practice as an Expressive Arts and Primary Therapist at the Paradise Valley Healing Center. He is currently our clinical supervisor and a primary therapist, facilitating group therapy and individual therapy sessions. He knows the healing benefits of Therapy and uses a multi-modal approach including art and narrative therapy, somatic awareness, Visualization and some EMDR and CBT. This comes from a profoundly personal place. Having faced many life challenges, including bereavement because of the death of two close family members, Gordon found therapy as a way of recovering from the events that deeply impacted his own mental health. He is a curious artist who works in multi-media involving visual art, music, found sound, story and poetry. He holds an Expressive Arts Therapy certification from Langara College and a Master of Science from the University of Manitoba. He collaborates in the Expressive Arts Therapy at the Center with his life partner, Aleeta Grant. He has worked with a wide range of populations in addressing addiction, trauma, depression and anxiety, and dementia.

Dr. Jenny Rogers supports the Center guests by providing psychiatric consultations, clinical insight, diagnosis and recommendations.

She has worked in the mental health and addiction field for many years offering her combined expertise with compassion and diligent care to those suffering. She has done undergraduate medical, psychiatry residency and geriatric psychiatry training at the University of British Columbia. Since completing her Geriatric Psychiatry fellowship at UBC she has worked in the Fraser Health region in hospital consultation and inpatient services, older adult tertiary psychiatry, and community mental health and addictions outreach.

When not at work, Dr. Rogers breeds Newfoundland dogs.

Aleeta is a Certified Expressive Arts Therapist with a background in education, somatic meditation, yoga, trauma therapy and wilderness therapy. She has worked as a classroom and resource teacher both in Montreal and Vancouver since 1996.She has helped special needs students with both academic and counselling support. She received her Master’s in Educational Practice from Simon Fraser University in 2010.

Aleeta is also a certified international Chopra Yoga Instructor, and she teaches the Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga curriculum. She is also a lifelong Meditator and meditation teacher. With a certificate in Fine Arts Techniques from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Aleeta supports the recovery process by harnessing art’s transformational ability to heal and restore. She supports guests to explore their inner world through imagination and creativity and building health, healing and wholeness in their lives.

Heather is an Expressive Arts Therapist and an award-winning television director and writer. She uses play, imagination and storytelling to support guests as they delve into inner worlds reuniting and recovering lost selves. Where addiction, trauma,and painful memories can make us feel barricaded from attaining a longed-for connection to self, Heather believes wholeheartedly that through poetry, visual arts, and movement (just to name a few), we can rekindle that personal relationship with ourselves in long lasting and profound ways. She providesa trauma informed environment where guests can trust they have choice to find the comfort and safety needed to freely explore (via these many artistic modalities) various themes including self-esteem issues, anxiety, traumas, PTSD, self-regulation, and stress.

For Heather success is that empowering moment when someone’s work, individually or as witnessed in group, sparks for them a delight in deeply knowing that inner-wisdom and the capacity to heal is entirely possible through this reunion with self.

Larissa is a holistic Expressive Arts Therapist who brings a background in complex trauma, substance use and Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy to her compassionate, person-centred practice.

She believes the intermodal use of the creative arts, imagination, intuition, somatic awareness and spiritual practise provide opportunities to heal, resulting in transformational self-resourcefulness. Larissa has also completed 300 hours of yoga teacher training with the Shamanic Yoga Institute, and has supported at-risk youth as an Alternative School educator for over 25 years.

Carolyn Green’s approach to energy healing is grounded in her study of Indigenous and Eastern spiritual practices. Carolyn is a Reiki Master and she has over 15 years of experience as a wellness practitioner. Her passion is to empower and nurture others by reconnecting to nature and universal energies. Her personal experience with trauma informed healing work resulted in a big shift in her life’s direction. Now, her skills are aligned with her passions and beliefs. This aspect of her practice helps her surrender to the flow of life. It is very important to her to be attuned with the changing seasons as this fosters daily awareness in present moment. Carolyn offers meditation and Ayurveda sessions at the Paradise Valley Healing Center. She also has experience working with palliative care patients through Sea to Sky Hospice Society in Squamish and the Lions Gate Hospital Bereavement Program.

