Deanna Brady began her career as a Registered Practical Nurse more than two decades ago. Working at the Homewood Health Centre and specializing in mental health, she provided years of direct client care before taking on combined clinical and administrative responsibilities in Homewood’s Intake Services Department. There, Deanna balanced her responsibilities on the front line of care with the roles of case manager and admission specialist. In 2016, she became manager of Intake Services. Each of these roles and experiences has helped provide a strong foundation for Deanna’s current work.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Deanna has a Bachelor degree in Health Administration, and has now begun the Master of Health Management program at McMaster University. She has also achieved certification in Nursing Leadership and Health Informatics and has completed the RECO Salesperson Registration Education Program.

Dr. Wan completed his psychiatry residency in 2016 and is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Prior to joining Ravensview he worked in psychiatric emergency services as well as acute care inpatient settings. He also served as an assistant professor at Dalhousie University and was closely involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching settings. His areas of interest include: addiction psychiatry, personality disorders, and medical education. He enjoys providing team-based collaborative care in an interdisciplinary setting.

Dr. Julie Burbidge is a Registered Clinical Psychologist who completed her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON. Prior to joining the team at Ravensview, she worked primarily with adults with mood and anxiety disorders and trauma-related disorders in outpatient clinics, inpatient settings, and private practice. Dr. Burbidge has extensive experience providing individual and group therapy and assessment, in addition to teaching and clinical supervision. She has held academic and administrative positions during her career, and has been involved in program development in healthcare settings.

Alexis Winter is a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with a Master's degree in psychiatric nursing with experience working in hospital, tertiary care and community outreach settings in and around Victoria, BC. A leader in her profession, she served as a director and the vice-chair of the College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia for four years and she has a strong track record of working with interdisciplinary health care teams both on the front lines of care and in program and systems design.

Rebecca David, of the Pauquachin First Nation is serving as our cultural liaison. Rebecca brings to her work at Ravensview exceptional qualifications in both community leadership and addictions and mental health support. She serves on the board of directors of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations and the board of trustees for the National Indian Brotherhood Trust. Rebecca is responsible for cultivating strong relationships with indigenous leaders, elders, communities and agencies as she works to increase Homewood’s organizational understanding of and engagement with First Nations perspectives. Rebecca is working towards helping design and deliver programs that incorporate First Nations knowledge, practices and ceremonies.

Dr. Lyn MacBeath is the founding medical director of Homewood Ravensview. She is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Canada with certification in addiction medicine and specific expertise in the treatment of trauma and its related disorders. She has held medical director positions in mental health and addiction treatment and she is also a clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia. Dr. MacBeath is a well-known advocate for trauma-informed practices and for ensuring that services are responsive to cultural diversity.

Dr. Johann Blignaut is a family physician with a certificate of added competence in addiction medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He worked as a rural family physician with a wide scope of practice in Southern Manitoba before moving to British Columbia in 2020. He believes in holistic and trauma-informed care.

Dr. Nerenberg is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and a clinical assistant professor in the University of British Columbia Department of Psychiatry. Originally from Argentina, she completed her psychiatry training in 1991 at the University of Michigan in the US, specializing in addiction psychiatry with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She has also been certified in addiction medicine by ASAM, ABAM and CSAM. Her main areas of expertise are cross cultural mental health, PTSD and concurrent disorders. She has years of experience with special populations, such as veterans, health care professionals, immigrants and persons of indigenous origin.

Dr. Louise Good moved to Canada in 2013 from Ireland to complete her family medicine residency in Queens University, Kingston, ON. She has been working in the field of addictions and mental health since 2016 and completed the International Society of Addiction Medicine (ISAM) Certification Exam in 2018. Prior to joining the team at Ravensview, she ran an inpatient addiction medicine consult service and an outpatient opioid use disorder clinic in Ontario.

Dr. Amanda Pitcher was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. She attended the University of Western Ontario where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Next, she spent a year working in Montreal at the Douglas Hospital in a psychiatry research lab before entering medical school at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON. She graduated in 2008 and then completed a residency program in psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Pitcher enjoys travel and has done locum work in New Zealand. She has been living and working in Victoria since 2014. Dr. Pitcher’s outside of work interests include music and the outdoors, often enjoyed with her husband and daughters.

Dr. Johnson graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Nursing in 1997, a Masters of Nursing in Advance Practice in 2005. In 2015, she completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Minnesota. Her clinical experience includes emergency, urgent care, primary care, addictions, occupational health, First Nations health, rural and remote practice and nursing education.

Laura is a registered psychiatric nurse working as a charge nurse at Ravensview. Laura has 12 years of dedicated nursing experience. She began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse working geriatric psychiatry. She completed additional education to become a registered psychiatric nurse before spending a year in assertive community treatment (ACT) with Island Health. Working with a trauma-informed lens and a holistic approach to nursing, Laura is dedicated and compassionate about supporting a holistic recovery for all clients at Ravensview.

