The Team

We are a group of highly educated and well-trained professionals with a proven record of successfully treating mental health issues such as addiction, trauma and depression. Our commitment to the whole human being means having staff who specialize in the physical (medical, fitness, diet), the psychological (psychotherapy), social, and spiritual aspects of recovery.

Medical Services

Dr. Jacques du Toit
Medical Director | MB, ChB, ISAM

Dr. Jacques du Toit

Medical Director | MB, ChB, ISAM

Dr. du Toit has been the Medical Director at Sunshine Coast Health Center since its inception in 2004 and is now responsible for the delivery of medical services at Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic. He is certified with the International Society of Addiction Medicine and has been the personal physician to over 3000 clients in that time.

Dr. du Toit is originally from South Africa where he received his formal education at Stellenbosch University.

Stuart Howard
Psychiatrist | MD, FRCP(C)

Stuart Howard

Psychiatrist | MD, FRCP(C)

Dr. Howard immigrated to Canada in 1991 where he began his practice at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook. In 2007, he joined Sunshine Coast Health Centre and has been providing in depth assessment and psychiatric care to all of our clients ever since. Dr. Howard has a background in treating women with mental health and addiction issues as well as a specialty in helping those suffering from trauma and PTSD. Dr. Howard received his formal education at University of Capetown in South Africa

Jennifer Herron
Jennifer Murray
Nursing Director | RPN

Jennifer Murray

Nursing Director | RPN

Jennifer is responsible for all nursing services at Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic. Previously, Jennifer managed Seaside Wellness Centre, a residential addiction program for women. After working numerous responsibilities at Powell River General Hospital, Jennifer decided to make addictions and mental health her focus.

In 2019, Jennifer received official RPN (Registered Psychiatric Nurse) status. In addition to her daily tasks as Medical Services Manager, Jennifer is a lead team member in the psychiatry department, conducting clients assessments and oversees all medical monitoring.

Nursing Team

Ursula Gould
Nursing Supervisor | LPN
Allison White
MOA
Danielle Foster
Nurse | RPN
Alysha Poulin
Nurse | LPN
Cherissa MacNeil
Nurse | LPN
Geoff Schulkowsky
Nurse | LPN
Jean Daly
Nurse | LPN
Jonathan Huck
Nurse | LPN
Kaela Gifford
Nurse | LPN
Katie Koelewyn
Nurse | LPN
Kerrie Hughes
Nurse | LPN
Kirsten Angell
Nurse | LPN
Richard Tattersall
Nurse | LPN
Terry Griffith
Nurse | LPN
Victoria Myers
Nurse | LPN
Brittany Bellham
Nurse | LPN
Tyanna Wasylowich
NURSE | LPN
Deborah Shapter
NURSE | LPN
Travis Wasitis
NURSE | LPN

Clinical & Wellness Services

Geoff Thompson
Program Director | PhD, CCC

Geoff Thompson

Program Director | PhD, CCC

Since joining us in 2007, Geoff has demonstrated an exemplary ability to connect with clients. An extensive background in both residential and outpatient addiction treatment has helped Geoff keep things in perspective when clients feel overwhelmed.

Geoff earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Saybrook University and is a certified member of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association. He spent several years as a Clinical Addictions Counsellor at Maple Ridge Treatment Centre in British Columbia and also managed two provincial government treatment programs. Geoff is also the Executive Director for the International Network on Personal Meaning, managing editor of the International Journal of Existential Psychology and Psychotherapy, and Program Director of its biennial Meaning Conference. 

Among his publications are:

You can also find Geoff’s articles in the following: 

Carissa Muth
Clinical Director | Psy. D, Registered Psychologist

Carissa Muth

Clinical Director | Psy. D, Registered Psychologist

Dr. Carissa Muth is a registered psychologist in Alberta and British Columbia and the Clinical Director at the Sunshine Coast Health Centre and Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic.  She holds a Doctorate of Psychology, Master of Arts in Counselling, and Bachelor of Social Work degrees and has run a private practice in Alberta for the last ten years.

With over fifteen years of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Muth has provided psychological assessments, therapeutic treatments and conducted research in the field of substance addictions and co-morbid psychological disorders. With both a passion for learning and teaching, Dr. Muth has presented her research and expertise across the country at a variety of mental health conferences.

Sara Klinkhamer
Family Services Counsellor | MA, RCC

Sara Klinkhamer

Family Services Counsellor | MA, RCC

Sara joined our clinical team in 2016 when she returned to her hometown. She brings a background of working on the downtown eastside in Vancouver for more than 10 years, which has given her much experience working with addiction and mental health issues, particularly trauma issues. Sara has also worked in both residential and outpatient settings as a concurrent disorders counsellor. Her strong belief in the worth of each individual, optimism in the face of adversity, as well as respect for autonomy and dignity, has served her well in this work.

Sara completed her BA in psychology at Simon Fraser University in 2005 and her Masters of Counselling Psychology at Adler University in 2008. In 2009, Sara started a post-graduate program in Existential Analysis and in 2013 became a founding board member of the Existential Analysis Society of Canada.