Shealagh is a Certified Body-Centered Coach with 10 years of body-centered psychotherapy training through Vancouver Hakomi. Shealagh is also a certified yoga & meditation instructor who is currently in the qi gong instructor certification process.

Shealagh joined the Center team in 2011 because of the integrative, pioneering approach to addiction / trauma treatment & the caring, respectful way the program was being delivered. 

Shealagh’s decades of front line experience in youth, mental health & addiction services bring safety & stability to the weekend continuing care planning that support each guests exit strategy.  Shealagh sessions are a space to build inner & outer supports for the ongoing success of our guests continuing care plan. Through embodied practice, guests develop self-coaching tools to sturdy themselves as they transition back to daily life with their solid new strategic plan in place. 

At home, Shealagh rides a 7 speed cruiser by the name of Black Betty when she’s not knee deep in garden soil. 

As a Wellness Staff and Group Facilitator, Tara leverages her extensive experience as an Energy Healer to foster an environment that encourages the integration of mind, body and spirit.

Tara has always had a deep fascination with meta-physics, and the nature of reality.  Her degree in Anthropology and Philosophy helped her explore some of the theory but it wasn’t until a trip to Peru in 2005 that she really opened up to deeper insight and awareness.  Since experiencing what is possible she has been committed to healing through meditation and to embody the teachings more deeply.  Having found such support with meditation she wanted to help others and has since completed a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, as well as being certified in Eco-psychology; a nature-based approach to healing.

And it is with this commitment to wellness, for all of life, that you can find Tara supporting guests, teaching Mindfulness, facilitating groups, and guiding others to connect with themselves and nature through deeper presence. 

Raquel Nicolau is a Registered Therapeutic Counsellor with a deep desire to support people suffering from mental health and trauma. She comes from a non judgemental place with kindness and respect. Her focus is to share space with her guests, while they explore and better understand the roots of their pain, suffering, and discomfort. She operates from an empathic and compassionate place when approaching the therapeutic process. Her focus is client centered with a collaborative lens. She drives from somatic, narrative therapy, and mind-body connection. She also likes to incorporate breath work and mindfulness, as a way to calm the nervous system and allows space in the client’s mind to process emotions. For her own balance and wholeness she practices mindfulness meditation, yoga and connecting to nature and people around her.

Tina Taylor provides Acupuncture sessions to the guests at the Centre. She is a Practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, has an Associate Degree in Arts-Psychology, and has completed Fine Arts Techniques at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.

Tina practices listening to her body’s needs by honouring it with yoga, swimming, gym workouts, and hiking, together with a balanced nutritious diet supplemented with healing herbs. To honour her mind, she meditates, sets daily intentions, acknowledges her emotions, thinks positive affirmations, self-reflects, reads, as well as studies art, Eastern medicine, and philosophy.

She honours her adventurous spirit with motorcycle trips in many countries, diving in our oceans, snowboarding on our majestic mountains, and dancing with music and fire. Her soul is soothed with plenty of laughter and the cultivation of loving and harmonious relationships with her children, grandchild, family, friends, co-workers, and furry companions.

Jessi McLennan’s presence radiates joyfulness and laughter through her lovely sense of humour. Originally from Australia, she is a Natural Nutrition Clinical Medicine Practitioner who offers nutrition workshops and individualized programs to Paradise Valley Healing Center guests. She facilitates diet and lifestyle modifications that lead to optimal health. She is passionate about a holistic mind-body approach to nutrition that places the focus on the overall well-being of the person rather than on restrictive, weight focused diets. She conveys to guests her strong belief that food should be celebrated because it is an ancient practice of togetherness. Jessi delights in creating and experiencing food collaboratively with guests while introducing them to new food ideas and selections. Some of her all-time favourite recipes include tasty lemon pudding, made with avocados and dates, and raw chocolate brownies.

Elizabeth Marleau is a trained Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and Jivamukti Yoga Teacher.  Her love for holistic sciences have guided her toward working  with people who need support. She is the Yoga & Meditation (Holistic) Coordinator at the Center, in addition, Elizabeth teaches yoga and meditation, facilitates one-on-one yoga therapy sessions and offers her time as support staff.