Nanette is a UBC graduate registered nurse, who has worked extensively in the field of mental health, substance use, and HIV. Nanette practices with a trauma informed lens and is dedicated to ongoing learning and leadership. She is currently working on her Masters of Nursing in leadership and education. Her passion in caring for those impacted by the social determinants of health started early on in her career when she worked at the height of the HIV epidemic, both at St Paul’s Hospital and in the downtown eastside (DTES) of Vancouver. Her work in the DTES involved a research project for the BC Center for Excellence. Nanette spent 6 years working in healthcare in Saskatoon where she also served as president for the board of AIDS Saskatoon. The last couple years of Nanette’s working career has been spent on the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Victoria.

Ashling Ligate is a Registered Nurse with specialized training in addictions from the University of Toronto, Wilfrid Laurier University, and University of British Columbia. She has a Masters of Education from the University of Toronto and is passionate about client education. She has training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. Her professional experiences includes working in community outreach teams, medical detox, and psychiatric intensive care. Ashling has been a nursing instructor and mentor through Stenberg College, University of Victoria, Camosun College, and Sprott Shaw College.

Kelsey is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Kelsey has several years of experience working in Geriatric Mental Health and Community Care. As part of her ongoing professional development she has completed training in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD. Kelsey enjoys being a part of a strong interdisciplinary team that is dedicated to providing the best trauma informed care to its clients.

Craig Extine is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. As a therapist who specializes in trauma, Craig is committed to evidence-based practices and has a strong theoretical background in depth psychology, attachment theory and cognitive behavioural therapy. He is a certified provider of Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD and has specialized training in DBT, childhood trauma, and PTSD treatment for military and first responders. Craig’s experience prior to Ravensview includes working in inpatient addiction treatment and providing therapy for anxiety and depression to adults and children. He appreciates collaborating as part of an interdisciplinary team, has experience providing clinical supervision and is passionate about ongoing research and learning.

Sandrea Sampson is a member of the Saanich first nation. Sandrea shares her experience not only from an academic level, but also sharing her personal experience and values through holistic ways of healing and storytelling. Implementing holistic awareness of the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects are facilitated through workshops with culture teachings.
Sandrea previous work with mental health and addictions services have been a great pleasure to help those find a way to maintain a holistic balance. Sandrea states that It is now a pleasure to become a team player with Homewood Ravensview as your Culture Elder to make a difference to those who are seeking support toward healing.

Paul has been working in addiction recovery for over 14 years. Paul combines his personal experience with his professional experience and education to provide holistic, evidenced based treatment for patients at Ravensview. Paul has spent the last 9 years working for inpatient and outpatient addiction recovery services on Vancouver Island. Paul has strong local connections which he bring into his work here at Ravensview.

Irvine G. Harvey (he/him/his) is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and a Certified Canadian Counsellor on Vancouver Island. He lives in Sidney, BC, with his family. He earned a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology from Adler University (Vancouver, BC), a Certificate in Community Counselling from Vancouver Community College (Vancouver, BC), and a Degree in Physical Therapy from Angeles University (Philippines). He is an active member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).He provide counselling services for First Nations Health Authority, ICBC, Metis Nation BC, and Crime Victims Assistance Program. He is a Certified DBT Practitioner and will complete training as a Certified ADHD Professional.

Dillon is a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Registered Art Therapist. He has worked across Canada providing therapy in various environments; a research facility, outpatient hospital setting and multiple non-profit organizations in local communities. An area of specialization is his deep understanding of intersectionality, trauma and mental health specifically on the 2SLGBTQIA+ & (Dis)Ability Communities. Dillon aims to provide safety, connection and empowerment for all the clients he works with.

Dylan received his Masters of Social Work from the University of Victoria, and is registered through the BC College of Social Workers. Prior to Ravensview, Dylan was the social worker at a tertiary mental health facility, a member of the Assertive Community Treatment teams, and a Youth & Family Counsellor at the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. Originally from Prince Rupert, BC, Dylan has called Victoria his home since 2015. He has developed an expansive knowledge of resources on the island, and understands the many barriers that people face, when trying to access them.

Tammy is a registered Occupational Therapist and graduated with a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of Toronto. Her clinical experience includes: spinal cord, stroke and geriatric rehabilitation; palliative care; community-based work in rural and urban settings with persons with serious and persistent mental illness; and inpatient treatment for substance use, post-traumatic stress, and concurrent disorders. She is continually inspired by the courage and resilience of the human spirit as she partners with individuals to support them through transitions from surviving, to coping, and to thriving in the activities and roles they most value. After nearly 8 years at Homewood Health Centre in Guelph, Ontario, Tammy brings with her to Ravensview a wealth of knowledge and tools proven to effectively help clients achieve their goals within the program.

