Hello and welcome to the first of many blog posts from those of us at Homewood Ravensview.

First, let me introduce myself – I’m Dr. Michael Berry, the Clinical Director at Ravensview.  In this role, I develop and implement Ravensview’s clinical programming, and supervise the work of Ravensview’s many mental health professionals including: psychologists, social workers, addictions counsellors, occupational therapists, recreational therapists, and creative therapy specialists with expertise in art therapy, music therapy and even poetry therapy. I also provide leadership and support to make sure that we deliver the highest possible standard of evidence-based care to our patients.

It is a privilege to be a psychologist.  Every day, I get to know people authentically, hear their stories, and help them as they work through some of life’s biggest challenges.  At Ravensview, I am part of an amazing team—made up of psychiatrists and other medical doctors, social workers, trauma therapists and addictions counsellors, and many more.

It is also a privilege to work with a superb, in-house leadership team. Along with myself, the leadership team at Ravensview includes:

• Rob DeClark, our General Manager. Mr. DeClark is an expert in the treatment of addiction and mental health, and has led the development of our culture of care at Ravensview.  He is the exceptional individual who was first recruited to help build the foundation for Ravensview and our team.
• Lyn MacBeath, our Medical Director. Dr. MacBeath is a highly experienced psychiatrist with specialization in addiction medicine.  Dr. MacBeath leads our medical services, and supervises the work of our team of specialist medical doctors.  She is also one of the kindest and most down-to-earth care providers I have known—truly dedicated to patient care.
• Alexis Winter, our Director of Nursing. Alexis is a skilled, dynamic Registered Psychiatric Nurse, with a wealth of experience in the field of mental health and addictions. Equally motivated by patient care, she leads our hands-on nursing team, which will provide on-site care 24-hours a day, 365 days per year.

I believe every member of our team would say the same thing: it’s easy to come to work every day, knowing we’ll have the chance to do some good and help people.  Also, it doesn’t hurt that our facility is sits atop a beautiful mountain on Vancouver Island, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

When we open our doors later in 2019, we will welcome people from all walks of life, who are in need of care for a wide range of mental health problems and addictions.  We will provide care for:

• people who struggle with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, including first responders and military service members
• people who struggle with the most difficult levels of addiction and require medically-supervised detox
• executives and professionals who struggle from burnout, addiction, or other mental health concerns
• young adults wrestling with addiction or mental health problems, and who may be struggling to ‘find their way’ in adult life
• adults who have depression or severe anxiety

Essentially, our doors will be open to those who struggle with mental distress and addictions.  We consider it our privilege to serve individuals and communities in need of care and support.

As my colleagues and I prepare to welcome our first guests, we are just beginning this new chapter of Homewood Ravensview and our story of providing help to individuals challenged by mental health and addiction issues.  We hope that if you or someone you care about is in need of help, you will consider making Ravensview a part of your story too.  We’re here to help.

Dr. Michael Berry

Clinical Director, Homewood Ravensview

Stay tuned for our next blog post with more information about Ravensview and an update from our general manger, Rob DeClark.