Elizabeth is a true humanitarian who believes that everyone deserves to live a full, healthy, and embodied life. She brings over 20 years of experience in the Health and Wellness sector as a Holistic Practitioner.  She genuinely  loves  working with the extended family like minded people she has found at the Center.  Elizabeth maintains balance in her life through meditation, healthy eating and meaningful social connections. She loves spending time in nature, especially on the water,  and tries to keep a good sense of humour in all the experiences that life brings her.

Angie is a RYT500 Yoga Teacher with a specialty in Trauma informed yoga, a certified Advanced Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner (Tapping) and a Stress Management Coach. Angie is currently enrolled in a Yoga Therapy Program.

Angie has been in the health and fitness industry for the past 16 years; the last 6 as a Yoga Teacher. After starting her yoga teacher training journey, Angie started to heal from her own postpartum depression through deep understanding of the 8 limbs of yoga, yoga philosophy, trauma informed yoga and Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). Angie has been uncovering her authentic self to bring her peace and joy. Yoga is the path to self-realization; getting to know ourselves and understanding who we are so we can access our inner physician to bring us peace and joy.

Angie’s passion is to help end suffering and assist people to realize they are already whole. Outside of working with clients, Angie loves completing puzzles, sewing; playing board games and enjoying the great outdoors with her 2 children and husband.

Carolyn Green’s approach to energy healing is grounded in her study of Indigenous and Eastern spiritual practices. Carolyn is a Reiki Master and she has over 15 years of experience as a wellness practitioner. Her passion is to empower and nurture others by reconnecting to nature and universal energies. Her personal experience with trauma informed healing work resulted in a big shift in her life’s direction. Now, her skills are aligned with her passions and beliefs. This aspect of her practice helps her surrender to the flow of life. It is very important to her to be attuned with the changing seasons as this fosters daily awareness in present moment. Carolyn offers meditation and Ayurveda sessions at the Paradise Valley Healing Center. She also has experience working with palliative care patients through Sea to Sky Hospice Society in Squamish and the Lions Gate Hospital Bereavement Program.

Melanie is a university dean who brings yoga, meditation, and reflective practices to her work with guests at the Center.  Her yoga teacher training includes hatha and yin, as well as trauma-informed teaching.

She has been leading yoga classes and mindfulness and meditation groups on university campuses for over a decade, and is motivated by seeing the impact of these practices. As a CrossFit trainer she is experienced in working with people at all levels and stages of their health and fitness journey, and she brings this awareness and approach to modifying movements to meet guests’ differing needs and objectives.

With over twenty-five years of working in education, she still gets excited about creating opportunities for people to grow, and to find joy, energy, and purpose at all stages of their lives, so is thrilled to be a part of the Center team.

Elizabeth Marleau is a trained Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapist and Jivamukti Yoga Teacher.  Her love for holistic sciences have guided her toward working  with people who need support. She is the Yoga & Meditation (Holistic) Coordinator at the Center, in addition, Elizabeth teaches yoga and meditation, facilitates one-on-one yoga therapy sessions and offers her time as support staff.

Elizabeth is a true humanitarian who believes that everyone deserves to live a full, healthy, and embodied life. She brings over 20 years of experience in the Health and Wellness sector as a Holistic Practitioner.  She genuinely  loves  working with the extended family like minded people she has found at the Center.  Elizabeth maintains balance in her life through meditation, healthy eating and meaningful social connections. She loves spending time in nature, especially on the water,  and tries to keep a good sense of humour in all the experiences that life brings her.

Jeri has been at the Center since June of 2017. She is member of the Guest Care Team and she is also the Overnight Wellness Staff Supervisor. She ensures Center guests get the quality of care they deserve, no matter the hour.

Working at the Center enriches her life in more ways than she ever thought possible. The Center has taught her so much about taking care of herself, from setting boundaries to proper nutrition and everything in between. She truly believes in the work done at the Center and she is so grateful for every new experience here. She graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Alberta. Within months, she made the move to the beautiful West Coast and she has been striving to learn and grow since her arrival.

Through years of personal struggle, she has gained valuable experience about the importance of physical and mental well-being. She knows first-hand the power of routine, self-discipline, and self-care. She always knew she wanted to help people, and being able to fulfill that through her work is incredibly rewarding.

Paul Beech likes to contribute to the wellness of guests at the Paradise Valley Healing Center by being a calm and compassionate listener. While serving in the capacity of Wellness Staff, Paul offers an easy going and steady demeanour that brings a comforting presence for the guests at the Center. Paul is truly honoured to help guests through their day to day challenges and accomplishments.