Marianne is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for health promotion, social justice, and all things food. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Simon Fraser University, and a Bachelor of Science in Food, Nutrition and Health from the University of British Columbia. She has worked in a variety of practice areas as a dietitian, including pediatrics, long-term care, population health, and communications. Marianne is member of Dietitians of Canada, and sits on the organizing committee for their annual national conference. Using intuitive eating principles and a patient-centered approach, Marianne works with individuals to find nourishment and enjoyment in eating and improve their relationship with food.

Ronnie has been in the field of recreational therapy for the past 17 years. He has worked with clients of all ages and abilities with a focus on physical, mental, social and spiritual health. Ronnie has a passion for physical activity and works hard to deliver programming that allows clients to create new, healthier habits and routines. These new habits will help foster lasting change and create a more balanced lifestyle critical to recovery after discharge.

A musician since the age of five, Kirsten completed undergraduate training in music therapy at Wilfrid Laurier University, and graduate studies in music therapy at Concordia University in Montreal. Kirsten has over 24 years of clinical experience, including pediatric rehabilitation for children with physical and mental challenges, long term care for seniors with dementia, and with clients and families receiving palliative care. Her interests in research and writing have led her to contribute to the music therapy literature in Canadian and international journals. She has served on the boards of both the Canadian Association of Music Therapists and the Music Therapy Association of British Columbia. In her personal life, she enjoys performing chamber music.

Stefanie Denz is an art therapist committed to supporting people in their healing through creative expression. She received her MFA on full scholarship from the University of Auckland in 1989. After many years of studio work, teaching drawing and painting, she studied for her BEd, (VIU, 2016) and then went on to get her Art Therapy Certification from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. As an Art Therapist, Stefanie works at women's shelters, community services and an art drop in for homeless people. Stefanie lives on Salt Spring Island where she maintains an active studio practice and connects with the arts community. She believes creativity is a source of healing on many levels and that all people are creative.

Cliff is a Registered Horticultural Therapist with the Canadian Horticultural Therapy Association, Certified Career Development Practitioner, and Mental Health Educator. He is in the business of helping others discover their potential, and has a passion for connecting people with plants and nature for therapeutic benefits. Cliff is originally from Ottawa, Ontario. He recently moved from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island to join the Ravensview Expressive Therapies Team.

Kailie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and has a passion for psychometry and research. Most recently, she worked as a behavioural interventionist for children with autism which helped her grow both professionally and personally. While at the University of Victoria, she worked as a research assistant in the Childhood Development Lab, which she found incredibly interesting and fun as she was able to fulfill her love of psychometric tests. Kailie has always wanted a career in mental health and is delighted to be a part of the Ravensview team and Homewood Health organization.

Harrison is an outgoing, dedicated member of the interdisciplinary team at Ravensview. A graduate of the Mental Health & Addictions Certificate program offered at Camosun College, he brings compassion, enthusiasm, and gratitude alongside the lived experience of his own recovery to the role of Support Worker. As an avid supporter of destigmatizing mental health, he finds seeing and supporting the individual journeys of others incredibly fulfilling.

Anna is an outgoing, driven individual who is devoted to helping others in initiating their journey to recovery. Before joining the team at Ravensview, Anna worked in an outpatient clinic with the province of British Columbia, for youth involved in the justice system. Being a part of a trauma-informed and client centered team inspires Anna in her work. Anna is a compassionate person who looks forward to assisting clients during their stay, as she believes that a healthy mind and healthy body are of paramount importance.

Brandon Elderton’s culinary career began early on, inspired by his love for food in his youth. After graduating from a Culinary Arts program in Kamloops, B.C at age 20, Elderton sought opportunities to further develop his own creativity. Elderton’s culinary repertoire flourished during the summer of 2006 at the Tlell River House in Haida Gwaii, where he developed and refined his culinary techniques. He proceeded to King Pacific Lodge and worked closely with the Executive Chef where he extended his skills to all outlets of scratch baking to local foraging, landing him a position as a private Chef for an American Billionaire. After spending 3 years working privately, Elderton went on to take the role of Culinary Director, for a premier Senior Living organization. In health care, Elderton was encouraged to expose his creative expressions, which landed multiple publications, including the Globe and Mail in 2017.

Wightson has qualifications as an electrician and also has a law degree. He is responsible for the facility’s maintenance and safety. Coming from Africa, which has limited opportunities, Wightson has worked extremely hard and has not taken any opportunity to work for granted. Wightson grew up on a farm in a small town on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia. His dad fixed everything by himself and taught his children how to keep the farm going on a low budget. Wightson likes to have fun and enjoys science fiction movies, reading history, auto biographies and mental self-improvement books.

Pam moved to the South Island in 2011 and started working in the private retirement sector. She quickly transitioned into the home support community. Pam’s passion is helping people access care in a clean, respectful environment. After a close family member battled addiction, her focus shifted to helping in the mental health and addiction community. We keep our standards high and the building exceptionally well kept. Pam likes to treat everyone as if they are family; a smile and a kind eye can go a long way to brighten someone’s day.