Cameron Wharram
Psychotherapist | MA, RCC

Cameron Wharram

Psychotherapist | MA, RCC

For 10 years, Cameron’s career has focused on helping humans nurture and challenge themselves to build meaningful lives that align with their core values. He has had the privilege to meet people walking through a variety of journeys, working as a clinician, coach, mindfulness teacher, and personal trainer.

Cameron approaches each person whom he has the opportunity to work with from a functional contextual lens. This means that rather than judging certain behaviours and choices as good or bad, Cameron’s work focuses on exploring how certain behaviours and beliefs have come to develop and what function they serve now. With increased self-awareness, clients can begin implementing new behaviours and cultivating new core beliefs that may better serve their own unique circumstances.

Kye Taylor
Kinesiologist | BSc(Kin)

Kye Taylor

Kinesiologist | BSc(Kin)

Kye has been an employee at Sunshine Coast Health Center since 2008. Kye enjoys the challenge of working with a diverse spectrum of clients and has enjoyed working in a program that values physical fitness as part of an overall focus on wellness. Kye is a graduate of Seattle Pacific University in the field of Exercise Science and has worked in both Washington State and British Columbia in a variety of outpatient clinical settings.

Sarah Hooff
Nutritionist | Client Support

Sarah Hooff

Nutritionist | Client Support

Sarah has been working as a nutritionist since 2012. She first earned her certification as a Sports nutrition consultant and later went on to become a registered nutritionist. She has worked in a variety of health care settings, from fitness studios to family health care programs. As a hands-on person, Sarah loves an opportunity to host cooking classes. Sarah is also the author of two health and wellness cookbooks and in the past owned and operated a cafe for two years. Passionate about health and nutrition, Sarah believes good food is one of the very best ways to support our wellbeing, add some fun to our daily routines, and most importantly helps bring people together.

Chelsea Keays
Registered Massage Therapist

Chelsea Keays

Registered Massage Therapist

Eli Schweitzer
Registered Massage Therapist

Eli Schweitzer

Registered Massage Therapist

Leanna Moorman
Bodyworker

Leanna Moorman

Bodyworker

Rachelle Letkeman
Bodyworker

Rachelle Letkeman

Bodyworker

Tazim Ismael
Bodyworker

Tazim Ismael

Bodyworker

fitness drug rehab women
Bianca Hoppe
Fitness Consultant

Bianca Hoppe

Fitness Consultant

Bianca has a professional background in the medical field and is a certified BCRPA Group Fitness, Aqua, Weight and Personal Trainer. Her focus is to coach and motivate people to achieve their individual fitness goals. Her fitness motto is: “Not the beginning will be rewarded, but the will to follow-through”.

Nicolas Marius
Clay Field & Writing Therapist

Nicolas Marius

Clay Field & Writing Therapist

Coming soon!

Harvest Cole
ART FACILITATOR

Harvest Cole

ART FACILITATOR

Administration

Melanie Jordan Alsager
CEO | MBA

Melanie Jordan Alsager

CEO | MBA

Melanie has led our efforts to run a one of a kind facility since 2005. She has an extensive history in residential healthcare having worked in multiple positions providing services to clients.  Melanie has personally led the development of 5 new residential mental health facilities since 1991 including Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic. She is unique in the addiction treatment field as one of the only facility administrators who has a professional health administration background. 

Casey Jordan
Administrative Director | MA

Casey Jordan

Administrative Director | MA

Casey oversees all marketing and communications at Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic and Sunshine Coast Health Centre. She explores new ways to reach and engage with people online, coordinates content marketing, and develops ways to help SCHC maintain a visible and helpful online presence. Casey completed a Masters’ Degree in Professional Communication in 2015.

Patricia Shepherd
Admissions Supervisor

Patricia Shepherd

Admissions Supervisor

Oriana Corradetti
Admissions Coordinator

Oriana Corradetti

Admissions Coordinator

Oriana has experience working as a business communicator in a variety of non-profit organizations before arriving at SCHC. She was happy to discover that the pieces she enjoyed most about her previous roles, like community engagement and advocating for vulnerable groups, translated well to her current position in Admissions at the Centre. Oriana completed her Bachelor of Communication degree in 2017.

Hannah Adams
Admissions Coordinator

Hannah Adams

Admissions Coordinator

Sherry Appleyard
Admissions Coordinator

Sherry Appleyard

Admissions Coordinator

Mandy Schneider
Admissions Coordinator

Mandy Schneider

Admissions Coordinator

Mandy moved to the beautiful Sunshine Coast in the summer of 2016 seeking the slower pace of life that Powell River offers with spectacular precision. This idyllic setting is home to the healing of countless individuals at Sunshine Coast Health Centre and she is proud to be part of that.

Since starting her journey in the fall of 2020, Mandy has been integrating into the team of incredible professionals, who have cemented her passion for helping others and connecting with people from all walks of life.  The personal rewards from this meaningful endeavour are priceless and something she will always be bound to.

It’s a constant learning experience spiritually, emotionally, and physically. It has contributed to her growth and continues to provide invaluable lessons. She is grateful to work with a team full of compassionate and loving people.

Client & Alumni Services

Kristi Jordan
House Manager
Sara Beauregard
Post-Treatment Planning & Client Services