He finds that balance is the key to living a healthy lifestyle. Maintaining connection to family and friends as well as staying physically active helps keep him grounded and happy. He also believes that humour has the power to change any situation and it may even lead to a more positive outcome. Paul has a background in Human Resources and he has over 20 years of experience in customer service within the tourism sector. He is a skilled communicator.

Tarlok Binning begins his morning routine with a spiritual practice of daily prayer. This practice informs the choices he makes during the rest of the day and it makes him a considerate and thoughtful person in all of his interactions. Tarlok’s role at the Paradise Valley Healing Center is to provide transportation and maintenance services. In addition, he also helps guests in the role of Wellness Staff. He is very involved in listening to the guests, their needs, and helping in any way that he can. Tarlok really cares about the quality of their stay and he wants to make it as comfortable as possible for the guests. He leads by example, living a balanced life which includes daily exercise, walking and healthy eating.

Anne is currently completing her M.A. to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor. She brings her passion for learning and personal growth to her work at the Center, where she is a Wellness Staff. Anne loves connecting with guests to help them access personal and collective tools for self-understanding and healing.

Anne has been an educator for over 25 years. While completing her B.A. and M.A. in English literature, she became interested in the ways in which humans make meaning through story. While completing her B.Ed. and Ph.D. in education, Anne focused on how students’ and teachers’ imaginations can be used to make learning both more emotionally rewarding and effective. Her most recent academic work has explored the use of metaphor, imagery, movement and play in K-12 and post-secondary curricula. Anne’s decades-long interest in story and imagination fuels her desire to learn more about and support the human capacity for self-transformation.

She recharges by reading, doing yoga, hiking, taking baths, running, spending time with her family and friends, and by being in nature.

As a Wellness Staff and Group Facilitator, Tara leverages her extensive experience as an Energy Healer to foster an environment that encourages the integration of mind, body and spirit.

Tara has always had a deep fascination with meta-physics, and the nature of reality.  Her degree in Anthropology and Philosophy helped her explore some of the theory but it wasn’t until a trip to Peru in 2005 that she really opened up to deeper insight and awareness.  Since experiencing what is possible she has been committed to healing through meditation and to embody the teachings more deeply.  Having found such support with meditation she wanted to help others and has since completed a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield, as well as being certified in Eco-psychology; a nature-based approach to healing.

And it is with this commitment to wellness, for all of life, that you can find Tara supporting guests, teaching Mindfulness, facilitating groups, and guiding others to connect with themselves and nature through deeper presence. 

Kali Saltibus feeds the soul and fills the heart with love through his delicious food creations. His education in Contemporary Dance gives him the profound understanding that the body requires care and nurturing. Kali listens respectfully to the needs of his body and he makes a conscious effort every day to eat, live and be in balance.

As a Kitchen Manager at the Center, Kali believes that food can transform and reach people on a different level. His intention is to help raise personal awareness through the power of nourishing food. Kali has over 18 years of experience in the Food and Service industry working with organic food and providing a full range of dietary options including gluten free, vegetarian, raw and vegan cuisines

Lee has been with the Center for the past year and has been a valuable team member. Currently her part time position allows her to support guests on their healing path. Lee is passionate about wellness and brings warm and compassionate energy to the Center.

Lee moved to Squamish recently, and loves the beautiful outdoors here.

Lee has a Master of Science in Clinical Biochemistry and is a Holistic Nutritionist. She has worked in labs, Clinical Research, and for Supplement companies. She finds joy and peace from time with family, kayaking, hiking, camping, swimming, crocheting, and curling up with her cat.

The first person you will likely see when you walk in the door is Kary, our office manager. Kary brings warm and compassionate energy to the Center supporting potential guests and guests who are on their healing path. Kary found her own strength and courage deeply influenced by the support of those around her and a regular practice of yoga. Explorations of her journey lead her to India where she studied the roots of yoga as well as meditation. She developed a strong belief in the healing benefits of these ancient practices as they enlighten, support, and sustain her both physically and spiritually. Currently residing in Squamish, she is grateful to live in such a beautiful place and loves spending time adventuring in the mountains.